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Is fast food quality getting worse?

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Agent Unknown said:
This is something some friends and I were talking about recently and we all pretty much agreed and had similar thoughts on this. Three examples I have are Burger King, Wendy's and Taco Bell. BK and Taco Bell used to be my two favorite fast food places growing up. As a teen I would eat at both all the time. Yeah, it's always been junk food but at least it tasted good. Taco Bell is just gross now, if I get anything that has (their) ground beef I get a stomach ache now, flavor has just seemed off for at least the past 10 years. Same now for BK. I think the last time I had a truly delicious tasting BK burger was at least five years ago. Flame broil flavor tastes almost fake or "off" now. Last few times I had the Big King stomach felt urpy. Also the patties on the double cheeseburgers are smaller now.

There's a mom and pop burger chain here that sells their own flame broiled burgers and they're great, they taste like what BK burgers and fries used to taste like in the 80s/90s (and they have the classic, thin McDs rip off fries which I'll take any day over the stupid thick cut, crusty fries everyone but McDs has switched to).

Also, I never once got sick after eating at Wendy's until they switched to that awful big "W" burger recipe a few years ago. Now the buns on all the burgers taste dry and their patties just don't seem as fresh and juicy as before. Anybody else have similar experiences? Am I crazy or are the big fast food chains cutting corners and getting progessively worse? Oh yeah and one of my other mains Subway is awful now too. Haven't eaten there in a year after getting three bad subs.
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My theory is to combat ever increasing prices of goods like beef (increasing global demand) they are slowly adding in fillers like cellulose, soy and anything else edible that won't disturb the "flavor". I notice this with the McChicken, in the 90s it tasted amazing now it tastes like cardboard....
 
Aiustis said:
McD's, BK and Wendy's have gotten bad. The only one I've consistently eaten at over the years is White Castle and I love it they haven't changed. But I had Burger King for the first time in about 10 years and it was terrible. McD's I go to for street passes and occasionally eat a burger or fries both are slightly palatable but I'd rather just get the smoothie. I remember when Wendy's went downhill.

I had Hardees for the first time in about 15 years last year and it was surprisingly delicious.
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Man I love white castle. Had it in Kentucky when I was there with the wife visiting her family over the summer. Wish we had it in California.
 
Thinking about it, I don't really eat at many large fast food chains.

For burgers, I usually go to a local chain. I don't like Carl's Jr, Burger King, McDonald's, so I never go there.

Pizza, however, I have noticed has been decreasing in quality. Domino's and Pizza Hut are both really gross. Papa John's is okay. Strangely enough, I think Little Caesars has remained the same.
 
Burger King in my town has gotten to be terrible compared to five years ago. Mcdonalds pretty much the same unless you count mcnuggets before they were all "white meat". Jack in The is pretty good here. Yahoo Bell seems the same.
 
Taco Bell was god tier in the late 80's. They've definitely gone downhill in quality, even if they've gotten better at creating new sounding things out of the same pile of ingredients.

Subway has really declined too, as they've gone from a thousand locations to 15000+.

Culvers never gets bad, OTOH.
 
Dapperk said:
Panera is trash level. You can get a good deli sandwich for $5. At least in the NY area.
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Indeed. The only thing I enjoy is the DIY tea bar.

I can give you my impressions of various restaurants up here in Canada.

Taco Bell: I don't know what the OP has been smoking, but Taco Bell has been bad for the last twenty years. I swore off eating there for nearly 15 years after going there during the run-up promotion to Star Wars Episode I. The meat was so poor that my mother and I were laid up vomiting for a day afterwards. I went back a couple years ago on a stopover - if anything, it was slightly because (I think) they had standardized the quality of their meat. The Big Box Combo deals aren't too bad, although I'm pretty sure the dessert I had was garbage.

Wendy's: Up here in the GTA, they seem to have remained mostly the same in terms of quality. About the only problem I have with them is that they too often serve cold fries, and I have to ask for a new batch. Other than that, the burgers are still as good as they ever were.

MCD's: Their dollar menu isn't too bad. I tried the Bacon Ranch Chicken Sandwich off there a couple weeks back - nothing to write home about. Their soft drinks are garbage - no flavour to them whatsoever. I definitely agree about their portion sizes shrinking.

KFC: I've gone three times on stopovers during the last year, and the quality's been mostly garbage. Shared a bucket with my former boss and a fellow employee at a mall and was struck by how greasy the chicken was. Went another time and had a poorly-thrown together box that took fifteen minutes to make (lol at "fast" food). The third time I went was actually pretty good, and was buoyed by the fact that it was in a mall that had renovated their food court to "upscale". They gave real cutlery and served my sandwich on a plate.

Subway: Goes back-and-forth. Sometimes I get a half-decent sandwich, but most of the time it's either bland, doesn't have enough toppings or the "artists" have followed the spacing of the meat to the letter with no filling. Even my previous favorite sandwich there, the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki, took a dive in recent years.

In conclusion, I'd say it's mostly gone down across the board.
 
Fast food is complete crap at the moment. The only fast food I still have faith in are In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, and maybe Wendy's if I feel like it once every several months. That's really about it these days, it's all about gourmet fast food now.
 
Taco Bell has personally gone up for me, but that's probably 'cuz of a change in my tastes. When I was younger I never really explored the menu and would usually get chicken quesadillas which were pretty ass. Since I've gotten older and have more access to TB, I took a look around the menu, tried new things, made new friends, and learned from my past mistakes-- now it's my favorite late-night fast food.

Others have pretty much been the same for me my whole life. Wendy's, Burger King, and Arbee's have never have been my absolute favorites (still good of course), but they're always there for when I'm in the mood. Sonic's used to be a rare treat until one opened up around here-- still gotta get at it some time. Taco John's has always made me sick to my stomach, but I can't pass up them potato oles. McDonald's has always been consistent; never get tired of a good ol' Big Mac or some chicken nugz, and the Clubhouse Bacon burger is the best damn sandwich I've ever had from there.

Uhh, what else is there... Never really been into Subway, and I usually just end up getting a pizza sub or something from there lol. Pizza places like Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's have always been good. KFC is probably the only one that I've seen a drop in quality for. They've gotten rid of a lot of my favorites over the years, and what else they have isn't special enough to keep me coming back. Never had Chick-Fil-A or Popeye's, but bet they'd make better alternatives than KFC.

Other places like A&W, Blimpee's (not even sure if they're still around), and Long John Silver's I really haven't had enough to pass judgement on, but they've been alright from what I've had. In-N-Out, however, I've only heard good things about, wish I could get me some of that.
 
Just popped in to say I had a Checkers/Rally's burger the other night and it was miles above McD, BK, and Wendy's. I was pleasantly surprised.
 
RevDM said:
OG McD apple pie

mcdonalds_apple_pie.jpg


never forget
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I could swear they're still done the same in the UK.
 
I like having the occasional KFC Chicken Bites. Much better than their old popcorn chicken. Or a Wendy's quarter pound hamburger.

Papa Gino's is still great.

Supermarket fast food has pretty much replaced the franchises for me.
 
When I was a kid, Pizza Hut used to legitimately be delicious. I've asked a number of people about this and most seem to agree that it doesn't taste nearly as good as it used to. The crust used to be the best part of the pizza, the cheese seemed more flavorful. Now it's just bland, soggy cardboard.
 
all fries are worse than they used to be (yes even Wendys)

Wendys spicy chicken sandwich is worse than it use to be

No more burger kind spicy chicken tendercrisp

Taco bell took baja steak chalupa off menu (though you can customize)

So, yes
 
Shareholders. Probably.

However my observation of the usual fast food chains here in AUS is this:

With McDonald's, the burgers are slightly smaller, the prices are higher, but the quality is still great. Though the taste of the nuggets took a hit when they switched to the healthier cuts.

Pizza Hut and Dominoes pizza sizes shrunk (large is really a medium now) but the prices have stayed uber low. Quality is still the same?

KFC has remained the same portion and quality wise but prices have gone up slightly.
 
Kickz said:
My theory is to combat ever increasing prices of goods like beef (increasing global demand) they are slowly adding in fillers like cellulose, soy and anything else edible that won't disturb the "flavor". I notice this with the McChicken, in the 90s it tasted amazing now it tastes like cardboard....
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This.  

I'm pretty sure its to hide/combat how bad inflation really is in the US. Isn't the McChicken mostly made of fish anyway?
 
Some people claim nostalgia/tastes changing, some people claim actual worsening food quality. I think it's a combination of both.

The one I really notice though, is Subway. All the meat practically tastes like rubber now, it's gross.
 
crazyrabbits said:
Indeed. The only thing I enjoy is the DIY tea bar.

I can give you my impressions of various restaurants up here in Canada.

Taco Bell: I don't know what the OP has been smoking, but Taco Bell has been bad for the last twenty years. I swore off eating there for nearly 15 years after...
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Hey, cool it with the insulting hyperbole there. I said in *my experience* *at least* the last ten years, so obviously by that I meant YMMV since it can also partly depend on your location or how restaurants in a particular area are managed as others here have said. But otherwise congrats on finding the Taco Bells up in Canada vomit worthy several more years than I have?

Also, I recently heard that all of Taco Bell's meat comes frozen in big containers and they thaw it in microwaves before use, anyone know if that's true or if they've heard the same? Really gross if true.
 
I had this topic come up with one of my friends just in this last week and I really couldn't give him a decent answer. He kind of thought so too, but i also just suggested he was getting older and better food was more of a prioity! I really don't know or I am not really a good source in that I didn't eat out much when I was a kid. Maybe like once a month or two, and a lot of times it would be at a local sanwhich shop or a local burger place in the summer.
 
Definately think BK fell off at some point, burgers don't taste as meaty and they don't have that same level of char-broiled flavor they used to. The veggies they used, the tomatoes in particular, aren't as fresh and tasty as I remember as well. Whoppers used to be my favorite burger, now they're slightly above McD's tier now. Id rather spend more money at other places like Hardee's/Carl's Jr, Wendys or some other local joints than to spend it on something that just tastes wrong.
 
I think they are trying to be healthier now which means the ingredients aren't as good-tasting anymore and they are using different, cheaper things all of the time.
 
Yeah. Sonic used to be great, but it has really gone to shit in the last 5-7 years. Very sad, but I don't need to be eating that shit anyway.
 
tarius1210 said:
Their fries were the best, now it's just crap.
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Their regular fries were pretty good in the 90's and also when they made the first "change" (that I can remember, anyway, probably around the same time as when they introduced Rodeo Cheesburgers and onion rings). Like, good enough to still eat. Probably not the best out there. But every subsequent version of BK's fries got worse and worse.

Wendy's were the best when they were cooked fresh. Otherwise they were kind of soggy and tasteless. It only got worse when they started moving away from trans fat oils.

I don't remember having any particular affinity toward's McDonald's fries. Always hit and miss. Sometimes they would be long, thin, and overcooked. Then again I can totally imagine people liking them that way; it's at least different than the competition.

The BEST fast food french fries I ever had were Burger King's curly fries that were only around for a limited time, again back in the 90's when I was a kid and actually ate fast food frequently.
 
Ichi_ said:
I will say growing up hardee's was pretty gross but I tried it a while back and it was pretty darn good for what it is and price.

KFC, BK and Wendy's have all gone down. BK fries are terrible, KFC chicken is disgustingly greasy. Wendy's is the only place that serves decent nuggets at least, but their burgers at least near me have gone down.

McDonalds is probably the one place that has remained consistent, not great but I know what I am getting at least (an early grave).
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The burgers at Wendy's where I live are of an amazing quality for fast food.
 
I haven't ate fast food in a while and in part because of this. Wendy's in particular has the price going up and the quality going down. While Chic Fil A still has good sandwiches I remember 5-10 years back their food being much better. In particular their chicken sandwiches dont seem the same.

Also yeah 5 years ago or so I noticed BK's fries were terrible and I haven't really ate their since.
 
Sparrowhawk said:
When I was a kid, Pizza Hut used to legitimately be delicious. I've asked a number of people about this and most seem to agree that it doesn't taste nearly as good as it used to. The crust used to be the best part of the pizza, the cheese seemed more flavorful. Now it's just bland, soggy cardboard.
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Pizza Hut used to be a great alternative to local pizza places. The pan pizza was incredible, crust was perfect, mozzarella was always piled on extra thick and gooey. Now pan and all their other crusts seem bland/dry and they definitely use much less cheese and it's lower quality mozzarella.

After I dropped Subway I started eating more at Jimmy Johns and I think they're the way to go for chain subs, never been disappointed. Sandwiches are simple really tasty and meat and cheese are sliced fresh daily, always get one of Italian clubs with extra dressing and hot peppers, so good. We also recently got a Firehouse Subs, only been there once so far but really liked what I had.

Also, I'm going to NYC next month and can't wait to try the pizza and some real hoagies. Any locals have any recommendations of places I should at least try to go to?
 
Idk about the food but the service is certainly worse.

I used to get fast food maybe once a month.


Now it's maybe once every 6 months since 4 out of the last 5 times in a drive through they want me to pull into the parking lot and wait, all DIFFERENT places/franchises.

Motherfucking if I had time to wait I wouldn't be eating your shitty food. Demanded my money back every time, fuck that trash I'd rather be hungry than late, and if I wasn't late I wouldn't eat trash.
 
LuchaShaq said:
Idk about the food but the service is certainly worse.

I used to get fast food maybe once a month.


Now it's maybe once every 6 months since 4 out of the last 5 times in a drive through they want me to pull into the parking lot and wait, all DIFFERENT places/franchises.

Motherfucking if I had time to wait I wouldn't be eating your shitty food. Demanded my money back every time, fuck that trash I'd rather be hungry than late, and if I wasn't late I wouldn't eat trash.
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The experience of fast food has gotten both better and worse over time. It's hard to pin down. A place like McDonald's can change their appearance and look nicer but the food doesn't necessarily follow suit. Even with the improvement in ingredients (in certain food items, anyway) you're not guaranteed a good meal.

Low quality service definitely hurts too.

You'd think these restaurants in the "service industry" would focus on the customer experience but also balance things out on the worker side. I understand that food margins are shitty but I honestly feel bad ordering fast food anywhere because I feel like the people serving it to me are just miserable. Crappy working conditions, low pay. Why should they care?

Remember when Mickey D's started piloting that "1-minute guarantee" promotion? The company thinks it's doing the customer's right by making us wait less. The food is already fast enough! Anyone who disagrees is a horrible person with way too high of expectations. You'll get your food in a reasonable amount of time. Let the workers do their thing and bring you a nice, fully accurate order. Don't rush it.

It's "fast food," not "instantaneous food." The quality/quantity balance is very important for both the food itself and the service.
 
-Pyromaniac- said:
In Canada fast food has always been pretty good quality. I always see you americans posting these pics of how sandwiches look IRL and stuff and ours looks like nothing like that. Maybe I just got good locations around me but maybe it's quality control for the country.
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The hell are you talking about? The quality varies massively by area. In Northwest Calgary, fast food is amazing. In northeast Calgary, you're much more likely to have an awful experience. It's almost a rule. Also Timmy's is now shit.
 
StrangeADT said:
The hell are you talking about? The quality varies massively by area. In Northwest Calgary, fast food is amazing. In northeast Calgary, you're much more likely to have an awful experience. It's almost a rule. Also Timmy's is now shit.
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well everywhere I've ever been has been perfect for the most part!
 
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