We are back with our second iteration of this series! Last time, I looked at American supermarkets through a British lens and this time, we’re delving into American fast food.

Though the United States is a fascinating crucible of diverse culinary heritages, if you ask the average person (American or not) what first comes to mind as ‘American food,’ I’ll bet you that they think of fast food. While not necessarily the healthiest, it’s quick, cheap and (largely!) tasty. 

In the two months I’ve been here, I’ve eaten more fast food than ever before (strictly for research purposes) which I shall now attempt to offer my honest thoughts on. In the following review, I will not be including either McDonald’s or KFC, as they have been common in the United Kingdom for a long time.

1) Chipotle

I was extremely impressed with Chipotle. I ordered the burrito bowl with carnitas, sour cream and cheese and it was delicious. Not only was it quick to arrive, relatively cheap and very tasty, but the server filled the bowl to the brim — the portion covered me for two entire meals. Also, my body felt good after eating it — compared to other fast food chains, I felt that I had bought a surprisingly balanced meal from Chipotle that incorporated vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and, of course, flavour. My roommate informed me that Chipotle doesn’t use anything frozen or from a tin, which reassures me that I made a wise choice.

2) In-N-Out Burger

If I’m being honest, I’m putting In-N-Out Burger at number two just because I feel like if I don’t, the Californians will come for me … it has a very clear status as an iconic California fast food joint. I chose a cheeseburger, animal style (as advised), with animal style fries and a pink lemonade. It was tasty, and I think it would have been even better had I eaten it immediately, instead of waiting 15 minutes to drive home (the wait made the cheesy fries congeal somewhat).

3) Wingstop

Wingstop: my hero. Wingstop was there for me after I completely lost it at a dayger and needed sustenance to replenish myself. This is potentially crazy of me, but I like the chicken plain, and I think they put way too much salt on the chips (or as Americans call it, fries!). But maybe that’s just my unseasoned British palate revealing itself. Anyway, thank you Wingstop for saving me in my post-dayger state.

4) Subway

Okay, so Subway is very common in the U.K., but I’m including it because I have tried a new sandwich since moving to the U.S.: the meatball sub with marinara sauce and cheese. It gets a low ranking because this meal fully destroyed my outfit (I am not joking). I know I am responsible for my own choices, but how on earth does one eat a tomato sauce and meatball sandwich without getting said tomato sauce all over their trousers, socks and shoes, all while dropping the odd meatball in the process? I would not know … Yes, the sandwich was tasty, but it was a humiliation ritual to eat. I won’t be doing that again.

5) Chick-fil-A

This random girl once raved to me about Chick-fil-A for a full 30 minutes, so that when I finally tried it, it was a bit of an anti-climax. As in, “this is it?” I bought a chicken sandwich with waffle fries, Chick-fil-A sauce and a coke. It was … meh? Sure, the fries were formed in an interesting shape, but other than that, it was just okay. Like with In-N-Out, I probably would have enjoyed it more had I eaten it immediately, but there was no space to loiter in the car park.

6) Taco Bell

Okay, I’m a liar. I haven’t been to Taco Bell since coming to the U.S. This is for one unfortunate reason; the first time I went to Taco Bell, I was 16 and thrilled because they had just opened one up in my hometown on the south coast of England. I remember I ordered the chicken quesadilla, and it just looked so flat and sad, it tasted sad and that made me sad. But realistically, I will probably go again, strictly for research purposes, in order to compare the U.K. and the U.S. Taco Bell.

7) Olive Garden

I am aware that Olive Garden is a chain restaurant, not a fast-food chain. But I feel like it has a similar ‘icon’ status as some of the fast-food chains I’ve spoken about, so I’m including it in this review. Sue me.

Unfortunately, it’s true what they say about Olive Garden: the best thing is, in fact, the breadsticks. But I was intrigued to discover that breadsticks in the U.S. mean actual sticks of bread, like mini baguettes — in the U.K., a breadstick is much thinner and has the crunchy texture of a cracker. You Americans always take things so literally!

Looking at the Olive Garden menu did make me laugh, as I could spot approximately two dishes that were actually Italian (I have completed chef-training in Italian cuisine). But I was still prepared for the food to surprise me, as I know that Italo-American fusion is famous for its exciting takes on classics. I ordered a raspberry lemonade, the pasta e fagioli soup for a starter, followed by the eggplant (it’s aubergine!) parmigiana. The soup lacked seasoning, and the parmigiana tasted oily and underwhelming (I’m sorry, Olive Garden).

Perhaps the funniest part was that the waitress did not understand my accent at all. In the end, I had to put on an American accent to order my food, which made my flatmates laugh to no end.  

Concluding Thoughts

That about wraps up my views on American fast food and chains. 

Though I have not held back in sharing my opinions of how some of these places underwhelmed me, chances are, I will eat at all of them again.

There is a reason why American fast food is famous: it hits the spot when you’re tired, sad, drunk, uninspired or broke … sometimes all of the above.

Thanks are owed to the land of the free and the home of Chipotle for enabling this review.