The Great Debate: Fast Food Menu Items

On my refrigerator, there is an invitation for my birthday party two years ago that features a shot of yours truly photoshopped between McCain and Obama, instructing the reader to vote for me…the BEST candidate on that historic election day. Holding this awesome invitation is a magnet that was the inspiration for this post.

It reads: “If you are what you eat, then I’m cheap, easy and fast.”

Isn’t that awful? Yes, it’s no secret to you or the one who gifted me the tacky magnet that I have the eating habits of a sophisticated fourth grader. Therefore, I display it proudly on my Frigidaire. Because it’s true.

I’ve been in the Pennsylvania for four days. You can imagine my utter delight when my good buddy Adam responded to my Great Debate question that I sent him when I was stuck on a rig earlier today:

What are the top five items on any fast food menu?

Adam graciously included evidence to back up his claims:

1. Wendy’s Double
I had to put a Wendy’s burger on this mainly because I think square meat is awesome. Not only does it have clean lines (and those that know me, know I love clean lines) but when the extra meat hangs over the bun, you can take little bites of just meat. It’s like lagniappe (pronounces LAN-yap), which is just a little something extra. I also went with the double and not the famous single, only because it doubles the pleasure!

2. Sonic’s Foot-long Coney
Ok, first off, who doesn’t love Sonic? Especially when they have the employees on skates. I always watch in anticipation for one of them to wipe-out and the food going everywhere. I have yet to see that happen, but with my luck, they would crash into my car while delivering it to me and end up all over me and leather interior.

There really isn’t any other place to get a foot-long hot dog, especially covered with chili and cheese. Plus it’s super manly when you have such a large item you have to use both hands to eat it. Eating a foot-long hot dog with a fork is a sin! If you see someone eating a foot-long coney with a fork, please walk up and slap them, then go slap their mama for making them stupid.

3. Chik-Fil-A’s Chicken Sandwich (Fried or Grilled)
I think this one speaks for itself. Not only do they have pretty cool marketing campaigns (commercial and billboards) but they are also helping cut down on the number of chickens we have in this world. They are also very fast at getting you your food, even when its crowded. Plus the chicken always seems fresh and hot when I get it! I can however, do without the person dressed up as the cow who always seems to be at the Chik-Fil-A that I stop at and proceeds to give me a hug every time I walk in the door. Seriously, if this is you, STOP! You are just as scary and freaky as a clown.

4. Whataburger Breakfast Taquitos
You have three options including: potato, sausage (my favorite) or bacon to go along with egg and cheese. There are times I wish they served them all day, because sometimes you want breakfast for lunch or dinner. However, they do make for a fun treat at 2 or 3 a.m. if you happen to be out or can’t sleep! Just understand if you eat one at 3 a.m. you might not be able to sleep very well or you may wake up wishing you hadn’t. Just saying….

5. Arby’s Roast Beef
I had to throw Arby’s in here just because I do not believe it gets enough love from anyone anymore. Sometimes a burger and a chicken sandwich just do not seem to do the trick, so you need to step out of the box. Along with the Roast Beef Sandwich, which just the right amount of Arby’s sauce can make your mouth water, you have to consider the awesome curly fries that come with the combo. Plus I think the last Arby’s I went to had Cherry Coke and that is just icing on the cake!

My response to Adam’s top five:

Clearly, there is no denying the Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich. I am in Pennsylvania right now and it makes me sad that they don’t get to eat said sandwich at least once a week as I do. And don’t get me started on how it is inevitable that I will always crave one on Sundays…when they are closed.

I am also on board with your Sonic coney nomination. I agree with your assessment that the foot-long hot dog delivered to your car by people on skates is truly a sight to behold. But I prefer to enjoy mine with a fork. I highly doubt the next time we are together and both order a coney at Sonic, you will slap me for having manners and using utensils. And no…I’m not stupid. Here’s a tip: try the frito pie. You have to ask for it special, but it’s worth it.

Although I too appreciate the brilliance behind Wendy’s square meat, I just can’t condone her double meriting a Top Five fast food item spot. If we were debating desserts, the Wendy’s frosty would be head-to-head with anything on the Sonic slush menu and your cookies-n-cream milkshake. But that’s not the case.

Therefore, I hereby submit the Jack In The Box taco. Lord have mercy! A fried taco? It doesn’t get any better. Two for 99 cents. You can have an entire meal for $2.14 if you drink water out of the faucet. Plus, I hear it’s fat free!

My fourth nomination is Taco Cabana. I love their tortillas and queso. I was introduced to this glorious phenomenon my Freshman year at Baylor when Brian Hopkins took me there after the Howdy dance. It was the best day.

Your nomination of Whataburger breakfast taquitos made me throw up a little in my mouth. I just can’t handle the texture of eggs and tortillas together wallowing around on my taste buds. Call me crazy. Whataburger did make my list though. They have THE BEST ketchup. Obviously, this needs no explanation.

And there are few words that describe my distaste for the Arby’s establishment. And those words are arm and pit. Come on Adam. I implore you to remove Arby’s for Jack’s taco. There’s no contest.

What do you guys think? It’s a good thing Adam is so cute and outgoing, because I totally think he may be on crack for including ARBY’S in his top five. Seriously? Does it get any better than Whataburger ketchup? Is it weird that neither of us had McDonald’s fries on our list? Should we do another debate that includes just desserts? Adam is a firm believer in Chick-Fil-A’s cookies and cream milkshakes and I can make a top five from Dairy Queen blizzards ALONE.

Make your voice heard!

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Heidi
Heidi
November 1, 2010 7:25 pm

Jack in the box tacos are NUMBER 1. YUM!

We don’t have some of the other things you mentioned, but Dairy Queen makes a mean cheeseburger too.

Mary
Mary
November 1, 2010 7:30 pm

Not sure how you missed McDonalds fries, but Arby’s definitely needs to be on there. I’m kinda alone in the world with my love for Arby’s but I think it’s a result of my parents taking us there multiple Sunday evenings after church for their “5 for $5” deal when we were young 🙂 Plus, curly fries???!

And of course a DQ Blizzard. That goes without saying.

Lisa
Lisa
November 1, 2010 8:38 pm

Cracking up at ARM and PIT. I cannot stop laughing!!!

heidi
heidi
November 1, 2010 9:15 pm

I really don’t eat fast food very often.
1. DQ Blizzards (as long as you don’t make me pick a flavor)
2. Chick fil A waffle fries (I love their chicken nuggets, but I crave the waffle fries, which is sad because I live in Minnesota, land of no chick fil a)
3. Wendy’s Frosty
4. Culver’s Chicken Tenders
5. Do we consider Jimmy Johns fast food. because dang! I love sandwiches!

Sara
Sara
November 1, 2010 9:54 pm

Let me hear it for Lion’s Choice roast beef sandwiches! Beats Arby’s any day of the week and twice on Sundays. That special seasoning is the bomb-diggity.

Janet
Janet
November 1, 2010 10:06 pm

YUM! All my favorites…even Arby’s has it’s moments. McDonald’s fries used to be good…they just aren’t the same anymore since all the healthy changes.

TX Aggie Girl
TX Aggie Girl
November 1, 2010 10:15 pm

You had me at chik-fil-a but arby’s makes me want to throw up a little. The country basket (steak fingers, gravy, and fries) at DQ is amazing! And Sonic makes the best fast food breakfast burritos in the world… Just had the new Southwestern. 3 words… A-Maz-Ing. Fried jalepenos, eggs, sausage, cheese and chipotle sauce all rolled in a warm tortilla. And speaking of chipotle… Chipotle’s Burritos are the bomb! Something about their rice and guac… I’m craving it just thing about it!

And finally… You are so right about what-a-burger ketchup. Pure awesomeness. I’ve heard it’s tons of garlic.

SGT Cole
SGT Cole
November 1, 2010 10:28 pm

I pity the fools who live in places with no What-a-burgers or Sonic. I remember leaving home for the first time as a Marine many years ago (California, 1998) and being genuinely amazed that those weirdos could survive without it. Poor bastards.

Em
Em
November 1, 2010 11:07 pm

Oh, Taco Cabana, how I love thee! I live in Oklahoma, though, and our Taco C’s pale in comparison to the ones in The Great State of Texas.

I could fill my top five with items from Taco C. If I had to venture out though… it would include things from Taco Bueno, Mr. Goodcents, and Subway.

Sandy
Sandy
November 2, 2010 12:02 am

you were talking about the water at jack in the box being fat free and not those grease sponges…i mean tacos…weren’t you? i ate arbys for lunch the day i gave birth to my son and haven’t been able to eat it since! my favorite fast food dives are all local places in lexington, nc…speedy’s bbq and char’s…the reason i go back home, oh, and to visit family =o)

Brandy
Brandy
November 2, 2010 12:56 am

Jack in the Box tacos are beyond good! They are my favorites!! And cheap to boot!! Also, I read on Jack in the Box’s website nutrition facts that a taco only has 193 calories. By fast food standards, that’s not so bad!! 🙂

I am one of the unfortunate people that doesn’t have a Chick-Fil-A anywhere around us (in Washington state). So, I have never had said chicken sandwich. I guess I don’t know what I am missing.

Also, no Whataburger around these parts either. I tried them once on a trip to San Antonio, but I sadly don’t remember the ketchup. Now I wish I had paid more attention to the ketchup!

I want to love Wendy’s, but every single time I go to Wendy’s (no matter which Wendy’s), their food is always… well… not warm. Not cold, but not warm enough. I wonder if anyone else has this problem??

I am right there with you with the Jack tacos though. Mystery meat, a slice of American Cheese and fried… plus Jack’s hot sauce… doesn’t get any better than that! 🙂

AllieC
AllieC
November 2, 2010 8:42 am

I agree with the Whataburger ketchup – it comes in a little tub. Perfect for dipping! I just don’t understand why all ketchup doesn’t come this way.

Sonic also holds a special place in my heart since it was the only fast food we would do when I was little. Chicken fingers with the single onion ring bonus… Or the extreme tots that you have to special order because they are no longer on the menu – tots, chili, cheese, onions, ranch and jalapenos. Tots make any day just a little bit better.

My absolute favorite at Chick-Fil-A are the breakfast chicken minis – little nuggets on nugget-sized buns brushed with butter. No sauce required. YUM! I also always seem to get a craving on Sundays, and whatever I do instead is such a let down.

bahamamama
bahamamama
November 2, 2010 9:01 am

SONIC! Man, when they shut down the one by my house a few years ago, I wanted to curl up in a ball and die. True, there were 2 more within a 5 mile radius. but how was I supposed to make “commerical runs” THERE? Best burger ever had there- Island Fire Luau Burger! Love the tots. Love the “happy hour” prices. Now I’m starving!

I also love Whataburger. Has anyone else gotten totally addicted to the honey butter chicken biscuit? It’s actually an art to be able to yell out, “HONEYBUTTERCHICKENBISCUIT”

bahamamama
bahamamama
November 2, 2010 9:02 am

oops, hit enter early. It’s an art to yell it out repeatedly when you’ve been out drinking and you want someone to drive you there. I don’t live in TX but I am extremely fortunate to have a couple in the town where I live! AND, I grew up in the Whataburger capital of CC! Yay, me!

saggleo
saggleo
November 2, 2010 10:04 am

#13…bahamamama….I’m cracking up! that’s funny! I may just yell that out and see what happens!

I say do a desserts list too Lincee! Wendy’s Frosty (chocolate!)…sometimes that is a meal for me! with fries of course (which has beat out Mc’D’s fries for me..especially fresh of course!). YUMMMM…think I’ll get one today!

Mc’D’s fries are over. There’s a place called The Patio in a suburb near me…they have awesome fries….oh delicious! I have Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sweet and spice sauce at home…I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. We just recently got a Chick-Fil-A here so I’ll have to check it out.

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