In a popular thread on the social media site Reddit, thousands of Redditors debated a quintessentially American question: What fast food chains need to go? It might seem hard to answer at first, but then you realize there are dozens of middling drive-thrus that you’ve never been to (or even heard of).
We’ve compiled Redditors’ most popular and interesting answers here, but don’t be afraid to share your hot takes.
This nautically themed seafood chain has its loyalists (they love the hush puppies), but Long John Silver’s also has enough detractors that critiques of the chain received thousands of upvotes. “I'd go about once a year, regret it, and then go back again when the bad memory wore off,” one Redditor wrote.
Redditors railed at the once-popular sandwich chain in this thread, criticizing everything from the “tasteless” bread to its franchise business model. Earlier this year, John Oliver also lambasted the chain in a lengthy segment, calling out its mismanaged franchises.
Fast food enthusiasts again panned the franchise model, blaming it for the fried chicken chain’s drop in quality. One Redditor claimed that his local KFC, which is “locally owned and operated,” still tastes amazing, while other franchise restaurants are “all absolutely terrible.”
If Redditors are to be trusted, things aren’t looking good for the house of the Whopper. Critical commenters described Burger King’s food as “inedible,” “disgusting,” and “nasty,” though many admitted that quality varies by location. “Going to a Burger King is like playing Russian Roulette but with food poisoning. The quality of the locations varies so much it's crazy,” one popular comment reads.
The all-you-can-eat buffet chain has a lousy reputation on Reddit, where one user described it as a “feeding trough for people.” “The best-tasting food there is the iceberg lettuce if that's any indication how bad the food is,” another top commenter wrote.
Redditors charged Panera with being “overpriced” and “bland,” with one commenter describing it as “hospital cafeteria food at upscale prices.” However, another Redditor stepped in to defend the chain, noting that Panera sends its leftovers to charities and food banks.
This Canadian coffee and donut chain has seen a significant drop in quality, according to multiple Redditors. A top commenter said that the food is “laughable” and that the coffee tastes like “dog water.” “I feel as though I'm the only Canadian that can't stand Tim Hortons,” they added.
“It used to be good, but they died during the pandemic,” one Redditor wrote of Steak ‘n Shake’s decline, adding that the “food just tastes sad” these days. Others chimed in with personal experiences that underscored the chain’s less-than-stellar service.
For more fast-food hot takes, sign up for our free newsletters.
