Top 14 Most Popular Fast Food Items of All Time

White Castle

Considered the first fast-food burger chain ever, White Castle is the original slider king. These little square burgers cost just five cents back in 1921—the year of White Castle’s founding. The Original Slider, which has stuck around to this day, consists of 100% beef with onions and a slice of pickle on a hamburger bun. This is truly a revolutionary, historic burger—which explains why Time named it “The Most Influential Burger of All Time.” While the original White Castle location in Wichita, Kansas is no longer in operation, the chain as a whole, thanks to its iconic slider, has stood the test of time.

Arby’s

Besides being a fan favorite for its taste, the Arby’s Classic Roast Beef Sandwich gets bonus points for pretty much owning the roast beef game in fast food. Seriously, what other fast-food chain comes to mind when you think of roast beef? Okay, maybe Roy Rogers, but let’s be real—they’re not as big as Arby’s. This classic sandwich is simple, but tasty. The fresh toasted sesame bun is perfect for holding all that thinly sliced, flavorful roast beef. Arby’s has been serving it up since 1964—and clearly, it’s made a lasting impression.

Dairy Queen

If you blend one of the world’s most popular cookies with one of the most beloved ice cream flavors, you get a dessert masterpiece. Dairy Queen’s Oreo Cookie Blizzard proves that by mixing crunchy Oreo pieces with sweet vanilla soft serve. It really is fitting that it’s called Dairy Queen, given the reign the franchise has had over the dessert sector of the fast-food industry. And it’s mainly thanks to the famous Blizzard, which first hit menus in the 1980s. While DQ serves multiple delicious flavors, nothing quite hits like the classic Oreo Cookie Blizzard.

KFC

There’s a reason KFC has expanded to well over 100 different countries. People love that Kentucky fried chicken. The Colonel got that blend of herbs and spices down to a tee. Some may choose to share their fried chicken bucket, but with each bite of the tender, well-seasoned chicken, you may find yourself wanting it all to yourself. At one point, KFC was the largest fast-food chain in the United States. Burgers were always the talking point—and eating point—of the fast-food industry. But KFC made chicken a worthy fast-food rival.

Taco Bell

This hexagonal burrito is defined by its shape, crunch, and balance of flavors. Many consider the Crunchwrap Supreme the supreme menu item at Taco Bell. It came around in 2005, over 40 years after the chain opened. Fans have since praised the texture of the tortilla and the distribution of ingredients, which include seasoned beef, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and nacho cheese sauce. While other Taco Bell items include similar ingredients, the Crunchwrap Supreme offers fans something distinct from the typical burrito or taco. Along with the quality taste of course, that uniqueness has probably helped catapult the Crunchwrap Supreme to the top for Taco Bell fans.

In-N-Out Burger

This California fast-food icon has satisfied a lot of empty stomachs for decades. In-N-Out Burger’s Double-Double consists of a toasted bun, two beef patties, two slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and a signature spread, whose recipe has remained the same since 1948—the year the franchise was founded. The Double-Double was born in 1963 and was offered to customers for just 60 cents! While that price has obviously risen with the passage of time, the Double-Double has remained nothing short of a great value given just how mouthwatering a burger it is. It’s the type of burger that sparks conversations even among those on the East Coast of the US who haven’t had the chance to try it.

Wendy’s

This frozen dairy treat has the perfect sweetness, creaminess, temperature, and consistency. Wendy’s simple yet oh-so delicious Frosty is the sweet spot right between a creamy milkshake and rich soft-serve ice cream. Chocolate, the original flavor released in 1969, has remained a classic favorite that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. In 2006, the much-requested Vanilla Frosty finally arrived, much to the delight of fans—and it didn’t disappoint. Over the years, Wendy’s has also released special limited-time flavor variations such as Strawberry, Salted Caramel, and Orange Dreamsicle. Many fans would argue—and fairly so—that when it comes to fast-food desserts, the Frosty is the cream of the crop.

Zaxby’s & Raising Cane’s

This type of bread is golden brown, slightly crunchy yet fluffy, buttery, and a bit garlicky. It’s a truly delectable side dish. Zaxby’s and Raising Cane’s both make an excellent Texas Toast. It tastes great on its own, no doubt. But many fans of these franchises like to utilize a tasty food hack, which involves wrapping the Texas Toast around one of your chicken tenders and drizzling some Zax sauce or Cane’s sauce on top. It’s the right texture, right level of golden-brownness, and right amount of buttery goodness that make the Texas Toast served at these fast-food franchises so popular.

Chick-fil-A

There’s nothing quite like the waffle fry. It’s not the traditional fry shape, but its magnetic appearance—along with its uncommonness relative to other fry shapes—can make you feel like you’re eating a delicacy. And no place is better known for it than Chick-fil-A, whose Waffle Potato Fries are fresh, crisp, well-salted, and have an exquisite texture. While other major fast-food chains serve classic-style fries, Chick-fil-A marches to its own drum. This uniqueness has undoubtedly contributed to the immense popularity of Chick-fil-A's waffle fry, which many consider to be a Mount-Rushmore-level fry.

Burger King

Since 1957, the Whopper has been the calling card for Burger King—the self-proclaimed “Home of the Whopper.” Their menu describes it as “¼ lb of flame-grilled beef with juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, crunchy pickles, and sliced white onions on a toasted sesame seed bun.” Originally sold for just 37 cents, this yummy burger’s success precipitated fast-food burger rivalries. While it’s undergone multiple changes over the years, including with its bun and overall size, the Whopper has persisted as a staple at Burger King and a name that people instantly associate with the fast-food chain.

Popeye’s

It’s hard not to love that chicken from Popeyes. It has exceptional flakiness on the outside with juicy goodness on the inside. Seriously, though, they got that batter down to a science. This crunch and overall visual presentation may be why Popeyes’ lovers give it the nod in the Popeyes-vs.-KFC debate. Plus, that delicious seasoning certainly helps make it a standout and a go-to destination for fried chicken enthusiasts. Financially speaking, the chain—which was once fittingly called Popeyes Mighty Good Chicken—surpassed KFC in sales in 2023 to earn a spot as the number two chicken chain in the US.

Chick-fil-A

The people’s favorite entree from the people’s favorite chicken chain in the United States is of course the Original Chicken Sandwich. Chick-fil-A has mastered the recipe for their number one sandwich. The chicken has the ideal amount of crunch, tenderness, and deep-fried breading. The pickles are the only topping necessary to take this sandwich to heights that most chicken sandwiches can only dream of. And, obviously, we can’t forget to mention that fresh, buttery bun. The Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich makes for an elite road trip meal when you're scanning the food exit signs for a quick, delicious bite. It really is ol’ reliable.

McDonald’s

What was originally called the Aristocrat and then the Blue Ribbon Burger became the Big Mac. With an original intent of rivaling Big Boy Restaurants’ Big Boy hamburger during the late 1960s, we think it’s safe to say that the Big Mac has gained the upper hand. With two beef patties, cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, minced onions, and a special sauce neatly organized on a three-slice sesame-seed bun, the Big Mac offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures. This iconic item from arguably the world's most famous fast-food chain is more than just a tasty burger. It’s a historic, globally recognized symbol of American fast-food. To say the Big Mac is a big deal would be a big understatement.

McDonald’s

Finely crafted from a variety of quality potatoes, McDonald’s World Famous Fries come out hot, crispy, and salty, with an ideal amount of softness to complement their superb, natural flavor. These things are delicious as they are—no sauce necessary. The storied fast-food franchise also deserves a few extra points for not leaving a bunch of fry pieces and crumbs at the bottom of the fry container like some other places do. At McDonald’s, you get consistency in shape and taste. The world's largest fast food restaurant chain has mastered the art of the fry to such an extent that many people put McDonald’s fries in a tier of their own.



Is there a fast-food item that you think deserves more love? Let us know in the comments!