Posted on 06/30/2011 8:54:06 AM PDT by flowerplough
McDonald's Corp, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell are the biggest U.S. fast-food chains, but they lag smaller rivals like In-N-Out Burger and Chick-fil-A when it comes to taste, according to a new survey released on Thursday by Consumer Reports.
"Chains like McDonald's and Taco Bell boast supersized values, but consumers don't necessarily think they offer much bang for the buck," said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports' senior projects editor.
The survey, based on responses from more than 36,700 subscribers who made more than 98,000 visits to 53 fast-food chains, found that the big four U.S. fast-food chains had "uninspiring food" and "only so-so service."
No more than 11 percent of respondents found the food at those big brands to be "excellent," while a higher number -- 15 to 19 percent -- found their food to be fair, poor, or very poor.
Southern California favorite In-N-Out Burger captured the No. 1 spot among all of the chains with high rankings for food, service, value and speed.
McDonald's ranked last in the hamburger category, with particularly poor performance in food satisfaction, to finish just behind Burger King.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
"poor performance in food satisfaction"
Food satisfaction???
It's fast food!
Most calories per dollar, in the shortest time possible. You knew that going in, eat up shut up, and git!
Food satisfaction, my @ss.
I do like McDonalds (especially their fries and salads), but jack in the box has the best-tasting fast food, IMHO.
Screw you Consumer Reports. First you shill for Obamacare, now you are pushing the Regimes agenda on fast food joints. I don’t think I will take my eating advice from a pack of Upper East Side effete snobs. Your guys definition of fast food are the canapes and hors d’œuvre they serve at Manhattan cocktail parties.
My Favorite BIG fast food restaurants:
1) White Castle
2) Arby’s
3) In-N-Out
4) Whataburger
5) Carl Jr’s
I try to avoid fast food places but here in FL, I prefer Checkers, especially their chili hotdogs. Burger King’s quality has definitely fallen off over the last couple of years. One of these days, I’d like to try one of those In-and-Out burgers.
My fast food of choice when possible has always been Taco Bell. Last week, I ate a new 99 cent Burrito Melt or something like that. My taste for food is not too refined, but that thing tasted like stale sewage. If I wasn’t on a 500 mile road trip and on a schedule, I would have tossed it out the window. However, I was afraid the possums would pass it by and I’d be on the hook for littering.
I like Burger King, but I'm choosy about the location. I like the ones with a lot of senior employees.
These days, when I feel the urge to eat at Taco Hell I just flush a $5 bill down the toilet. It’s the same basic effect without all the discomfort.
These days, when I feel the urge to eat at Taco Hell I just flush a $5 bill down the toilet. It’s the same basic effect without all the discomfort.
I have to agree with them on In-N-Out. It’s probably my favorite place to stop for dinner when I’m on the road.
The food is always good, as is the service. And it is very rare that I walk into one that isn’t busy.
Still long lines at the new Texas locations, the cars are lined up probably for at least a quarter of a mile.
I like KFC....peta hates them, and that is good enough for me....
I always assumed they served gourmet food, but since I wanted to spend more money for my gourmet meals, I always passed them by.
In-N-Out can be quite slow at times.
“I like KFC....peta hates them, and that is good enough for me....”
I remember a leftard ex-coworker of mine saying, “They’re so horrible to those chickens! They cut their beaks off.” Apparently she didn’t realize that if that step weren’t taken, the birds would peck each other to death and eat each other.
From then on, I made it a point to refer to the restaurant in her presence as Kentucky Fried Cruelty.
I remember when McDonald’s opened.
A Hamburger was 15 cents , and you could get a hamburger, Fires and a coke. You ordered it and they handed it to you, you were out and gone.
Now they have 15 different kinds of sandwich’s pie, Salad you order and it takes 15 minutes to wait and get your food.
I believe a it’s time for a new new McDonalds . Where they sell a Hamburger French Fries and a coke and if you want something else you can go somewhere else.
That's why In-N-Out works, Burgers, Fries, Shakes...that's it.
“I believe a it’s time for a new new McDonalds . Where they sell a Hamburger French Fries and a coke and if you want something else you can go somewhere else.”
It’s called In-N-Out Burger.
I paid $3.69 for a Chick-fil-A sandwich, that was an over cooked chicken piece on a bun, that was all there was to it.
White Castle. Ahhhh..... A favorite of mine.
4 surf and turfs, clam strips, onion rings and a large chocolate shake.
Packs and packs of rolaids and 2 days in the bathroom. God I miss that.
Never heard of them around here. Where are they?
They’re named “fast food” not “tasty gourmet food” for a reason.
California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and now, Texas.
I like Taco Cabana, but the nearest one is 700 miles away.
For fast food, nothing beats Popeyes Fried Chicken. I tell my hubby that if I am ever on death row, my last meal will be Popeyes spicy and a large Coke, maybe with some red beans and rice on the side.
Surf & Turf @ Whitey’s, you have some ‘splainin to do here. I’ve been eating WC all my life and I’ve never heard of Surf & Turf. I can imagine what you mean, but I want to hear it from you. Thanks...
West Coast, Mountain states and Texas. I’ve only visited them in California. You can get several variants of the same basic burger/cheeseburger, fries, shakes and soft drinks. They are clean, fast and crowded. In the Chicago metro, my favorite is Portillo’s followed closely by Mickey’s (love their Gyros) and Nicks.
I pay for my meal at one window...when I get to the next window 2 secs later the server alreaady has his/her hand out the window dangling my bag of food.
I've re-discovered McDonal'ds double cheeseburgers. I hadn't had them for years but they're only a dollar now and they taste just as good as I remember.
The Dairy Queen here in my home town has consistently excellent food.
Burger and filet of fish. Put cheese on it and it rocks.
Nobody stood up for Wendy’s? Great burgers, real cut potato fries and their Baja salad is pretty good too.
Sorry you got an over-cooked one. That's rare. When they're not overcooked, but still nice and juicy, it's nearly impossible to beat one. Real chicken breast. Moist. Nicely seasoned. Perfectly fried. Compare the price to chicken sandwiches from other restaurants.
Truett Cathy is a fine man who still refuses to open Chick-fil-A on Sundays. If you say "you're welcome" to a worker, they are required to say "my pleasure," no matter how many times you say "you're welcome." You want to hire a good kid? Find one who worked/works at Chick-fil-A. The gifts in the kids' meals are often Bible-based.
Not saying that has anything to do with the food. I'm just saying morals and customer service are a big, big deal with Mr. Cathy.
I've had the pleasure of meeting him and working with Chick-fil-A on several occasions, when they were supporting the Boy Scouts.
You have to make it yourself or they make it for you?
Most of the KFCs in and around Austin have closed. We like Bush's fried chicken. Really ticked off the libs when it opened. The have the best tea in town.
It’s on the menu. A least it was in Edison, NJ.
I eat way too much fast food. But here is my list:
1. Skyline Chili
2. Frisch’s Big Boy
3. Wendy’s
4. Subbys
5. White Castle
Of course my kids will choose Mickey D’s every time.
Worse
1. Mickey D's poor tasting food especially fries
2. Sonic at least six closed in my area in the last year and food was greasy.
3.Domino's {Ceasars has them beat by miles for taste}
Nice post!
I’ll look, but I’ve never seen it on the menu in Missouri. If it is we’ll find out today as I’m stopping by.
Thanks for the information...
Truett Cathy is one of the most visible practicing Christian businessmen ever. His Christian ‘DNA’ permeates nearly every aspect of the Chic-Fil-A business. He is on my highly admired list, and the list is a short one.
There is a white castle in Missouri? I’m in KC. Where where where??.
I've eaten many times at the original Dwarf House restaurant where the sandwich was created.
Here's the story behind Chick-fil-A's 'Closed on Sunday' policy from the Chick-fil-A website:
Of the many unique characteristics that distinguish Chick-fil-A, Inc. from other quick-service restaurant companies, the most notable - and the most asked about - tradition is that of closing all of its 1,560-plus* restaurants on Sunday. Following is a brief explanation of how the “Closed-on-Sunday” policy started and why it will continue to remain in place.
Since Truett Cathy, founder and CEO of Chick-fil-A, opened his first restaurant in 1946, he has made his Closed-on-Sunday policy as much a part of the Chick-fil-A brand as the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich. While many question the chain's policy and how Chick-fil-A could forgo sales on one of the busiest days for food service, Cathy answers challengers by saying closing on Sunday is one of the best business decisions he has ever made.
Cathy's practice of closing his restaurants on Sunday is unique to the restaurant business and a testament to his faith in God. Within the first week of business at his Dwarf Grill restaurant in Hapeville, Ga. more than 60 years ago, Cathy knew that he would not deal with money on the "Lord's Day." Today, the Closed-on-Sunday policy is reflected in the company's Corporate Purpose:
To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.
To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
Cathy believes that being closed on Sunday says two important things to people: One, that there must be something special about the way Chick-fil-A people view their spiritual life and, two, that there must be something special about how Chick-fil-A feels about its people.
Cathy believes that by giving employees Sunday off as a day for family, worship, fellowship or rest, the company attracts quality people. And people, Cathy says, are the cornerstone of all that Chick-fil-A does as a chain. Chick-fil-A has the opportunity to attract individuals who want to be associated with an organization with a values-based vision, that is purpose-driven and that truly values a balance between work and family.
In today's business world, the Closed-on-Sunday policy may seem to be a costly business decision. But, as company sales figures have consistently proven, Chick-fil-A restaurants often generate more business per square foot in six days than many other quick-service restaurants produce in seven. Chick-fil-A generated more than $3.58 billion dollars in sales in 2010, and the chain has enjoyed sales gains for 43 consecutive years (every year since the first Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in 1967). Cathy credits "blessings from the Lord" for the great success the company has enjoyed, and he remains as committed as ever to maintaining the Closed-on-Sunday policy. "I feel it's the best business decision I ever made," says Cathy.
As a customer, I can go into a Chick-fil-A (except on a Sunday, of course), and I know it will be clean and the employees will be polite and responsive.
At the four Chick-fil-A's closest to me, if you bring in a church bulletin on Monday from any denomination from the previous weekend's services, you receipt a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. If a family of five comes in with five bulletins, all five family members receive a free sandwich.
Oh yeah, they are all over St. Louis. The closest one to you in the St. Louis area would be in St. Charles. I’m quite surprised that they are not in Kansas City. There may be one near Columbia MO, I don’t know for certain however.
Thanks SM, and isn’t it awesome. The only thing I didn’t know about your post was the bit about the bulletins as coupons. Blessed 4th to you and yours...
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