I Asked 4 Chefs for Their Favorite Fast Food Chain, and Their Answers Surprised Me

If we can take last year’s Google Search data—and the prolific number of fast food chains that dot airports, interstate exits, and city streets—as an indication, Americans’ fast food preferences are quite wide-ranging. If you ask a supermarket full of people, “What is the best fast food chain?” you’d likely receive an array of answers.

Once upon a time, A&W (1919), White Castle (1921), KFC (1930), McDonald’s (1940), and Dairy Queen (1940) were the only options. These days, there are dozens of globally recognized burger joints, sandwich shops, fried chicken franchises, taco stands, and beyond—not to mention regional fast food brands, such as Portillo’s, Runza, and Braum’s. All of these have loyal fans, and each brand has its menu hits (Shake Shack burger, we just can’t quit you) and, sometimes, misses (sorry, Sonic chicken tenders).

With the dizzying number of options and new menu releases seemingly every month, it can be tough to sort through all of the drive-thru choices. So, on the heels of our guides to chefs’ favorite fast food French fries and their unanimous fast food cheeseburger selection, we tapped culinary pros from across the U.S. to chime in about their selection for the best all-around fast food restaurant. Spoiler alert: No one mentioned McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s. Read on to learn about two other brands that tied at the top.

Our Panel of Fast Food Judging Chefs

• Jonathan Gutiérrez, executive chef at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
• Dominic Iannarelli, chef-owner of Prime & Providence in West Des Moines, Iowa
• Adam Pawlak, chef-owner of Egg & Flour Pasta Bar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Michael Sibert, chef-owner of White Wine & Butter in Greenville, South Carolina

Qualities of the Best Fast Food Chain

The chefs we spoke to admit that they steer clear of any restaurants, fast food or otherwise, that tend to have lackluster customer service, inconsistent food quality, poor hygiene standards, or unnecessary extra ingredients.

“These issues can compromise food safety and the overall dining experience, which are crucial factors for me as a chef,” says Jonathan Gutiérrez.

On the flip side, the food pros gravitate to chains that offer:

• Fresh, high-quality ingredients
• Hot food
• Consistency from visit to visit
• Cleanliness
• A menu that includes unique takes on classics
• Outstanding and quick customer service

The Best Fast Food Chain, According to Chefs

Michael Sibert admits that “we are nostalgic about the fast food we grew up on,” so answers may vary. But for these chefs, when we asked them to select their number one fast food chain, it was a tie between two regional favorites: West Coast-beloved In-N-Out Burger and Midwestern staple Culver’s.

The chefs confirm that they need not have a location nearby these days to swoon over their selection. Even though he’s not from the West Coast, Dominic Iannarelli declares that “In-N-Out is the best due to its fresh ingredients, simple menu, secret menu items, strong core values, and leadership. Unfortunately, they don’t have any locations close to me, so I only get it when I travel West.”

Gutiérrez agrees, noting that its “commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and focus on customer satisfaction sets them apart. They maintain a simple yet delicious menu that emphasizes quality over quantity.”

At In-N-Out, burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas are the only options; no onion rings, wraps, salads, chicken sandwiches, or breakfast items like you’d find on many fast food franchise line-ups. 

“The simplicity of its menu allows them to focus on perfecting each item,” Gutiérrez adds.

Both Gutiérrez and Iannarelli rave about the burgers made from fresh, never-frozen beef, the pleasant service, and the value.

“The staff is well-trained and dedicated to providing a pleasant dining experience,” Gutiérrez says. “And the prices at In-N-Out are very reasonable considering the quality of the ingredients and the care that goes into each meal.”

As for the other two chefs, they agree that “Culver’s is the best” due to its consistency from location to location and visit to visit, the cleanliness of the dining room, and the responsibly sourced ingredients used in the made-fresh-to-order recipes (Culver’s also uses fresh, never-frozen beef). Beyond that, they dig the fair prices, the variety of menu options, and the speedy and friendly service.

“The level of customer service really makes Culver’s stand out. They ask if it’s your first visit, and if it is, they take this amazing customer service a step further with ‘TLC,’” Sibert says.

Those used to a streamlined menu like In-N-Out could probably use a little coaching at Culver’s, which has one of the most extensive menus in the fast food world. Even though Culver’s offers everything from the famous ButterBurger and corn dog to a butterfly jumbo shrimp, grilled Reuben melt, and frozen custard, its “Consistency is the best. The Culver’s team is like a well-oiled machine, which reminds me of an upscale restaurant,” says Adam Pawlak.

What Chefs Order at Fast Food Chains

When the chefs chimed in with their go-to orders at their favorite fast food chains, the answers per brand were nearly unanimous.

According to Iannarelli and Gutiérrez, the best order at In-N-Out is very similar to Gordon Ramsay’s choice for a last meal:

• Double-Double Burger, a popular twist on a double cheeseburger, comes with two beef patties, two slices of cheese, fresh veggies, and In-N-Out’s signature thousand island-like spread
• Animal-Style Fries, topped with cheese, grilled onions, and the brand’s special sauce
• Neapolitan Shake, because why choose between vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry when you can have all three? (This is found on the “not-so-secret menu,” by the way)

At Culver’s, Pawlak and Sibert give big thumbs up to the:

• Single Mushroom & Swiss ButterBurger, a creation that includes seared beef, garlicky sautéed mushrooms, and Wisconsin Swiss cheese, all showcased on a lightly buttered, toasted bun (hence the name)
• Wisconsin Cheese Curds, deep-fried bites of Wisconsin unaged yellow and white Cheddar cheese
• Fresh Frozen Custard, either in a cone, a dish, as a sundae, or in a “Concrete Mixer” (candy-spiked milkshake), depending on how hungry you are

Pawlak continues, “Sometimes I'll add a 2-piece spicy chicken tender. And the sleeper hit on the menu is the Beef Pot Roast Sandwich!”

How To Recreate These In-N-Out and Culver’s Orders at Home

If you don’t have a location of either of these fast food franchises near you, we’ve got your back.

To recreate the In-N-Out order at home, try our Copycat In-N-Out Double-Double Animal-Style Burger and Animal Style Fries, then combine a Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate Milkshake in one glass.

For the full Culver’s experience, top this Garlic Butter Burger with sautéed mushrooms and a slice of Swiss, add a side of Real Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds, and cap things off with Frozen Vanilla Custard.