Matt Youmans names a new ‘old’ No. 1 in his sixth annual list
On a day when many revelers were throwing hamburgers and hot dogs on a backyard grill, Chris “The Bear” Fallica was hunting for fast food. It was July 4 and Fallica said he was feeling “melancholy” while in Los Angeles, far away from family and friends in Connecticut.
A Fox Sports analyst who was working on the network’s soccer coverage, Fallica suddenly had a bright idea that lit up his day. He decided to take a drive to Portillo’s in Buena Park, which is near Disneyland and a ballpark where Shohei Ohtani became baseball’s biggest star.
“It was an off day and I just wanted a hot dog and American fare,” he said. “I thought I remembered hearing there was a Portillo’s in the L.A. area. Was it a 45-minute drive from where I stayed? Yes. Did that matter? Not at all.”
In July 2022, I joined VSiN “Follow The Money” hosts Paul Howard and Mitch Moss on a flight to Southern California to visit the same Portillo’s, a sensational Chicago-themed spot that Howard and Moss had never experienced. It turned into a life-changing experience for both. Fallica was equally impressed on his trip last month.
“I basically made the trip two meals, starting with a late-ish lunch dining in with a chili dog, sausage with mustard, onions and peppers, and onion rings,” Fallica said. “After sitting there for a bit, I went back for round two for a takeaway dinner later that evening — an Italian beef sandwich with the au jus on the side.”
Fallica is best known as a sharp college football handicapper. “The Bear” was the 2022 winner of the inaugural Circa Friday Football Invitational, a VSiN-produced handicapping contest that is set to return in September. Fallica is also a fast-food enthusiast, which is probably atypical for a guy who has been married for 17 years, and he didn’t hesitate when asked to rank his No. 1 franchise.
“I almost feel bad calling this fast food, but Portillo’s is the undisputed champ,” Fallica said.
A Chicago street-food chain, Portillo’s topped my “Fast Food Top 50 Power Rankings” for VSiN in 2022. Last year, my annual list featured a change at the top with Culver’s, a Wisconsin-based chain famous for ButterBurgers, taking over as No. 1.
Ranking fast-food franchises is a fluid situation, but the two at the top have separated from the pack. In college basketball last season, it was UConn and Purdue and then everyone else. In college football this season, it appears to be Georgia and Ohio State and then everyone else. In the fast-food arena, it’s still Culver’s and Portillo’s — but which is the top dog this year?
On the subject of burgers, hot dogs, Italian beef and fast food in general, Mike North has the credentials to be called an expert. He owned a hot dog stand before embarking on what is now a 32-year career in Chicago sports radio. Long before he was heard on the air, he was a young employee talking into a drive-thru speaker at a Jack in the Box franchise in 1969.
“I made the tacos,” North said. “I did it all.”
North became friends with Dick Portillo, who opened his first hot dog stand in the Chicago area in 1963 and eventually made millions by selling Portillo’s to Berkshire Partners in 2014. Portillo’s exploded in popularity and has expanded to locations across the country, including Arizona and California. The franchise recently announced plans to open a Las Vegas location.
“It’s under new ownership and it’s corporate now,” North said. “It’s not the same without Dick Portillo. It’s still a good product, don’t get me wrong.”
Asked to rank his top franchises, North said, “All the old-school places.” He reeled off KFC, Burger King and McDonald’s along with Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Portillo’s.
Fallica’s Top 10, for the record, starts with Portillo’s and is followed by Chick-fil-A, White Castle, Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s, Five Guys, Qdoba, Arby’s, KFC and Wendy’s.
It’s time to unveil my sixth annual “Fast Food Top 50 Power Rankings” for VSiN, a feature that created heated debates during the pandemic summer of 2020, when we hosted “Follow The Money” shows and needed to create content while the sports world was shut down. Moss’ wife is a chef, but he’s a longtime lover of dogs and fast food. Howard and I share a hate for vegetables, especially broccoli and everything green, and never cook at home.
This is a relevant topic because a majority of sports bettors — especially those of us who are single — trend as failures in the kitchen and need fast food to survive. We make pit stops for food as we move from one sportsbook to another. On the brink of football season, fast food and football handicapping are my top priorities each day.
For the first-time viewers of these rankings, I say this each year with no arrogance and simply state it as fact for background information: With about 50 years of experience in the fast-food arena, starting as a toddler, I have earned unrivaled credibility by living this subject. Fast food is a lifestyle, not a hobby meant for entertainment purposes. I stop for fast food three to five times per day, own no silverware and have a towering stack of paper plates in a kitchen cabinet next to a drawer stuffed with countless plastic forks, knives and spoons.
Now is when the amateur doctors always step in and mock this is an unhealthy existence. The truth is I have been employed full time for almost 30 years and have never used a sick day — no, COVID never got to me — so digest that and realize it is possible to live well on fast food.
The rankings I produce are based on decades of daily experiences and research, supported by unique mathematical formula. This entire exercise might seem insane to some, but there is a method to this rankings madness. I develop power ratings for fast-food franchises using a similar formula that generates my numbers on college football and basketball teams. There are five categories with each worth a maximum of 10 points. Restaurants are judged on food quality, menu variety, drive-thru or takeout service efficiency, nationwide availability and intangibles.
While the definition of fast food is tricky, and a drive-thru window should be a near-necessity, there are exceptions to every rule in life and gray areas exist, so some franchises listed might offer drive-thru service at only a small percentage of locations. I’m a big fan of Denny’s and Waffle House, but there are no diners on my list and pizza places are a separate category.
We all have different opinions and tastes, so the only lock is that my rankings are sure to trigger countless disagreements. But this is my Top 50 list, love it or hate it, and feel free to make your own. So let the debates begin.
1. Portillo’s
Last year’s rank: 2
Back to the future. This is the top dog again. It’s tough to beat the Italian beef with hot giardiniera peppers. The next-best hits in a loaded lineup are the Chicago dog, Maxwell Street Polish and cheeseburger. This was a frequent stop for me while living in Chicago in the 1990s, and Portillo’s earned an important bonus point by announcing expansion plans to Vegas. Unlike the White Sox, Cubs and Bears, Portillo’s never disappoints.
Best Bet: Italian beef and sausage combo sandwich with hot giardiniera peppers, fries and/or onion rings, followed by the chocolate cake shake.
2. Culver’s
Last year’s rank: 1
After topping Portillo’s by a narrow margin in last year’s power ratings, Culver’s slipped slightly because of its reluctance to expand to Nevada and a recent negative experience for me at a location in Tucson, Ariz., where someone foolishly ordered steamed broccoli and stunk up the entire restaurant. Broccoli has absolutely no place on a fast-food menu. On the positive side, the sandwich options are incredible, highlighted by the ButterBurgers and followed by the chicken, fish, beef pot roast, chopped steak, pork loin and Reuben melt. The first location opened in Sauk City, Wisconsin in 1984. The franchise has expanded all over the country, but the closest locations to Las Vegas are in Bullhead City, Ariz., and St. George, Utah.
Best Bet: ButterBurger, Wisconsin cheese curds, fries and/or onion rings and frozen custard, specifically the turtle sundae.
3. Shake Shack
Last year’s rank: 6
While the chicken is fine, you go here first and foremost for the ShackBurger, which is as strong as Aaron Judge in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup. A franchise that started as a hot dog cart in New York City in 2001 has expanded across the country to California and Las Vegas, leading to a leap in the rankings.
Best Bet: ShackBurger, crinkle-cut fries, Shack-made lemonade and chocolate shake.
4. Freddy’s Steakburgers
Last year’s rank: 4
Barry Dakake, a chef and owner of Barry’s Downtown Prime in the Circa Resort & Casino, ranked this as his top fast-food stop in Las Vegas. Freddy’s, from Wichita, Kansas, has ranked in my top 10 six years in a row. Famous for steakburgers and frozen custard, the menu also offers dogs and chicken.
Best Bet: Triple steakburger, onion rings and turtle sundae.
5. McDonald’s
Last year’s rank: 8
As prices soar out of control at many restaurants, McDonald’s has wisely promoted a $5 meal deal that includes a McDouble burger or McChicken with four-piece chicken nuggets (get the hot mustard sauce), fries and a drink. Menu affordability has become more important to this year’s power rankings formula. Almost every McD’s drive-thru lane has a traffic jam for a reason. The haters are many, but so are the customers, and this remains the world’s top chain. No NBA team has a Big 3 better than the Big Mac, McRib and Quarter Pounder. That said, the franchise’s threats to discontinue the McRib, arguably the greatest fast-food sandwich of all time, could cause a rankings fall if that mistake becomes reality.
Best Bet: McRib, but if that’s unavailable go with the Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries (request well done) and chocolate chip cookies.
6. Chick-fil-A
Last year’s rank: 3
This Georgia-based franchise’s executives considered Las Vegas taboo for too many years, but they finally came around, just like the NHL and NFL, and hit the jackpot. Chick-fil-A features the best spicy chicken sandwich in the business, the breakfast options are improved and the customer service is impeccable. The menu is somewhat stagnant and needs a boost.
Fallica’s Pro Tip: “Many have tried to take the champ down, but this is still the best spot for chicken. I’ve actually found myself going there for breakfast more than lunch lately. My go-to is two chicken biscuits, but we add egg whites and american cheese to both, then I take the side of the biscuit where there’s no cheese and toss that, using the chicken breast as the other edge. It’s just a way to get a little less starch with the meal and enjoy the other stuff.”
7. Arby’s
Last year’s rank: 7
It’s mostly about the roast beef sandwiches, but this is a franchise with a quality deluxe burger, chicken and much more. Arby’s is never afraid to roll the dice on new items such as the Wagyu burger, and gamblers should appreciate a chain that takes chances and dares to be different.
Fallica’s Pro Tip: “Every now and then, you can feel like you’re in a rut rotating between burgers, chicken and Mexican. That’s when an Arby’s roast beef and cheese really hits home hard. And don’t forget the seasoned curly fries.”
8. Dairy Queen
Last year’s rank: 9
The price inflation in the fast-food market is not evident at DQ, a family-friendly franchise which keeps it real with the $7 meal deal — hamburger (or sub a chili dog or three chicken fingers), fries, drink and a sundae. The burgers and dogs are good enough. What boosts this ranking are the Blizzards and an old classic, the Peanut Buster Parfait.
9. Wendy’s
Last year’s rank: 10
Chick-fil-A has the top-ranked spicy chicken sandwich, and the Wendy’s version is a close second. The burgers always lead the marquee, but the menu has variety and, for early risers, the Breakfast Baconator with potato wedges is the best bet.
10. KFC
Last year’s rank: 16
Chicken is a battleground in the fast-food wars, and KFC has been a step ahead since Colonel Harland Sanders opened his first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Salt Lake City in 1952. The prices are appealing to the public — a two-piece fried chicken meal with a side is $4.99. The nuggets are legit. My dad recently announced, “KFC has the best coleslaw in the country.” Fallica added, “The show stealer is the mashed potatoes and gravy.”
11. Zippy’s
Last year’s rank: 12
Within an hour of arriving at the Maui airport, you will find me at this Hawaiian barbeque spot with an incredibly diverse menu. I usually go for the loco moco, but also take some shots with the chili, fried chicken, Portuguese sausage, spaghetti and teriyaki beef. There are more than 20 locations on the Islands and a new one in Las Vegas. Zip in to the takeout counter, which features faster service than many drive-thrus. Say “Mahalo” later.
12. In-N-Out Burger
Last year’s rank: 5
A West Coast hot spot as polarizing as the two presidential candidates, this is either loved or hated and there is no in between. The drive-thru lane is almost always a traffic jam, but the line usually moves fast. Competitive eating GOAT Joey Chestnut loves In-N-Out, as does VSiN senior reporter Dave Tuley, the network’s top competitive eater. I go for the double-double, and Tuley hits the triple. Ask for the fries to be “light well” or well done.
Fallica is not a fan, saying, “In-N-Out? I’m out. I can’t stand the sauce and the fries are garbage — thin, cold and soggy, which is also no way to go through life.”
13. Whataburger
Last year’s rank: 13
The green chile double is the best burger option, and the 24-hour drive thru is a big plus. It’s bigger in Texas, where handicappers Paul Stone and Bobby “Buckets” Brubeck brag about the burgers and grilled chicken sandwich. The fries are weaker than the three incompletions Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers threw from the 12-yard line in the final seconds of the loss to Washington in a College Football Playoff semifinal.
14. Raising Cane’s
Last year’s rank: 11
Out of the Top 10 for the second straight year yet still surging in popularity, Cane’s was born a “Pistol” Pete Maravich jump shot away from the LSU campus. The sauce is the boss and the Texas toast sizzles, but the chicken fingers are average and the fries often fizzle.
15. Taco John’s
Last year’s rank: 18
Anyone who believes Taco Bell is better needs to get out and explore the country. The crispy beef tacos and potato oles blow away the Bell. The Wyoming-based franchise is found in more than 20 states, including North Dakota, the home of gambling legend Randy McKay.
16. Burger King
Last year’s rank: 15
It’s mostly about the Whopper, a first-ballot Fast Food Hall of Famer. While the rest of the BK menu is hit-and-miss, the sausage biscuit and hash browns form an affordable, above-average breakfast.
17. A&W
Last year’s rank: 22
As old school as it gets. Burgers and coney dogs highlight the “All American Food” lineup at the oldest restaurant chain in America, founded 100 years ago by Roy Allen and Frank Wright in Sacramento, Calif. It’s well worth the 30-minute drive from Vegas to Boulder City for a root beer float, burger and onion rings — and a photo op with mascot Rooty the Bear.
18. Jersey Mike’s Subs
Last year’s rank: 21
This is the top sub shop on the list, if you can overlook the lame commercials with diminutive pitchman Danny DeVito. The Big Kahuna cheese steak with jalapenos is my go-to sandwich. If sub shops were baseball teams, Jersey Mike’s is the Yankees and Subway is the White Sox.
19. Qdoba
Last year’s rank: 24
In a perfect world, there would be far more Qdoba locations and far fewer Taco Bells. The seasoned beef and steak tacos rank among the best. With headquarters in the fine city of San Diego, this franchise easily tops its main rival, Chipotle, which crash lands outside the Top 50.
Fallica sees it the same way: “Qdoba blows away Chipotle. I refuse to go to Chipotle because people act like it’s a Michelin star restaurant. Spoiler alert — it’s not.”
20. Bojangles
Last year’s rank: 25
“Bo” is expanding from SEC football country and opening a new location in Las Vegas. VSiN’s Stormy Buonantony is a big-time booster for Bojangles, loved mostly for fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. It is better than Zaxby’s, another Southern chain that landed just outside of the rankings.
21. Smashburger
Last year’s rank: 23
The burgers are a smashing success, with my favorite being the spicy jalapeno baja burger. The Denver-based franchise opened in 2007, which seems like the last time the Broncos beat the Raiders.
22. Huey Magoo’s
Last year: Unranked
The food court inside the Fremont Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas flies under the radar and features the emerging Magoo’s. The sauce and Texas toast are similar to what’s served at Raising Cane’s, while the chicken fingers and fries are superior. Huey touts itself for using the “best 3% of the chicken” and claims to be “The Filet Mignon of Chicken.” This franchise, mostly located in Ohio and the Southeast, is a rising star yet it’s tough to find.
23. El Pollo Loco
Last year’s rank: 20
Not a big fan of fried chicken? Try the Mexican-style grilled chicken as an alternative. The side options are good, too. Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken,” El Pollo Loco deals what I consider to be a healthy meal.
24. Firehouse Subs
Last year’s rank: 27
Firehouse is turning up the heat on Jersey Mike’s and it blows away Subway in the sub shop business. I warmed up to the Hook & Ladder, meatball and steak & cheese sandwiches.
25. Steak ‘n Shake
Last year’s rank: 14
Times change and this once-great spot has dropped all the way from my top five six years ago. When living in the Chicago area, this was my go-to and I hit the 24-hour drive-thru 38 days (or late nights) in a row in the late 1990s. The burgers and shakes are still solid. South Point owner Michael Gaughan deserves credit for making his casino a launching pad for VSiN 7 1/2 years ago, and he also was wise to put a Steak ‘n Shake a football throw away.
26. Fatburger
Last year’s rank: 19
This is not always fast food. Many times it is delivered very slowly. Still, “The Last Great Hamburger Stand” out of Beverly Hills presents a quality product. Bettors need to know there are locations in the food courts by the Red Rock and Sunset Station sportsbooks.
27. Cook Out
Last year’s rank: 40
I’ll admit to never going to Cook Out – a popular spot in the South with most locations in North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia — but it looks like my kind of place due to the burgers, BBQ, hot dogs and shakes. My regional scouts say positive things, so the power rating gets a boost.
28. Nathan’s Famous
Last year’s rank: 26
I often hit the location in the Las Vegas airport for the chili dog and fries, a winning parlay. A solid menu offers more than hot dogs. Nathan’s is most famous for the July 4 contest on Coney Island in New York. Little known fact: About four years ago, after Greg “Hoops” Peterson choked and needed the Heimlich maneuver during a hot-dog eating contest we staged in studio, competitive eating events have been banned at VSiN.
29. Fuddruckers
Last year’s rank: 28
Only one location remains in Las Vegas, but it’s open 24 hours inside the Orleans Casino. A build-your-own-toppings bar complements the big burgers. It’s a restaurant more suited for sit-down dining than carry-out orders, but there are select spots with drive-thrus.
30. Long John Silver’s
Last year’s rank: 30
A few times a month I stop for the “L2” meal — chicken planks and hush puppies, with both smothered in tartar sauce, and coleslaw. The fish is good, but chicken planks are the star of the show. I miss the old days, when Long John’s had a classic structural setting that resembled a fish house, but the last one I know of in this area recently closed in Barstow, California. Now, most LJS locations are combined with KFC in corporate buildings with no character.
31. Capriotti’s
Last year: Unranked
Moss is a big Capriotti’s fan, and Circa Sports oddsmaker Nick Bogdanovich hypes the fries as elite. The American Wagyu cheese steak and roast beef subs are worth a shot. This franchise is located in 27 states with headquarters in Las Vegas.
32. The Habit Burger
Last year’s rank: 17
Why the fall 15 spots? The Habit had a classic tenderloin steak sandwich, which was by far the best item on the menu, but it was discontinued several months ago. The burgers and fries are good enough to merit an occasional visit.
33. White Castle
Last year’s rank: 37
Similar to In-N-Out, this place is polarizing and you probably either love it or hate it. My opinion slides somewhere in the middle. I do go for the sliders and chicken-with-cheese sandwiches. “The Castle” seems to have no bigger fan than “The Bear,” who loves the mini-cheeseburgers and fish sandwiches. The late-night drive-thru was a regular stop for me in the Midwest.
Fallica talks about it poetically: “I know some don’t like White Castle, but it’s a delicacy for this native Long Islander. The way the onions and cheese melt into bun is culinary art. Because Connecticut is an awful state, my Castle trips are limited these days, thus truly special when I make them. If you’ve ever made the drive from Vegas to the Arizona border to park on the side of the road at the Kingman Access Road exit to fire in bets at DraftKings or FanDuel, you have to load up for the trip. Four bacon double cheese, two filet of fish, an onion ring and mozzarella stick with a sweet tea usually does the trick to get you through the 40-minute drive and give you the energy you need to fire in your bets.”
34. Popeyes
Last year’s rank: 35
Popeyes is worth praising for the spicy fried chicken, Cajun fish, mashed potatoes and red beans & rice. The chicken sandwich, which once created amusement park-like lines for some mysterious reason, is no longer such a hot commodity and was always way overrated. The drive-thru lane is typically agonizingly slow and might as well be lined with cones while the road construction workers are nowhere to be found.
35. Five Guys
Last year’s rank: 33
While many fans rave about Five Guys, I’m not one of those guys. The hamburgers, hot dogs and fries are good, but fall short of the greatness some claim.
Fallica is definitely a fan, saying, “The age-old debate — is Five Guys really a fast food restaurant? Many are steadfast in the belief a fast food place must have a drive thru. I don’t go that far, but I respect those who believe it. If I can get in and out of a place quickly after ordering, it’s fast food. And now app ordering has made almost anything fast food. I prefer Five Guys to Shake Shack for burgers and fries.”
36. Taco Bell
Last year’s rank: 38
The Bell is wildly popular with many, but sharp bettors know the masses are often wrong, and the truth is there are countless better burrito/taco shops. I’m old enough to remember, back in the 1980s and 90s, when this place was good and cheap. Now it’s mediocre and expensive. The return of my best bet, the Mexican pizza, was worth a bump in the ranking.
37. Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s
Last year’s rank: 34
The Carl’s Jr. star can be seen all over Southern California. The Carl’s and Hardee’s franchises have operated as one brand for a long time yet have separate identities in different parts of the country. The burgers are solid. Carl’s Jr. also offers the Green Burrito menu at many locations, and the hard shell ground beef tacos are this handicapper’s pick, along with the chocolate ice cream shake.
38. Taco Cabana
Last year’s rank: 29
For those up for late-night Tex-Mex, most locations are open 24 hours and feature burritos, fajitas, quesadillas and terrific tacos. I discovered the Cabana about 20 years ago on a trip to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, and it’s a regional franchise popular in Texas and New Mexico.
39. Dunkin’ Donuts
Last year’s rank: 39
It is worth swinging by this drive-thru for breakfast or lunch for the bacon, egg & cheese sandwich and hash browns. Always order the hash browns. Dunkin’ is mainly known for coffee and doughnuts, but I never drink coffee and rarely eat doughnuts.
40. Tim Hortons
Last year’s rank: 31
My two trusted Canadian sources claim this franchise is in decline. Around 15 years ago, while covering a UNLV basketball exhibition tour in Montreal, I walked into Tim’s with low expectations, thinking it was a cheap knockoff of Starbucks. I was wrong and it was impressive. Canada’s largest quick-service chain is based in Toronto and probably remains more popular than the Blue Jays and Raptors. The sandwich options are far superior to the rubber rubbish served at Starbucks.
41. Wienerschnitzel
Last year’s rank: 42
The franchise slogan — the “World’s Most Wanted Weiner” — is humorous but false. There is a good spot located in Oceanside, California on the way to Goat Hill Park Golf Club. I highly recommend the golf course and hesitantly tout the chili dog, corn dog and Chicago dog.
42. Del Taco
Last year’s rank: 46
Night owls like me sometimes need The Del, which does get credit for staying open 24 hours. The California-based franchise is far from my favorite, yet there are times when the crispy beef tacos, chicken soft tacos and spicy chicken burrito make a decent backup plan.
43. Earl of Sandwich
Last year’s rank: 41
According to Wikipedia, the first Earl of Sandwich franchise opened in Sugar Land, Texas, and was owned by an investment group that included MLB pitching greats Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. Earl’s is not always easy to find, but there’s a location about 60 feet, 6 inches from the Palms sportsbook. Most of the hot sandwiches are good, and I prefer the Montagu with roast beef, turkey and Swiss.
44. Panera Bread
Last year’s rank: 36
Believe it or not, about 10 times a year I get lost and wander into a Panera, which is a healthier option and offers quality sandwiches and soups. The toasted steak & white cheddar sandwich and tuna sandwich are not bad. This is basically the opposite of White Castle.
45. Panda Express
Last year’s rank: 45
Panda has more than 2,000 locations, so it’s popular, though I’m not crazy about it. When you have had burgers several meals in a row, this is a change-of-pace option for those who favor an American Chinese menu. The best bet is the Orange chicken topped with chili sauce, and it’s also worth trying the Angus steak and grilled teriyaki chicken.
46. Jollibee
Last year: Unranked
A creature of habit, sometimes I’ll try something new and actually like it. That’s the story with Jollibee, which has excellent fried chicken and spaghetti.
47. Checkers/Rally’s
Last year’s rank: 47
It’s not famous like the Big Mac and Whopper, but the Big Buford is the cleanup hitter on a solid burger menu. Rally around this under-the-radar stop which actually has locations in 28 states and offers a classic menu with burgers, chicken sandwiches, chili dogs, fries and shakes.
48. Jack in the Box
Last year’s rank: 50
Jack is a clever marketer, and his restaurant is a late-night desperation option that many youngsters who might be high on life tend to crave. The burgers and spicy chicken strips are respectable. The San Diego-based franchise has a good game plan and is widely available with more than 2,000 joints located primarily on the West Coast.
49. Boston Market
Last year’s rank: 32
The Market has been popular in Florida, and I once had a memorable stop at a location near the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. I recommend the half chicken, the chicken carver sandwich or the half-order of ribs and rotisserie chicken. It’s high-quality food, though it’s not always served fast and few locations have drive-thrus. The franchise seems to be in freefall, unfortunately, with several stores closing amid financial struggles.
50. Sonic
Last year’s rank: 48 Many years ago, this was a hot spot. It has cooled off considerably. Oklahoma City is the headquarters of Sonic Drive-In, where burgers, chicken tenders and corn dogs can be delivered via a roller-skating waiter/waitress to your car. It’s not bad, but Sonic is no longer booming.
Also receiving votes (the next five): Church’s Chicken, Zaxby’s, Subway, Chipotle, American Coney Island.
Chris Fallica Fast Food Top 10
1) Portillo’s
2) Chick-fil-A
3) White Castle
4) Taco Bell
5) Jersey Mike’s
6) Five Guys
7) Qdoba
8) Arby’s
9) KFC
10) Wendy’s
Mitch Moss Fast Food Top 10
1) Culver’s
2) Portillo’s
3) Shake Shack
4) Chick-fil-A
5) In-N-Out
6) Capriotti’s
7) Raising Cane’s
8) Smashburger
9) Taco John’s
10) McDonald’s
Paul Howard Fast Food Top 10
1) Portillo’s
2) Shake Shack
3) Culver’s
4) Chick-fil-A
5) Freddy’s Steakburgers
6) McDonald’s
7) A&W
8) Steak ‘n Shake
9) El Pollo Loco
10) (tie) Huey Magoo’s, Raising Cane’s
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