Badin vs. Fredericktown
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Valley View vs. Greenville
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wendy's boasts the best beef, but McDonald's rules the world of French fries, according to a national survey by Zagat that also had some kind words for Panera Bread Co., Outback Steakhouse and Cracker Barrel.
New York City-based Zagat Survey gathered input from 5,535 surveyors nationwide for its Zagat/Today Show Fast Food Survey, which reported "Best of" designations in three categories: Fast-food "mega-chains" (more than 5,000 outlets), overall fast-food chains (big and small together), and full-service restaurant chains (separate from fast-food chains).
Extras
Wendy's, the Dublin, Ohio-based "old-fashioned hamburgers" chain that once used a "Where's the beef?" ad campaign to boost popularity, swept three of the top four awards for mega-chains, scoring higher than competitors such as Subway, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut and McDonald's in the categories of Most Popular, Top Food and Top Facilities.
But when lumped together with all fast-food chains, including those with fewer than 5,000 outlets, Wendy's trailed Panera Bread Co., which scored highest in Most Popular, Top Food and Top Facilities.
Chick-fil-A won the "service" category for all chains, and tied for second in food and facilities with Chipotle. Chipotle also tied for second for best service.
Among chain restaurants that are considered "full service," Outback Steakhouse won "most popular" and "best food," while Cracker Barrel was ranked at the top for facilities and service. In overall scores, Outback and Cracker Barrel tied for first with Red Robin.
Wendy's collected 30 percent of the "best burger" votes to beat Burger King (22 percent) and McDonald's (13 percent). But in the face-off for best French fry, McDonald's overwhelmed the competition with 63 percent of the vote, compared to just 10 percent for Burger King and Wendy's, the Zagat folks said.
How important is that burger/fries dominance? Well, when surveyors were asked to list their favorite fast food, burgers and fries ranked first with 39 percent followed by subs/sandwiches (19 percent), Mexican (15 percent) and pizza (13 percent).
The survey shed some light on some interesting, perhaps contradictory, customer attitudes. It showed, for example, that 93 percent of surveyors report they are somewhat or very concerned with the fat and calorie content of fast food. But despite those nutritional concerns, 79 percent of surveyors say taste is the most important factor in choosing a fast-food restaurant.
Surveyors also reported their fast-food dining pet peeves, which the Zagat folks called "irritants." Cleanliness was the main irritant, cited by 49 percent of surveyors, while nutrition consequences was cited by 47 percent, followed by food quality (38 percent), service (37 percent) and noise (16 percent).
The lowest overall ranking in the survey belonged to a chain that, well, isn't exactly all about the food anyway, really: Chuck E. Cheese's. For more information about Zagat, go to www.zagat.com
Contact food and dining reporter Mark Fisher at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Overall Scores, All Fast-Food Chains
(1) Panera Bread Co.
(2) Chick-fil-A (tie)
(2) Chipotle (tie)
(4) Quizno's Sub
(4) Sonic Drive-In
Overall Scores, Fast Food "Mega-Chains" only
(1) Wendy's
(2) Subway
(3) Pizza Hut
(4) Dairy Queen (tie)
(4) McDonald's (tie)
Overall Scores, Full-Service Chains
(1) Outback Steakhouse (tie)
(1) Cracker Barrel (tie)
(1) Red Robin (tie)
(4) Olive Garden (tie)
(4) Chili's Grill & Bar (tie)
Source: Zagat Fast Food Chains 2007, Zagat Full-Service Chains 2007
Comments
By Matt
October 25, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
Clearly Red Robin is head and shoulders above any other burger chain, especially the terrible fast food options. Red Robin always serves incredible quality food that people don’t have to be afraid to eat in a fun atmosphere. The staff is always friendly and happy to take care of you. TBill if you are dumb enough to pay $4 for a soda than I would charge you that much too. I eat at Red Robin 4-5 times a month and I have never paid more than $2.
By Julia
October 23, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
TACO BELL!!!!
By Jay
October 19, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
You guys actually eat that crap? I hope your under 18 years old. Otherwise, you should know better. Do we have to make a law or a ban for that too?
By TBill
October 19, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Some of these places don’t qualify as fast food IMHO. Red Robin has THE most expensive sodas in the world; $4. And Vonda ought to write for some of the comics appearing at FunnyBone! Too good for the web! Finally a poll doesn’t mean one is better than the other, just more popular. Taste is an individual thing; otherwise a lot if them wouldn’t survive.
By Paul
October 19, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
I enjoy my Wendy’s heart attack in a bag at noon. Knowing that my arteries are being filled with the same material that killed Dave, the founder of Wendy’s, makes me feel…sort of…like “family”. I am continuing the tradition. Service in the drive through is extremely quick. Do not try to recessitate me when I take “the eternal dirt nap” while in the drive through. It slows the service down. NOTE: VONDA!!! I new U wuz higher skooled than U wuz lettin’ on!!! Nudge Nudge/Wink Wink!!!
By Vonda Shephard
October 19, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Hie honely have zee chef prepare my meals. So hie don’t know forst hand vat you are all talkink about. My staff…zay tell me all zee time….hie don’t pay them enough to dine anyvere but McDonald’s. Zay jell at me and say…Countess….please stop torturing huss - please give huss more money so we can experiece zee finer things. Hie say….no! AHAHAHAHAHAAH!
By Vera
October 19, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
I eat at Wendy’s quite often but in the last year I cannot eat their fries. Either they changed something in the cooking process or my tastebuds are on the fritz. The fries leave an aftertaste that reminds me of their .99 chicken sandwitch. I usually just order a baked potato. Hard to mess that up. They still have the best service time at lunch. I go to the one at Wayne and Wyoming and they usually have my bag hanging out the window before I can drive away from the cashier.
By Cappy is Crappy
October 19, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Cappy, these restaurants take folks that walk AND drive.
By Cappy Badmitten-Van oten
October 19, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Fast Food. How ‘pedestrian’. If we do ‘eat out’ e find that the green offers a fine dining selection. As for ‘fast food’, I think the children once ate at Mc Donald’s or some non sense like that.
By Vonda Shephard
October 19, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Again, my apologies. I suffer from a split-personality disorder, which makes me behave erratically. I am more intelligent than I appear the majority of the time.
By Vonda Shephard
October 19, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
I am real, or at least my mortgage tells me so, and so does my Hair/Nail Salon degree. My husband thinks I am real or at least he thought is was real good last night.
By Vonda Shephard
October 19, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
I can no longer continue my charade. I am actually an English professor at the University of Dayton. I am ashamed that I have been passing myself off as an illiterate buffoon.
By Vonda Shephard
October 19, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
I think that Panella Bread is for them rich folk. My famly andme liks them Frostys at Wendey’s and that sicychicke is better than any of that Mexico food. I also like that new bohrito at that Hardees, its gotmy famliys breakfast faves in it, and we can ea it on the go. My husband likes Hooters and we like them wings spicy too.
By ct
October 19, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Red Robin? If you like $8 cheeseburgers that are simply cheeseburgers then that is the place to be, and you get to chew them listening to some of the loudest music I have heard in recent years inside a dining establishment - Add a Strawberry Lemonade and you’ve just dropped $13…
By CodyB
October 19, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Yeh, who needes smoking in bars, when you have all these fat food restaurants around. You’ll have healthy lungs, but clogged blood vessels. I miss Colorado where all the chicks eat veggie, and climb, and hike, and bike, and ski, and they all have hot as*ses. Even the ugly ones have hot butts.Get a clue Hankton!
By Obesity rules!!!
October 19, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Come on, Dayton! Let’s strive to be the fattest city in America. Heck, why not in the world?
By Brad
October 19, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
I love all fast food. Without it, how would all these women around here get those hugely, fat asses? The best thing about fast food is it’s filled with nutritious grease and lard. And, the fries are loaded with delicious oil. The salads has just enough sugar in it to keep all the fat molecules in my system. And, the best part is, if I sit around a lot and don’t get exercise, it will all clump together on my a*s and belly. Fast food is what makes Dayton great, fat, lazy, and burden on health care
By Debbie
October 19, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
I think that Chick-Fil-A is the best. The sandwiches are hot, the waffle fries are good, and the service is good.
By Patty
October 19, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
The Wendy’s in Fairborn is the best. I go there quite frequently and the service is always great and the food is always hot. I had the opportunity to experience Red Robin a couple of weeks ago. Thoroughly impressed. Check out the strawberry lemonade. It is the best!
By Jazzyz
October 19, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
IT’S ALL FAT FOOD!!! DON’T EAT THAT CRAP YOU IDIOTS!!! NO WONDER YOUR SOOOOO FAT!!!
By You Know I Am Right...
October 19, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Pay attention Wendy’s, McD’s & BK….the reason Panera, Chiplotle & Chick-fil-A rank highest on the survey is…HELLO….their food is served HOT and FRESH and the ingredients aren’t over-processed. That is the bottom line!!!!
By Fran
October 19, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
MARION’S PIZZA baby - THE BEST!! If they were a national chain, they would be top-ranked and worth millions. I would buy a franchise. Marions puts Dominos and Pizza Hut to shame.
By Bob
October 19, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Hardee’s Mushroom & Swiss Burger is King to me!
By Bubba
October 19, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
I agree tht Wendy’s is the best overall fast food chain. I eat at Wendy’s so often that I actually bought stock in the company. Now, when I get my single with everything and a medium frosty, at least some of the money theoretically goes back into my own pocket! I definitely don’t think Panera Bread should be top-ranked. They are overpriced for what you get and the food really isn’t all that special. Chick-fil-A absolutely has the best customer service-hands down. No one else even comes close.
By M
October 19, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Well, PJ, if you don’t like Dayton, why don’t you leave? Look out, I see a slob oozing toward you with its mouth open ready for a bite… Why do people like to make stupid remarks and try to ruin everything???
By PJ
October 19, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Based on the fact that Dayton is overwhelmingly comprised of slobs, it really doesn’t matter who wins, people around here will eat anything short of their own kin.
By M
October 19, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
I agree with Chili’s getting a top rating. Their chips and salsa are the best of any brand — restaurant or store brand. Their soup and 1/2 sandwich combo is great. A few years ago they served a tuna steak sandwich with cajun seasoning that was excellent as well.
By sw
October 19, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
My favorite burger is still “The Whopper” from Burger King. Hold the pickle!
By Kathy
October 19, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand how they determine what “fast-food” is but I know that I do not like Panera. I’ve tried three locations in three cities, none were very clean, the food was bland and there was little flexibility in meeting my special requests. Atlanta Bread Company was far better in food quality, service and atmoshphere.
By You Know It's True
October 19, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
Overall the top (3) chains have declined in quality and service. Besides being unhealthy…the food is not served hot and fresh. What is the deal with Burger King!?!?!? They used to have “flame-broiled” burgers - I don’t know who they are trying to fool…it’s obvious they use a microwave to cook and/or reheat their burgers. Wendy’s… might have fresh buns but their burgers have been sitting on the grill all day long and taste like leather & their fries are ALWAYS cold. Is this legal???
By M
October 19, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
P.S. — If you want a great sandwich, forget about Panera and go to Potbelly’s. Much better.
By M
October 19, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
I don’t agree with Panera being up on the list. Went to the Wilmington Pike location right after they opened and asked to get a sandwich the way I wanted — something simple — without onions or something — don’t remember, and they said, “No, we can’t make a sandwich without (ingredient I didn’t like)” “Our sandwiches are made up ahead of time.” This was the biggest load of BS I’d ever heard from a restaurant! I’ve never been back!
By Hope
October 19, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
It’s hard to say. There are lots of restuarants out there, and different favorites to different people. I’d say that the survey might just be a generic survey, meaning if ALL fast food chains and restuaruants were mentioned and really, really asked some serious questions on things like, service, cleanliness, timing of food etc, results could be different.
By Ms. M.
October 19, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
You haven’t lived until you have bitten a Johnny Rocket burger. Now, I might even mention that a Big Buford isn’t bad either and Ruby Tuesday sure does serve it anyway you want it and tastefully picture perfect.
By Jim5
October 19, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Wendy’s should be ranked best because of their hamburgers. The hamburger is the primary item on the fast food menu and this should carry more weight in the judging. McDonalds rightly came out on top for french fries, but I believe that Wendy’s in-house ketchup almost makes up for the difference. I agree with the survey results.
By Richard
October 19, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
When it comes to fast food burgers, I like Hardee’s thickburgers the best.I wonder if they where even judged.
By Richard
October 19, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
When it comes to fast food burgers, I like Hardee’s the best.I wonder if they where even judged.
By Michael
October 19, 2007 6:15 AM | Link to this
I like Arby’s and Wendy’s best when I have to get traditional fast food, but Chipotle, Panera and Penn Station are way ahead on my list. I would go to any of them well before going to a “traditional” fast food place.