MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: wadesworld on October 08, 2022, 02:01:56 PM
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What are your favorite “fast” food stops. I’m including sub shops and am pretty loose with my definition of it. I’m mainly thinking of if you’re in a road trip and need somewhere to stop for lunch, where are you going?
By far the best to me is Chick Fil A.
Chipotle, Penn Station, Jersey Mike’s, A&W are all up there for me.
What got me thinking of this is one of the guys in our group chat just said that Dave’s Hot Chicken is better than Chick Fil A. That’s crazy talk to me. I wouldn’t go to Dave’s even if there was no such thing as Chick Fil A. Their menu stinks (do you want tenders or tenders on a bun? Do you want bad spices?), and it’s crazy overpriced.
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McD’s value meal #1… Big Mac and fries.
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I’m big into (perceived) good deals & convince.
McD’s app comes through occasionally, but I usually stick to breakfast there. If I’m doing burgers & fries, lean toward Freddy’s — double burger in a lettuce wrap & fries.
The $5 BOX from Taco Bell is a good deal.. Crunchwrap supreme, hard shell taco (add onion), nachos & cheese and a pop.
Chick fil a is solid. Big lines at time, so I order curbside via the app - works great!
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Culver's mushroom-swiss is my default go to fast food while traveling.
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Taco Bell chicken quesarito
Harolds half dark
McDonalds fillet-o-fish
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Gas station mystery weiner on the rollers.
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Gold standard is Raising Canes and Noodles and Company.
Can get down with Chipotle, Chic Fil A and Culver's.
Fallback if no good fast food is available is Mickey Ds. Usually breakfast or quarter pounder and fries.
Also, I'm a sucker for trashy American Chinese food. Panda, LeAnn Chins, weird kiosks in mall food courts, love em all
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Carnevor, Eddie Martini's, Rare, Capital Grille, and Carson's, hey?
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Gas station mystery weiner on the rollers.
Gotta be the gas stations with the chitters around the back with the key tied to a dumbbell or a lopped off hand or something to make sure ya bring it back
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I don't know if buffets meet the definition of fast food but I do like the Golden Coral. If there isn't one in your area they serve just about everything. The one near me has fried, roasted or barbecue chicken, NY strip or ribeye steaks, all sorts of sea food and any side dish you can think of; and then there are all sorts of deserts. A nice change from the burger/chicken/deli joints. Oh yeah, its all you can eat.
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I don't know if buffets meet the definition of fast food but I do like the Golden Coral. If there isn't one in your area they serve just about everything. The one near me has fried, roasted or barbecue chicken, NY strip or ribeye steaks, all sorts of sea food and any side dish you can think of; and then there are all sorts of deserts. A nice change from the burger/chicken/deli joints. Oh yeah, its all you can eat.
How many kinds of deserts are there? ;D
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Gas station mystery weiner on the rollers.
Depot Dog
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Gold standard is Raising Canes and Noodles and Company.
Can get down with Chipotle, Chic Fil A and Culver's.
Fallback if no good fast food is available is Mickey Ds. Usually breakfast or quarter pounder and fries.
Also, I'm a sucker for trashy American Chinese food. Panda, LeAnn Chins, weird kiosks in mall food courts, love em all
You are in the chicken tender capital of the world.
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Whopper with cheese, no tomato, extra pickle.
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I don't know if buffets meet the definition of fast food but I do like the Golden Coral. If there isn't one in your area they serve just about everything. The one near me has fried, roasted or barbecue chicken, NY strip or ribeye steaks, all sorts of sea food and any side dish you can think of; and then there are all sorts of deserts. A nice change from the burger/chicken/deli joints. Oh yeah, its all you can eat.
Sounds like a gastrointestinal delight.
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I don't know if buffets meet the definition of fast food but I do like the Golden Coral. If there isn't one in your area they serve just about everything. The one near me has fried, roasted or barbecue chicken, NY strip or ribeye steaks, all sorts of sea food and any side dish you can think of; and then there are all sorts of deserts. A nice change from the burger/chicken/deli joints. Oh yeah, its all you can eat.
Now, if they only served manhattans.
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How many kinds of deserts are there? ;D
Finally, someone asks the most important question! I think of the items people mentioned as appetizers before dessert.
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I'd put 5 guys first followed by Popeyes and anything from Panera or Noodles & Co dead last
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In no particular order:
1) Culvers -- Great products, diverse menu and the burgers are really good. Onion rings are a little blah but overall good.
2) Portillios -- Best hot dog ever!
3) Panera -- Especially in the morning. Also like Panera while traveling in the south as we could eat outside with the dog.
4) Burger King -- Still think a Whopper, no cheese is the best hamburger this side of Culvers.
And the worst....
A) Arby's -- Paper thin, industrial grade beef. Nice thought but yuck.
B) Real Chili -- I want my grease the old fashioned way -- in explosives or down the drain!
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Panera is over-priced hospital food.
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I'd put 5 guys first followed by Popeyes and anything from Panera or Noodles & Co dead last
Of all the fried chicken sammiches I've tried, Popeyes is still the best.
Zaxby's a regional (but pretty large in the SE part of the country) fried chicken chain has really good tenders.
Both are better than Chik-fil-A for those products IMHO. Plus, sometimes a person wants some fried chicken on Sunday!
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$1.50 all beef hot dog combo at Sam’s is a gr8 value
I may swing by Tropical Smoothie today
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Quik Trip for a smoothie and chicken sandwich if I’m really in a hurry.
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Y'all are ethan two many grains, hey?
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Raising Cane's
Culvers
Portillos
Honorable Mention:
In-N-Out
Worst:
Panda Express
Taco Bell
Burger King (for the creepy mascot alone)
Also, I hate the word "Sammiches". Is it that hard to say "sandwich" properly?
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Panera is over-priced hospital food.
Ha im not putting its quality down that low
But it is over priced as all hell. That is for certain.
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Raising Cane's
Culvers
Portillos
Honorable Mention:
In-N-Out
Worst:
Panda Express
Taco Bell
Burger King (for the creepy mascot alone)
Also, I hate the word "Sammiches". Is it that hard to say "sandwich" properly?
Sorry about "sammiches" ... my wife and I watched too damn much Letterman when he was cool, and we have been calling them that ever since.
Portillo's is a good one. Never had Raising Cane's. Totally agree about Taco Bell; so bad.
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Ha im not putting its quality down that low
But it is over priced as all hell. That is for certain.
Agreed. Its fine. But the pricing is ridiculous. And that seemingly every item has more sodium than a salt lick
Speaking of hospital food, when I was at the hospital a few weeks ago for my son's birth, I was STUNNED by the pricing, in a good way. We ordered take away mostly, but I went down for a few breakfast items and snacks and it was hilariously cheap. Pleasantly surprised. Wonder if that was just an isolated situation
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Agreed. Its fine. But the pricing is ridiculous. And that seemingly every item has more sodium than a salt lick
Speaking of hospital food, when I was at the hospital a few weeks ago for my son's birth, I was STUNNED by the pricing, in a good way. We ordered take away mostly, but I went down for a few breakfast items and snacks and it was hilariously cheap. Pleasantly surprised. Wonder if that was just an isolated situation
No it's that way at a lot of hospitals. I have a friend who regularly frequents a local hospital cafeteria even though he doesn't work there because the food is good and inexpensive.
Regarding Panera, I think their food has gone downhill in the last decade or so. They are still a go to for me when travelling because their breakfast items are decent and their coffee is good. Also, if I need to kill some time, they have good wifi.
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I'll add one on the Panera is overpriced pile. I also remember it being better years ago. I've been disappointed every time I've gone over the past few years (it's never been my idea to go).
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Broccoli cheddar soup is the only thing worth getting at Panera, at least for lunch/dinner.
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I went to Panera last week to work because my power went out. They had power, but their effin WiFi as jacked… fortunately I could sit by a window and get on a closed pizza shop’s wifi.
Got a breakfast sandwich. Pretty good, but over priced.
Downed a half-dozen cups of coffee though, so overall not a bad deal.
Third time in four months a squirrel has shut down power for thousands. Smh
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Wags
Congrats on having a son!!
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Wags
Congrats on having a son!!
Yes Wags, Congrats! You kind of buried the lead on your last post. Hopefully you did not name him Buzz!
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Can’t believe Cousins doesn’t get a mention. The Italian is dependable.
Also like Jersey Mike’s hot subs.
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Sliders. Love them or hate ‘em
A Zantigo chilito can hit the spot.
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Yes Wags, Congrats! You kind of buried the lead on your last post. Hopefully you did not name him Buzz!
Wags
Congrats on having a son!!
Thanks guys! Didn't want to blast it around, but its been an exciting 3 weeks. He's ready for his first MU season.
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Enjoy every second.
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Congrats on L’il Waggle!
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I'll add one on the Panera is overpriced pile. I also remember it being better years ago. I've been disappointed every time I've gone over the past few years (it's never been my idea to go).
They got bought out a few years ago and the quality has declined substantially. Everything is premade and or microwaved trash.
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When Mrs. 82 and I are on the road and we see a Panera, we joke, "We could go there for lunch ... if we want to take out a second mortgage."
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In no particular order:
1) Culvers -- Great products, diverse menu and the burgers are really good. Onion rings are a little blah but overall good.
2) Portillios -- Best hot dog ever!
3) Panera -- Especially in the morning. Also like Panera while traveling in the south as we could eat outside with the dog.
4) Burger King -- Still think a Whopper, no cheese is the best hamburger this side of Culvers.
And the worst....
A) Arby's -- Paper thin, industrial grade beef. Nice thought but yuck.
B) Real Chili -- I want my grease the old fashioned way -- in explosives or down the drain!
From the guy who thinks Budweiser is a good tasting swill
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Chilis curbside - some great deals can be had
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Chilis curbside - some great deals can be had
And then do you microwave that microwaved food when you get it home?
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And then do you microwave that microwaved food when you get it home?
I can relate. Ever since covid, ubereating/postmating/grubhubbing fried food that should be eaten on the spot and not delivered 25 minutes later has been my siren song. Onion rings, fried fish, fried shrooms, you name it. It has caused me to crash on the rocks more than once and yet every time I still think this time will be different.
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I can relate. Ever since covid, ubereating/postmating/grubhubbing fried food that should be eaten on the spot and not delivered 25 minutes later has been my siren song. Onion rings, fried fish, fried shrooms, you name it. It has caused me to crash on the rocks more than once and yet every time I still think this time will be different.
YUP. Some food just doesn't work for take out. Anything with a crispy exterior that steams itself in a box or bag is borderline trash in under five minutes.
Some other things are great like that... a tight wrapped bacon egg and cheese for instance.
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I can relate. Ever since covid, ubereating/postmating/grubhubbing fried food that should be eaten on the spot and not delivered 25 minutes later has been my siren song. Onion rings, fried fish, fried shrooms, you name it. It has caused me to crash on the rocks more than once and yet every time I still think this time will be different.
A take home method for fried foods is the next great American accomplishment.
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YUP. Some food just doesn't work for take out. Anything with a crispy exterior that steams itself in a box or bag is borderline trash in under five minutes.
Some other things are great like that... a tight wrapped bacon egg and cheese for instance.
Aka most Mexican unfortunately.
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YUP. Some food just doesn't work for take out. Anything with a crispy exterior that steams itself in a box or bag is borderline trash in under five minutes.
Some other things are great like that... a tight wrapped bacon egg and cheese for instance.
Alright boys, here's the play for takeout:
Before takeout arrives, heat up your oven to ~175
Prep a baking tray with aluminium foil
Is the thing you ordered for takeout is supposed to be warmer + crispy? Is it more wet than you'd hoped? A little tepid?
French fries - Scatter those bad boys on the pan. Try one, and season it appropriately while it's still over-steamed. Salt, pepper, Lowry's... go nuts.
Burger - Take the soft-stuff that can't handle heat like lettuce, tomatoes, etc off. Pop those on the pan, even in their box
Pizza - Take the slices you'll probably eat out of the box and put them on the pan
Chinese food - Good luck. Easier to heat up in a wok, honestly. Except stuff like crab rangoon, great on a baking tray
Burrito with rice and beans - Burrito on the pan in the oven, rice and beans in the microwave/pan/wok
When is it done? Low temp takes a while. We're trying to dry out the outside a bit after having been steamed during delivery. I'd guess 10-15 minutes. I use the "how hungry am I" test to guess when it's back to temp. Admittedly, my wife is way better at guessing when things are done... mostly because she's using our instant-read thermometer.
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Alright boys, here's the play for takeout:
Before takeout arrives, heat up your oven to ~175
Prep a baking tray with aluminium foil
Is the thing you ordered for takeout is supposed to be warmer + crispy? Is it more wet than you'd hoped? A little tepid?
French fries - Scatter those bad boys on the pan. Try one, and season it appropriately while it's still over-steamed. Salt, pepper, Lowry's... go nuts.
Burger - Take the soft-stuff that can't handle heat like lettuce, tomatoes, etc off. Pop those on the pan, even in their box
Pizza - Take the slices you'll probably eat out of the box and put them on the pan
Chinese food - Good luck. Easier to heat up in a wok, honestly. Except stuff like crab rangoon, great on a baking tray
Burrito with rice and beans - Burrito on the pan in the oven, rice and beans in the microwave/pan/wok
When is it done? Low temp takes a while. We're trying to dry out the outside a bit after having been steamed during delivery. I'd guess 10-15 minutes. I use the "how hungry am I" test to guess when it's back to temp. Admittedly, my wife is way better at guessing when things are done... mostly because she's using our instant-read thermometer.
This is good advice... but I'd go a higher temp and shorter time. Insides of these foods should still be warm, so you just want to dry out the outside so go 275-300 for just a couple min. Plus, this is takeout and you probably did it for convenience, right? So we don't want to spend all night waiting on the food.
Good luck everyone!
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Not bad, but here's my counter argument: Order better.
I almost never use 3rd party delivery because if the restaurant is doing it themselves, they're invested in me liking their food. Johnny Uber doesn't care because if the food is trash, I'll Uber from somewhere next time.
I also know my local go-to's. Some are good for delivery. Some are good but only off-peak times. Some are strictly pick up so there's no delay in getting it to my house. And yeah, most fried food and seafood is no go.
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In my entire life, can count on one hand the number of times I have had food delivered. Even pizza.
If I do carryout instead, I have more control over the temperature the food is by the time I get it home.
Plus I am cheap. Why pay a delivery fee and a tip when all I would be doing otherwise is sitting at home waiting for the food to be delivered?
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In my entire life, can count on one hand the number of times I have had food delivered. Even pizza.
If I do carryout instead, I have more control over the temperature the food is by the time I get it home.
Plus I am cheap. Why pay a delivery fee and a tip when all I would be doing otherwise is sitting at home waiting for the food to be delivered?
So you can get hammered at home waiting for the food to be delivered.
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So you can get hammered at home waiting for the food to be delivered.
+12(oz).
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A take home method for fried foods is the next great American accomplishment.
It's a challenge for sure. I think the most effective method is dependent on the actual food. For example, fries can be re-fried with an air-fryer (or if you have a spider) and perhaps fried mushrooms, zucchini, onions,, etc. But you cannot air-fry fried chicken or wings. I also think the grease poses a challenge for re-frying so the way you store it in the fridge matters.
I'm guessing a toaster oven with high heat works the best but I think a conventional oven with a rack on a cookie sheet, at like 400 degrees for 15 mins, is what has worked for me with fried chicken. Lastly, always bring the chicken up to room temperature before popping in the oven. Things like Crab Rangoon, egg rolls, samosas, etc, I really don't have an answer. The whole point is the crispness and when it's gone or soggy it's traumatic.
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It's a challenge for sure. I think the most effective method is dependent on the actual food. For example, fries can be re-fried with an air-fryer (or if you have a spider) and perhaps fried mushrooms, zucchini, onions,, etc. But you cannot air-fry fried chicken or wings. I also think the grease poses a challenge for re-frying so the way you store it in the fridge matters.
I'm guessing a toaster oven with high heat works the best but I think a conventional oven with a rack on a cookie sheet, at like 400 degrees for 15 mins, is what has worked for me with fried chicken. Lastly, always bring the chicken up to room temperature before popping in the oven. Things like Crab Rangoon, egg rolls, samosas, etc, I really don't have an answer. The whole point is the crispness and when it's gone or soggy it's traumatic.
What kind of communist reheats fried chicken?
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"I know he likes fast food, so I asked him, Chick-fil-A or Popeyes, and he told me he hasn't had Popeyes yet. So I said, ‘No, you've got to have Popeyes, I think it's better than Chick-fil-A.’"
-- Rory McIlroy, recounting his conversation with PGA breakout star Tom Kim, to Golf Digest.
I totally agree with McIlroy. Reminds me that I'm long overdue for another Popeyes chicken sandwich!
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Popeyes definitely better but I wish Popeyes had the consistency and quality control between locations that Chick-fila has. They really are superb at training and QC
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Popeyes definitely better but I wish Popeyes had the consistency and quality control between locations that Chick-fila has. They really are superb at training and QC
That's a good point. I've been to a couple of bad Popeyes, but every Chik-fil-A has pretty much been the same.
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Going to Popeyes is like watching Norm Macdonald standup. It can be slow, awkward, and in the middle of it you're wondering if it was a good idea. But the quality is always worth it and when its over you feel like it was a fulfilling labor of love.
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Popeyes definitely better but I wish Popeyes had the consistency and quality control between locations that Chick-fila has. They really are superb at training and QC
This. I know exactly what to expect every time I go to Chic-Fil-A and it is always really good. Also, no one manages a long line as well as Chic-Fil-A. Popeye's is a crapshoot. A well managed Popeye's will beat any Chic-Fil-A. But there have been multiple times where I've gone to a Popeye's and have had some sort issue. Either super long waits, cold food, warm soda, or in one unfortunate case all three. I have also had multiple times where I've been told that they don't have any chicken sandwiches...even if its at the start of the day. I was once told that they hadn't made any chicken sandwiches yet. So I asked them to make one for me and the response was that they just weren't going to make any sandwiches today.
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I was once told that they hadn't made any chicken sandwiches yet. So I asked them to make one for me and the response was that they just weren't going to make any sandwiches today.
The customer is always wrong!
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Chick-Fil-A is better than Popeyes in every way imaginable.
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JJ's chicken & fish or Harold's
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Chick-Fil-A is better than Popeyes in every way imaginable.
I can’t imagine your comment is true on Sundays
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I can’t imagine your comment is true on Sundays
Popeye's fried chicken sandwich is only better than Chik-fil-A's on the days ending in "y."
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The Popeyes at national and Cesar Chavez Dr always hit the spot. That was steadily in the rotation during my MU days
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The Athletic ran a reader poll to determine the best fried chicken sandwich. Here's the result:
Just over 65 percent of you chose Popeyes as your preferred fried chicken restaurant over Chick-fil-A, correctly aligning yourself with Pulse leadership and others of fine taste out there. Carry on.
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Sam’s Club just reduced the Hot Dog Combo to $1.38!! Lunch is on me, guyz!!!
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I left a few options off my most disgusting fast food:
1) The Krystal -- Anyone who has lived in the mid-south knows Krystal. It is a horrible rip-off of an already bad White Castle, which, by the way, is terrible. The Krystal should be shut down on principle. Its food is bad going on ptomaine inflicting.
2) Krispy Kreme -- Another mid-south favorite that sadly has more lives than a cat. This chain was something I loved as a kid -- and then my taste buds developed. What I learned was lard-soaked, fried bread can only be a delicacy in a place like Nashville. KK has been bankrupt almost as many times as Donald Trump.
3) George Webb's -- I guess somebody has to like it. I just don't know who.
4) Maid Rite -- Not many Scoopers probably know about Maid Rite. It's the Iowa version of Real Chili -- a place people go to sober up after a long night of alcohol consumption. I guess if your state is the number one consumer of Busch Beer in the known universe, Maid Rite tastes good. That's Iowa for you. We had one next door to us in the first apartment Ms. Dgies and I rented after we were married. It was in the Quad Cities and it was -20 one night when some woman named Debbie and her boyfriend had a fight (probably over going to Maid Rite). She locked him out of the car after the 3 a.m., closing of Maid Rite and, after he called her a bitch, drove off. That's Maid Rite's customer base!
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I left a few options off my most disgusting fast food:
1) The Krystal -- Anyone who has lived in the mid-south knows Krystal. It is a horrible rip-off of an already bad White Castle, which, by the way, is terrible. The Krystal should be shut down on principle. Its food is bad going on ptomaine inflicting.
2) Krispy Kreme -- Another mid-south favorite that sadly has more lives than a cat. This chain was something I loved as a kid -- and then my taste buds developed. What I learned was lard-soaked, fried bread can only be a delicacy in a place like Nashville. KK has been bankrupt almost as many times as Donald Trump.
3) George Webb's -- I guess somebody has to like it. I just don't know who.
4) Maid Rite -- Not many Scoopers probably know about Maid Rite. It's the Iowa version of Real Chili -- a place people go to sober up after a long night of alcohol consumption. I guess if your state is the number one consumer of Busch Beer in the known universe, Maid Rite tastes good. That's Iowa for you. We had one next door to us in the first apartment Ms. Dgies and I rented after we were married. It was in the Quad Cities and it was -20 one night when some woman named Debbie and her boyfriend had a fight (probably over going to Maid Rite). She locked him out of the car after the 3 a.m., closing of Maid Rite and, after he called her a bitch, drove off. That's Maid Rite's customer base!
Krispy Kreme is phenomenal for the first 5 minutes after you get them, good for the first hour or 2, and then really bad after that.
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I left a few options off my most disgusting fast food:
1) The Krystal -- Anyone who has lived in the mid-south knows Krystal. It is a horrible rip-off of an already bad White Castle, which, by the way, is terrible. The Krystal should be shut down on principle. Its food is bad going on ptomaine inflicting.
2) Krispy Kreme -- Another mid-south favorite that sadly has more lives than a cat. This chain was something I loved as a kid -- and then my taste buds developed. What I learned was lard-soaked, fried bread can only be a delicacy in a place like Nashville. KK has been bankrupt almost as many times as Donald Trump.
3) George Webb's -- I guess somebody has to like it. I just don't know who.
4) Maid Rite -- Not many Scoopers probably know about Maid Rite. It's the Iowa version of Real Chili -- a place people go to sober up after a long night of alcohol consumption. I guess if your state is the number one consumer of Busch Beer in the known universe, Maid Rite tastes good. That's Iowa for you. We had one next door to us in the first apartment Ms. Dgies and I rented after we were married. It was in the Quad Cities and it was -20 one night when some woman named Debbie and her boyfriend had a fight (probably over going to Maid Rite). She locked him out of the car after the 3 a.m., closing of Maid Rite and, after he called her a bitch, drove off. That's Maid Rite's customer base!
George Webb is best savored at 2:30 am after having knocked back 5-6 Schlitz tall boys. Lay in 3 greasy eggs; bacon; hash browns; and toast.
That is a good night out.
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2) Krispy Kreme -- Another mid-south favorite that sadly has more lives than a cat. This chain was something I loved as a kid -- and then my taste buds developed. What I learned was lard-soaked, fried bread can only be a delicacy in a place like Nashville. KK has been bankrupt almost as many times as Donald Trump.
Krispy Kreme is also good for having people create a Krispy Kreme cheeseburger, with Krispy Kreme donuts in lieu of a bun. This helps identify disgusting people who should be avoided at all costs and be saddled with insurance premiums that subsidize many other people with conditions through no fault of their own.
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Unpopular opinion but I think Portillos is awful. Every single thing is vastly overrated, their hot dog, beef, burger, polish everyone raves about it but there's a bunch mom and pop places and local chains that I can think of which are better. Don't understand that place's cult like following
Add Rosatti's, Giardano's and Lou's as well.
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Unpopular opinion but I think Portillos is awful. Every single thing is vastly overrated, their hot dog, beef, burger, polish everyone raves about it but there's a bunch mom and pop places and local chains that I can think of which are better. Don't understand that place's cult like following
Add Rosatti's, Giardano's and Lou's as well.
At least 3 of those were MUCH better before they sold off from original owners and expanded outside chicagoland
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Unpopular opinion but I think Portillos is awful. Every single thing is vastly overrated, their hot dog, beef, burger, polish everyone raves about it but there's a bunch mom and pop places and local chains that I can think of which are better. Don't understand that place's cult like following
Add Rosatti's, Giardano's and Lou's as well.
Portillo's is great for a faster food option. Burger is solid, combo is good, cheese dip is incredible, éclair cake is awesome.
Lou's is so good, and Giardano's is solid.
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Speed Queen at 1:30 AM
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I do find Rosati’s to be awful.
There’s not a lot of pizza I find to be *great*
I will say… the Pizza Hut Detroit style is a bargain. Not great, but cheap and not awful
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Portillo's is great for a faster food option. Burger is solid, combo is good, cheese dip is incredible, éclair cake is awesome.
Lou's is so good, and Giardano's is solid.
I have heard great things about the sweets. I don't eat sweets so wouldn't know.
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I left a few options off my most disgusting fast food:
1) The Krystal -- Anyone who has lived in the mid-south knows Krystal. It is a horrible rip-off of an already bad White Castle, which, by the way, is terrible. The Krystal should be shut down on principle. Its food is bad going on ptomaine inflicting.
2) Krispy Kreme -- Another mid-south favorite that sadly has more lives than a cat. This chain was something I loved as a kid -- and then my taste buds developed. What I learned was lard-soaked, fried bread can only be a delicacy in a place like Nashville. KK has been bankrupt almost as many times as Donald Trump.
3) George Webb's -- I guess somebody has to like it. I just don't know who.
4) Maid Rite -- Not many Scoopers probably know about Maid Rite. It's the Iowa version of Real Chili -- a place people go to sober up after a long night of alcohol consumption. I guess if your state is the number one consumer of Busch Beer in the known universe, Maid Rite tastes good. That's Iowa for you. We had one next door to us in the first apartment Ms. Dgies and I rented after we were married. It was in the Quad Cities and it was -20 one night when some woman named Debbie and her boyfriend had a fight (probably over going to Maid Rite). She locked him out of the car after the 3 a.m., closing of Maid Rite and, after he called her a bitch, drove off. That's Maid Rite's customer base!
On the topic of food, you were dropped on your head by Hooks when he and Tracy were babysitting you back in the day. 😁. God knows, there were no martinis involved.
When KK opened on WB Ave, a friend was the DM. Took my young sons and a few of their grade school pals to the opening. My guy brought them tray after tray of glazed Krispy Kreme’s. They must have polished off three dozen at least.
They survived. Guessing they will tell their kids about the glory of that day.
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Unpopular opinion but I think Portillos is awful. Every single thing is vastly overrated, their hot dog, beef, burger, polish everyone raves about it but there's a bunch mom and pop places and local chains that I can think of which are better. Don't understand that place's cult like following
Add Rosatti's, Giardano's and Lou's as well.
You just don't like it because it started out in the burbs and not in Chicago proper. ;D
You have to admit that they have mastered the science of drive-thru efficiency.
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Speed Queen at 1:30 AM
Nah, tough neighborhood, too close to MU...hard pass, hey?
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Rosatti’s Italian beef>Portillo’s Italian beef…by a long shot.
A Chicago Rosatti’s za from a unit owned by a Rosatti family member is solid. Kind like a Za from an original Shakeys. Rare breeds in these times.
My BIL has a Rosatti’s connection through marriage. Core of ops is solid. Like other brands, franchising is less so.
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Nah, tough neighborhood, too close to MU...hard pass, hey?
Part of the experience, eh?
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You just don't like it because it started out in the burbs and not in Chicago proper. ;D
You have to admit that they have mastered the science of drive-thru efficiency.
Hahaha nice
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Unpopular opinion but I think Portillos is awful. Every single thing is vastly overrated, their hot dog, beef, burger, polish everyone raves about it but there's a bunch mom and pop places and local chains that I can think of which are better. Don't understand that place's cult like following
Add Rosatti's, Giardano's and Lou's as well.
Ever since Dick sold to private equity, it’s gone down hill, I completely agree with this take.
I’ll add an unpopular take, Buona > Portillo’s. Buona fries are terrible though.
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Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. have Portillo’s reeling. They cannot figure it out how to serve it, but the necessary evil with online ordering.
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Ever since Dick sold to private equity, it’s gone down hill, I completely agree with this take.
I’ll add an unpopular take, Buona > Portillo’s. Buona fries are terrible though.
I'll back up Buona > Portillos and agree the fries are trash. But I'd take both over Pops and Al's. I'd also take Buonas burger over Portillos
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I'll back up Buona > Portillos and agree the fries are trash. But I'd take both over Pops and Al's. I'd also take Buonas burger over Portillos
Buona’s burger is arguably a top 3 fast food burger contender, 100% agree. They used to have great Parmesan chips there that went perfectly with the burger (before Covid).
Pop’s is garbage, I don’t know why people go there when there’s way better options.
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Carnevor, Eddie Martini's, Rare, Capital Grille, and Carson's, hey?
I remember about 40 years ago, Carson’s had a menu item of two giant pork chops smothered in their BBQ sauce . Them was the days …
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Buona’s burger is arguably a top 3 fast food burger contender, 100% agree. They used to have great Parmesan chips there that went perfectly with the burger (before Covid).
Pop’s is garbage, I don’t know why people go there when there’s way better options.
Agree on all counts. Buona's burger is excellent.
Pops is cheap, I'm assuming that's why it is popular.
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Agree on all counts. Buona's burger is excellent.
Pops is cheap, I'm assuming that's why it is popular.
Is drastically cheaper than buona Portillos or Al's? Or all the mom and spots? Pop's beef was inedible to me.
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Is drastically cheaper than buona Portillos or Al's? Or all the mom and spots? Pop's beef was inedible to me.
Drastically, no. But, it is cheaper. I agree, it sucks.
I went there twice, at the location they used to have in Elmhurst (it's no more). Beef was awful and the burger was really bad. Seems like people in the south and sw burbs like that and as it continues to expand down there. I don't get it.
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On the topic of food, you were dropped on your head by Hooks when he and Tracy were babysitting you back in the day. 😁. God knows, there were no martinis involved.
When KK opened on WB Ave, a friend was the DM. Took my young sons and a few of their grade school pals to the opening. My guy brought them tray after tray of glazed Krispy Kreme’s. They must have polished off three dozen at least.
They survived. Guessing they will tell their kids about the glory of that day.
If no martinis were involved, then I promise you, there was almost a case of beer involved.
Your reference to Tracy threw me for a second. I wasn't sure whether you meant Jim or my grandmother, aunt, sister or daughter. All are Tracys.
Still think KK is something you do once before common sense kicks in!
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Is Gene and Jude's still open?
I know they got flooded out awhile back.
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Is Gene and Jude's still open?
I know they got flooded out awhile back.
As of last month it was.
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If no martinis were involved, then I promise you, there was almost a case of beer involved.
Your reference to Tracy threw me for a second. I wasn't sure whether you meant Jim or my grandmother, aunt, sister or daughter. All are Tracys.
Still think KK is something you do once before common sense kicks in!
Jim, of course.
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Whataburger and spicy ketchup
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IMHO all french fries are waaaay undercooked. Need to be crispy golden brown. That's why I always liked Steak 'n Shake.
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IMHO all french fries are waaaay undercooked. Need to be crispy golden brown.
Agree. When we go to a bar and grill or fast-casual place, we ask for our fries “extra crispy,” and they usually come out perfectly.
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When I still drank beer I thought White Castle was easily the best fast food around.
I’ve reconsidered.
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When I still drank beer I thought White Castle was easily the best fast food around.
I’ve reconsidered.
Clearly you haven't had Krystal