Top Ten National Fast Food Chains

Admit it or not, we all love fast food. There is no single better aspect to living in the free world than the ability to get a tasty meal for only few bucks—all without taking your car out of “Drive.” So the following is my list of ten best national fast food chains. Please note, the criteria here was to rank companies with universal recognition. Sure some hole-in-the-wall burger joint in any given city may well put this list to shame, but unless I live in your city, I’ve never eaten there and will never know. Also, all sit-down style eateries (e.g. IHOP, Olive Garden, Pizza Hut) did not receive consideration as they do not fit the stereotypical “fast food, drive-up” style format.

10. Jack In The Box
Where else can you buy a delectable egg-roll or a fresh taco to compliment a big juicy burger? Jack’s menu selection and legendary Triple Jack burger make this chain one of the best.
9. McDonalds
Scoff if you will, but there is something to be said for consistency. In countless countries all over the globe a Big Mac is still a Big Mac. Pioneering the dollar menu and world domination are only bi-products of good food with impeccable consistency.
8. Sonic Drive-In
Borrowing from the nostalgic days of the 60's drive-in, Sonic employs their watered-down version of the carhop (some equipped with rollerblades) to deliver a uniquely tasty mix of burgers, Coney dogs and scrumptious breakfast sandwiches. Still, Sonic would have made the list on the strength of its drink selection alone.
7. Sbarro
No better place to buy a great pepperoni slice and a piping hot lasagna square while your car idles. Sbarro may not have the frill, but they’ve done well in the taste department.
6. Baja Fresh
Fresh-mex is all the rage these days, and every last successful bean-and-rice franchise owes it to Baja. They were the first in and the best to do it. They’ve even managed to make fish tacos a palatable experience, which is no less than a modern miracle.
5. Subway
What sets Subway above all the other hoagie-sub-grinder-hero sandwich chains? It’s not Jared and his questionable diet tactics, it’s not even the sheer quantitative dominance in topping selection. It’s the bread. No one else touches it. No matter what Gandolfos, Blimpies or Quiznos manage to put on their offerings, that fresh Subway bread will trump the taste every time.
4. Wendy’s
The fastest food in the world. Not only do you get quality food, with many meal options, you don’t have time to put your wallet away before some sixteen year old is dangling your meal out of the second window. Looks like Dave Thomas got it right.
3. Taco Bell
Forget their annoying talking Chihuahua or lame “Fourth Meal/Think Outside The Bun/Good To Go” ad campaigns, for an inventive and delicious menu Taco Bell can’t be beat.
2. In And Out Burgers
Sure, In And Out locations exist only in California, Las Vegas and parts of Arizona. Still, people will completely change their travel routes to stop at one…and for good reason. The best burger chain in the country.
1. Chick-Fil-A
I’m not sure what they put in that breading, but it is easily as addictive as heroin. If the original Chick-Fil-A sandwich doesn’t render you captive, their chicken salad sandwich and mouth-watering waffle fries will.

Other great fast food chains: Hardees, Checkers, Del Taco, Arby’s, Weinerschitzel.