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Thread: Top 50 Junk

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    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Top 50 Junk

    The Top 50 Fast-Food Chains in America—Ranked by PopularityDid your favorite burger joint crack the top 10? You'll be surprised which chain ranks number one.



    BYAPRIL BENSHOSAN
    JANUARY 13, 2022

    FACT CHECKED BY

    MEAGHAN CAMERON



    Bubbers BB/Shutterstock
    Fancy McDonald's for its world-famous fries and Wendy's for the never-frozen cheeseburgers? While many fast-food-frequenting folks swear by their favorite drive-thru joint, have you ever wondered which restaurant continues to steal the heart of the majority and bridges the gap between our polarized population? YouGov, a firm that specializes in online research, has been keeping track of the most popular dining brands in America based on more than 1,500 interviews across multiple demographics taken between October 2021 and December 2021.
    According to YouGov, popularity is "calculated by taking the proportion of people who view something positively and showing it as a percentage of all of the people who have given any opinion about that thing, including 'have heard of.'"


    Flickr/ Phillip PessarLooking for a classic burger? Look no further—it's dare we say, a checkmate ordering from here.
    49

    Jamba Juice
    ShutterstockThere really is something for everyone at this smoothie shop—besides frozen drinks you can sip on, there are smoothie bowls and plenty of bites.

    ADVERTISING




    48

    Einstein Bros. Bagels



    BCFC/ShutterstockWhen you can't get to a local bagel shop, Einstein Bros. will do the trick.
    47

    Carvel



    ShutterstockThis classic ice cream shop has lots of flavors and special days for BOGO-free sundaes. What more could you ask for?


    46

    SShutterstockSbarro is best known for its large pizza slices that happen to be in every mall court. Classic.
    45

    Shake Shack



    Joni Hanebutt/ShutterstockShake Shack has become an international megachain, so it's no surprise it made the list of the top 50 most popular fast-food spots.
    44

    Wingstop



    Courtesy of WingstopYou can't beat Wingstop's lunch special, with boneless wings, fries, and a drink for under $10.
    43

    Whataburger



    ShutterstockWhat is Whataburger, you may ask? This regional joint is known for its menu's oversized meaty masterpieces and waiters' Southern hospitality.
    42

    Firehouse Subs



    ShutterstockYes, Firehouse Subs was actually started by two brothers who happened to be firefighters before getting into the sandwich business.
    41

    Church's Chicken



    Ken Wolter/ShutterstockSay a little prayer: This fried chicken fast-food chain made the cut.


    40

    Jersey Mike's



    ShutterstockSubway may have many more locations than Jersey Mike's, but this sandwich shop still made its way into the top 50.
    39

    Jimmy John's



    ShutterstockJimmy John's slogan is "Freaky Fast, Freaky Fresh," and it looks like customers find this to be true!
    38

    Long John Silver's



    ShutterstockAhoy, matey! This seafood-based fast-food chain comes in around the middle of the pack when it comes to the best fast-food spots in the U.S.
    RELATED: The Best Seafood Restaurant in Every State
    37

    Carl's Jr.



    ShutterstockAre a charbroiled burger and decadent milkshake in your future? A visit to Carl's Jr. might be where you end up!
    36

    Jack in the Box



    ShutterstockNuggets, milkshakes, and even tacos are on the menu at Jack in the Box. Another fast-food spot that has something for everyone! Here's The Top Swap at Jack in the Box.
    35

    Orange Julius



    ShutterstockWhether you visit this smoothie chain on a trip to the mall or after a workout, nothing hits the spot like a drink from Orange Julius.


    34

    Nathan's Famous



    Holly Vegter/ShutterstockYou can never go wrong with a hot dog and French fries combo, and what better place to order that than at Nathan's?
    RELATED: We Tasted 8 Hot Dog Brands & This Is the Best
    33

    In-N-Out Burger



    Michael Gordon/ShutterstockIt's a California classic, but perhaps its exclusivity is what prevented In-N-Out from ranking higher in the minds of all Americans. For those who happen to live by one, customers have plenty of options to dig into, from the outrageous animal-style fries to the celeb-favorite protein-style burgers.
    RELATED: 11 Secrets In-N-Out Doesn't Want You to Know
    32

    Auntie Anne's



    ShutterstockAnother mall court and airport staple, Auntie Anne's pretzels are unmatched.
    31

    Hardee's



    ShutterstockThe sister brand to Carl's Jr. is cherished a bit more by their customers!
    30

    Panda Express



    LifetimeStock/ShutterstockWith thousands of locations across America, Panda Express is the top-ranking Asian dining brand in the country, according to the 2018 QSR 50 Ethnic Segment Report, which gathers the best restaurant brands in the country and segments them into categories.


    29

    Chipotle



    ShutterstockTrue fans know that guacamole is extra—and they'll happily fork over the extra cash. Here's What to Order at Chipotle.
    28

    White Castle



    ShutterstockHarold and Kumar aren't the only loyal customers who keep coming back to White Castle for some of those iconic sliders, and now, there is even an Impossible Slider on the menu.
    27

    Boston Market



    ShutterstockFrom the rotisserie chickens to the delectable mac and cheese, Boston Market is always a great stop for a hearty meal. Here are The Best & Worst Menu Items at Boston Market.
    26

    Papa John's



    Courtesy of Papa John'sPapa John's is always boasting about its better ingredients, and it seems like there are plenty of customers who continue to order these pizzas.
    25

    Little Caesars



    Shutterstock"Pizza, pizza" has plenty of loyal fans, thanks to the "cheap and fast" vibe of the food. Speaking of pizza, do you know what the most popular pizza topping is in your state?


    24

    Starbucks



    ShutterstockStarbucks has gathered a reputation for being the go-to place when you're in the mood for a pumpkin coffee drink once fall rolls around. And with their decadent Frappuccinos, there are plenty of sweet treats for non-coffee drinkers, too.
    23

    Quizno's



    ShutterstockQuizno's offers up classic sandwiches, and who can resist the fresh pepper bar?
    22

    Five Guys



    ShutterstockWhile Five Guys has some top-notch burgers and fries, this is a spot for peanut lovers, too. You can munch on peanuts that are available all over the restaurants while you order your meal.
    21

    Cold Stone Creamery



    ShutterstockThis ice cream shop serves up cold customized treats for whatever your heart desires, so it's basically a dream come true, right?
    20

    Sonic



    ShutterstockSometimes, you just want one of Sonic's frozen drinks and a burger to go along with it. Yum!
    19

    Burger King



    ShutterstockWhile it may not be the most popular dining brand in the country, the King is still a top choice for many. Those Whoppers are still as tasty as ever, especially if you go for the Impossible Whopper.
    18

    KFC



    ShutterstockThe Colonel is still going strong! Who doesn't want to eat their chicken right out of a bucket?
    17

    A&W Restaurants



    Susan Montgomery/ShutterstockYes, the root beer chain sells food! Here are The Best & Worst Menu Items at A&W.
    16

    Mrs. Fields



    ShutterstockThose giant chocolate chip cookies that just call your name as you're walking by? They are a staple of all Mrs. Fields locations, so we don't blame you for having one now and then.
    15

    Subway



    ShutterstockPeople surveyed described this sandwich shop as a "good value for money." If you're a Subway fan, you're not alone! Headed to Subway? Here's Every Subway Sandwich—Ranked for Nutrition!
    14

    McDonald's



    ShutterstockAre you still McLovin' it? You might've expected Mickey D's to claim a spot closer to the top, but those golden fries and Big Macs seem to have some more competition.


    13

    Domino's



    ShutterstockDomino's is hailed by fans for being well-made and a good value. With wings and yummy chocolate lava cakes to go alongside a pizza, Domino's is simply beloved.
    12

    Popeyes



    Ken Wolter/ShutterstockPlenty of loyal Popeyes fans eat there on the reg, and we know the chicken sandwich was truly worth all the hype.
    11

    Panera



    ShutterstockFrom its house-made lemonade to that tasty mac and cheese to those fresh-baked bagels, Panera has it all. No wonder it ranked so highly on YouGov's list!
    10

    Taco Bell



    ShutterstockThis taco joint rings its loyal customers' bells for being "everywhere and good quality." By the way, You'll Never Guess What Taco Bell Uses to Season Its Beef.
    9

    Chick-fil-A



    ShutterstockAlthough loyal customers can't satisfy their fried chicken cravings on Sunday, Chick-fil-A still is a top spot to go when you're in the mood for a chicken sandwich and some waffle fries.
    8

    Pizza Hut



    ShutterstockWith a plethora of crusts, cheesy toppings, and grilled veggies to choose from, it's no surprise pizza lovers keep coming back to the Hut.


    7

    Arby's



    Courtesy of Arby'sFor all the meat-lovers out there, Arby's is your place, especially if you're a fan of their staple, roast beef sandwiches.
    6

    Dunkin'



    ShutterstockAmerica actually does run on Dunkin', doesn't it? Those Munchkins are rather irresistible.

    5

    Cinnabon



    Facebook/CinnabonNo mall trip is ever done without a pit stop at Cinnabon for a warm, gooey, perfectly sticky cinnamon bun.
    4

    Wendy's



    Jonathan Weiss/ShutterstockRanking higher than McDonald's and Burger King is the beloved redhead! The real question is, which flavor Frosty do you get: chocolate or vanilla?
    3

    Krispy Kreme



    ShutterstockFrom the affordably priced cups of caffeine to the hot-out-the-oven classic glazed doughnuts, it's easy to see why Krispy Kreme has such a devoted following.
    2

    Baskin-Robbins



    ShutterstockCraving ice cream? Baskin Robbins comes in the first-place spot. And they have so many delicious scoop flavors!



    1

    Dairy Queen



    Courtesy of Dairy QueenMajority rules! Customers raved that the fast-food chain is "good quality," "never gets old," and is a "good value for money." That sounds like a winning combo to us! DQ even sold more than 175 million Blizzards the first year they introduced them in 1985—who knew?
    For more, check out these
    108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are.




    Last edited by tomcat; 15-01-2022 at 05:12 PM.
    Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd

  2. #2
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    Quite a few of those chains have restaurants here in the magic kingdom.

    Not so surprising to be missing is former Daily Show host Jon Stewart's favourite - Arby's.

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    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...I was once stranded in a California suburb without a car: the nearest place for a meal was Taco Bell...I tried the menu twice, OD'd on grease and have never been to another outlet in the chain...

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    ^ I frequented a Taco Bell in Buckhead Atlanta and food was pretty good...guess it depends where you are...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    guess it depends where you are
    ...or your level of grease tolerance...

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    For me, as far as coffee goes, Dunkin' > Starbucks.

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    Lots of shit chains that thankfully can not survive within the Seattle city limits, as there are too many better options. I often times pity the suburban wasteland and its shit chains.

    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I frequented a Taco Bell in Buckhead Atlanta
    Please do explain what you were doing there? Why did you not do a travel pic thread?

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    That is one catalogue of awful food

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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    That is one catalogue of awful food
    ...what part of "junk" did you miss...

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    ^ Sorry I meant what a catalogue of American food

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    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...so, still unclear then...

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    ^ don't tell me they all originated in Wales?

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    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...Wiki to the rescue: "Junk food is unhealthy food that is high in calories from sugar or fat, with little dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, or other important forms of nutrition"...

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    Well, why didn't you post that up at the start instead of leaving us guessing?

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    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ..."us"...?

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    Quite a few on that list I’ve never heard of. The only two of those places I frequent (maybe once a month) are Popeye’s and Chick-fil-a. Popeyes does outstanding fried chicken and Chick-fil-a has goods salads. Both make a mighty fine chicken sandwich but I’m trying to cut down.

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    I'm tapping out TC

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    Hardly seen any junk food here outside Bangkok and the Malls , with so much delicious fresh food everywhere.
    I did notice living in USA that the average Mall Rat had one hand on a huge 20 oz sugar laced Soda or Coffee , largely milk and sugar .

    Luckily leaving other paw free for generally corn dogs, burgers, pizzas hotdogs, donuts rarely a piece of fruit or veg seen or sold in those sugary places.

    For travelers without a kitchen most of suburbia/strip Malls is like above or Airports expensive unhealthy junk, of course home cooking Mexican ,Creole etc is to be found and in places like the bayous Hawaii, Maine, Seattle San Francisco, Portland, where folks are notably brighter. I don't think Putin or Xi needs worry about USA invading they're too busy munching.
    Quote Originally Posted by Latindancer View Post
    I just want the chance to use a bigger porridge bowl.

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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    I'm tapping out TC
    Why are you so disingenuous? The English diet is total shit and yet you are trying to claim the moral high ground, you pathetic hypocrite. Your adopted national dish was cast aside buy Americans a century ago. It was shit then and it is shit today.

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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Chick-fil-a.
    ...you're supporting a chain owned by virulently homophobic Christian evangelicals...that may be hard to swallow...

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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Why are you so disingenuous? The English diet is total shit and yet you are trying to claim the moral high ground, you pathetic hypocrite. Your adopted national dish was cast aside buy Americans a century ago. It was shit then and it is shit today.
    I'm not, the thread is a crock yet here you are rumbling in to defend a perceived slight against god bless America and its trailer trash dining

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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    I'm not, the thread is a crock yet here you are rumbling in to defend a perceived slight against god bless America and its trailer trash dining
    I am not defending anything. Just pointing out that you are disingenuous and trying to claim the moral high ground with your "tap out" comment.

    More limeys on this forum have posted up pictures of food from McDonald's, KFC and other American fast food places than the Americans on here. FFS Dilly even posted up his burger from 5 guys the other day.

    You are not fooling anybody.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    Lots of shit chains that thankfully can not survive within the Seattle city limits, as there are too many better options. I often times pity the suburban wasteland and its shit chains.



    Please do explain what you were doing there? Why did you not do a travel pic thread?
    I'm not sure it's any of your business and it was quite a while ago now. I was doing some work for Delta at their hub in Atlanta. All my stays in the US were business rather than holiday and work hours meant we ended up using fast food places from time to time.

    I vaguely recall having early breakfasts in a pancake house chain somewhere just south of LA. Just as well that wasn't a long trip or I'd be struggling to fit on a plane home.

    To be honest, I don't mind the occasional fast food, just as long as it is occasional, maybe 4 or 5 times a year.

    I don't go to any of those awful coffee chains though...local espresso bar is okay.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I'm not sure it's any of your business and it was quite a while ago now.
    You are right, not anything you have to share. I was just curious, but thanks for sharing anyway, and I found your response interesting.

    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I vaguely recall having early breakfasts in a pancake house chain somewhere just south of LA.
    International house of pancakes?

    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I don't go to any of those awful coffee chains though.
    As an American, I try to avoid chains like the plague whether it is fast food or otherwise, and since I don't drink coffee I can't comment on that.

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    ^ That's the one...surprised it's not on the list.

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