Inspired by Angela's post, I am conducting a poll. We all love food for sure! So, what about fast food? How often do you eat it and do you have any particular favorites (food, restaurants, etc)? As for what constitutes fast food, I'll let you use your judgment. I would say include anything that's fast and from a large chain (McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Pizza whatever...)

As for myself, I gave up fast food years ago and have never looked back. No cravings, no nothing. Of course, I do love a good burger, but a good burger is something I cook myself. Fresh, healthy, and yummy Anyway, so nay is my vote. What about you?

cheers,

-avatar!

I love food, especially fast food. Still, I don't eat it too often outside getting something on Fridays from the local Sheetz gas store after work as a treat for putting up with the bs at work during the week.

I'd have to say my favorite fast food joint is Arby's because of their Rost Beef Sandwitches but man are they expensive anymore - it's almost $4 for a medium!

Also, I hate Wendy's commercials - "it's not fast food, it's Wendy's" - uh, no. It's fast food because it is Wendy's and no amount of marketing on your part is going to change people's view on that so shut up!

That's the thing, fast food isn't really "cheap" anymore; this probably keeps me more in line than anything.

No way, man. Vegan + fast food = not really that compatible. Also, eating healthy + fast food = not really that compatible, either.

However, sometimes I do get french fries from Wendy's (because, unlike McDonald's, they do NOT flavor them with beef bullion) or I will get a bean burrito sans cheese from Taco Bell. But that's only if I am there with someone else - I never ask or have a craving to get fast food.

I eat fast food maybe 3-4 times a month, if that.  I sorta treat it as a comfort thing, much like alcohol and smoking cigs.  Stress relief maybe?  I'm not sure.  Eating garbage does make you feel good though, not sure why.  But a lot of it just tastes fake so I stay away when I can.  Especially Pizza Hut, oh man, their pizza has done a number on my stomach many times in the past so I pretty much never get it now.  I'll spare you all the details.

My favorite place is Taco Bell.  You would think highly processed taco stuff would really mess with one's stomach but I never have a problem, plus it's super delicious for being fast food.  Their value menu rocks and who doesn't love a grilled stuft burrito every now and then?  Burger King would be #2 due to their burgers actually tasting like.. real burgers!  Then comes McDonald's due to three menu items: double cheeseburger, sausage mcmuffin w/ egg, and their fries.  I never order anything else there.  Not a fan of Wendy's.  Their burgers are always cold and nasty looking, plus as Ashley already said, their new ad campaign is pure bullshit.  I also stay away from KFC, their chicken has gotten real bad in the past few years.  Last time I had it (a year ago?) it gave me cramps and didn't even taste good.

Hmm.. I haven't had fast food in like two weeks.  Combine that fact with this topic being started and.. yup.. I think I'm gonna get me a burrito this week!  Thanks guys!

-Mike

Same here, so I suppose my answer is 'yea'.  It's Taco Bell followed by Pizza Hut followed by Burger King.  Going to a fast food place that isn't one of those three is a rarity indeed.

As for frequency, I'd say maybe once a week.

tuesday is sashimi day at Tensuke Market. their $15 set is only $10

there's this awesome place called Besa Mi Taco in Itasca that has 1.5lb burritos for $4 and a fresh salsa bar (where we end up filling 8-10 of those 2oz plastic cups per visit)... we tried to go there yesterday but the 8 inches of rain that fell turned the normally 20' wide salt creek into 1/4 mile wide dumping about 3 feet of water onto the 4-lane highway we needed to cross...

...so we settled for Thai at http://happyelephant.net/

I used to eat at McDonalds quite a bit but these days, I'll treat myself maybe once a month to a healthy sub at Subway. ... well, relatively healthy, at least.

The only fast food I eat with any regularity is Subway (2-4 times per month), but that's much less nasty than most types of fast food.

If Tim Horton's no longer existed I'd probably go through withdrawal.

Do you guys have Tim Horton's in the US?

Generally speaking, I don't do fast food. A lot of it just doesn't taste good for me. On rare occasion, if I'm in a bind or a hurry and just need something quick to chomp down, sure. Otherwise, it doesn't even cross my mind.

With one   huge   exception.

Chick-Fil-A. I am unusually fervent toward their food to the point where I attend grand openings for the free meal coupons they give away to the first 100 customers. I eat it once every 1-2 weeks and it's a delight every time. I'm not going to pretend it's super nutritious or anything, but it seems to be a few steps up the competition--and the taste is certainly unparalleled. You know they're doing something right when the big boys (McDonald's and KFC) trot out clones of the classic Chick-Fil-A sandwich--and don't come close to matching it.

I recommend fast food in the event there is some emergency and it is the only food available. In other words, eating it is preferable to starvation.

There is a confusion in the general population concerning the purpose of eating. Most people think the purpose of eating is to satisfy the taste buds. The real purpose is to the give the body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly and not need caffeine, alcohol, drugs, energy drinks, etc. The only supplements really necessary are the ones that are difficult to get enough of from regular food, such as vitamin D.

The main problem with fast food is the excessive use of cheese. It activates the pleasure center in the brain. It is part of the reason why it feels so good to eat fast food.

Another Yea here, but I do try to keep it to a minimum.
I eat at Subway's maybe once a week, but I don't consider that real junk food.

I only occasionally eat at McDonald's, and I ALWAYS take a salad instead of French Fries.

I also eat KFC's like, once every two weeks or something.

Subway has been a staple since about 2001 and I get regular cravings for it (twice a week is about the norm). Quiznos is steadily moving up as well (I always get the meat one, with the dipping sauce). And I can't really say enough good things about Taco Bell, other than the Crunchwrap Supreme is god's gift to fast food eaters everywhere. Cheap, hearty and absosmurfly delicious, I always get one if I know the next meal is a long way off. Also love their new volcano tacos and the classic gorditas.

Occasionally, I'll get a hankerin' for Wendy's chicken nuggets or McDonald's fries or BK's cheeseburger stackers with bacon, but not too often anymore.

I try to avoid it these days as much as possible (being 145 lbs at 5 ft, 8 in.). My favorites are Dunkin' Donuts (typically just for coffee and an occasional donut), Dairy Queen (Oreo Blizzard!), Wendy's (mainly for their chili) and Subway because I can walk out of there satisfied, not feeling like hell in less than an hour.

I absolutely quit places like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC -- mainly because TB repeats on me and Pizza Hut and KFC are death -- or what it feels like to a slow descent towards it. No more ultra-processed, beyond trueform crap for me.

I have a method of satisfaction whenever I go to any of the chains: basically minus all the really harmful/fatty/guilt-laden additives they throw on that are a detriment: sauces, salts, mayo, etc -- not on my sandwich/burger. I'm a fairly plain guy at that -- I never think I'm missing anything when it's not there.

I will indulge every once in a great while with a large fries from either Wendy's or McDonalds -- though I am one of the very few who prefers no salt so I usually end up waiting.

"Not fast food, good food served quickly."  Thank you, Kenny Roger's Chicken Shack's Seth!

As a fast-paced New Yorker, it's hard not to give in to the allure of a quick meal purchase at any of the many available local chains.  I'm not a big burger/sandwich/pizza/chicken/taco eater per se, but I do frequent my favorite Chinese takeouts.  A bowl of Hong Kong pork congi, sesame chicken over fried rice, or a couple of satay beef sticks with an eggroll are my favorite dishes to indulge upon.

If I'm ever at the malls, I make it a point to pick up a plate of the chicken teriyaki over rice combo at Sarku Japan.  I've also developed a major liking to Go Go Curry, so if I'm ever in the neighborhood, I'll make sure to grab a Grand Slam to hold me over for a couple of days.   

And, of course, once in a blue moon, I'll stop by White Castle for the munchies.  And I don't even need to get high for it.

Subway, occasionally. I might indulge the local Dairy Queen, and hit up one of  them badass sandwhiches they got, but that isn't very often.

Usually when I don't eat breakfast in the morning.

Edit: Oh, and avatar!, agreed completely on a good burger. Grill that sumbitch till it smokes, soak it in sauces, do it up, man!

. . . now I'm all hungry.

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Brother, why not try eating more  fruit? Cheap, also a lot more healthy, gives you more energy, too.

I thought they were forced to stop doing this because of a lawsuit filed by an Indian couple. Besides they definitely don't taste as good as they did before the lawsuit. I'll tell you that much, even if they weren't forced to stop.

Fruit and nuts are always great! If you're in a hurry/are tired, how about some whole-grain bread with smoked turkey, some hummus, a slice of tomato, cucumber... now I'm hungry

edit: Also, eggs are great. They do have high cholesterol, but if you have one or two per day, and don't eat lots of other greasy, fatty, foods, you'll be fine. Also, you can always toss out the yoke.

i wait till when Lean Pockets or Tony's pizza pockets go on sale for $1, then fill the freezer. I would never buy that stuff at full price though. If you look thru the sale ads before you go shopping you can get great deals if u only buy 1/2 price or bogo items...

or

make a huge-ass-batch of pancakes (add quick oats to the batter and they'll really fill you up) and freeze em. take a few out and throw em in a plastic bag to take to work. Also bagels fill this need quite nicely.

Fast food companies piss me off mostly. Their constant advertising bugs me, some of them advertising to children bugs me, their food content and the fact that they think putting a line like 'should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet' gives them carte blanche to put any old crap in their food bugs me and many of their staffing and business practices bug me.

But, man, I just love fast food. I can't get enough of it. Oh, man, I want a Big Mac just writing this. I'd slip Ronald MacDonald the tongue right now if he was standing at the door offering me a Big Mac.

Yeah, I like my fast food.

damnit jay,, we'll have no such talk of rimming ronald on this forum. dont make me report you...

Some chains/franchises I can handle. Being a vegetarian certainly limits the options. Off the top of my head, here's how I'd weigh it out:

Category 1: I like eating here
--
Subway
Quizno's
Locally-owned pizza places

Category 2: I'm *willing* to eat here
--
Cheap Chinese / pan-Asian mall food
Chain pizza (Dominos, Pizza Hut, Papa John, etc)
Wendy's (for the frosty...gross, but a guilty pleasure)

Category 3: I'll never eat here
--
McDonalds
Burger King
Wendy's (except frosty...)
Taco Bell
KFC
Hardees
Arby's
Bojangles
Chick Filet
etcetcetcetcetc

Most of my non-cooked meals come from locally owned *restaurants* ... generally, ethnic foods of all sorts. Middle East / Mediterranean is a big one (falafel, yes please!). Most Asian places are good: Viet, Thai, Chinese, Japanese ... love it. Spicy Indian food (north or south Indian, don't matter) is super good. Also, I love African and South American restaurants that are owned by natives of a particular country and cook in a style that is native to that country. I've eaten at Kenyan restaurants and Nicaraguan restaurants. GOOD stuff.

Probably the best thing I've discovered was a restaurant in Durham NC called "Bali Hai." It was a Mongolian Grill. SO good.

Ramza

Just yesterday I made the rounds at my mall's food court and walked away with a Volcano Taco from Taco Bell (disappointingly tame), Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger from Wendy's (kinda small, but not bad for 99 cents), and a fruit-and-yogurt parfait from McDo (far from perfect). I rarely eat fast food nowadays, though, and when I do I usually skip the fries and soda.

I really don't think there's anything wrong with fast food as long as you eat it in moderation or at least burn off the calories. In college I was obsessed with Popeye's, Subway, McDonald's, and Burger King (99 cent Whopper Tuesdays FTW), but I actually lost weight during that time because of all the walking I had to do on my way to school. For me, the freshman 15 actually meant 15 pounds lost.   Just don't overdo it by eating 23,000 Big Macs.

I know there are a few near the border, but I also saw one in Rhode Island of all places.

Tim Horton's have made rounds across the northeast and midwest so far that I know.

First few times I liked their coffee, but it's really nothing special and they don't grind and that's a big difference for a black coffee drinker like me (who burr grinds at home). Their donuts are also inferior to the competition in size and taste. Last outing I had at Horton's was in Ohio, and the coffee tasted horrible (bad experience I guess). So much for no Dunkin' Donuts in the area.

Canandians are really excited about it though...

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I dunno... college towns seem like the kinds of places where I see ethnic food the most.  I've always just attributed that to younger people being more open minded about trying new things.  There's always been a disappointing lack of a lot of ethnic foods in the area where I grew up.  There isn't even a good option for Polish food and most of the older neighborhoods in the area are FULL of Polish people!  At least we get awesome Mexican!

Edit: Also wanted to mention that we have so many options for cheap REAL Mexican food that it makes Taco Bell seem kind of silly to have here.  I don't even know if our Taco Bell is going to survive... we got MAJOR flooding here over the weekend and the local TB had water up to the top of the doors (same with Target/Gamestop/a bunch of other stuff).  :\

I really enjoy ethnic food myself. Just so you know, a nice, local, ethnic, restaurant does not mean it's healthy. In fact, most Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Irish restaurants do NOT make particularly healthy food. Sure, you can really go out of your way to make sure you order healthy food (if available), but most people love the creamy, very fatty food, such as chicken tikka masala. Anyway, just letting you know

cheers,

-avatar!

thats cause polish food involves stuff like pigs blood soup and other carcass part concoctions i really dont wanna know.

8.65" rain in Elk grove village over the weekend. River road in rosemont literally became annexed by the des plaines. They hyatt regency o'hare was up to the front door. i took a movie of the Salt creek next to EGV high school, its normally about 20' wide. it was about 2 blocks wide

I don't eat fast food all that often, but I like knowing it's there as an option.  I like Wendy's and Arby's, but could do without most of the rest.  If there was a Chick-Fil-A anywhere around here, I would probably eat there once every two weeks or so, and if there was a Fatburger nearby, I might just be eating there four times a week.  The burgers they serve there are just so amazing.

Careful now... you might have to go on a Crash diet...