USA TODAY 10Best
Best fast food in the US: Where to find the tastiest quick bites
Best Fast Food Restaurant (2023)
On any given day, tens of millions of Americans are treated to irresistibly delicious food that's in their hands just a few minutes (or less!) after ordering. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and preparation to deliver that sort of speed, quality, and scale.
These 10 restaurant chains – voted as the best in the nation – have mastered this art.
- Popeyes
- Burger King
- Sonic Drive-In
- Taco Bell
- Arby's
- Raising Cane's
- Wendy's
- McDonald's
- In-N-Out Burger
- Chick-fil-A
Photo courtesy of Popeyes
No. 10:
Founded in New Orleans, Popeyes is best known for its "famous fried chicken" served in a Southern way: with a biscuit, mac and cheese, Cajun fries, red beans and rice, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy. Don't forget to add some of their delectable dipping sauces to your order.
Photo courtesy of filadendron // Getty Images
No. 9:
Home of the Whopper, Burger King is one of the mainstays when it comes to fast food with many crowning it more popular than its main competitor. With a menu of delicious burgers and fun favorites like chicken fries, it's no wonder that diners keep coming back.
Photo courtesy of SONIC Drive-In
No. 8:
In operation since the 1950s, Sonic's yummy burgers, corn dogs, chili dogs, and more are delivered to your vehicle (in most locations) by a carhop. It may be best known, however, for its expansive drink menu, including 14 flavors of slushes.
Photo courtesy of Taco Bell Corp.
No. 7:
Taco Bell isn’t just a late-night favorite. This menu has all-day appeal, from their unique breakfast items to a nice selection of Mexican-inspired options including tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and Mexican pizza.
Photo courtesy of Arby's
No. 6:
One of the largest sandwich chains in the country, Arby’s draws people in with their famous roast beef sandwiches but also offers deli-style sandwiches, burgers, wraps, chicken sandwiches, and more.
Photo courtesy of Bobex-73 // Getty Images
No. 5:
“You can count on Raising Cane's for freshly fried chicken finger meals with homestyle extras, like Texas toast, coleslaw, and fries," says Terrisa Meeks, 10Best contributor. And fans know that Cane's Sauce is a necessary accompaniment to any meal.
Photo courtesy of filadendron // Getty Images
No. 4:
It’s hard to say if Wendy’s is known more for its burgers or its creamy frozen Frosty dessert. Customers return again and again for their iconic menu items, as well as new or limited-time fare like the grilled chicken wrap and the ghost pepper ranch chicken sandwich.
Photo courtesy of g-stockstudio // Getty Images
No. 3:
McDonald’s is nearly synonymous with the words “fast food,” so it’s no surprise that it's often the restaurant of choice for those seeking a satisfying menu and quick bite. Like many restaurants, they frequently offer special deals for those ordering through the McDonald’s app.
Photo courtesy of londoneye // Getty Images
No. 2:
The menu is small, but the flavor is big at this favorite iconic West Coast burger chain. They use only fresh ingredients (they don’t even have freezers on-site), and customers know there’s also a not-so-secret menu. Anything can be ordered “Animal Style,” which means the patty is cooked with mustard and piled with grilled onions, pickles, and extra spread.
Photo courtesy of Olelole // Getty Images
No. 1:
The Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is a favorite of many, including expert Quang Hong who also loves their waffle fries. This classic chicken sandwich has been the most-ordered menu item at Chick-fil-A for (at least) two years running.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Maggie Tuten Tyner
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she... Read More
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she was certainly raised here, having called this her home for the last 20+ years. She even graduated from local Furman University and went to work as an editor for 10Best shortly thereafter. Her daydreams come mainly in the form of screenplays and novels, and her free time is spent watching movies, enjoying the gorgeous surrounding foothills or exploring the Greenville food scene — almost always alongside her husband.
Maggie Tuten Tyner
Maggie wasn't born in Greenville, S.C., but she was certainly raised here, having called this her home for the last 20+ years. She even graduated from local Furman University and went to work as an editor for 10Best shortly thereafter. Her daydreams come mainly in the form of screenplays and novels, and her free time is spent watching movies, enjoying the gorgeous surrounding foothills or exploring the Greenville food scene — almost always alongside her husband.
Nancy Luna
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail... Read More
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail desk. She covers food tech solutions and disruptors in the restaurant and grocery industries, including Instacart, Reef Technology, Kitchen United, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Gopuff, Olo, and Toast. Nancy has covered the restaurant beat since 2005. She's written about the nation's top brands, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Chili's, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino's, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Burger King, Wendy's, and In-N-Out Burger. Before coming to Insider in 2020, Nancy previously worked as a senior editor and tech editor at Nation's Restaurant News. While there, Nancy covered a variety of topics – operations, e-commerce, emerging brands, delivery, automation, ghost kitchens, and virtual brands. Before NRN, Nancy was a business writer at The Orange County Register, where she penned the nationally known blog, Fast Food Maven, from 2007 to 2012. She covered the Southern California grocery strikes, the Great Recession's impact on the restaurant industry, and emerging fast-casual and chef-driven brands.
Nancy Luna
Nancy Luna is a correspondent for Insider's Retail desk. She covers food tech solutions and disruptors in the restaurant and grocery industries, including Instacart, Reef Technology, Kitchen United, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Gopuff, Olo, and Toast. Nancy has covered the restaurant beat since 2005. She's written about the nation's top brands, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Chili's, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino's, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Burger King, Wendy's, and In-N-Out Burger. Before coming to Insider in 2020, Nancy previously worked as a senior editor and tech editor at Nation's Restaurant News. While there, Nancy covered a variety of topics – operations, e-commerce, emerging brands, delivery, automation, ghost kitchens, and virtual brands. Before NRN, Nancy was a business writer at The Orange County Register, where she penned the nationally known blog, Fast Food Maven, from 2007 to 2012. She covered the Southern California grocery strikes, the Great Recession's impact on the restaurant industry, and emerging fast-casual and chef-driven brands.
Quang Hong
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a... Read More
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a blog mainly focused on fast food news and reviews since 2008, which is to say he's eaten and reviewed more fast food than most.
Quang Hong
Quang is the editor/founder of BrandEating.com, a blog mainly focused on fast food news and reviews since 2008, which is to say he's eaten and reviewed more fast food than most.
Terrisa Meeks
Terrisa Meeks is a native born, life-long resident... Read More
Terrisa Meeks is a native born, life-long resident of Las Vegas who loves great restaurants, quirky museums and ghost towns. She's written widely on Las Vegas, especially on the city's dynamic food scene.
Terrisa Meeks
Terrisa Meeks is a native born, life-long resident of Las Vegas who loves great restaurants, quirky museums and ghost towns. She's written widely on Las Vegas, especially on the city's dynamic food scene.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
