Chicagoist: Zagat Goes Slumming

dwight

Tue, 15 May 2007 14:01:41 -0600

I don't know if you guys have Five Guys up there, but they have the best fast food burgers ever! We have one here in Pittsburgh. Oh, the Cajun-seasoned fries are no slouches either.

rc

Tue, 15 May 2007 11:38:57 -0600

Culver's is currently my favorite fast food. I love their burgers, pork tenderloin sandwiches and deep fried cheese curds washed down with chocolat malts made from their home made frozen custard. However, there isnt a Cluver's anywhere near my house so I only get to eat it on the rare occasion...maybe if there was (as Steak and Shake is) I would feel less enamored (which is exactly what happened when S&S opened up nearby). I do manage to eat at Potbelly's a lot. I love their chicken salad sandwich and the wreck. Also, a nod to far-flung In-N-Out Burger which is absolutely the BEST EVER!

FastFoodJunky

Tue, 15 May 2007 10:52:51 -0600

The Near West Side wins the fast food derby in this town, based on the strength of its numerous options, including: Jim's Original at Union & Roosevelt - THE best Polish in Chicago, if not the universe. Al's Number One Italian Beef on Taylor Street at Aberdeen - easily the best beef in Chicago Fontano's at Polk & Carpenter - still the best subs in Chicago. Taqueria Los Comales at 18th near Ashland - tacos de alta calidad y servicio rapido. Greektown Gyros at Halsted & Quincy - gyros and souvlaki to die for. If U.S. News based its rankings on the quality of fast food options within walking distance, UIC would be ranked tops in Illinois, if not the entire country.

Kevin

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:54:40 -0600

I like Aurelio's Pizza, and Pollo Campero. But I'm weird.

thundercougarfalconbird

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:20:19 -0600

@huh? I biked up to Wrigley and was like 20 minutes early to meet someone, so I went in to grab a coke. And even though I'm a dyed in the wool White Sox fan, I sort of like the Cubs history decor, the service, and the cleanliness of the Clark and Addison place. Normally I hate the McDonald's I've been around (North and Wells, Western and Milwaukee, Navy Pier...) but this one seemed nice. @all: Sonic is great because Tater Tots > almost every other fast food side dish ever. The "ocean water" or whatever they call that blue stuff is pretty good. Also, they keep local "Monsters of Improv" Molly Erdman, T.J. Jagadowski, Pete Grosz, and Brian Huskey gainfully employed. I'm just wondering, what's everyone's LEAST favorite fast food? Because I flat out hate White Castle... there I said it.

laura

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:13:17 -0600

I don't even think Panera counts as fast food. Does stuff like Corner Bakery and Cosi count too? They seem too... high class or something. I love McFlurries and chicken strips/fingers/nuggets of any kind.

Jen

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:00:13 -0600

Portillo's dominates In-n-Out Burger. I don't really understand all the West Coast love for that place. Their burgers are good, but nothing all that special, and the fries are just god-awful.

AW

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:53:08 -0600

I vote for Portillos, hands down I also vote for Chick-Fil-A and Sonic. I fell in love with both of these places during my year of living part time in Alabama. Sadly, I'm not sure how I'm going to be get my fix when I'm back in Chicago full time. I read Sonic was looking to open a couple places in Chicago. However, Chick-Fil-A doesn't even have Illinois targeted for expansion.

Huh?

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:50:17 -0600

tcfb: [City McD's are gross, except Clark and Addison]. Guess you don't get into many McD's in the city--I've only been in 5 in the past 8 years, but the Clark and Addison one is tied for the worst. Better are: First Nat'l (chase) Plaza, Rock & Roll and Fullerton b/t Clybourn and the River. Tied is the one on Addison across from Lane Tech. All the rest may be abaolute pits, but I wouldn't know.

jerry 101

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:46:29 -0600

I second (or third) Steak N Shake. Love that joint. Of all the chains in the world, that's the one I'd most like to have in the city. Along with more El Pollo Locos.

courtneyo

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:44:30 -0600

Dude, I second El Pollo Loco. Zippy's in Hawaii for saimin and spam musubi. L&L Drive-In in Hawaii and NYC -- surprisingly good at maintaining quality across all those time zones.

nutsackylacky

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:42:32 -0600

Like In n Out, chicken sammiches from Chik-fil-A come equipped with a "christian" message, but are delicious. Closest to Chicago you can get them, unfortunately, is Racine. Similarly, chicken and biscuits from Bojangles in North Carolina and elsewhere are awesome but geographically limited. National chain? Wendy's burgers with onion rings (and that orange glue to dip them in) from Burger King would make a nice pairing. A little love for the occasional trip to Whitey's (Castle) is also in order. Chicken rings?? God bless America...

thundercougarfalconbird

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:12:37 -0600

Division/Ashland: Pretty good Clark/Madison: OK And I think Ashland/Clybourn is ok, too. I guess it's how you define "Well Run". I get what I want (Usually a Hot N' Spicy Chicken sandwich combo with a Dr. Pepper) fast, hot, and accurately. And I'm probably not as picky as you are when it comes to how "clean" is defined. For true nightmares, go into a McDonald's anywhere in the city. Except the Wrigley Field one surprised me last time I was there.

JKM

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:58:35 -0600

Where is there a good Wendy's in the city? There are two relatively nearby me and one near my office. Addison/Western? Terrible. Ashland/Clybourn? Terrible. Harlem/Higgins? Terrible. Sometimes I'll bite the bullet and sit in the drive thru for 20 minutes if I really feel like rocking out some JBCBs and chicken nuggets. But not if I can help it.

jerry 101

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:45:55 -0600

El Pollo Loco, without a doubt.

thundercougarfalconbird

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:43:39 -0600

As for sit down places, I used to work in a Lone Star Steakhouse and I can say that they're a better theme place than Outback ever could be (Outback, Chili's, and Applebee's all make extensive use of a microwave instead of a grill or fry station and pre-frozen portions. Lone Star, Ruby Tuesday's, and Cheesecake Factory are a little better) @ 2 in the morning: You're freaking high. In n' Out is light years ahead of Fatburger. Fatburger's fries are meal-y, the burgers are covered in too many condiments, and their shakes are too thick, even for spoons. In n' Out's burger patties are just perfect, the fries are shoestring and crispy, and the shakes are simply classic. I think the thing that makes them so good is that they only do burgers, fries, and shakes... no chicken breasts, no salads, nothing else. @Sophie and MC: I guess you're right, the closest I've seen in Illinois is Steak n' Shake. And I've seen one in the city towards Skokie.... @JKM: I've been in lots of well-run Wendy's. Their drive-throughs are the most efficient in the city and I can see how they got such a high rating. @Jason: I like Harold's Chicken (in Wicker Park) too, but I heard that each Harold's is so different and sort of inconsistent that you'd have to review each one on their own merits rather than Harold's as a chain.

Chicago 2016

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:33:59 -0600

Man, how about Culver's?

cjc

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:14:56 -0600

JKM: In defense of Wendy's on Touhy Avenue near McCormick Blvd in Lincolnwood has never given me a problem in over 10 years of service. They're truly amazing.

Jason

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:08:47 -0600

Portillos - Best fast food, no competion. Made to order, Chicago Style. I've had In and Out burger and I guess I need to drink the west coast koolaid that makes everyone love this place so much cause it was just okay. Cravings are wierd like that though. My #2 fast food spot would be Harolds Chicken.

JKM

Mon, 14 May 2007 13:03:37 -0600

I'm suprised Wendy's won best big chain. Their food is better than any other fast food burger chain, but have you ever been in a well run Wendy's? Seems like every Wendy's I've ever been to is dirty, slow, and very likely to get your order wrong.

2 in the morning got the....

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:43:48 -0600

Everyone loves In N Out, but as California burger chains go Fatburger is where it's at! Memo to Alderman Colon: Call their headquarters an lobby them for a 35th ward location! I like Chili's too. The ultimate suburb chain, but $1 margaritas when I was an undergraduate has made me loyal, as would any restaurant offering such a good deal.

MC

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:28:33 -0600

Slingers at the diner on Irving Park. Thats really only for late night drunken eating though. I wish there were Steak n' Shakes in the city. That would make me very happy. Until then I'll go with BK chicken sandwiches and JBC's from Wendy's.

marquee

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:19:55 -0600

I really love Kevin's Hamburger Heaven on Pershing when I want a good, greasy, late night burger. If it were closer to my house, I would have a real problem.

SLH

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:13:59 -0600

I'm addicted to Chipotle's steak burrito bowl with black beans.

geekgrrl

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:09:55 -0600

i miss portillo's so, so much. wendy's jr. cheeseburger will also do in a pinch.

Jessica

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:49:26 -0600

Portillo's hands down.

sophie

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:46:59 -0600

Does In-N-Out count? (even though they're non-existent in Chicago...) I could use me some animal style fries!

thundercougarfalconbird

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:43:34 -0600

The only thing that could have kept me on the West Coast: In n' Out. Accept no substitutes. Creepy Christian messages and all...

mike

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:33:09 -0600

I really like Sonic and Whataburger, but they're both so far away. On the full-service side, I'll go with Chili's and, well, Uncle Julio's.