9 Nasty Truths About Your Favorite Foods
Famous Death Row Last Meals
I mentioned this story briefly in the roundup of this week's NY Times dining section, but didn't elaborate there because it really deserves its own post. Frank Bruni, the food critic known for his love of the finer foods in life, hit the road in a rented Ford Taurus and ate his way through 42 fast food restaurants, mostly in the southern half of the country. His goal was to find out the best fast food chains in the country, "from familiar national chains, relatively unfamiliar regional chains and tiny local chains [he] had never encountered." He stopped in at places like McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Chick-fil-a and Whataburger, eating burgers, fries andother fried foods in pursuit of his goal.
As you might imagine from the map above, Bruni only hit part of the country and, unlike real roadfoodies, did it all in nine days. Some things were bound to be left out and, after nine days of fast food, probably nothing really tastes good anymore. This could explain why the west coast restaurants were not very well-received and why many were skipped over entirely. Bruni didn't like In-N-Out as much as he probably should have nor as much as most people do. Why? He liked the fresh, high quality ingredients, but didn't like the thinness of the well-done patty. He wanted it to be medium, but the crispy-on-the-edges burger isn't meant to be that way. California fast food fans might also be interested to note that he didn't like the chili at Tommy's, either.
A slower, less obsessive trip is probably in order to really find the "best" fast food in the country, but this is Bruni's top ten list for now.
- Four-piece Original Recipe combo from KFC
- Chili from Wendy's
- Tots from Sonic
- Chili slaw dog from the Varsity
- Onion rings from the Varsity
- Classic chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A
- Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard from Dairy Queen
- Cheddar burger from Culver's
- Frozen vanilla custard, Culver's
- Burrito Ultimo from Taco Cabana
[Image NYT]
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5-29-2006 @1:00PM Mike said... Frank , Had you stopped at Blake's Lotaburger in Albuquerque, NM, You would have found a burger as large as a Whataburger and much better. It's a local chain here in Albuquerque that uses fresh Angus beef and green chili to make the ultimate green chili cheeseburger. For those of you who have never had green chili, I weep for you. It's amazing, just come to the "Burque" and try one at Blake's
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5-29-2006 @1:33PM Ivy Dunning said... Weird. What is nauseating about soy? I am vegetarian--but I used to enjoy "In and Out Burgers" in California; now I occassionally enjoy their cheese sandwiches.... Generally I think of fast-food as something to be eaten only in emergency situations...
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5-29-2006 @1:33PM Robyn said... I found the article lacking alot of insight. There are so many fast food restaurants in this country that I cannot believe KFC made the top of the list. I indulge in fast food occassionally, but I too am wary of the additives in the food. I also must comment on Karen's post. I too enjoy a good deli sandwich, but do not delude yourself into believing it is any healthier. Deli meat is still a processed food and cannot replace the nutrition and enjoyment of a home cooked meal.
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5-29-2006 @1:38PM dan said... I have a great idea, if you dont want to eat fast food, dont, you morons have nothing better to do with your time then drive around the country trying fast food and telling us what you think about it, it makes me sick that you think anybody gives a second thought to what you "think". OMG, if you have so much free time, try going to your local hospital or church and spending your time to help the needy! You people really make me ill!
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5-29-2006 @1:43PM tracey sproul said... Swenson's, alocal chain in Akron, OH is the best fast food anywhere. Galleyboy-2 patties, cheese, barbeque sauce, tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, etc. Excellent. And cute young guys bring your food right to your car.
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5-29-2006 @1:52PM radi said... this is too funny, a bunch of slobs talking about which fast food is the best. all of these fast food chains are bad for you. they find the cheapest way possible to make the food, adding chemicals to bring in flavor. don't forget the dirty workers they have serving and cooking the slop.
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5-29-2006 @2:01PM Ed said... Fast food companies list all of the ingredients on their websites. Most burgers are not 100% beef; they are part beef, part soy, part wheat, part corn, fillers.
Even the chicken in chicken sandwiches is not 100% chicken; full of fillers.
The fat content in most of the fast food products is also listed on fast food websites; very high.
For those that want proof that burger king, mcdonalds, taco bell, wendys, kfc, etc. don't use 100% chicken or 100% beef; just go to the companies' websites; the ingredients are listed there.
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5-29-2006 @2:04PM Ed said... Go to the fast food companies' websites; burger king, mcdonalds, in-n-out burger, kfc, sonic, and all of the others list the ingredients in their products on their websites. What will you find? Chicken in chicken sandwiches has lots of fillers and the beef in burgers is not 100% beef; soy, corn, wheat, chemicals are all used as fillers.
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5-29-2006 @2:17PM Elaine said... Oh...I am soo happy to see the Varsity mentioned in the top ten! Love that place!!
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5-29-2006 @2:19PM Dolores said... Burger Kings in California have wonderful low carb burgers with mid-western beef.
In and Out Burgers are very good and are throughout California.
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5-29-2006 @2:20PM Walter Kopilow said... Too bad he did not come to Colorado, I guess it was off his path. In the Denver area we have "Burger Haven" They have a 6" burger, fried; great fries and malts. You can have either beef or buffalo burgers. Great eats ! ! !
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5-31-2006 @11:40AM Elaine said... Has anyone tried Wendy's Frescata? The meat is deli quality and the bread is crusty on the outside and soft inside. Now I am hooked on this "fast food" sandwich.
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5-31-2006 @4:31PM Robber Baron said... I'm not a huge fast food fan but I do have the occasional craving. For burgers it has to be Good Times. They use 100% all natural beef and have a fresh squeezed lemonade that is to die for. Otherwise I'd have to go with Chipotle's wonderful massive burritos. I am sort of surprised that no one mentioned either of these fab fast food joints. Are they strictly a Colorado thing?
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6-03-2006 @11:53AM DanGarion said... Hey Ed. Mr. Brightguy...
McDonalds
Beef Patty:
100% pure USDA inspected beef; no additives, no fillers, no extenders.
Burger King
Beef Patty
100% USDA inspected Ground Beef (Fire-Grilled).
Ed, are you an idiot?
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8-21-2006 @11:50PM Marlino Garcia said... What's the big hoopla about blakes lotaburgers. I am a native of new mexico and have enjoy lotaburgers for the pas 45 years. Lately, as I order at blakes I get concerned that they are wasting my time. I ordered my lota combo meal and it took them 25 minutes to prepare the meal for me. This was at store 30. 9004 Montgomery NE. Come on folks! You can do better...or I will go to the local taco stand and have 20 minutes extra to enjoy my meal. Blakes Website does not have a link for customers to voice their opinion on what matters most. Service!
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