Cheapism; Panda Express
Every fast-food joint has its specialty, just as every fast-food joint has a few things that probably shouldn't be on the menu. Even In-N-Out has hot chocolate, for some reason.
But when you find yourself in the drive-thru, how do you know you're not making a mistake? How do you know you're getting the best of the best? Well, I'm gonna explain it to you, that's how. In no particular order, here are the best items from 10 mega-chains.
Related: Best New Fast-Food Items
The Benedict-style sandwich is not only the best thing on the McDonald's breakfast menu, but it is also the best thing on the rest of the menu. In fact, it's the best thing on anychain's breakfast menu. When the cheese is melty and the muffin is toasted just so, an Egg McMuffin might actually be the best breakfast sandwich there is.
I have never known Burger King to do things extremely well, but the chicken that comes on the Royal Spicy is surprisingly crisp, juicy, and golden brown. It's the best Burger King item you can get, and a strong contender in the Chicken Sandwich Wars.
I have eaten a lot of American-style Chinese food in my life, and I can say with 100% certainty that I have never had orange chicken that compares with Panda's. Nothing's even close, really. I'm not here to proclaim it the most authentic or the most high-quality. But I am here to proclaim it the tastiest in the biz.
That golden crunch, when hot off the wok, is transcendent. The sauce, which shines with citrus and sesame, is heaven. The chicken is always tender. It's probably one of the most consistent dishes in the entire world of fast-food.
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What we have here is a sandwich that's greater than the sum of its parts. I don't know what Starb's ciabatta is even made out of, but it's so weirdly easy to bite through. A consistent, easy chew every single time, protecting a layer of melty gouda and scrambled eggs that sit in a fast-food league of their own.
The Colonel is feeling himself these days, especially in the sandwich department. KFC's chicken is moist, deeply seasoned, and covered in crunchy batter. This sando is DRIPPING in mayo, and though I’m not much of a fan of that, I’m unbothered here. When properly executed, mayo and pickles are really all you need.
Related: The 10 Best Sandwich Chains, Ranked
Oh simplicity, bean and cheese burrito be thy name. What in the world else do you need? Refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa are the three musketeers inside that tortilla. Nothin' better.
I think Crunch Wraps are overrated, and I don't care who knows it. The truth is, Taco Bell's magnum opus was the Quesarito, but now that's it's gone for good (it's not even on the app anymore), I'm handing the title of Best Dish to the one who really deserves it.
There are few things in this world more homey and comforting than a warm flour tortilla filled with melty cheese. A Cheesy Roll Up is perfect food.
Hot Honey Rub is a limited-time thing, popping in and out infrequently. It's available now, so sprint to the nearest Wingstop before this sentence goes out of date.
I am head-over-heels for this limited-time-only rub. As you lean in for a bite, the first thing that happens is that you smell honey. Then you taste honey, and then your mouth erupts with heat. And then it’s sweet like honey again, but your mouth is still feeling the burn. I'll miss Hot Honey Rub at Wingstop when it's gone. This is dinner and a show, folks.
Sonic doesn't do a lot of things right, but the chain's line of "Blasts" are by far the best thing on the menu. This is their take on a McFlurry or a Blizzard, and in this particular instance, it comes chock-full of Heath pieces. This thing is a absolutely delicious.
Related: Every Cheeseburger at Sonic, Ranked
This sucker is just as good as it once was, way back in the day. It was a big deal to learn that you didn't need to live near an Italian deli under a bridge in Queens to conveniently get your hands on a quality meatball sub.
These aren't the best meatballs in town, but when they’re smothered in marinara sauce, covered with melted cheese, and wrapped up in a toasty sub roll, quality doesn't matter. Eat it while it's still hot and fresh, or don't bother.
I recently ate a Bacon Double Stack at Wendy's and I'm not sure if I just happened to have a very competent person working the flat top at my local Wendy’s, but it came out incredibly well. A perfect smash burger; seasoned well with crispy edges and great caramelization.
Wendy’s bacon is arguably the best thing they’ve got. It’s always crispy and has an undeniably smoky flavor. A top-tier drive-thru burger.