Taco Bell
Think "fast food" and you might automatically conjure up burgers, fries, and milkshakes. But there are one too many marketing titans in the Mexican-style fast food world to ignore. So which of the Mexican fast food chains is the best? I got to work to find out.
Del Taco, Del Taco, Del Taco, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Your freshness: elite. Your price point: second to none. Your ability to resist the current craze of the fast food times: admirable. There are at least 100 things I love about Del, and while there are many items I would consider must-orders (the bean and cheese burrito, the Double Del cheeseburger, the seasonal tamales), I encourage you to explore your own Del Taco journey. You have what it takes. I believe in you.
Related: Tasty Taco Places Across the Country
Though it primarily exists in the southwest, El Pollo Loco still has about 500 locations under its belt. Citrusy, flame-grilled chicken is the star of the show at EPL, but like any chicken restaurant worth its salt, the sides are killer, too (looking at you, Loco Salad). Top to bottom, salad to dessert, El Pollo Loco is bringing the heat.
I have gone through a slew of different feelings about Chipotle in my life. There have been times where I thought it was overrated, times I thought it was delicious, times I thought it was a ripoff, and times I thought it was a bargain. I suspect there are others out there who go through this cycle, but I'll tell you what makes Chipotle "top three" material: Chipotle is reliable. It's there for you at all times, be it a low-carb, last-minute lunch or an indulgent, late-night dinner. Unless you've stumbled upon some particularly nasty location, the food is generally fresh and clean. Tacos, burritos, and bowls fit any portion requirement you might need. They've even got booze. If nothing else, I appreciate you, Chipotle.
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What an underdog. Baja Fresh ranges from the west coast to the southeast, and to its credit, it was one of the first places to toss around the word "fresh" and mean it. There was always a health-conscious approach to the Baja menu, and that counts for a lot. As a kid, I cherished the Baja Burrito and still stand by my claim that Salsa Baja is the best fast food salsa you can find. Swing by Baja Fresh some time soon. Tell them I say "hi."
I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry. We as a society need to accept that Taco Bell is way more bark than bite. Terrific marketing, strong branding, just-alright food. With the exception of a few stellar items like the Quesarito and the cheesy bean and rice burrito, most of the dishes at Taco Bell are a letdown. I'll leave you with one more opinion, one that I have been told repeatedly is my worst take: Crunch Wrap Supremes are overrated. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to install another deadbolt on my door.
The first time I saw a Qdoba, I thought it was a typo. I didn't know how to pronounce it (I probably still don't), but that may in fact be the point, as the chain was subject to many name-based lawsuits before it came up with "Qdoba". A clear Chipotle competitor, it's hard to figure out where to put this place. It does better quesadillas than Chipotle, that's for sure, but can't really hold a candle to Chipotle's build-your-own-bowl setup.
Perhaps you've met a Moe's fan before; perhaps you even are one yourself. Moe's lovers are fiercely loyal, dedicated to proving that Moe's outdoes Chipotle and Qdoba. It doesn't, unfortunately, but the portion size is something to behold. That's one category where it outdoes its competition, at least.
