“That food literally tastes like [expletive],” said Anthony Chu, sophomore and staunch opponent of a particular fast food chain.
His response was emblematic of the passion with which many Lions hate and love fast food.
A celebrated staple of American culture, fast food is a part of everyday life not only for Tallwood Lions but for billions across the globe. Its prevalence in society is indisputable for reasons ranging from convenience to nostalgia, and its presence will only continue to grow in the coming years.
With such popularity comes a plethora of fast-food establishments to choose from. In a city as large as Virginia Beach, nearly every franchise has laid down roots in the 757. With this in mind, a question must be asked: What is the best fast-food restaurant?
It’s a matter that has surely crept its way into many conversations, with fiery debates being held as people discuss their various opinions. So, after this very argument plagued my Journalism class one week ago, I was determined to uncover Tallwood’s fast food preferences. For the purposes of this experiment, I classified a “fast-food restaurant” as any restaurant with a drive-thru.
As soon as I began my research, one restaurant stood out as a cut above the rest: Chick-Fil-A.
“Their food is really good,” said senior Taylor Jefferson. “I love their chicken sandwiches with extra, extra, extra pickles.”
This sentiment seems to be shared by the greater Tallwood population. After conducting a survey with more than 40 responses, 45% of students stated that Chick-Fil-A was their favorite establishment, with a further 15% placing it in their top three.
“[Chick-Fil-A] just has childhood nostalgic value,” said Anthony, expressing a belief that many may share as they have frequented the chicken-slinging joint throughout their early lives.
The world’s most recognizable fast food restaurant, McDonald’s, took a distant second place, with 7.5% of respondents calling it their favorite.
“My go-to order has to be a ten-piece nugget with a large fry and a vanilla cone,” declared Christian Ortega, senior and future computer scientist.
Some, however, are less enchanted by the golden arches, finding their service to be less than desirable.
“The quality is not very good, it’s expensive… so no, no McDonald’s for me,” complained Matthew S. Denvir, English teacher at Tallwood.
His eatery of choice is Taco Bell, which 37.5% of surveyors placed in their top three. “Taco Bell has a variety of options, they’re always switching up their menu… and I feel like it doesn’t have a lot of fried foods like the other fast-food restaurants.”
Like many, Mr. Denvir is concerned about the healthiness of eating fast food: “I ate it a lot more when I was younger, but I’m trying to cut back… I try to avoid the fried foods.”
Mr. Ortega has also experienced side effects of eating fast food: “[Taco Bell] makes me poop.”
This may be the reason why half of participants reported eating fast food only once or twice per week, with another quarter stating that they eat fast food less than once a week.
It’s clear that while opinions may differ on which drive-thru reigns supreme, the love for quick, indulgent meals is a universal language. Whether it’s the nostalgic allure of a Chick-Fil-A sandwich or the ever-evolving menu of Taco Bell, fast food continues to hold a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many.
