Unknown One
Member
It's more expensive now too. My fast food place is now a taco truck. I get more bang for my buck and about the same time waiting.
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Is fast food quality getting worse?
- Thread starter Agent Unknown
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I only eat healthier/more expensive stuff at fast food nowadays, like salads at McDonald's or market fresh sandwiches a Arby's. Occasionally I'll eat breakfast at McD's or BK, or get chicken strips at Dairy Queen, but otherwise I won't eat any of that overly processed crap even if it is dirt cheap. My guilty pleasure is Jack In The Box though, I could eat tacos for days.
entremet
Member
The problem with the shitty fast food chains is that food gets more expensive in time just via inflationary pressures, yet these businesses want to keep costs super low.
How do you that?
-Super low wages.
-Cutting corners on food quality.
Using McDonald's as an example. They made their burgers smaller over the years. The original Big Mac was bigger than the current one.
That may sound trivial at first, but when you're serving billions of Big Macs across the world, those little changes add up to tons of money saved over the long term.
All fast food places use the same economics.
There are exceptions.
Chipotle raised their prices, continue to commit to organic meats and produce, and they've actually continue to increase profits.
How do you that?
-Super low wages.
-Cutting corners on food quality.
Using McDonald's as an example. They made their burgers smaller over the years. The original Big Mac was bigger than the current one.
That may sound trivial at first, but when you're serving billions of Big Macs across the world, those little changes add up to tons of money saved over the long term.
All fast food places use the same economics.
There are exceptions.
Chipotle raised their prices, continue to commit to organic meats and produce, and they've actually continue to increase profits.
Wendy's has become worse. McDonalds has become better. Jack in the Box has maintained its level of tasting good while you know you are putting poison into your body. Taco Bell has gotten cheap with their tacos, I swear each taco has only half of the fillings that it once did. Dominos has better pizza now, but their newer offerings such as chicken nuggets are terrible. Whataburger has maintained its decent status. Sonic has gone to shit. Burger King has always been shit, and remains so. kFC has gotten better with added choices. Popeyes still tastes great, and it still kills your insides.
Pretty much this,
Agent Unknown
Member
Speaking of '90s McDs, anyone remember the mini chicken fajitas they had? I was CRAZY about those, they were sooooo good, I wish they'd bring them back. Every time I empty a packet of hot picante sauce on my McDs breakfast burrito I'm reminded of them. 
Also wanted to say Five Guys is amazing, incredible burgers and fries, so fresh and deluxe. Someone I know who tried In and Out for the first time this summer said they really liked it but insisted Five Guys is still better.
Also wanted to say Five Guys is amazing, incredible burgers and fries, so fresh and deluxe. Someone I know who tried In and Out for the first time this summer said they really liked it but insisted Five Guys is still better.
Lactose_Intolerant
Member
Cut that person out of your life
fast food is a lot more varied now. McD's/BK/Wendy's is now lower tier as opposed to something like, say, Chick Fil-A (which used to be soley a mall cafteteria outlet) or Five Guys. i don't think there's much downgrade in quality there's just more variety and than there was 10-20 years ago
entremet
Member
Speaking of '90s McDs, anyone remember the mini chicken fajitas they had? I was CRAZY about those, they were sooooo good, I wish they'd bring them back. Every time I empty a packet of hot picante sauce on my McDs breakfast burrito I'm reminded of them.
Also wanted to say Five Guys is amazing, incredible burgers and fries, so fresh and deluxe. Someone I know who tried In and Out for the first time this summer said they really liked it but insisted Five Guys is still better.
I loved those fajitas.
McDonald's actually has had biggest sales drop in decade last quarter.
http://time.com/3311608/mcdonalds-sales/
Many experts believe their menu is too bloated. Additionally better and yet more expensive options are now available--Chipotle, Panera and such cost more but offer higher quality than McDonald's.
In the burger category, you now have more boutique burger chains such as Five Guys and Shack Shake, which have a higher price than McDonalds, but the quality is so much better and their menus are more simple and focused.
McDonald's was always mediocre, although their fries were tasty in the tallow days. But they've gotten too expensive for what they offer--mediocre burgers. Beef prices rising hasn't helped them. They've tried to focus on more chicken offerings.
I would gut most of their menu if I ran the corporation. They have so much crap on that menu. And most sucks.
way more
Member
You can just look at Burger King's market share to see that it has indeed declined in quality. An issue for all fast food places in 2014 is too many items. When your burgers have 8-9 variations with multiple ingredients the quality of food and the quality of assembly is going to suffer. Over complication of the menus is definitely a trend this year.
But I doubt the "food quality" is going down if that's what you are asking. Overworkered and underpaid employees would be the only difference from then and now. In many regards I think the food quality has improved. It's not like in the 90's anyone gave a shit about organic, or free-range chicken which fast-food places are now trying to implement. You can get spring mix salads and they even put it on some burgers and wraps!
Sanders said that in 1975. He was comparing KFC to the homecooked stuff he made in his gas station. And no, I doubt the quality of food is cheaper. They weren't baking their own bread or anything or making their own tortillas. If anything they quality has improved as people demand "artisan" rolls and romaine instead of iceberg lettuce.
What you guys probably miss is the taste of chemicals and preservatives that fast food has been forced to pivot away from.
But I doubt the "food quality" is going down if that's what you are asking. Overworkered and underpaid employees would be the only difference from then and now. In many regards I think the food quality has improved. It's not like in the 90's anyone gave a shit about organic, or free-range chicken which fast-food places are now trying to implement. You can get spring mix salads and they even put it on some burgers and wraps!
Sanders said that in 1975. He was comparing KFC to the homecooked stuff he made in his gas station. And no, I doubt the quality of food is cheaper. They weren't baking their own bread or anything or making their own tortillas. If anything they quality has improved as people demand "artisan" rolls and romaine instead of iceberg lettuce.
What you guys probably miss is the taste of chemicals and preservatives that fast food has been forced to pivot away from.
OG McD apple pie
never forget
If you're anywhere Downey, California they have one location that still frys them.
Hi-five.
In-in-out is ok, but so overrated. Their fries are the worst.
entremet
Member
My problem with BK/Wendy's/McDs in the burger category is that everything is well done and mealy.
I can understand why. They're probably using super low quality beef and it's precooked and frozen. They're workforce is also very low skilled. No decants cooks are working at those places. They want to keep labor as brainless as possible to support high turnover rates.
People give Five Guys crap, but at least they're burgers are cooked on the grill and not cooked to death.
I can understand why. They're probably using super low quality beef and it's precooked and frozen. They're workforce is also very low skilled. No decants cooks are working at those places. They want to keep labor as brainless as possible to support high turnover rates.
People give Five Guys crap, but at least they're burgers are cooked on the grill and not cooked to death.
Goro Majima
Kitty Genovese Member
It's a combination of soaring food prices, razor thin margins, and price sensitivity of fast food customers.
Beef prices are going higher and higher and probably won't ever come back down until China can figure out how to produce more meat in their country and we quit using ethanol. This is why you've seen more push for chicken products in most chains.
Beef prices are going higher and higher and probably won't ever come back down until China can figure out how to produce more meat in their country and we quit using ethanol. This is why you've seen more push for chicken products in most chains.
CadetMahoney
Member
/thread.
Lactose_Intolerant
Member
Do you even cook there? Don't you just stick the patties in like a slit or something that cooks them? I don't think they are cooking them on a griddle.
KidA Seven
Member
Just put ketchup on them. If you're eating them by themselves then obviously they suck. Some fries are better with ketchup, some are better without.
I used to like their quesadillas quite a bit. These days, there is barely any cheese and meat in there, and is one of the more expensive entrees at that. Awful value for the money.
I still go to BK once a week for lunch. Getting a whopper combo for $3 is an unbeatable deal. Check the coupon on the back of the receipt.... Free whopper with purchase of small fries and drink.
The colonel always hated kfc, because they sacrificed quality for volume.
Dave thomas (of Wendy's) talked about this from when he was a teenager and had some run ins with the colonel when he was selling his spices.
Lately, aside from In-n-out and McDonalds fries, the only thing that even remotely interests me fast food wise is the stuff that last like 2 weeks...
BK Chicken Fries, KFC Buffalo Chicken strips, Jack's BBQ Bourbon sandwich, McDonalds Chicken Selects, damn near anything BBQ pulled pork? GOAT tier stuff right there.
So naturally, they all get pulled, never to be seen again, except you know, for the next 2 week run
BK Chicken Fries, KFC Buffalo Chicken strips, Jack's BBQ Bourbon sandwich, McDonalds Chicken Selects, damn near anything BBQ pulled pork? GOAT tier stuff right there.
So naturally, they all get pulled, never to be seen again, except you know, for the next 2 week run
milquetoast
Banned
burgers and fries are loved by all ages. thats why there are so many burger and fryy chains
Mr. Blonde
Member
BK in particular has become inedible.
I think the main thing is that places like BK and other fast foods just slowly cut back on quality to save money and although any one change doesn't matter, they slowly add up over the years.
I think the main thing is that places like BK and other fast foods just slowly cut back on quality to save money and although any one change doesn't matter, they slowly add up over the years.
Dr.Guru of Peru
played the long game
Ill disagree. Taco bell has been and still is disgusting slime you only eat if you're in a pinch. Everything is about the same, and most of the premium menu items places McDonalds and Wendys have introduced is far superior to what was previously available.
milquetoast
Banned
the employees are to blame for a lot of it as well. they either aren't trained right or don't care about serving old stuff that's been sitting around.
Thinking about it, yeah, fast food quality has taken a nosedive.
Had a Sonic in my hometown we used to go to quite a bit. Had pretty good food and stuff.
Nowadays, the fries are terrible and food is hit-or-miss.
Funny enough, a co-worker (who happens to be an expert in our local restaurants) was talking to me how who owns what in town, and why some places are terrible or really good.
Case in point: Dairy Queen
DQs have always been hit-or-miss depending on who runs the place in my experience.
We have two in my town, but they're terrible places. Shitty food and the places themselves haven't changed much since the 80s.
Conversely, a number of other DQs in the county are owned by some guy who actually puts some effort into the restaurants and they look really good and have pretty good food.
Had a Sonic in my hometown we used to go to quite a bit. Had pretty good food and stuff.
Nowadays, the fries are terrible and food is hit-or-miss.
Funny enough, a co-worker (who happens to be an expert in our local restaurants) was talking to me how who owns what in town, and why some places are terrible or really good.
Case in point: Dairy Queen
DQs have always been hit-or-miss depending on who runs the place in my experience.
We have two in my town, but they're terrible places. Shitty food and the places themselves haven't changed much since the 80s.
Conversely, a number of other DQs in the county are owned by some guy who actually puts some effort into the restaurants and they look really good and have pretty good food.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
Mcdonalds is still the best. Mcdouble aint never been better.
way more
Member
Five Guys burgers are well done and those other places use grills. Wendy's also doesn't use frozen meat. It's not an issue of low quality beef that all those places listed cook well done, every large chain is going to avoid cooking rare since there is an inherent risk involved.
Goro Majima
Kitty Genovese Member
I'll agree with this.
I think if you want to "remember" the good ol' days of fast food, you're going to have to spend a bit more for the more premium items which, in many cases, surpass what was previously offered at any point.
That said, I remember my mom telling me back in the 80s that McDonalds was awful compared to what it used to be so either it's a long standing trend or a case of rose tinted glasses.
Maybe it's just perspective, but Pizza Hut doesn't seem to be as, uh... culturally relevant as it was back in the 90s. It wasn't exactly great shakes back then, but people would much rather buy from the local Pizza shack if they can help it anymore.
McDonalds hasn't changed a whole lot. Wendy's has gotten very soggy, and last time I had a Whopper I threw up.
McDonalds hasn't changed a whole lot. Wendy's has gotten very soggy, and last time I had a Whopper I threw up.
Wendy's for sure went downhill.
I always used to consider them a more "premium" fast food option compared to McD's and BK, but that's not the case anymore. Wendy's fucked up their french fries, discontinued their taco salad, ruined their burgers, and seems to have made their chicken nuggets (and chicken sandwich) more soggy rather than crispy.
The only thing they have going for them is their chili, but even then, there's barely any meat in it anymore.
I always used to consider them a more "premium" fast food option compared to McD's and BK, but that's not the case anymore. Wendy's fucked up their french fries, discontinued their taco salad, ruined their burgers, and seems to have made their chicken nuggets (and chicken sandwich) more soggy rather than crispy.
The only thing they have going for them is their chili, but even then, there's barely any meat in it anymore.
DietRob
i've been begging for over 5 years.
It's probably a mixture of things. As we age our pallets become more discerning, if you start to experience more 'home cooking' or finer restaurants the taste of quickly made fast food with all kinds of preservatives, fats, and chemicals will not taste as good.
But I do agree that the quality of fast food has declined. Ingredients are getting more expensive so corners are cut. There is also been a push to change the type of oil fast food is fried in. Though the oil is 'healthier' fries in peanut oil will always be better than corn oil (which is what a lot of fast food places use).
But I do agree that the quality of fast food has declined. Ingredients are getting more expensive so corners are cut. There is also been a push to change the type of oil fast food is fried in. Though the oil is 'healthier' fries in peanut oil will always be better than corn oil (which is what a lot of fast food places use).
ChawlieTheFair
pip pip cheerio you slags!
Bought a Mcgriddle today and they forgot the cheese. I was livid.
HighAmperage
Member
This man knows. And yes, they have even fucked up their chicken sandwiches. Not as egregiously as their burgers, but something's off. I genuinely miss Wendys' old burgers. They were almost always the best option...and of course BK when they still had actual flame grills instead of whatever ridiculous contraptions they use to simulate it now.
HighAmperage
Member
Well they could at least have the courtesy to still make it taste good.
Escape Goat
Member
I've noticed portion sizes at sit down restaurant like Outback and O Charley's have gotten smaller in the past 5 years.
Ketchup can't save those fries. The only way I'll eat their fries is if I order them animal style. Only reason I go to in-in-out is because the wife likes it or I would never step a foot inside of one.
We have so many burger places here in SoCal with better burger and much better and delicious fries.
HighAmperage
Member
And the prices up, and up, and up. And surely the "executive" board's salaries with them. Fuck The Customer - The New American Way. Twas ever thus, maybe--but at least they used to at least have a pretense of giving a shit.
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