 ranking of the spots I hit way too much living in the US.){kind=link}
Alright look, best fast food restaurants in 2025 are still running my life and my wallet and I’m not even mad anymore.
I keep saying I’m gonna cut back. Every January I make the same dumb resolution. By February I’m back in the drive-thru lane arguing with myself about whether large fries are worth the extra $1.29. Spoiler: they always are. Living in the States means these places are just… there. Always. 24/7 in most spots. You can’t escape them and honestly I stopped trying.
Used to swear by McDonald’s. Like religiously. Those $1 McChickens in college saved me so many nights. But in 2025? It’s fine. It’s everywhere. But the fries just aren’t hitting the same for me lately. They changed something or I changed or whatever. Still number one in sales tho according to the latest QSR report if you care about numbers (QSR Magazine 2025 rankings).
Chick-fil-A – Still the Undisputed Champ of Best Fast Food Restaurants (Sorry Not Sorry)
I don’t care what anyone says. The service is stupid good. I once dropped my debit card in the drive-thru and the guy literally jogged it back to me in the rain. Smiling. In Georgia heat. Who does that?
Their spicy sandwich with extra pickles is dangerous. I ate two back-to-back once after a bad breakup and then felt sick for like 14 hours. Still did it again three weeks later. No lessons learned.
Polynesian sauce packets should be illegal they’re so addictive.
In-N-Out – The One That Makes Me Jealous of West Coasters
I don’t live near one and it hurts my feelings daily.
Every time I fly into LAX the first thing I do is hit In-N-Out before I even get my rental car. Animal style everything. The fries well-done are life-changing. I once waited 45 minutes in line at like 11 p.m. and didn’t complain once.
It’s simple, It’s consistent, It’s perfect. Fight me.
Culver’s – The Midwest’s Secret Weapon in Best Fast Food Restaurants 2025
If you’ve never had cheese curds that actually squeak when you bite them you haven’t lived.
I drove almost an hour out of my way last month just for a ButterBurger and a vanilla custard concrete with Reese’s. Ate it in the parking lot crying to some sad country playlist. Peak adulthood.
They’re quietly climbing every “best of” list this year and they deserve it.
Taco Bell – My 2 a.m. Therapist and Enabler
Crunchwrap Supreme. Nacho fries. Baja Blast. The combo that has ended more of my good decisions than I care to count.
I spilled an entire large Baja Blast on my lap once while trying to merge onto the highway. Had to pull over at a gas station looking like I peed blue. Still finished the Crunchwrap. Priorities.
Their value menu in 2025 is still stupid cheap and the new Cantina Chicken stuff is actually really solid.
Quick Hits on Other Popular Fast Food Chains I Still Love/Hate
- Wendy’s – spicy nuggets + Frosty + fries combo is elite. Their app deals are fire right now.
- Popeyes – blackening ranch + chicken sandwich = problems solved temporarily.
- Del Taco – bean & cheese burrito at 1 a.m. hits different. Underrated king.
Look, best fast food restaurants 2025 isn’t about what’s “healthy” or “trendy.” It’s about what makes you feel okay when everything else sucks.
What’s your current obsession? Tell me in the comments so I can add it to my rotation. I need new bad habits. Or validation for the old ones. Either way I’m listening.