The only one I typically go to these days is taco bell because I like the flavor and homemade any of it doesn’t taste the same no matter how hard I try. I do make tacos at home often, it still isn’t exactly the same (good but different). With the mobile app that I run in a sandbox the prices also aren’t the worst in the world and the rewards for free food stack fast.

But burger king is garbage, and I say that as a former BK customer. I think it has gone extremely downhill in the last 5-10 years and the prices have also gone up. It just doesn’t make sense anymore. I got a griddle at home and can relatively easily cook up some tasty frozen patties seasoned just how I like.

Same for KFC, Wendy’s, Arby’s, and Carl’s Jr. KFC flavor and quality seems to have gone downhill. Wendy’s is exceptionally expensive typically. Arby’s is not only expensive but I feel the quality has also gone down. Carl’s Jr seems to be roughly the same, but the prices have gone up and the one near me is typically slow so you can tell the patty you end up with has been drying under a heat lamp for hours.

Everything at McDonald’s tastes too processed and sugary to me, unsure why (and one would think I’d have a similar response to TB…)

Anyway…long story short I probably go when I go because of an attempt at nostalgia or fast convenience - but not to save money or for quality.

Same. I’ve only had fast food once since 2020, and the experience was like yours: gross and expensive.

Before I went WFH, I ate FF pretty regularly. Mostly because it was, well, fast and offered a variety (there’s at least 8 or 9 places within walking distance of my office).

My job only gives a half hour for lunch. I used to pack a lunch, but that gets tedious after a while and takes extra time out of my morning to prepare. Then if I want to heat it up, there’s always a line to use the microwaves or to get to the refrigerator in the break room. By the time my packed lunch is prepared, I’ve got just enough time to wolf it down and head back to my desk.

Going out for FF at least let me take a walk, get some fresh air, and gave me a variety over the handful of things (or leftovers) I would pack from home.

If I ever have to RTO, that’s the aspect I’d be most upset about.

I’ve stopped going to fast food chains. Local fast casual or Sheetz/Wawa is better food, faster, and cheaper. McDonald’s et al don’t have any fucking value prop left.

I eat fast food on every road trip. I don’t really travel for the food in random small towns on the way. So if I get hungry, I get either gas station food or fast food.

It’s not because it’s good, it’s because it’s fast.

BK is always trash though. Bucc-ees is relatively good, so is Quik Trip. And Dunkin makes pretty good iced coffees for a decent price.

I don’t go to BK regularly, but can confirm my experience with their Impossible burger was also disappointing.

They‘re everywhere and while the quality isn’t great, it’s a known quantity. McDonalds is never amazing but it’s very rarely terrible. A random hole in the wall is always unpredictable and a proper restaurant usually much slower and more expensive. Also, I’m weak for the Big Tasty sauce.

Well, you see, the combination of mayonnaise and melted cheese creates a chemical chain reaction in my brain that makes me feel good.

Because it taste good? Also McDonald’s gets old sometimes

McDs is hit and miss with their milkshake machines. If I want a shake I go to BK now, so far havent been disappointed.

I’m vegan and we have a local vegan fast food joint. Sometimes I just want some. It’s a small business so I’m supporting them.

Because when its good, its so fucking good. They spend literal millions developing their menu to give you a dropkick to the balls of dopamine. FAT! SALT! MSG! HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP! REPEAT!

But that requires the stars to align. You need the buns and salad items to not be stale, the chips and meat for the burger to be hot and fresh, the burger to be assembled by someone giving half a fuck, the postmix machine to be set up correctly and give you the right mix, actually fizzy and ice cold. You rarely get the whole meal “just right” but when it is, that one perfect meal sticks in your brain like a catchy song and will carry you through the next half a dozen so-so feeds while you chase the dragon.

These days I only allow myself one trip to KFC a month and I go in and sit down in the restaurant because if something isnt right I go complain and ask for a remake because I spend 29 days a month counting every calorie and tracking every macro because you are not gonna fuck up my blowout meal.

I consumed fast food regularly when it was cheap. Maybe today someone consumes fast food regularly, because it can still be cheap, but only if you collect points, coupons and such.

On top of that, they’re always around you and you know what they offer, if you get used to it. Sometimes I want a satisfying safe bet instead of an unknown experiment.

People go to fast food places because while it isn’t good, you know what to expect. It’s going to be mediocre food for a relatively quick wait.

You just need to figure out your meal quickly without too much effort or thought? Fast food.

You could always go to a new restaurant but you don’t know if they will take forever to serve you, if the food will be good, etc. But everybody knows what to expect from fast food brands.

Their chicken sandwich is like crack. No one else gets the melty fat flavor just right.

As far as fast food goes, it’s actually pretty good here where I live. Granted, there are better options, and sometimes way better options, but BK isn’t bad.