Fast Food, Anyone?

Best Stuff’s Fitness Guru Stephanie Oakes is going to have my head after reading this. Here she is, with articles all about how to get in shape and lose those extra pounds, while I go entirely against her values and write a piece about quality fast food establishments. However, I’m sure that even Stephanie can’t resist the occasional Dunkin’ Donut once every blue moon. (Ha, I saw her blush!) But before we continue, I must ask, when was the last time you ate fast food? Last weekend? Last night? Lunch? Believe it or not, but fast food restaurants entertain about 50 million guests every single day! Keep in mind that number represents 20% of the entire United States population! Thus, fast food businesses rake in over $65 billion a year. Ever wonder why those Golden Arches seem to hit your face at almost every street corner? Because people go there!

Since there are so many fast foods restaurants throughout the United States, I figured that someone should decide what the top-of-the-pop is. Even though these three are located in only certain parts of the country, there are enough of them that you should be able to find one in your neck of the woods…or at least a friends or relatives. Thus, here are my choices for the ultimate in fast, fatty dining.

• Quizno’s (1000 stores nationwide)
  
  This national chain is similar to Subway because, surprise, they also sell submarine sandwiches. However, where Subway has ‘em all ready for you to walk down that cafeteria line so the “Subway Artist” can load it up with fixins, Quizno’s just asks you what you want on it and then they make it in a secret lab behind the counter where you can’t see what they’re doing. Then, they do something that no other fast food restaurant does for you: they toast your sandwich right before your eyes! The end result is a very tasty, hot sub! Their prices are a bit higher than Subway’s and they only have two choices of bread (Wheat or White), which pales in comparison to Subway’s bread choices revolving around cheese (Parmesan Oregano, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Limburger), wheat (Hearty Wheat, Country Wheat, Urban Wheat) and white (Italian White, Off-White, American White). Funny thing, though, is that they all taste the same. Quizno’s does supersede Subway by having three sizes of sub instead of two. These three translate into approximately a 6-inch, a 12-inch and, an 18-inch. They also have some really cool sandwiches like Mesquite Chicken and Black Angus Steak. To jump start your meal (and your taste buds), they have a pepper bar, where you can “pepper” your sandwich with a plethora of pepper picks. By the way, even though they say they are “nationwide”, there are no friggin’ stores in New Jersey! WHY!!!!!!



• In & Out Burger (140 locations in California, Nevada, Arizona)
  
  Pre-college, I had never heard about In & Out. Freshman year, I met a guy from Southern California (or SoCal as those smoggy kids put it) who told me about it and said that it is the epitome of fast food restaurants. I lived with him sophomore year and he reiterated many times that In & Out is the best fast food restaurant. After hearing this drone for two more years, I finally got a chance to give the stuff a whirl when I visited him last summer. The first thing that struck me, after entering the place, was the extremely limited selection of the menu. For the main course you have a choice of hamburger or cheeseburger. They don’t serve grilled chicken or breaded fish sandwiches. No salads in this house. They call it In & Out Burger for a reason; they only serve burgers! Want a side dish? Only French fries. How about a drink? In addition to soda, you can get a vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake. And that’s it! No other options! So, if you don’t like burgers then you should probably go somewhere else! But in the off chance that you actually do, (and who in their right mind doesn’t?) you’re in for a wonderful treat! Forget Burger King’s “Flame-broiled” or Fuddrucker’s racks of beef on display. In & Out truly serves the best burger in the fast food biz. The fries are also fantastic and actually taste like they originated from a potatoe (my man Quail!). The shakes are also quite good and are made from real ice cream! So, whenever you fancy a trip to the West Coast, make sure a pit stop to In & Out is on your agenda.



• Miami Subs Grill (141 locations in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas)
  
  Obviously, this place originated in the wonderfully warm state of Florida, where the average age is 70 and the average voter can’t follow directions. But, I still love them; they began the great tradition of Miami Subs Grill. Now, the name sounds like it needs an ampersand somewhere, but don’t think the founders also forgot to make quality food because this place is excellent! Their menu is very extensive; more so than any of the national chains. They not only serve the typical fare of burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, and soda, but they also have chicken wings, pitas, Edy’s ice cream, cheese steaks, gyro wraps, and subs. Not only is their menu almost as large as the local diner but they don’t simultaneously throw your dinner on a plastic tray the millisecond you order; you actually have to wait until they call your name. This isn’t pre-made garbage they’re feeding you; its fresh, or at least as fresh as food can be that takes only a few minutes to prepare. Not too shabby. To boot, it tastes much better than anything you’ll find at Wendy’s or Hardee’s. Are their burgers as bitchin’ as In & Out or their subs as savory as Quizno’s? Nah, but I have a Miami Grill about 20 minutes from my house. The nearest In & Out is a four-hour plane ride.

So, hopefully, you have one of these places near you and you can pay them a hungry visit. If not, be sure to seek them out during your next vacation. Just don’t tell Stephanie I sent you!