Fast Food Talk Thread

[Omaha Cowboy]

Penn Station East Coast Subs (168th & Center) actually has pretty great fries. They're handcut in-house.

That’s a great tip..

Duly noted…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[We Don’t Coast]

I think pretty much everyone will agree that fast food is absolutely unhealthy; and if consumed too frequently, can make you sick and contribute to taking years off your life..

That said, I also don’t know many folks who don’t eat fast food- either frequently or on occasion. I’m sure Burger King has their “fans” (I personally don’t know anyone who goes there to eat because the food is good. Most folks I know who have eaten there recently, have done so out of convenience). But if someone actually likes Burger King- that’s their choice- you do you..

For me however, when I choose to poison my body by eating fast food, at least I expect the food to be edible. Burger King and McDonald’s, for me, is completely inedible and very VERY low quality. So when I choose to eat unhealthy fast food, I’ll take Runza, Don & Millie’s, Bronco’s or Culver’s..He!l, I’d even choose Arby’s over BK or McDonald’s lol..

Burger King jumped the shark about 25 years ago. And I’m being polite..and it’s nothing personal…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

We’re still talking about Burger King LOL. I agree. The food there is absolutely awful and the way they’re run, at least in the Omaha area, is an embarrassment. My cousin recently got food poisoning eating BK. My question to her was why did you take the risk? Even though their food has gone downhill, at least most McDonald’s are clean. Or at least look clean.

[nativeomahan]

I confess I eat “fast food”, but less than once a month, and I’m more of a Jimmy John’s or Arby’s guy. I don’t do fried food. It took me a while to rid my body of cravings for it, but now it holds no allure. It certainly isn’t cheap like it used to be. You can spend about the same and get decent quality food from a local mom and pop place, particularly if you go for Mexican or Asian.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I’m now 45 days into my 90 days abstaining from eating fast food. I’ve eaten clean for 6 weeks now and it makes such a big difference in how you feel. I had gotten into the habit of eating fast food several times a week and was really feeling pretty miserable. Fast food is poison..

That said, if you go to the right places, it can be so dang good. Once I get past my 90 day commitment, I’ll probably limit myself to fast food about once a month, as a treat.. In fact, I’m craving some Runza crinkle french fries already, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

I wish Arby's still had restaurants/vendors (whatever they're called) in Oak View and Gateway Mall's food courts.

[Busguy2010]

The last fast food I had was Taco Bell. An enchirito and nacho fries, eight days ago. Not like I'm trying to abstain from fast food, I just haven't craved anything at the right time and place. I'll definitely go through periods where I eat fast food nearly every day of the month, and other periods where I'll eat fast food nearly not at all a month.

One thing I will note, having dabbled in the restaurant industry briefly, is nutritionally speaking, non-fast food restaurants aren't necessarily better for you by default either. So I hope in calling fast food poison, we aren't giving a pass to sit down, standalone, mom & pop restaurants, etc. just cause they aren't fast food. Only way you really eat healthy is meal prep with intent, and honestly that gets old too quick for its own good lol.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nativeomahan]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Amen!

[Busguy2010]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I remember I liked em... I don't think I loved em. I honestly don't have Arby's often, but when I do, I get the beef & cheddar, or the French dip. They had that hot brisket sandwich a while ago that I was pretty wild about, but it obviously wasn't a mainstay.

Other items that were good that I honestly don't know if they're around anymore or not are the Jamocha shake, and whatever chocolate mint shake they were doing, which I assumed was a McDonalds shamrock shake competitor.

I wonder... I do like their curly fries, and I do actually have a bag of Arby's branded curly fries in my freezer... But was that a good move? Since curly fries are one of their mainstays? I don't have to go to Arby's for their curly fries.

[We Don’t Coast]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

[ChadJK]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

[We Don’t Coast]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

I get what you’re saying but not quite.

There was just something about the flavor of Arby’s Potato Cakes that differentiated them from “hash browns” from a McDonald’s or BK etc; That made them special. And more delicious.

[Padre]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

[Greg S]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

I agree that axing the potato cakes at Arby's was the biggest fast food mistake. I also agree they are not the same as McDonald's hasbrowns. They really really need to bring them back.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

I agree that axing the potato cakes at Arby's was the biggest fast food mistake. I also agree they are not the same as McDonald's hasbrowns. They really really need to bring them back.

Amen #3 …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[S.O.Boy]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

I agree that axing the potato cakes at Arby's was the biggest fast food mistake. I also agree they are not the same as McDonald's hasbrowns. They really really need to bring them back.

They got rid of Potato Cakes, too. I haven't been back since they got rid of Onion Rings.

[djc311]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

I agree that axing the potato cakes at Arby's was the biggest fast food mistake. I also agree they are not the same as McDonald's hasbrowns. They really really need to bring them back.

They got rid of Potato Cakes, too. I haven't been back since they got rid of Onion Rings.

It's the beginning of the end of Arby's... dumping potato cakes would be like getting rid of their roast beef.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I just wish Arby’s would bring back their friggin’ Potato Cakes..

Biggest mistake that fast food chain has made replacing them with crinkle fries, lol…

Amen #2. Huge mistake by Arby’s giving the axe to an ORIGINAL menu item that was not only something that made them different and unique, but was also delicious. Paring their Potato Cakes with Arby’s Sauce or even Horsey’s Sauce was a fast food taste of Heaven. Replacing them with crinkle fries was and remains a comedy of error.

It's deep-fred hashbrowns. See also: McDonald's Hash Browns, Burger King's Hash Brown's, Taco John's Potato Ole's, and the Tater Tots from pretty much anywhere.

They are not the same. McDonalds hash browns are closest, but still different.

Look at it this way, both Arby’s and Runza have crinkle cut fries. They look about the same. But in my opinion, the ones at Runza taste a lot better. Maybe it’s better potatoes, I don’t know. But they are just better.

By the way, I also recommend the twice baked potatoes at Bruegger’s.

I agree that axing the potato cakes at Arby's was the biggest fast food mistake. I also agree they are not the same as McDonald's hasbrowns. They really really need to bring them back.

They got rid of Potato Cakes, too. I haven't been back since they got rid of Onion Rings.

It's the beginning of the end of Arby's... dumping potato cakes would be like getting rid of their roast beef.

And they dumped their potato cakes 3 years ago. I still can’t believe they haven’t brought them back…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

I've never had Arby's potato cakes. I have however had their curly fries as I'm sure most on here have.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Arby’s potato cakes were the best, and it was blasphemous they were taken off their menu..

One of the stupidest executive fast food decisions I can think of since, maybe, Taco Bell taking away their Mexican Pizza- at least they were smart enough to bring that back…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

Arby’s potato cakes were the best, and it was blasphemous they were taken off their menu..

One of the stupidest executive fast food decisions I can think of since, maybe, Taco Bell taking away their Mexican Pizza- at least they were smart enough to bring that back…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree 100%. I imagine there are a hundred FB pages for ppl asking to bring them back.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Arby’s potato cakes were the best, and it was blasphemous they were taken off their menu..

One of the stupidest executive fast food decisions I can think of since, maybe, Taco Bell taking away their Mexican Pizza- at least they were smart enough to bring that back…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I agree 100%. I imagine there are a hundred FB pages for ppl asking to bring them back.

Oh yeah, easily..

There was a petition/poll you could vote on from a couple of years ago to bring their potato cakes back. You could probably Google it and still find it. Don’t know if it’s still active though…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

I wish Arby's still sold Pepsi instead of switching to Coke.

[djc311]

I wish Arby's still sold Pepsi instead of switching to Coke.

I agree as well!

[nebugeater]

I wish Arby's still sold Pepsi instead of switching to Coke.

I agree as well!

Add Culvers to that list

And from years back, Subway

[Omaha Cowboy]

From mashed.com-

“The death knell has finally sounded for Arby's beloved potato cakes and fans of the starchy comfort food are devastated. According to The Takeout, Arby's has confirmed it themselves — potato cakes are out and crinkle fries are permanently in. How the company could think that crinkle fries, a sometimes soggy and pale potato product, could in any way compete with the crispy on the outside, soft on the inside goodness of a potato cake is a mystery..”

And a ray of hope-

“A statement by an Arby's spokesperson's to The Takeout offers one ray of hope: "Although our Potato Cakes have been discontinued (for now), who's to say they're gone forever?"”..

The complete story link:

https://www.mashed.com/601607/a-dreaded ... ato-cakes/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Padre]

Don & Millie's on way to becoming employee-owned restaurant chain

https://omaha.com/life-entertainment/lo ... d26e0.html

[Omaha Cowboy]

Don & Millie's on way to becoming employee-owned restaurant chain

https://omaha.com/life-entertainment/lo ... d26e0.html

Interesting concept and glad to read it’ll stay local and employee owned..

Don & Millie’s has one of the best fast food burgers in Omaha. They have excellent Taco Salads. Their rings are legit.. They just need to tweak and improve their fries imo…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[thenewguy]

From mashed.com-

“The death knell has finally sounded for Arby's beloved potato cakes and fans of the starchy comfort food are devastated. According to The Takeout, Arby's has confirmed it themselves — potato cakes are out and crinkle fries are permanently in. How the company could think that crinkle fries, a sometimes soggy and pale potato product, could in any way compete with the crispy on the outside, soft on the inside goodness of a potato cake is a mystery..”

And a ray of hope-

“A statement by an Arby's spokesperson's to The Takeout offers one ray of hope: "Although our Potato Cakes have been discontinued (for now), who's to say they're gone forever?"”..

The complete story link:

https://www.mashed.com/601607/a-dreaded ... ato-cakes/

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Seems like Runza is the only place that truly 'gets' the crinkle fry. And their onion rings are good, too. One thing i love(d) about Arby's is that their menu is different enough that i don't get tired of it. Where burger king can't seem to figure out what it's flavor of the month is, Arby's embraced the 'we have the meats' and makes some good stuff with it. The curly fries and potato cakes were always awesome and somehow go with roast beef better than fries

[almighty_tuna]

Arby's embraced the 'we have the meats' and makes some good stuff with it

Ever since they did away with the ham & cheese sliders our youngest regards Arby's with contempt regarding their claim to have the meats.

[thenewguy]

Arby's embraced the 'we have the meats' and makes some good stuff with it

Ever since they did away with the ham & cheese sliders our youngest regards Arby's with contempt regarding their claim to have the meats.

haha

[Busguy2010]

So Taco Bell brought back the volcano menu. I used to love the volcano taco and burrito. Had it the other day and still good, but I don't quite remember why I loved them so much back in the day. I used to eat them like two or three times a week lol. The volcano sauce is pretty decent.

It reminds me backbin high-school, we held an annual taco bell challenge, where a bunch of guys got together to try and eat $10 worth of taco bell each. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but nowadays it wouldn't be so hard. But to make it more difficult, one of my friends did it with 10 volcano tacos. I cannot imagine the pain he had to have been in the next day

[ChadJK]

I loved Taco Bell's Wild menu from the mid-1990s (it was mostly standard menu items with Wild sauce in lieu of their regular sauce or added to them). The Wild sauce was a spicy red sauce that made the various menu items hot (or "Wild" as Taco Bell branded it). They had two Wild sauces. A smooth one they used on tacos and a chunky one that went on burritos. They even had red nacho chips to use when someone ordered the Wild/Extreme Nachos that were part of the promo. I loved the chunky version of the Wild sauce and had a manager sell me an entire bag of it. I believe there were later versions of the Wild sauce which looked more orange than red, but it just wasn't the same.

I am a little tired of every sauce at every restaurant just being a favored mayo/aioli or ranch. Mostly because I don't care for mayo or ranch, but partially because it just feels lazy.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So Taco Bell brought back the volcano menu. I used to love the volcano taco and burrito. Had it the other day and still good, but I don't quite remember why I loved them so much back in the day. I used to eat them like two or three times a week lol. The volcano sauce is pretty decent.

I’m 2 months in on my 3 month sabbatical from eating fast food. That said, I hope the volcano option is still available the first week of August. I’ve heard the volcano taco is more spicy than the burrito due to the volcano sauce being more pronounced on the taco (and also with less ingredients to compete with vs the burrito)…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

I loved Taco Bell's Wild menu from the mid-1990s (it was mostly standard menu items with Wild sauce in lieu of their regular sauce or added to them). The Wild sauce was a spicy red sauce that made the various menu items hot (or "Wild" as Taco Bell branded it). They had two Wild sauces. A smooth one they used on tacos and a chunky one that went on burritos. They even had red nacho chips to use when someone ordered the Wild/Extreme Nachos that were part of the promo. I loved the chunky version of the Wild sauce and had a manager sell me an entire bag of it. I believe there were later versions of the Wild sauce which looked more orange than red, but it just wasn't the same.

I am a little tired of every sauce at every restaurant just being a favored mayo/aioli or ranch. Mostly because I don't care for mayo or ranch, but partially because it just feels lazy.

They should bring that “wild menu” back. It sounds enticing, but I just don’t remember it. It was the mid 90’s so I’m a bit fuzzy on memory from so long ago,,

To your last point- I’ll say I agree. I don’t mind Mayo/aioli and do like ranch..but restaurants should try and be a bit more creative with sauce offerings (both fast food and actual traditional sit down restaurants). I give Popeyes credit here- they always seem to have about 6-8 different sauces to try, and also change them up with new offerings pretty often throughout the year…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ChadJK]

The prices at Five Guys are amusing. I ate in there today for the first time in a while. $17 for a Little Cheeseburger, Little Cajun Fries, and Small Drink.

[nativeomahan]

Volcanes (volcano in English) tacos are quite popular down here. They basically start with a crispy tostada then are topped with an oversized portion of pastor, pineapple and cheese. Other proteins can be substituted. They typically cost about twice what a taco would cost, and are twice the size.
I have no idea what Taco Bell does with this dish since I’ve never set foot inside a Taco Bell.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So, anything new and interesting on the fast food front?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

Not new really, but I've seen commercials for the "new Arby's wagu bacon peppercorn ranch" burger. At least I think that's what it's called. But I've been seeing those commercials for a few weeks and have been meaning to try it, but haven't gotten around to it. I never even got around to trying the original wagu beef burger that came out briefly some time ago, and I only heard good things about it. Any words of encouragement are appreciated.

[Omaha Cowboy]

As I’ve mentioned, Since May 1st, I committed to not eating fast food for 3 months..In the process, I’ve lost 30 or so pounds and feel fantastic..Although I admit, I’m almost at the end of this 90 day commitment and am craving a large order of Runza Crinkle Fries, LOL..

That said, last year, when Arby’s came out with their Wagyu burger, I did try it a couple of times..And thought it was pretty good, but not great..

I’d say this years iteration is worth a try- You might end up liking it more than I did…

Ciao..LiO…Peace