The Big Mac Still Rules America’s Hearts
It’s no secret that America has a complicated relationship with fast food, but some dishes have earned their place as true icons. As of the second quarter of 2024, hamburgers, french fries, and grilled cheese sandwiches were the most popular American dishes in the United States. An average of around 84 percent of respondents had a positive opinion of each of the three dishes. When you think of the ultimate American burger, McDonald’s Big Mac immediately comes to mind. Double patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, pickles, onions, cheese, and a sesame seed bun. You either love the Big Mac, or… you’re wrong. It’s McDonald’s signature burger for a reason. This towering sandwich isn’t just food—it’s practically a cultural institution that’s survived decades of food trends and still manages to satisfy millions of hungry Americans every single day.
French Fries: The Golden Standard Nobody Can Touch
Let’s be honest: barring any catastrophic upset, this list was never going to end on a higher note than McDonald’s. There will always be detractors, and there will always be rivals, but there will only ever be one McDonald’s—a chain that single-handedly defined what a fast-food fry should look, smell and taste like. When they’re hot and fresh? Game over. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and salted just right. These fries are fast food royalty. It’s honestly mind-blowing how McDonald’s managed to create something so simple yet so perfect that it’s become the gold standard by which all other fries are measured. The only thing more Americana than the mighty french fry is debating about which french fries are the best. Year after year, we analyze the french fry landscape, dominated by popular fast-food chains, to determine which crispy side reigns supreme.
Chicken McNuggets: The Bite-Sized Champions
McDonald’s introduced its Chicken McNuggets in 1980 and they’ve been a bestseller ever since. Select Strips, on the other hand, vanished from the menu in 2015, but chicken connoisseurs are still able to get their fix with the Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, new as of 2017. What’s fascinating about McNuggets is how they managed to transform chicken eating into something almost addictive. Juicy chicken, crunchy coating, and made to be dunked in every McDonald’s sauce ever created. They’re dangerously “snackable.” Warning: May disappear before your drive-thru lane ends. Did you know Chicken McNuggets only come in one of four shapes? This attention to detail shows just how seriously McDonald’s takes its nugget game.
Taco Bell’s Crunchy Supremacy
Fast-casual Mexican chains have been popping up all across the nation in recent years, but none can surpass Taco Bell in terms of popularity. The chain has more than 7,200 locations nationwide, so there are plenty of places to go when you want a Crunchwrap Supreme and a refreshing sip of Baja Blast off the menu. The Crunchwrap Supreme deserves special recognition because it somehow managed to make fast food even more portable without sacrificing flavor. The undisputed king of Mexican- and TexMex-inspired fast food, Taco Bell started off 2024 in a big way via the release of its “revitalized” Cravings Value Menu. Featuring 10 “crave-worthy” menu items like the Spicy Potato Soft Taco for just $1.19, the new menu offers customers serious value that’s hard to beat. It’s like they took everything great about tacos and figured out how to make it even more convenient.
Pizza That Travels: Little Caesars’ Hot-N-Ready Revolution
Little Caesars not only serves traditional round pizzas, but it also specializes in rectangular Detroit-style deep-dish pizzas. Their Hot-N-Ready concept was revolutionary because it solved the biggest problem with pizza delivery—waiting. You could literally walk in and walk out with a whole pizza in under five minutes, which seemed impossible before they figured it out. Sure, food snobs might turn their noses up at it, but when you’re feeding a family on a budget or need food fast, Little Caesars delivers exactly what it promises. The fact that they’ve maintained their “$5 pizza” reputation for so long in an era of rising food costs is honestly impressive.
KFC’s Bucket of Tradition
Kentucky Fried Chicken (better known as KFC) may have originated in the American South thanks to founder Colonel Harland Sanders, but the brand is the very definition of global in 2024 with over 30,000 locations across 150 nations. Countless families have picked up a bucket of fried chicken for dinner since the very first franchised KFC location opened its doors in Salt Lake City in 1952—and many still do. KFC is a quintessentially American brand of fast food known the world over. Customers can choose from a variety of combinations that include fried chicken breasts, wings, and thighs, served with several hearty comfort food side dishes. There’s something almost ceremonial about sharing a bucket of KFC—it turns fast food into a family event.
Burger King’s Whopper: The Flame-Grilled Rival
With its signature Whopper sandwich, Burger King has been a worthy competitor among fast-food burger chains since it opened in 1954. In recent years, Burger King has introduced a number of interesting and limited-time items to its menu. The Whopper deserves credit for being different when it didn’t have to be—flame-grilling when everyone else was using flat grills, going bigger when competitors played it safe. The home of the Whopper is one of the most recognizable fast-food brands on the planet. Considering there are over 6,700 Burger King locations in just the U.S. alone (roughly 19,000 globally), there’s no denying the chain’s prominence and staying power. The “Have it your way” slogan wasn’t just marketing—it represented a genuine shift toward customization in fast food.
Arby’s Curly Fries: The Seasoned Sensation
Unlike any of the other prolific fast-food brands, Arby’s made the wise decision a long time ago to go curly, and seasoning the spirals with a tasty blend of onion powder, cornmeal, garlic power, baking soda, and other spices. The result is a shape, a texture, and a seasoning unlike anything else you’ll find in a drive-thru, earning them a reputation as some of the most popular fast-food fries of all time and a favorite among chefs. Fans on Reddit calling them the best fries ever. What’s brilliant about Arby’s curly fries is how they took a simple side dish and made it into the star of the show. Defined by slow-roasted, freshly sliced roast beef, Arby’s appeals to customers by combining the convenience of fast food with the flavors of a deli. Besides the iconic roast beef, Arby’s menu also includes its famous Curly Fries, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers.
Wendy’s Square Burgers and Frosty Dipping
America’s second biggest burger chain, it has out-clipped Burger King in sales (even despite having fewer locations), and started inspiring online commenters to create Reddit threads like “Wendy’s has better fries than McDonald’s,” and “Does Wendy’s Really Make Better Fries Than McDonald’s?” Regardless of where you stand on the discourse, the fact that Wendy’s can realistically rival the long-reigning king of fast-food fries is notable. But let’s talk about the real genius move—Wendy’s figured out that people love dipping their fries in Frosties. Plus, major props are earned for Wendy’s genius pairing of fries with its classic Frosty. This sweet-and-salty combination shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does, and it’s become almost as iconic as the square burger patties.
Rising Stars: Chipotle’s Fast-Casual Revolution
Chipotle Mexican Grill enjoys widespread popularity, being the favorite fast food chain in eleven states, including South Carolina, New Mexico, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Georgia, Montana, Iowa, West Virginia, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Chipotle didn’t just serve food—they started a whole movement toward “fast-casual” dining that bridged the gap between traditional fast food and sit-down restaurants. The assembly-line approach let you watch your meal being made while still getting it quickly, and the focus on fresher ingredients appealed to health-conscious consumers who were getting tired of traditional fast food options. They basically proved that fast food could be both convenient and relatively healthy.
Saying Goodbye to Beloved Classics
Not everything gets to stick around forever, and 2024 has been particularly brutal for some fan favorites. Like Panera, Taco Bell recently discontinued a number of popular items to make room for some exciting new menu additions. The Mexican-inspired chain introduced a revamped value menu in January with 10 options all under $3, including some completely brand-new items. Unfortunately, customers had to say goodbye to the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, Chicken Chipotle Melt, and $5 Classic Combo once the new menu debuted. Customers took the loss of the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito especially hard and lamented its retirement on social media. “I just need to mourn for a minute,” one wrote on Reddit at the time. It’s heartbreaking when a favorite disappears, especially when it feels like it happened without warning.
The Great Fiesta Veggie Burrito Tragedy
Are you a vegetarian and a Taco Bell fan? Well, you may want to avert your eyes because you can’t unread what we’re about to share. Taco Bell has bid farewell to the Fiesta Veggie Burrito. You won’t find it anywhere on the menu. Instead, the fast-food chain recommends the Black Bean Crunchwrap or the Blackbean Chalupa Supreme. Many noticed that vegetarian options seem to be disappearing across all fast-food menus, with one noting, “Taco Bell was one of the last remaining fast food places that had a reasonably-priced veggie option.” Others complained about the so-called alternatives, “Neither of those are good fiesta veggie burrito substitutes, and they’re 3x as expensive to boot.” There’s even a Change.org petition to bring it back. And who knows — if it reaches its goal and Taco Bell obliges the request, we might have to throw a fiesta in its honor.
Panera’s Menu Overhaul Casualties
In February 2024, the popular fast food chain Panera Bread announced a massive menu overhaul that would add four new sandwiches, four new salads, and a bacon mac and cheese to its existing roster. The overhaul, which launched in April 2024, is the biggest menu switch-up since the franchise opened in 1987 and also includes tweaks to 12 continuing Panera Bread recipes. Unfortunately, to make way for its new line of products, Panera Bread had to say goodbye to some menu staples. One item that took the hit was the Signature Take chicken sandwich, which contained a seared chicken breast, crispy salad, and garlic aioli, all served on a brioche roll. Other sandwiches that have disappeared from the menu include the Black Forest ham and Gouda melt, the roasted turkey and avocado BLT, and the toasted steak and white cheddar. Change is hard, especially when it means losing favorites that felt like they’d always be there.
The Vanilla Frosty’s Temporary Farewell
Wendy’s also stopped offering its popular Vanilla Frosty in March 2024 to make room for its new Orange Dreamsicle Frosty. However, a representative confirmed to us at the time that the vanilla version it won’t be gone forever. It has left and returned to menus several times in the past. Wendy’s is known for its frequent menu changes, but in March 2024, the burger chain pulled the Loaded Nacho Cheeseburger from restaurants. This isn’t the only popular limited-time item to be axed by Wendy’s in 2024. The franchise regularly updates its seasonal Frosty menu, replacing the Vanilla Frosty with an Orange Dreamsicle Frosty in March and removing it not long after. Fans of the classic Vanilla Frosty can expect it to pop up again on future seasonal menus, and starting in July 2024, customers could order a Vanilla Frosty Cream Cold Brew instead. At least there’s hope for this one’s return.
Costco’s Churro Controversy
Sadly, Costco nixed its food court churros in January. They were replaced by a massive Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie, which prompted mixed reviews. The massive 750-calorie cookie costs $2.49 and is made with bittersweet and semisweet chocolate chips and served warm. On Reddit, one user noted, “Costco will phase out the churros in early 2024. it breaks my heart to see it go, although I have noticed the churro recipe & texture have changed since the 90s.” Others agreed that Costco’s cinnamon-coated pastry was far better in the past, “The old school straight ones were perfectly crispy and then kinda soft in the middle, ugh, so good.” The twisted changes resulted in what some would describe as a drier, blander churro and perhaps led to its discontinuation. Sometimes quality changes can signal the end of an era.
The Never-Ending McDonald’s McRib Mystery
Back in 2022, McDonald’s announced the “Farewell Tour” of the notorious McRib, but then, much like countless musical acts, we learned that the farewell tour really wasn’t a goodbye, and the McRib was back in 2023. This incredibly polarizing sandwich disappears and reappears so often that it’s impossible to list all of the times it’s made it onto the menu, so let’s talk about the weirdness here. The McRib is a love-it-or-hate-it thing in a way that few fast food items are, with a ton of Redditors celebrating the almost inevitable return of the sandwich, and others wondering why it’s even a thing in the first place. Then there’s the third camp, summed up by a Redditor who said, “It defies all laws of gastronomy. How can something be so nasty and so delicious at the same time?” Bizarrely, the McRib’s history goes back to a 1960s military research experiment to basically Frankenstein leftover meat bits together into something edible.
