What's the Longest You'd Wait in Line for Fast Food?

[pweyl36]

You’ve only ever been to Chick fil A once??! I’m so sorry!

As far as the original question, I don’t really get fast food except for occasionally Chick fil A. They have the wait down to a science and it’s rarely longer than 10 minutes.

I was going to say the same thing. I never waited longer then 10min at Chick fill A , ever.

 

[BrianL]

Not sure why, I've only been to Chick Fil A once. I wondered what all the hype about a chicken sandwich was. Not much different than any other fast food chicken sandwich.

It was really difficult trying it too because it was in a mall, with Five Guys Burgers right next to it. Next time we were in the mall and needed to eat, I let the kids stand in line at Chick Fil A and went and got myself a burger.

I mean, it's better than McDonalds or Burger King chicken sandwiches for sure (some places may be closer in quality), but the thing that really sets Chick-fil-A apart is the service. I actually do think the Popeye's chicken sandwich is in fact better, but the service there can be very hit or miss. I much prefer the ambiance and service level you get at CFA so I will still go there more often.

ETA: I've always also had very good service at Five Guys - they just don't have chicken.

 

[Mysterian]

If I see a substantial line, I'm not going to bother.
I rarely do fast food now anyway, and pre-COVID, I'd order from the lobby for take-out, and not the drive-thru.

I've never been to an In-N-Out Burger, the name always reminds me of The Big Lebowski. "Those are good burgers, Walter!"

 

[xjillianpaige]

I don't eat fast food very often. Only really when on vacation and when I get the occasional craving for KFC. Therefore I will not wait more than 5 minutes.

I got a burger from In 'N Out on vacation in Los Angeles and spent the rest of the afternoon curled in the fetal position watching Netflix and willing my stomachache to go away.

Next time I'm on the west coast, I'll still go... but I won't be getting a burger.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I mean, it's better than McDonalds or Burger King chicken sandwiches for sure (some places may be closer in quality), but the thing that really sets Chick-fil-A apart is the service. I actually do think the Popeye's chicken sandwich is in fact better, but the service there can be very hit or miss. I much prefer the ambiance and service level you get at CFA so I will still go there more often.

ETA: I've always also had very good service at Five Guys - they just don't have chicken.

I wish Five Guys had chicken as well. We really like Smash Burger because DH can get his hamburger and I can get my chicken sandwich. Their tater tots are great too.

In and Out usually has fast service and I like the convenience of drive through, but their fries are really just meh.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

10-15 minutes and that’s only because after the first 5, I’m operating under the sunk-cost fallacy.

microwave wait time would be a good time for your to think of more lyrics for us to use our time reading your lyric request that you think of when time in front of the microwave is ticking off in seconds and time more suited for you to think of more lyrics.....unless you don't own a carousel microwave .... because statistically people yell at popcorn bags more than any other food in the microwave....then that would be a dangerous time.

@low-key ‘s next post: Songs that say “microwave.”

 

[RangerPooh]

Not too long - I think I'll wait about 10 minutes max. I have been known to get in a ratehr long Chick-fil_A line bu thtey are usually very fast. I did it this weekend and the line was backed up into the street. It took 5 or 6 minutes to get food in-hand. They are amazing! I did try the order on the app and park in a spot way and it took longer, but was still righta round 10 mintues from when I pulled in. I guess I figure if I pre-order it should be faster, but I don't think they really get it until you click the "here" button.

The app never seems to work for me, it's always on perma load or cannot find internet. So I'll get in the drive thru line or use the app on my daughters' phone if they're with me. The one thing that you can count on with CFA is that their drive thru will keep moving and that your order will be correct. But if I'm driving and see the line stretched out into the street (like many locations here in Memphis), I'll keep on driving.

 

[BrianL]

I wish Five Guys had chicken as well. We really like Smash Burger because DH can get his hamburger and I can get my chicken sandwich. Their tater tots are great too.

In and Out usually has fast service and I like the convenience of drive through, but their fries are really just meh.

The key to In-N-Out fries is t get them "well done" or extra crispy. My brother-in-law taught me that - he's an LA boy. Animal Style won't hurt them either.

I haven't been to Five Guys in forever because I really try to limit my red meat intake these days. If we had In-N-Out here I'd have a harder time with that. I do like Five Guys, but I have to tell them to go easy on the first. They are a bit ridiculous with that!

 

[BrianL]

The app never seems to work for me, it's always on perma load or cannot find internet. So I'll get in the drive thru line or use the app on my daughters' phone if they're with me. The one thing that you can count on with CFA is that their drive thru will keep moving and that your order will be correct. But if I'm driving and see the line stretched out into the street (like many locations here in Memphis), I'll keep on driving.

After comparing the two, I'd say drive through is faster. This past weekned the line was just out into teh street - Poplar, but we got in very fast and they took our order almost as soon as we were in the parking lot. The thing never stopped movind. CFA is always amazing like that.

 

[Kittyblue]

The key to In-N-Out fries is t get them "well done" or extra crispy. My brother-in-law taught me that - he's an LA boy. Animal Style won't hurt them either.

I totally agree with extra crispy! I hate the fries at my local In-N-Out but when I ate there in Vegas their fries were cooked crispier and were pretty good. When I go back to the local one I'll have to remember to order them that way.

 

[BrianL]

I totally agree with extra crispy! I hate the fries at my local In-N-Out but when I ate there in Vegas their fries were cooked crispier and were pretty good. When I go back to the local one I'll have to remember to order them that way.

Yes, ask for "well done fries" in their secret menu parlance and they will do that. It takes longer though.

 

[RangerPooh]

After comparing the two, I'd say drive through is faster. This past weekned the line was just out into teh street - Poplar, but we got in very fast and they took our order almost as soon as we were in the parking lot. The thing never stopped movind. CFA is always amazing like that.

The line at the one on Poplar is always on the street, but if it’s still in the driveway I’ll get in line, same with the one on Union. Working from home means I stop at the one next to Target on Germantown and 64. It’s a toss up on which is faster at that one; the app or the line.

 

[mrodgers]

I do like Five Guys, but I have to tell them to go easy on the first. They are a bit ridiculous with that!

This doesn't compute for me. What do you mean?

You can get a single burger at Five Guys. And if it's too many fries, they reheat fantastically in a toaster oven. That's what I do, they are fresh cut fries.

 

[BrianL]

The line at the one on Poplar is always on the street, but if it’s still in the driveway I’ll get in line, same with the one on Union. Working from home means I stop at the one next to Target on Germantown and 64. It’s a toss up on which is faster at that one; the app or the line.

Yeah, we were only about 2 cars into the street and moved in almost immediately so we were okay. Is the big new one on 64 faster now? The old one was a nightmare with the way their parking area was!

This doesn't compute for me. What do you mean?

You can get a single burger at Five Guys. And if it's too many fries, they reheat fantastically in a toaster oven. That's what I do, they are fresh cut fries.

I mean, I just don't want that many fries. They are good and all, but I won't go to the trouble to take them home and reheat them. I certainly don't want to eat them all in one go, which is also a danger.

 

[mrodgers]

I mean, I just don't want that many fries. They are good and all, but I won't go to the trouble to take them home and reheat them. I certainly don't want to eat them all in one go, which is also a danger.

No, you don't eat them all in one go. You do want to, you know you do

Toss them in the car, toss them in the fridge when I get home, no trouble at all. I'd cook the frozen crap fries from the freezer the same way, so it's definitely not any trouble when I reheat them. So much better than frozen Ore ida fries any day.

 

[Nicolepa]

I don't understand the obsession with In-N-Out. I have been twice. Their burgers are good, but not amazing. Their fries taste like cardboard. I just moved to an area that has a couple of In-N-Out but I would never choose to go there.

 

[Donald13]

This doesn't compute for me. What do you mean?

You can get a single burger at Five Guys. And if it's too many fries, they reheat fantastically in a toaster oven. That's what I do, they are fresh cut fries.

I think he meant fries. Even if you order a small, you get the small fries then half the bag is also filled up. At least here they are