Wendy’s was the clear winner in the recent Fast Food version of the Zagat Survey commissioned by the Today Show in its near infinite wisdom. The burger chain won “Top Burger” as well as “Top Overall” of the mega-chains. If you include the smaller chains, Panera Bread took “Top Overall” and “Top Food.”
The survey also considered chain restaurants, with Outback Steakhouse winning “Top Overall” and “Top Food.”
Wendy’s CEO and President Kerrii Anderson issued a press release (for the purpose of self-congratulation) claiming,
“We use fresh, never frozen, beef and make every hamburger to order right off the grill, just like Dave Thomas did when he founded Wendy’s in 1969. We top every sandwich with fresh condiments – tomatoes and onions that we slice every day in our restaurants and whole-leaf lettuce. Quality is our recipe, and a major point of distinction between Wendy’s and other quick-service restaurant chains. We don’t cut corners.”
Isn’t that special. A restaurant can win an award by simply serving actual food.
More results inside.
Zagat Fast Food Results:
Mega-Chains:
Top Food
Wendy’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, KFC
Top Overall
Wendy’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s
Large and Small Chains:
Top Food
Panera Bread Co., Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Quizno’s Sub, Wendy’s
Top Overall
Panera Bread Co., Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Sonic Drive-In, Quizno’s Sub
Chain Restaurants:
Top Food
Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Cracker Barrel, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Olive Garden
Top Overall
Outback Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel, Red Robin, Olive Garden, Chili’s Grill & Bar
So there you go, the best of the worst. —MEGHANN MARCO
Full Fast Food Results (PDF) [Zagat]
Chain Restaurant Results (PDF) [Zagat]
Zagat/Today Show Fast-Food Survey [Zagat]
Wendy’s Named “Best Burger” by Zagat Survey (Press Release)[Business Wire]
(Photo: cmorran123)
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I don’t mind Wendy’s but I love In N Out. Too bad A&W is disappearing, I love their cheese kurds and rootbeer floats.
Four questions…
Where’s Rubio’s?
Where’s In-N-Out?
And why is McDonald’s on there?!
Who submitted the votes?
yeah I think In and Out should be on the top of the list. Their food is always fresh. Too regional maybe?
What’s an In And Out? And I mean that both ways.
Isn’t a Zagat survey of Fast Food chains sort of like a Special Olympics version?
Does anyone really care?
Let’s see..
1) Wendies – The moment they took the greek pita off their menu I have hardly gone. It was the BEST thing on their. Now it’s either a baked potato, or a salad.
2) McDicks – Last time I got something from there I was sick. And it was only a shake. As for the veggie burgers… WHO THE HELL BOILS THEM? Haven’t been there in years.
3) Dairy Queen – Only things I get there are the ice cream cakes and pizzas.
4) Quizzno’s – Ever since Subway discontiuned my favorit sub I’ve liked them the best outa all the sub places.
5) Pizza Hut – Best pizza I can get around here. The place we order from (Closer) tastes like cardboard at times.
Never heard of the rest except for Olive Garden, and I don’t think we have one of em around here anymore.