Fast Food Talk Thread

[Bob from Omaha]

It would have been interesting if either King's or Bronco's or both grew to the size of the major chains. In both cases it wasn't meant to be. Godfathers never really got big enough either.

Godfather's was larger than Omaha--in 1982 there were storefronts in Dallas and according to Wikipedia there were 1000 stores.

I think that a quality pizza like GF is hard to supervise quality control if your goal is to be nationwide. Minsky's in KC does well because they're just KC. It's easy to be nationwide if all you want to do is sell McPizza, and sacrifice quality and consistency for volume.

I don't think GF knows what they want, and haven't for some time. From my (limited) perspective, they're happy to put outlets in Love's truckstops and that's it.

Godfathers did in fact at one point have over 1000 locations. It was due to regional agreements where master developers were to open a certain number of locations in a designated area. Willy was going nuts selling those. The problem was that between the economy and not vetting some master developers well quite a few locations died. It is fun to grow with franchising but it can come back to bite you.

[BRoss]

I don't think GF knows what they want, and haven't for some time. From my (limited) perspective, they're happy to put outlets in Love's truckstops and that's it.

All the ones in gas stations (known as non-traditional stores) are franchisees. Corporate only runs traditional restaurants. But when I had insider knowledge more than a decade ago, the number they ran only really continued to decrease. Aksarben Village was the only location I remember them opening new. Other than that, there were some traditional franchise stores they bought. They are probably down to around 40 corporate locations.

Another one that's a bit of a surprise is Jimmy John's. They actually came out with a specialty item, the smoked cheddar bourbon club. It sounds good and it might get me in the door. Now, I'm no fan of Jimmy John's

I've had the turkey one a couple times now. It's pretty good. And they have a pumpkin cookie right now that is awesome.

[ChadJK]

Not really fast food, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Snickers with Pecans are for sale locally. I saw them at Casey's this morning. They've done them off and on over the last few years to great success. I've never seen them in stores before. I think the first time or two they were offered it was online sales only. Anyway, if you're into pecans and Snickers then the stars have aligned.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not really fast food, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Snickers with Pecans are for sale locally. I saw them at Casey's this morning. They've done them off and on over the last few years to great success. I've never seen them in stores before. I think the first time or two they were offered it was online sales only. Anyway, if you're into pecans and Snickers then the stars have aligned.

Interesting..

Recently, I found a video clip of someone reviewing Snickers with Oats.. Which I found unusual and amusing..



Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

I saw that Snicker with pecans bar about a month ago and bought one. It's good! Maybe this belongs more in the packaged foods discussion... But regardless, it's a hit. I've also been a big fan of snickers with almonds. I prefer both over regular snickers, which are also an all American favorite. I really think they could do one with any nut and not go wrong. The hazelnut Snicker is also very good, not sure if they make em anymore. Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamias, brazil nuts, all would be great in a Snicker bar.

[ChadJK]

Recently, I found a video clip of someone reviewing Snickers with Oats.. Which I found unusual and amusing..

It looks a bit like a chewy granola bar meets a Snickers.

But regardless, it's a hit. I've also been a big fan of snickers with almonds.

Isn't that what replaced the Mars bar?

[ChadJK]

I see Wendy's is closing a bunch of underperforming locations, but they're also opening some. So, it's apparently a wash.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/01/food/wen ... index.html

[Greg S]

Taco Bell's Decades menu has arrived in Omaha including my all time favorite, the Meximelt:

As a value-focused brand, every item on the Decades Menu will be available for under $3*, at participating stores nationwide. Take a flavorful trip down memory lane with each Decades Menu item:

‘60s - Tostada: An O.G. menu item, which was one of six menu items released in 1962 at Taco Bell’s first walkup location in Southern California. It is comprised of a crispy corn tostada shell, layered with savory refried beans, tangy red sauce, crispy lettuce and shredded cheese, for $2.19*.

‘70s - Green Sauce Burrito: One of our “most-hacked” burritos and an item as edgy as the 1970s, this luscious burrito is filled with savory refried beans, crunchy onions, shredded cheddar cheese and green sauce made with green chili, tomatillos, jalapeño peppers and spices, available for $2.49*.

‘80s - Meximelt: One of our most requested comeback items and a member of every ‘80s clique, the Meximelt is made with freshly prepared pico de gallo, a blend of three cheeses: mozzarella, cheddar and monterey jack melted with craveable seasoned beef in a tortilla, available for $2.99*.

‘90s - Gordita Supreme: The ultimate ‘90s kid, the Beef Gordita Supreme returns for $2.99*, featuring a pillowy warm flatbread filled with savory seasoned beef, cool reduced-fat sour cream, crisp lettuce, blend of three cheeses: mozzarella, cheddar & monterey jack and topped with diced tomatoes.

‘00s - Caramel Apple Empanada: A star was born in Y2K as the Caramel Apple Empanada came on the scene with its golden-brown, crispy exterior filled with apple pieces and a flavorful creamy caramel filling, available for $2.99*. The Caramel Apple Empanada is continuously demanded by fans and will be available starting November 21 for a limited time.

https://www.tacobell.com/newsroom/taco- ... cades-menu

[ChadJK]

Taco Bell's Decades menu has arrived in Omaha including my all time favorite, the Meximelt:

I was really pumped for this. I think it's an excellent idea and a great campaign for Taco Bell. Naysayers will complain about what these items used to cost when they were originally around, but most of us are just happy they're back.

‘60s - Tostada: An O.G. menu item, which was one of six menu items released in 1962 at Taco Bell’s first walkup location in Southern California. It is comprised of a crispy corn tostada shell, layered with savory refried beans, tangy red sauce, crispy lettuce and shredded cheese, for $2.19*.

Didn't this used to have tomatoes and a single black olive slice on it? I know TB got rid of the olives, but why not tomato?

‘70s - Green Sauce Burrito: One of our “most-hacked” burritos and an item as edgy as the 1970s, this luscious burrito is filled with savory refried beans, crunchy onions, shredded cheddar cheese and green sauce made with green chili, tomatillos, jalapeño peppers and spices, available for $2.49*.

This is the one I was most excited for. Mostly because it went away before my time so I never got to try it, but also because it made them bring back the green sauce.

‘80s - Meximelt: One of our most requested comeback items and a member of every ‘80s clique, the Meximelt is made with freshly prepared pico de gallo, a blend of three cheeses: mozzarella, cheddar and monterey jack melted with craveable seasoned beef in a tortilla, available for $2.99*.

When/If the Mexi-Melt goes away you can always just order a Cheesy Roll-up and add beef and pico. That was sort of the Mexi-Melt hack the last several years. Actually, it may be a tad cheaper to do the hack than order a Mexi-Melt.

‘90s - Gordita Supreme: The ultimate ‘90s kid, the Beef Gordita Supreme returns for $2.99*, featuring a pillowy warm flatbread filled with savory seasoned beef, cool reduced-fat sour cream, crisp lettuce, blend of three cheeses: mozzarella, cheddar & monterey jack and topped with diced tomatoes.

My wife is super happy about this as a Chicken Supreme Gordita was one of her favorite items. A Gordita is basically an unfried Chalupa, so I think you could always get it if you just asked them for an unfried Chalupa shell on your Chalupa. Employee cooperation may vary.

‘00s - Caramel Apple Empanada: A star was born in Y2K as the Caramel Apple Empanada came on the scene with its golden-brown, crispy exterior filled with apple pieces and a flavorful creamy caramel filling, available for $2.99*. The Caramel Apple Empanada is continuously demanded by fans and will be available starting November 21 for a limited time.

I never got the obsession with this. It seems there's a lot of places you can get a baked or fried pastry with apple pie filling in it.

[nebugeater]

So, will this be the end of Jersey Mike's as we know them?

Blackstone, the prevent equity group, is acquiring a majority ownership of what will be a $8 billion purchase investment.

https://www.kcrg.com/2024/11/19/jersey- ... GXbYP7N91A

[Louie]

I dont trust anything Blackstone touches. They’ll do anything at all to improve shareholder profits a nickel.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Who’s tried the fried turkey sandwich at Arby’s?..

Any good? I’m thinking of giving it a shot on Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday)..but I’d like to hear from anyone who has tried it…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

Since I had no responses, I took a leap of faith, went ahead and tried the fried Turkey sandwich from Arby’s today for lunch..

Not bad at all. Nothing mind blowing..but a good, albeit a bit of a sloppy sandwich..not recommended for eating in your car..It’ll probably be a one and done for me..But it is worthy of a try and has a decent flavor…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Brad]

Not bad at all. Nothing mind blowing..but a good, albeit a bit of a sloppy sandwich..not recommended for eating in your car..It’ll probably be a one and done for me..But it is worthy of a try and has a decent flavor…

Arby's has Roast Beef, Chicken, Burgers, Ham, Gyro Meat and Turkey... I would never order turkey over any of those other options. Turkey is good completely covered in gravy once a year, but I would never order it at a restaurant.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not bad at all. Nothing mind blowing..but a good, albeit a bit of a sloppy sandwich..not recommended for eating in your car..It’ll probably be a one and done for me..But it is worthy of a try and has a decent flavor…

Arby's has Roast Beef, Chicken, Burgers, Ham, Gyro Meat and Turkey... I would never order turkey over any of those other options. Turkey is good completely covered in gravy once a year, but I would never order it at a restaurant.

My only disappointment at my Fried turkey sandwich Arby’s experience today (which again, I think is worth a try for novelty sake), was being told I couldn’t order potato cakes to go with it.. This is the first time I’ve eaten at Arby’s in over 18 months and I thought they’d still have some cakes left over from their promo a few months back..

Sadly, I was mistaken and had to order curly fries instead, LOL…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[GenX]

Not bad at all. Nothing mind blowing..but a good, albeit a bit of a sloppy sandwich..not recommended for eating in your car..It’ll probably be a one and done for me..But it is worthy of a try and has a decent flavor…

Arby's has Roast Beef, Chicken, Burgers, Ham, Gyro Meat and Turkey... I would never order turkey over any of those other options. Turkey is good completely covered in gravy once a year, but I would never order it at a restaurant.

I don’t mind a sliced (deli meat) turkey sandwich now and then, but yeah, Thanksgiving is about the only time I eat turkey. This year my brother-in-law cooked five turkeys, each in a different style. Gotta love grabbing small bits of meat as the rest cook.

I unfortunately wasn’t able to join the festivities in San Diego this year because I’m currently poor, unemployed, and nobody wants to hire someone with autism. I’m super smart, but annoying AF.

[ChadJK]

Ham is back at Arby's.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Ham is back at Arby's.

Yeah, I’m not a fan…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

Ham is back at Arby's.

I do like the Cordon Bleu, which requires ham. That's a tasty sandwich!

[Brad]

Ham is back at Arby's.

I do like the Cordon Bleu, which requires ham. That's a tasty sandwich!

Hasn't that sandwich been around for a while? I had it a few weeks ago.

[ChadJK]

Ham is back at Arby's.

I do like the Cordon Bleu, which requires ham. That's a tasty sandwich!

Hasn't that sandwich been around for a while? I had it a few weeks ago.

Quite possibly. I never claimed to be on the bleeding edge of breaking news.

[Brad]

Ham is back at Arby's.

I do like the Cordon Bleu, which requires ham. That's a tasty sandwich!

Hasn't that sandwich been around for a while? I had it a few weeks ago.

Quite possibly. I never claimed to be on the bleeding edge of breaking news.

LOL, You usually are on top of the restaurant scene!

[djc311]

Ham is back at Arby's.

I do like the Cordon Bleu, which requires ham. That's a tasty sandwich!

Hasn't that sandwich been around for a while? I had it a few weeks ago.

That sandwich was available when I worked at an Arby's in the 90's... but I think they removed it from the menu when they got rid of ham. I know the Arby's on 120th and Center had it on their outside signage that the Cordon Bleu was back because they were offering ham again. I think without the ham, they don't offer it.

I'm a little interested in what someone posted the other day about the Arby-Q... they said one franchise owner in Omaha has it, but the other doesn't. Do you know if the new one on HWY 370 at 192nd or the West Center store on 180th has it? I like that one... wish you could order from the app, tho.

[ChadJK]

I'm a little interested in what someone posted the other day about the Arby-Q... they said one franchise owner in Omaha has it, but the other doesn't. Do you know if the new one on HWY 370 at 192nd or the West Center store on 180th has it? I like that one... wish you could order from the app, tho.

I saw this from 11/7. It says in-store only.

[Busguy2010]

Well that's cause for a mild celebration! The Arby-Q was a favorite as a kid. I'm sure as with most fast food, they're just okay, but as far as having that option to get a couple for lunch is better than not!

As far as fast food, I haven't been on much of a kick lately. Work catered in Taco Bell a while ago, and as I should have known better, Taco Bell has historically gotten me sick the most of any fast food place, and sure enough... Stomach has been a little shy lately.

Somewhat related to the Arby's talk, looks like Firehouse has a new French dip that sou ds pretty good. I've always enjoyed Arby's iteration, and firehouse quality is a notch above them, so I'd say that'll be worth a try.

[Brad]

LOL, I didn't even know Taco Bell caters. My work usually tries to cater in local. Every once in a while someone will cater from one of the sandwich places, but usually we use a local catering company or a local restaurant. We also bring in local food trucks a couple times a month too.

[Busguy2010]

I can't tell you the last time I bought myself Taco Bell. But I really only eat there when Nacho fries are on, and I even think I missed them a time or two... I have liked Taco Bell through the years, but my gut just doesn't agree on average more than any other fast food. That still doesn't keep me 100% away.

I know Abelardo's sells fries, I'd be pretty stoked if they offered a Nacho fry knock off. It seems like a great idea that's been there for the taking for years. Kinda surprised they haven't taken it. I loved Nacho fries enough that I've tried multiple times at home to try and copy them. I've gotten close, but still not the same.

[CBJason]

I didn’t know Taco Bell was getting into the chicken nuggets game! Out of curiosity I plan on going there soon to try them out…as a combo to also get the awesome fries.

[Busguy2010]

I didn’t know Taco Bell was getting into the chicken nuggets game! Out of curiosity I plan on going there soon to try them out…as a combo to also get the awesome fries.

I've been so off-scene on Taco Bell, I had no idea. Chicken nuggets? And Nacho fries? Is this this seasons comeback of the Nacho fries? If i recall correctly they bring them back every other 6 or 8 months. Or are they just a regular item now?

[CBJason]

Seems like they bring the fries back more often, maybe every other month or 2.

[Busguy2010]

Seems like they bring the fries back more often, maybe every other month or 2.

I was interested to know, and apparently this is the 11th time since 2018, so that averages out to 7ish months. I remember falling in love with them the first time and it seemed they were gone that long. But this year they came out in April, July, and December. They should keep them if they're going to release them that often. And I see opportunities for variations.

[Padre]

I was watching the coverage of the Starbucks baristas on strike, on KETV this evening. Two things came to mind.

How far is one really on Dodge from just going to another Starbucks? Or Scooters, which is next door.

Second, they need to tell the girl with the megaphone that you keep the microphone end by your mouth. She often seems to have it up by her ear!

[Busguy2010]

Damn, i should go on strike. If being a barista at the Walmart of coffee shops for 30 bucks an hour isn't enough, I should be making 100 dammit!!! This will be sure to get an episode of South Park. Can't wait to see it.

[Louie]

I should be making 100 dammit!!!

Maybe you should be…better to focus on that than on someone making less than you trying to improve their situation.

[Busguy2010]

I should be making 100 dammit!!!

Maybe you should be…better to focus on that than on someone making less than you trying to improve their situation.

Yeah, the answer to that is always "eat potatoes". If you don't like eating potatoes, find a better job.

I can guarantee they have champagne taste on a beer budget.

[Louie]

I should be making 100 dammit!!!

Maybe you should be…better to focus on that than on someone making less than you trying to improve their situation.

Yeah, the answer to that is always "eat potatoes". If you don't like eating potatoes, find a better job.

I can guarantee they have champagne taste on a beer budget.

Glad to see you know each of these workers personally and how they are living day to day.

[Busguy2010]

Well, I mean, im living much the same way. BUT what I do day in and day out involves a lot more physical risk, skill, machinery operation, and legit responsibility for other people's life, safety, well being and security. But hey, I'll admit, one thing I definitely don't know how to do is foam a cup of coffee and draw a heart in it. I'll give em that i think it's all just comical. I mean, they way they're basically demeaning the value of the likes of firefighters, police officers, nurses, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, construction workers, truck drivers, bus drivers, etc. You name it. If you want to make a good living, you have to bring something other than a cup of coffee to the table.

Anyway, what I really came here to say was I caved and got myself some Taco Bell today. The chicken nuggets and nacho fry combo reeled me in. However they were "out of nacho fries" which was a bummer. But i have to say, the chicken nuggets were quite alright. Not formed chicken fritters like I was kinda expecting. They were fairly substantial chunks of meat. Shoot, I might even try again if I can get some nacho fries next time.

[ChadJK]

Had it the other day - wasn't too impressed with their Arby-Q... didn't taste like I remember. Also ordered a cordon bleu, that was decent. Still miss the potato cakes... dumb they dumped those to keep curly fries and crinkle fries.

I get the Ham & Swiss Melt, but I have them substitute the Big Eye Swiss they use on the Cordon Bleu. Otherwise, you get that white processed cheese and I want real(ish) Swiss cheese, darn it! I haven't tried the Arby-Q yet.

[Busguy2010]

They didn't have them at the one on north 90th when I tried to get an Arby-Q. Dude laughed and said "we haven't had those in years.

[CBJason]

Anyway, what I really came here to say was I caved and got myself some Taco Bell today. The chicken nuggets and nacho fry combo reeled me in. However they were "out of nacho fries" which was a bummer. But i have to say, the chicken nuggets were quite alright. Not formed chicken fritters like I was kinda expecting. They were fairly substantial chunks of meat. Shoot, I might even try again if I can get some nacho fries next time.

Went to Taco Bell tonight for the nuggets combo. Gotta say they were pretty good nuggets. Good size of chunk white meat. Good breading with Taco Bell seasoning/flavoring. I think if they kept the nuggets and nacho fries on the menu permanently, they’d have one of the best meals in fast food.