The Ultimate Ranking Of American Fast Food Restaurants

Fast food: It's one of the cornerstones of the global economy and, to the chagrin of nutritionists everywhere, it's the backbone of quite a few people's diets, too. But despite medical science's low opinion of virtually every chain, not all fast food restaurants are equal, and everybody who's spent any time out there in the lunch-hour trenches already knows that some are much better, and much worse, than others.

Everybody's got their fast food favorites as well as foes, but here we will attempt to put forth the ultimate ranking of the most notable, popular, and long-lived chains out there. We've tried to hew close to nationwide rather than regional chains, although not every spot listed here has locations across the entire country. As to the metrics being considered, they come down first and foremost to how good the food is, with other incidental factors being noted as needed. For more on the methodology used to rank these fast food chains, you can see a breakdown at the very end of the piece.

Church's Chicken, rebranded as Church's Texas Chicken as of 2019, has been around for a long time -– since 1952, to be precise. Specializing in fried chicken and seafood, it also became known for its honey butter biscuits. The rebrand may have injected some new life into the Southern-style chain, but a few years later the company was bought by an investment firm, and since then customers have noticed a steep decline in quality.

One Reddit reviewer noted that the battering and breading recipe seems to have changed, lamenting that it's "nothing like it used to be." Multiple people complained that the biscuits have also gone downhill, now made with noticeably less honey. Customers are also frustrated that the chain's crinkle cut fries are starting to disappear, with many locations now serving less flavorful straight fries, and many people have reported laughably small portion sizes. Church's may have had its heyday, but it seems to be racing to the bottom these days.

While Bojangle's has been a beloved staple of the South for half a century, it's become another victim of private equity acquisition. Since its sale to two investment firms in 2019, customers have been widely disappointed with the drop in quality, even as the chain raises its prices. One Redditor described the texture of a chicken Supreme, which is a breaded and fried tenderloin, as "hard yet disintegrates in your mouth into little gooey shards" and "ultra-rubbery," asking the question, "Did it ever even cluck?" Another customer agreed, saying they're "definitely significantly smaller than they used to be and don't seem to be as well seasoned."

Some Bojangle's fans maintain that a few items are still good, but it seems everything is inconsistent at best. A North Carolina customer complained that not only are the tenders and fries "hard" and "nasty" now, but "even the biscuits aren't really good anymore." The dirty rice is also losing fans, with one Redditor reporting that "It used to be delicious and spicy. Now it literally tastes like they chopped up a couple extra sausage patties and threw em in some rice with some peanut oil." Sadly, the cherished Bojangle's of old seems to be fading away.

The cult of Panera certainly has its adherents, but in our view, it has declined considerably from whatever peaks of glory it might have once occupied. Bland, cafeteria-caliber food and a dining experience that seems to trend more toward getting people in and out quickly have replaced the comfortable relaxation and study spot we remember from years gone by. 

A typical Panera sandwich is unlikely to clear the low bar of satisfaction reached by Subway or Arby's, and attempting to redeem the soup by having it poured into a bread bowl isn't a very practical option for a daily or weekly meal. There simply isn't enough food, and that drops this chain lower on our list.

The decline of Pizza Hut has been observed by many with fond memories of the 1990s, when you could feast on the all-you-can-eat buffet and sit at the red checkerboard-tables. The food was great and the atmosphere was fun. Unfortunately, though, its offerings simply don't taste as good as they once did, and the vibe isn't what it used to be. 

Soggy crusts and poorly proportioned sauce, cheese, and other toppings are killers for any pizza, and they've served to drag the Pizza Hut brand down for years. But we admit, we still like the Hut's breadsticks.

Some may argue that Starbucks is not truly fast food, since its central product is not food at all but a beverage. In a ranking of coffee chains, it would place much higher, even with it removing 30% of its menu items, but in the realm of fast food, it just seems to belong here in the lower tier. 

Should you go to Starbucks in need of actual food, you'll find an array of skimpy sandwiches and other snack items that seem more appropriate for an airport grab-and-go than a proper meal, even by fast food standards. While it's an excellent spot for coffee and light snacks, Starbucks just doesn't rank high in terms of fast food chains due to its lack of solid food options.

Subway has its fair share of hearty and healthy subs that not only fill you up but also provide a great source of veggies and protein. But the problem lies in the quality of the ingredients it uses. The actual flavor and texture of the chain's meats has been surpassed by multiple other chains in the fast food sandwich realm. 

In a pinch, a decently assembled Subway sandwich can still hit the spot and fill you up. But if you're really wanting a tasty sub, there are better chains out there.

Few fast food burger chains are as dispiriting as Hardee's (aka Carl's Jr., depending on where you live), and numerous customers lament that it's in its own slow decline from a not particularly lofty heyday. One thing that Hardee's burgers are supposed to have in their favor is their size, as once indicated by their former (and very fun to say) name, "Thickburgers." But those giant burgers seemed to have shrunken in size. While you can still get Double and Monster burgers, they just aren't the same.

While we enjoy a good charbroiled burger, Hardee's is not the place to get it. We'd recommend opting for a flame-grilled burger at Burger King instead.

Jack in the Box is one of those fast food chains that's probably more beloved for its ad campaigns than for its food. While its burgers, sandwiches, and fries are simply average at best, it does go above and beyond other chains by offering variety in the form of items like tacos and cheese sticks as part of its munchy-friendly menu. You can even grab breakfast any time of day.

We have a particular fondness for Jack in the Box's limited-edition milkshakes. Speaking of which, hey Jack, when are we going to see the Pineapple Express make a comeback?

This will almost certainly be one of the most controversial placements on this list, as Taco Bell has its share of ride-or-dies who are loyal to the Bell no matter what beloved menu items the chain discontinues. For us, though, the brand's signature flavors and attempts at spicy provocations fall flat, and the last couple burritos have been on the bland side. The days are few and far between when we would rather have a Burrito Supreme instead of, say, a comparably stuffed burrito from Chipotle. 

Aside from the taste of the items, the Taco Bell menu sometimes strikes us as a puzzle to be mastered with substantial trial and error, rather than a dependable go-to for a quick lunch or late-night snack. With all of this stacked against the chain, we're placing it lower on the list.

The crux of the Little Caesars empire is its Hot-N-Ready pizzas, available more or less instantly. If convenience and raw, animal hunger come together in just the proper proportion, Little Caesars can be tough to beat. However, things don't always fall into place properly. One unhappy customer noted, "pizza dough is still doughy in the middle, they don't use enough sauce [...] They barely season it at all.[...] Huge disappointment." Another customer agreed, saying "Everything about this pizza was horrible."

While it might be on the cheaper side, due to lack of consistency Little Caesars ranks low on this list You might want to check out one of the other chains when hunger hits.

While it isn't our favorite, Papa Johns does have a few big assets in its favor, its garlic butter sauce chief among them. The company has even figured out a way to bake that sauce into a stuffed crust, which goes to show the experimental lengths a fast food chain can turn to when it's really up against the wall. The addition of a fresh pepperoncino pepper on the side is also a welcome innovation in delivery pizza. 

As for the pizza itself, quality can vary, but the toppings tend to be pretty flavorful. We like its somewhat dense and chewy crust, particularly when it's dipped in that garlic sauce!

Who didn't love a nice Burger King Kids Meal as a child? And you have to hand it to the Whopper (using two hands, of course), one of the most iconic of the giant fast food burgers. BK has also innovated in the field of sides, particularly with its "Frings" concept, a half-and-half order of french fries and onion rings that was offered in 2023. Then there's the BK breakfast menu, which includes the mighty Croissan'wich, the best fast food breakfast sandwich on the menu. 

And yet, it's rare that we find ourselves actively craving BK, which has to be taken into consideration. While it's fine, it isn't the best fast food chain out there by a mile.

Domino's hasn't sunk as far as Pizza Hut compared to those halcyon pizza delivery days of the '80s and '90s, possibly because it was always pretty focused on delivery rather than dining in. And on a purely economic level, it's some of the cheapest food you can get, particularly with some strategic coupon usage. 

If the pizza doesn't satisfy, the menu also offers baked sandwiches and several variations of chicken wings for you to feast upon. Thanks to its consistent quality and variety of menu options, this pizza chain jumped ahead of its competitors.

Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, but for whatever reason, it hasn't taken off in American fast food. Panda Express is a notable exception. If you're looking for delicious orange chicken, it's pretty much your best bet, as it sells a staggering amount of the menu item each year. 

There's something about a Panda Express entrée that just feels more substantial than a burger and fries. Additionally, let's not forget that while leftovers from McDonald's or Burger King are rarely a good idea, Panda Express' Beijing beef tastes pretty good the next day.

Across the country, Dairy Queen is beloved for its upside-down Blizzard soft-serve concoctions that mix ice cream with all manner of sweet solid matter. In the field of fast food desserts, it's hard for us to think of anything better than a Blizzard, the treat that even McDonald's has attempted to imitate with its own McFlurry. 

But if you insist upon eating an actual meal before your dessert, DQ has you more than amply covered there too. The chain has a decent line of Signature Stackburgers and crispy chicken fingers that satisfy even if they don't always stand out from the pack. With DQ's delicious Blizzards, Dilly Bars, Dipped Cones, and wide variety of sundae flavors, the chain doesn't have to do much more than that to secure its position in the fast food canon.  

Not too many fast food chains have a whole Hollywood feature film devoted to them. White Castle is all about the unique flavor of those signature tiny hamburgers known as sliders. There are few decadent fast food pleasures more satisfying than munching on a sack of hamburgers as if they're potato chips, as many a White Castle addict can attest. 

Nonetheless, we feel credit must be given to the true fast food masters of the slider formula. The fact that we happen to prefer Krystal's sliders to White Castle's could just be a by-product of where we grew up, but the preference remains all the same.

America, it has been said, runs on Dunkin'. Its coffee is so beloved, in fact, that it's likely part of the reason the company decided to drop "Donuts" from its name, despite it being known for both menu items. But Dunkin's offerings go even farther — you can also dine on breakfast sandwiches and bagels any time of day. 

Does a Dunkin' breakfast sandwich fill the morning craving as well as one from McDonald's or Wendy's? Doubtful, but throw in a coffee and donut on the side, and you've got something special.

The quintessential American fast food restaurant occupies a sphere of its own, and it's probably the first place most people think of when they hear the phrase "fast food." And look, the fries are great. Even the Coke and Sprite seem to taste better at McDonald's. But on a fundamental level, does it belong in the top tier of fast food places? 

If you had to go the rest of your life without a Big Mac or a Chicken McNugget, would you miss them like you might miss KFC's biscuits or Culver's root beer? It's the ketchup of fast food, the Least Objectionable Programming of burgers and fries.

One of the few fast food chains that specializes in seafood, Captain D's has been catering to fried fish lovers since the first location opened in Nashville in 1969. While it may not have the fame of some of the biggest names in the business, it boasts over 500 locations across more than 20 states. The varied menu includes your typical golden-fried fish and chips, which one Reddit reviewer calls "pretty perfect." There are also shrimp, crab cakes, fried oysters, and of course, hush puppies, which one customer says are the "best in the game" and another claims are second only to their mom's. 

In the subreddit ExpectationVsReality, customers often log complaints when real fast food items don't match up to their ads. Captain D's, though, is one of the few that actually proved to be pretty darn accurate, with its Giant Fish Sandwich looking almost exactly like the mouth-watering photo (except for too little tartar sauce). Customers also rave about their chicken, which one reviewer says is "better chicken than chicken joints."

Jimmy John's specializes in good sandwiches served with almost inhuman speed, and it has cornered the market on lightning-fast deliveries as well. While Subway once held toasty sandwiches over it, Jimmy John's now offers its own toasted subs, and they're pretty amazing. 

While the sandwiches themselves are a little better than Subway's, they still fall a bit short of the Jersey Mike's high-water mark. Still, for a quick lunch on a time crunch, a nearby Jimmy John's can be a real godsend.

As its name suggests, Sonic prioritizes the "fast" in fast food. But there's more to the chain's appeal than simple expediency. Sonic has some of the best breakfast sandwiches in the game, and its beverage customization options put the typical Coke Freestyle machine to shame. Burgers, hot dogs, tots, onion rings, milkshakes, and more are available as well, all in a vintage drive-in style. 

Sonic is also no stranger to experimental food novelties like the peanut butter bacon shake it released in 2024 or the Buffalo chicken dip bites, and it's variety like that which keeps people coming back for more. Due to its constant creativity, Sonic finds itself in the top half of this ranking.

Another fast food chain that shortened its name for catchy marketing purposes is KFC, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. And if you're in the mood for fried chicken, it's hard to go wrong with the Colonel. 

The menu varies by region, but you can't go wrong with an order of crispy chicken paired with one of the chain's tasty sides — we think the mashed potatoes and biscuits are a best of the best. Aside from its flavorful bites, KFC makes it easy to feed the whole crew with its family meals, which helps to solidify its spot on this ranking.

There are plenty of fast food chains that specialize in fried chicken, and many have various offerings in addition to their signature fare, but at Raising Cane's, chicken fingers are the entire name of the game. This is an example of doing one thing and doing it well, rather than trying to overextend one's menu and allowing quality to suffer as a result. 

You may not get a ton of variety on the Raising Cane's menu, but you will get a (figurative) ton of chicken fingers, and pretty good ones, too. When it comes to chicken fingers, this fast food chain serves some of the best.

Fast food sandwiches can be a dirty game, but Jersey Mike's Subs plays it as clean as you can, slicing meats and cheeses fresh in the store. The superior texture and taste of these sandwiches make Subway seem more like Subpar, and the more premium price point is balanced out by better tasting ingredients across the board. 

While we aren't typically huge fans of oil and vinegar toppings on subs, we have to admit that ordering it "Mike's Way," which includes oil, vinegar, salt, and oregano in addition to the veggie lineup of lettuce, tomato, and onions, adds a little something to sandwiches that are already well above standard in terms of quality and flavor. Throw in some of those generously thick-cut pickles, and you really have a proper meal on bread. Our favorites include the club sandwich and the Philly cheesesteak, which is grilled fresh to order.

Debates rage about which fast food chicken joint is the best, and even though we would rank KFC first in the biscuit wars, we have to give the overall title to Popeyes. What makes the chain's signature crispy fried chicken so tasty is that welcome kick in an often spice-averse fast food landscape. There's just something about it that makes us want more.

On top of that, Popeyes hasn't rested on its laurels, either, introducing such game-changers as boneless and bone-in wings and, of course, its incredibly popular spicy chicken sandwich. While the chain just barely misses the top 15 spot, it's still one we can't get enough of.

There are a lot of chicken chains out there, and they all have their devotees, but you'll find a particularly loyal fervor among the Zaxby's fandom. What you'll often hear is the same refrain: that unlike most other major chicken chains, Zaxby's actually seasons its food. As one Reddit fan of the chain put it, in the stab-you-with-a-smile way that only a true Southerner can pull off, "I'm from the South so I prefer my chicken to be seasoned that's just my opinion." 

Another factor that sets it apart is its stunning variety of sauces. In our ranking of the spiciest sauces in fast food, we featured two of the restaurant's offerings in the top five, including the No. 1-ranked Zaxby's Nuclear Sauce. It gets props for not just being ultra spicy as well as delicious, but also because that's so rare. As one Redditor put it, Zaxby's is "the only place EVER that lived up to the name" with "a Nuclear sauce that actually made me sweat." Since the chicken and fries are already well-seasoned, the sauces are a bonus, not a necessity.

Unlike most other chicken chains that specialize in breading and frying their birds, El Pollo Loco is known for its flame-grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired dishes. While the chain's 400-plus locations are only in the west and southwest of the country (and Mexico, where it first started), the fans it has in this region rave about its food quality and budget-friendly pricing, with one customer on Reddit saying, "As far as fast food goes, it's incredibly delicious, fresher, cleaner and a little more affordable" and another agreeing that it's "one of the last true bang for buck fast food joints."

El Pollo Loco's family meals with chicken and sides are great for feeding lots of hungry mouths, while its bowl combos are perfect for solo diners. The quality of the chicken gets top marks from many patrons, with one saying, "It's legit so good. Our location makes the chicken so perfect. Literally dripping with juice but with crispy skin. My mouth is watering." The cilantro dressing is also a big hit, as customers report it's "to die for" and "my god does their creamy cilantro go absolutely insane," and another even notes that the sauce is "Mexican mother-in-law-approved."

We're old enough to remember when Chipotle was relatively new on the scene, and a lot of people didn't even know how to pronounce the name. Now, the chain is a Tex-Mex fixture and is several steps above Taco Bell in terms of quality, with an emphasis on customization, including a variety of available protein options.

The main draw for us though, is the guacamole, which is made from just six ingredients and utterly delicious. Chipotle imitators trying to replicate its success are a testament to its popularity, and we think it deserves credit for changing the fast food game in a way that few newcomers have been able to.

There's a lot of competition when it comes to fast food burgers, and a lot of chains have their haters. Not so much when it comes to Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a Kansas-based and now nationwide restaurant. When scouring through customer reviews and comments, you have to really look hard and far to find a burger enthusiast who's not a fan of Freddy's. Maybe that's because the burgers are made from pure beef without any unnecessary fillers, or as one Reddit reviewer mentions, "the way they crisp the patties so well every time is superb." Another fan raves, "IMO, beats all other fast and fast casual burgers."

While the burgers seem to be almost unanimously loved, Freddy's skinny fries are a bit more divisive. They have their fans, but other patrons say "their fries are too thin for me and just ok" and "these just missed the mark." In our ranking, Freddy's fries took the dead last spot compared to 11 other fast food offerings. The fry sauce, however, is a hit, with many customers pointing out that it improves the experience, even if you're not a fan of the fries themselves. They now have regular, spicy, and smoky versions of the sauce so you can customize them even more to your liking.

The hamburgers are square at Wendy's because the restaurant never cuts corners, but you get more than just clever wordplay as part of your Wendy's meal. Chili, baked potatoes, spicy chicken, and french fries are some of Wendy's signature items. When it comes to burgers though, that's where this fast food chain really shines. Made with Choice-grade beef, they're juicy, delicious, and tender. In fact, they're so good, that the only seasoning the chain uses is salt.

For a quick and tasty burger and fries, it's hard to beat Wendy's. However, a few chains did. 

Nationwide fast food establishments tend to hew to a handful of basic formulaic templates, with burgers and fries, pizza, subs, and variations on international cuisine being the most popular. But Arby's deserves credit for serving as a unique, one-of-a-kind place in the fast food world. 

There are no hamburgers, but the chain's roast beef sandwiches don't taste quite like anything else in the game, especially when smothered in cheese sauce. While we're on the subject of sauces, Arby's also has Horsey Sauce and its own signature Arby's Sauce to keep things a little spicier than typical fast food fare. Its assortment of other meaty sandwiches also provides a welcome bit of experimentation and variety on the menu.

Chick-fil-A is often considered the gold standard when it comes to chicken sandwiches. In fact, it's the chain's best-selling item. The chicken sandwich is simple, featuring a breaded chicken breast and pickle chips on a buttery bun, yet this simplicity is what makes it so desirable. The chicken speaks for itself and requires no sauces be smothered over it. 

As with any perfect sandwich, the perfect side must accompany it, and this case, it's the waffle fries. The extra surface area gives these potatoes a nice crisp and the perfect vessel for a sprinkling of salt. While we don't have anything negative to say about Chick-fil-A, there are other chains that just stand out a little more.

White Castle beat Krystal to the slider punch, opening its first location in 1921, while Krystal first opened its doors in 1932. The two restaurants observed their own territory for generations, with White Castle serving the Midwest's slider needs while Krystal provided sacks of sliders to the Southeast. 

The one you prefer probably has a lot to do with where you grew up, but the sliders that hold a place in our hearts will always be Krystal's. We like the way Krystal's are a little closer to a compact, miniaturized version of a traditional cheeseburger, while White Castle's sliders have a lighter and more snackable texture. Both are tasty, but we have to hand the slider crown to Krystal for now. Sorry, Harold. Forgive us, Kumar.

An order at Five Guys will demonstrate that sometimes in the fast food business, it's possible to prioritize both quality and quantity. The chain's burgers and fries are a cut above the rest in terms of flavor, price, and size — seriously, a regular order of fries is huge and could be a meal on its own. Not only do you get your order, but the employees tend to fill some of the leftover space in your bag with even more fried potatoes. And the burgers can be customized with so many toppings that you could try something new every day for weeks.

In addition to burgers and fries, you can also order all-beef hot dogs, BLTs, and veggie sandwiches. And, of course, no meal is complete without something sweet, and Five Guys has you covered with a variety of milkshakes. With so many classics and the plethora of customization options, Five Guys come in just shy of the top five fast food chains.

New York-based Shake Shack exploded onto the fast food burger scene in 2004, after starting as a hot dog stand a few years prior. Its gourmet roots are tied to famed restaurateur Danny Meyer and Eleven Madison Park, a Michelin three-star restaurant that once shared office space with the burger joint. The focus on high-quality ingredients elevates Shake Shack above many of its competitors, but unfortunately that means you're going to pay more. While the higher prices keep many people away, there are plenty of fans of the Shack who think the cost is worth it.

One customer on Reddit anoints Shake Shack as "Top 3 fast food burgers for me...spendy but really good quality meat" and another agreeing, saying it's "overpriced but objectively a really good burger." It's not just the burgers that have won the hearts of so many — "I think their chicken shack sandwich might be better than the burgers, which is saying something," says one fan, with another chiming in "I honestly like their cheese fries more their burgers." And don't forget about the namesake shakes, which according to one reviewer, are always "slamming."

Whenever we take a bite of one of those perfect (and cheap!) gooey cheeseburgers, we're reminded why In-N-Out Burger has achieved such legendary fast food burger status throughout the country. Much like Raising Cane's, In-N-Out has elevated the art of simplicity to elegant and delicious heights, and what the menu lacks in variety, it makes up for in foundational quality. 

Then, of course, there are its "secret menu" variations, probably the most famous and treasured secret menu in all of fast food. The towering 3x3s and 4x4s will fill you up when a Double-Double somehow isn't enough, but the real unique flavor comes by ordering your burger "Animal Style." A consistent secret menu is something to be treasured in the world of fast food, and In-N-Out has perfected the practice, much as it has perfected its burgers. If it could only perfect its french fries, we could be looking at a new GOAT. 

If you're in the northeast or parts of the middle of the U.S., you may have done a double-take when USA Today announced that its readers ranked Del Taco the best fast food restaurant in the country in 2024. It also took the No. 1 spot for best fries, and second place for best breakfast, which is sadly only served in the morning. While there are almost 600 locations of the hybrid Mexican-plus-burgers chain, most are concentrated in the west and southeast, so there are plenty of folks who've never experienced the joy of being able to order tacos, burritos, chicken tenders, fries, burgers, shakes, and churros all in one place.

A common refrain among Del Taco's fans is "Del over the Bell," referring to the chain's main competitor in the Mexican-inspired fast food space. One Reddit reviewer who admits to liking both spots concludes that "Del Taco is better. Better food. Better prices." The chicken tacos, both soft and crispy, get top marks from diners, and the chili cheese fries are well-loved. People agree that their burgers are surprisingly good for a taco spot, with one customer even claiming they surpass those from In-N-Out. 

In some ways, Texas occupies its own parallel dimension of fast food, with spots like Torchy's Tacos and P. Terry's making up much of the fast food ecosystem. But at least one Texas chain has gone nationwide and earned a certain amount of respect from non-Texans for its 24-hour glowing utopias of Whataburgers, chicken sandwiches (on Texas toast, naturally), and Dr. Pepper shakes. 

Even as die-hard Whataburger fans, there was a time when we wouldn't have placed its cheeseburgers too high in any ranking. But after discovering that the mustard-forward flavor profile of a Whataburger can be buttressed by ketchup and mayo, this small change propelled it much closer to the top. What can we say, there's just something about these burgers that will always hold a special place in our hearts, sending it up to the No. 3 spot on this list.

Burgers, fried cheese curds, and frozen custard are some of the menu items that keep people coming back to Culver's, but for our money, the best thing at Culver's comes out of the soda fountain: Culver's root beer. This is hands-down, the best root beer we've ever tasted, with a creamy, rich delight that's more like a dessert than a beverage. How many other fast food chains have their own proprietary beverage?

Of course, you need a burger to go with that root beer, though, and Culver's has never let us down in that department either. The chain's line of Midwest-style ButterBurgers are buttery, juicy and satisfying. Simply put, they never fail to satisfy. In fact, we put Culver's against In-N-Out to determine which chain has better food, and Culver's came out ahead. However, while we may be big fans of this chain, there's one that just barely beat it out in this ranking.

That's right folks, the greatest fast food restaurant in the game is Checkers, as it's known in the South, and Rally's, as it exists in the Midwest. Its menu is a cornucopia of classic staples like the Big Buford and, of course, those trademark seasoned french fries. In fact, we find them virtually impossible to resist as they sit in the bag on the car ride home. For the ultimate meal, we recommend the Double Fry Lover's Burger, which features two burger patties topped with those delicious fried potatoes.

But the pros for Checker's/Rally's don't stop with the fries. Love bacon? Try the Baconzilla or Smoky BBQ Bacon Buford. Prefer wings? You can choose from six difference sauces. You can also order fish, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches...the menu goes on! We have no negative remarks to make about this chain, landing it squarely in the No. 1 spot on our ranking.

This ranking was compiled according to our personal opinions, in addition to recent reviews and comments from across the web, particularly Reddit, to create a general consensus of recent food and service quality. The restaurants were selected in an attempt to give a broad overview of the major fast food dining options across America, with major chains favored over more regional specialties, although some of those were selected for inclusion as well.