Atlanta's Best Fast Food 2008

North Avenue landmark serves up throwback fast food and neon-drenched, old-Atlanta nostalgia.

Reviews:

• “Best Historical Landmark for Good Eats”
• “Gross”
• “WHAT CAN YOU SAY……”
• “Yummy…in the tummy”
• “All American Drive-In———Great For The Kids "

Tips: Study the menu before getting in line—the Varsity has its own menu shorthand. A “naked dog” is a Varsity signature hot dog without chili; a “bag of rags” is a bag of potato chips and an “FO” is an orange-flavored, slushy milk shake.

The Varsity

No bones about it: crispy chicken sandwiches, buttered biscuits and signature waffle fries.

Reviews:

• “TRY THE ORIGINAL IN HAPEVILLE…”
• “Artery Clogging Good Time”
• “good as it gets”
• “No way!”
• “Inventors of the Chicken Sandwich”

Tips: Forget the soda pop. The lemonade here is freshly squeezed.

Chick-fil-A

Retro-outfitted servers deliver burgers, malts and sandwiches to your car at this ’50s-style drive-in chain.

Reviews:

• “Taste of the 50’s”

Tips: The Wacky Pack kids menu offers child-size burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, corn dogs, hot dogs and chicken strips.

Sonic Drive-in

Tacos and burritos are custom-made with fresh ingredients at this industrial-chic Mexican chain.

Reviews:

• “Taco Beetle; Menacing Manager”
• “Upscale Taco Bell”
• “It’s a good burrito on the go.”
• “Moe and Willy should be scared silly”
• “McMexican”

Tips: If you’re placing five or more orders, fax the restaurant ahead of time. Your food will be waiting at the register when you arrive.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Classic hamburgers and batter-dipped fries attract fast-food fans to this drive-through restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Absolutely terrible.”
• “Luv That Drive-Thru”
• “The best place for s real “small fry”"
• “WHOHOO”
• “da best”

Tips: Having merged two similar chains in 1999, Checkers and Rally’s restaurants serve similar menu items but maintain separate brand presences.

Checkers

Washington, D.C.-based chain serves up hand-formed burgers and fresh-cut fries to fiercely loyal customers.

Reviews:

• “Good Eats at Five Guys”
• “On speed dial, baby.”
• “fresh cut fries!”
• “Best burger and fries”

Tips: All the toppings are free, and include burger staples like grilled onions and mushrooms.

Five Guys Famous Burgers

Cajun-inspired chicken and biscuits chain proffers classic Southern favorites, seafood, sides and desserts with a tangy twist.

Reviews:

• “Own stock!”
• “My favorite chicken”
• “Ridiculous”
• “Yum!”
• “so so chicks”

Tips: Want to party with Popeyes? Most locations offer catering.

Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits

Local burrito chain mixes college-joint atmosphere and grown-up flavors.

Reviews:

• “Great Alternative to Moe’s”
• “Best Burritos!”
• “Yummy”
• “Good but no Moe’s”
• “Willys”

Tips: For catered gatherings, Willy’s offers taco bars with the works.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill or email Willy’s Mexicana Grill

Local burrito chain mixes college-joint atmosphere and grown-up flavors.

Reviews:

• “Don’t Expect TOO much”
• “Go hungry”
• “freshest burritos”
• “Ho Hum”
• “Great burritos”

Tips: For catered gatherings, Willy’s offers taco bars with the works.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill or email Willy’s Mexicana Grill

Burgers, sandwiches, Happy Meals and all things fried and grilled draw families and fans to the world-famous Golden Arches.

Reviews:

• “30 Marietta St Atl GA”

Tips: McDonald’s website offers nutrition information for all of its menu items.

McDonald’s

Home of juicy half-pound burgers for takeout and delivery. Salads, wings and ribs also available.

Reviews:

• “The Worst Take-out/Delivery in Town Sandy Springs”
• “Worst Delivery In Atlanta!!!!!!!”
• “Great Burgers that will fill you up”
• “Disgusting, Sub-Standard Food”
• “Your order will not be accurate”

Tips: There is a $8 minimum purchase for delivery.

Burger Joe’s Delivery/Takeout

Fast-food nostalgia has a Chubby Decker and some tater tots.

Reviews:

• “Best Fast Food for a Turkey Burger!”
• “A Must Try”
• “Only one in Atlanta”
• “Forget the Big Chains”
• “Old School”

Tips: Milkshakes come in all varieties from basic vanilla to chocolate banana. The arctic swirls are also a big hit; go for the Heck of a Job Brownie variety.

Zesto Drive-In

Home of juicy half-pound burgers for takeout and delivery. Salads, wings and ribs also available.

Reviews:

• “Best burgers”
• “worst customer service in the history of delivery”
• “Worst customer service I’ve ever experienced!”
• “This Place is Ridiculous! "
• “Great Jerkey Turkey Burger!”

Tips: There is a $8 minimum purchase for delivery.

Burgerjoes

Cheap and tasty, Fatburger might just be the superhero of fast food.

Reviews:

• “like it”
• “Good burger but SLOW service not FAST FOOD!!! "
• “Not Good”
• “Horrible Service”
• “Great burgers, poor value and service”

FatBurger

Sub shop’s inexpensive sandwiches appeal to everyone from business lunchers to late-night studiers.

Reviews:

• “Giant Club Sandwiches Fast, And They Deliver!”

Jimmy John’s

Quickly expanding chain’s Jersey-style subs are a step up in quality and taste from its ubiquitous competitors.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

El Pollo Loco Regional Office

Square burgers, chicken sandwiches and creamy desserts served in a homey setting.

Reviews:

• “Best Burgers in Town”

Tips: If you’ve got the midnight munchies, the drive-through window stays open late most nights. (Check your local store hours).

Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers

Flame-broiled burgers—especially the trademarked Whopper—are royalty at this popular fast-food chain.

Reviews:

• “Phooey”

Burger King

Signatures of this fast-food breakfast and burger chain include Made from Scratch Biscuits and the Thickburger.

Reviews:

• “No way is this the best hamburger!”
• “typical chain fare”
• “Best Burger Service not so much”
• “CLEAN and CARING”

Tips: Check the company’s website for nutritional information through the interactive menu.

Hardee’s

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