We love to cook, and I think we're really good at it. We place value on carefully selected ingredients, especially when it comes to meat. But when we're in the US, we simply have to indulge in "unhealthy" fast food! Unhealthy is a tricky word. The burger chains we visit, for example, are truly special and can't be compared to McDonald's or Burger King. Not all fast food is created equal. Of course, everything should be enjoyed in moderation, because all these products are still high in calories! Fast food is simply a must when traveling to the US, whether you're eating burgers, Asian food, Mexican food, or something else.
Our Fast Food Favorites in the USA
In-N-Out Burger
At In-N-Out, the burgers are freshly prepared right after you order, not from frozen meat. This means you won't get a burger that's been waiting for you in the hot line for ages. Of course, you'll have to wait a little longer for that, especially when the place is busy, but it's worth it. The bun is fluffy and not dry, and the sauces are delicious. They serve hand-cut fries that are absolutely crispy. Of course, the selection isn't as extensive as at the big-name burger chains, where there are tons of different burgers and much more, but really, you just want a large or small burger with fries anyway. The items on the "not-so" secret menu are also great. In-N-Out is only found on the west coast of the USA.
Shake Shack
This burger chain is a bit more exclusive, which you can tell from the bun, meat, and sauces. Here, too, only freshly ground beef goes on the grill, refined with really tasty sauces. The burgers aren't that huge; even the double-meat ones are manageable for ordinary mortals. The fries may not be hand-cut, but they're wavy fries. We haven't seen that anywhere else. You should definitely try the milkshakes; they're really delicious. Shake Shack also has hot dogs on the menu, although we haven't tried them yet. The real highlight is ordering. You get a kind of beeper that vibrates when your burger is ready and you can pick up your meal. A really fun idea. :) Shake Shack is mostly found on the east coast of the USA and only in larger cities. So you won't find this chain on the "fast food streets" that are part of almost every small town.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Five Guys also makes its burgers fresh and doesn't use frozen meat. They offer two sizes of burgers, with and without cheese and bacon. You then choose from a long list of included toppings, such as lettuce, mushrooms, various sauces, pickles, etc. If you want to go really crazy, you can simply order an "all the way" burger. It's so big you can hardly bite into it. :D The bun is very juicy and almost "mushy," which fits the style of the burger perfectly, as it doesn't exactly look like a work of art. But that doesn't matter at all, because the ingredients are delicious. Everything is very well-balanced. The fries here are hand-cut, and even if you only order a small portion, you get way more than you can eat. The concept of this chain is stripped down to the simplest of principles. The interior isn't luxurious, the burgers are wrapped in aluminum foil, and the food is served in simple brown paper bags. But that's exactly how it's supposed to be, and it feels really casual. While you wait for your food, you can eat as many peanuts as you want for free. A cool idea. Five Guys is mostly found on the East Coast.
Carl's Jr. or Hardee's
Along the highways on the West Coast, you should look for the little smiling star. This is the logo of the burger chain Carl's Jr. Since 1997, the smiling star has also been found in some states under the name Hardee's. The offerings at both restaurants are almost identical. Similar to what you might know from McDonald's, they mainly offer meal plans. We recommend the ORIGINAL SIX DOLLAR THICKBURGER®. It comes with a 1/2-pound grilled Black Angus beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup in a freshly baked bun. Great! It comes with freshly cut fries and a drink. Please don't make the mistake of ordering a large portion. With the cup size, the next bathroom stop won't be long in coming. Not good on a road trip! ;)
Panda Express
Panda Express serves Asian food, which, like so many foreign dishes, has been "Americanized" in the US. So, if you're expecting the Asian food around the corner, where the taste isn't truly Asian, you're in the wrong place. Nevertheless, we have to say, it's very tasty. You can choose between different meat dishes (chicken, pork, beef), with different sauces and preparations. The spiciness also varies from dish to dish. You can choose between rice, noodles, or vegetables as a side dish. The portion sizes are generous. We recommend the Orange Chicken! You can find Panda Express in many food courts in large malls.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers Mexican food, but again with an American twist. They have burritos, tacos, and salads that you can fill with chicken, pork, or beef. You can also choose beans, corn, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese, as well as brown or white rice. So you can put everything together however you like. The ingredients are all fresh, delicious, and you can adjust the spiciness of your meal by adding certain ingredients. We think the homemade tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole are the best. If you like large portions, you should order a burrito with as much as you can fit in it. You'll definitely be full here. The decor of the stores is quite simple and understated, but stylish. We think you'll find a somewhat healthier fast food option here, thanks to the abundance of vegetables and the much lower fat sauces and meat ingredients.
