Which Fast Food?

[MarkGrace]

It depends on what you get. Something comparable at Whole Foods to a $3 burger might be a slice of pizza or a carton of mac and cheese. These things would cost $3 or less. I know I take my kids to Whole Foods and it's the same as McDonald's almost to the penny, and I get something like Chicken Catchatori with brown rice. This includes the Italian ice cream they get for dessert. Plus, you can get wine at Whole Foods. The salad bar is huge. The food is as fast as any of the horrid places listed above.

A slice of pizza or $3 worth of mac is not a meal!

Ok, I retract my previous statement. I guess it's just what I eat at Whole Foods vs. Wendy's. If people are spending $6 at Wendy's, I guess there's not much difference. I had a crepe at Whole Foods today for $7 bucks that was way better Wendy's. Plus, the lady making it sliced me off a nice piece of prosciutto di parma while I waited.

[scandell]

I guess it isn't. I don't make the rules.

My Subway (700 East in Sandy next to the Movies 9) had a drive up!

[Shaka]

There's a Subway at State and Vine in Murray that has a drive-up as well.

[falafel]

My Subway (700 East in Sandy next to the Movies 9) had a drive up!

Your Subway? I don't recall you working in the food services industry.

Some Subways do have drive-throughs. But getting subway in the drive through takes forever, and they inevitably get it wrong.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Wendys always has the soggiest bun and the worst tomatoes.

The Spicy Chicken however is delish.

I just read an article that said due to the recent freeze in Florida destroying tomatoe crop and the resulting price increase in tomatoes that Wendy's will be making tomatoes a request only item.

[falafel]

I just read an article that said due to the recent freeze in Florida destroying tomatoe crop and the resulting price increase in tomatoes that Wendy's will be making tomatoes a request only item.

That happened a few years ago too. But I think they actually didn't have them at all for a little while, then made them request only. Are there really no other winter tomato crops out there?

[Pheidippides]

A slice of pizza or $3 worth of mac is not a meal!

Ok, I retract my previous statement. I guess it's just what I eat at Whole Foods vs. Wendy's. If people are spending $6 at Wendy's, I guess there's not much difference. I had a crepe at Whole Foods today for $7 bucks that was way better Wendy's. Plus, the lady making it sliced me off a nice piece of prosciutto di parma while I waited.

It is a testament to the changes in last year of my life that this is my style of fast food.

I get fast food - other than Subway - no more than once a quarter or so now. But my preferences were Burger King, Wendy's, and Jack-in-the-Box.

Falafel, what in the hell are you doing, getting tacos at a burger place?

[TripletDaddy]

It depends on what you get. Something comparable at Whole Foods to a $3 burger might be a slice of pizza or a carton of mac and cheese. These things would cost $3 or less. I know I take my kids to Whole Foods and it's the same as McDonald's almost to the penny, and I get something like Chicken Catchatori with brown rice. This includes the Italian ice cream they get for dessert. Plus, you can get wine at Whole Foods. The salad bar is huge. The food is as fast as any of the horrid places listed above.

Whole Foods is delish. I am with you, SeattleUte. And there is something there for everyone. The Puffy Check love getting a baked treat from the bakery. I have recently introduced them to freshly baked macaroons. They have tried baklava. You can't get that at McDonald's.

In fairness, I think Art Vandelay was asking for input in the event that you do NOT have Whole Foods as an option.

Other grocers that have impressive grocery store eats are Bristol Farms and Gelson's. Not sure if these are national places or California spots, but I don't mind eating at either one. The Pavilion's type supermarkets will often have something interesting to eat, as well, but it becomes much more hit and miss at that point.

There is this one gourmet supermarket in Houston that is delightful. I loved going there for eats. nice selection of fresh produce as well as great samplings of all kinds of food. Maybe nik knows which one I am talking about it. It was not far from the Galleria area. I want to say Central Market? Or Market Center? Something like that.

I don't lump Trader Joe's into this category because, while I love Trader Joe's, it isn't really a place to go and sit down for a meal.

[Pheidippides]

Panera Bread.

Panera is a tweener place - I don't consider them true fast food.

[falafel]

Falafel, what in the hell are you doing, getting tacos at a burger place?

Is jack in the box a burger place? I mean, I know they have burgers and all. Anyway, I think it was part of a combo meal (a cheap one at that). Gross.

Niku, what do you get for lunch besides Whole Foods? I'm at a loss for what to do when I need food fast. I hate myself when I end up at McD's drive-through time after time.

[Pheidippides]

Whole Foods is delish. I am with you, SeattleUte. And there is something there for everyone. The Puffy Check love getting a baked treat from the bakery. I have recently introduced them to freshly baked macaroons. They have tried baklava. You can't get that at McDonald's.

In fairness, I think Art Vandelay was asking for input in the event that you do NOT have Whole Foods as an option.

Other grocers that have impressive grocery store eats are Bristol Farms and Gelson's. Not sure if these are national places or California spots, but I don't mind eating at either one. The Pavilion's type supermarkets will often have something interesting to eat, as well, but it becomes much more hit and miss at that point.

There is this one gourmet supermarket in Houston that is delightful. I loved going there for eats. nice selection of fresh produce as well as great samplings of all kinds of food. Maybe nik knows which one I am talking about it. It was not far from the Galleria area. I want to say Central Market? Or Market Center? Something like that.

I don't lump Trader Joe's into this category because, while I love Trader Joe's, it isn't really a place to go and sit down for a meal.

Central Market. It is the upscale version of HEB, a very large Texas supermarket chain. HEB itself ain't too shabby - usually a great selection of cheeses and good deli items, as well as great seafood at good prices in my area. You can get shrimp cheaper off of the back of a truck, but you're rolling the gastrointestinal dice at that point.

[YOhio]

Panera is a tweener place - I don't consider them true fast food.

They call it casual dining, but that's just marketing nonsense. You're still ordering off a wall and getting your food in about five minutes.

[falafel]

They call it casual dining, but that's just marketing nonsense. You're still ordering off a wall and getting your food in about five minutes.

Your definition is probably a little over-inclusive. My drive-through definition is under-inclusive. How are we going to solve this...?

[Pheidippides]

Is jack in the box a burger place? I mean, I know they have burgers and all. Anyway, I think it was part of a combo meal (a cheap one at that). Gross.

Niku, what do you get for lunch besides Whole Foods? I'm at a loss for what to do when I need food fast. I hate myself when I end up at McD's drive-through time after time.

Houston is lucky, what with the tunnels around here. Full of options. Subway is my fall-back - six inch roast beef and swiss, all the veggies except olives, vinegar only, on wheat bread. Followed with a V-8 chaser from the firm fridge.

Lately I've been hitting up a chain called Salata - gourmet salads and wraps - and direct the creation of a spicy chicken wrap (key: tell them to use half the dressing they normally would). Sometimes I'll pack a lunch, and lunch is catered in every Thursday anyway (at least - more if we have a CLE or something). Those days I just watch my portion sizes and what I take from the buffet.

There's also some Thai and Vietnamese and Japanese places I go to now and again. Just go easy on the rice. Sushi is a big fave of mine too (don't confuse that with Japanese).

In a pinch, I'd go with a grilled chicken at Wendy's.

[YOhio]

Your definition is probably a little over-inclusive. My drive-through definition is under-inclusive. How are we going to solve this...?

My definition kicks ass and is the right one. End of discussion.