We Asked 9 Chefs: What’s Your Go-to Fast Food Order?

There’s nothing like digging into the bottom of a greasy bag to pull out a handful of fries at the end of a long day — even chefs who spend hours delicately placing herbs on a plate with tweezers can admit it.

Whether it’s chicken nuggets with an array of dipping sauces, tacos topped with orange shredded cheese, or a specialty that you can only find at a local chain, these indulgent meals are delicious in a pinch. Sometimes, what’s in the bag doesn’t even matter. The nostalgia factor alone is enough to feed a craving.

So we asked chefs with the most discerning palates for their go-to fast food orders. From national chains that they think actually do it right to throwback picks that have been powering them through shifts since their line cook days, here’s what nine chefs order when they pull up to the drive-thru.

The best go-to fast food orders, according to chefs:

White Castle Sliders
Wendy’s No. 6 Combo
Taco Bell bean burrito and Baja Blast
El Mago de las Fritas Cuban Fritas
Shake Shack Double ShackBurger
Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Combo
Fatso’s Last Stand Char Dog and a quarter pound of fried shrimp
Five Guys Burger
Wendy’s Chicken Nuggets
Gotham Burger Social Club Smash Burger

“My go-to is White Castle. Those sliders were so unique and distinctive to me as a kid, and those flavors still resonate today — there’s something about the onions steaming right into the beef that makes them so good. It’s actually the same technique we use with our Gotham Smash at Gotham Burger Social Club. That’s what inspired our motto: Nothing tastes better than memories.” —Mike Puma, owner, Gotham Burger Social Club, New York City

“Early in cooking, the No. 6 at Wendy’s was always my go-to meal after a long shift. The spicy chicken actually had a bit of a kick and the edges were super crispy. Fries, a diet Coke, and a chocolate frosty filled out the meal. Tasty, filling, and affordable.” —Chris McLaurin, chef, Lutra Cafe & Bakery, Durham, N.C.

“My go-to fast food order will always be Taco Bell: a bean burrito with potatoes, rice, and pico de gallo, washed down with a crisp Baja Blast. When I first started working in hospitality, the last thing I wanted to do after a long shift was go home and cook for myself. Taco Bell is consistent, quick, cheap, and filling. Nothing glamorous, but after a long day taking care of everyone else, it was exactly what I needed: comfort.” —Rayven Mendoza, director of culinary operations, Isla & Co. and Ms. Alice, NYC

“My favorite fast-food order is two Cuban fritas with Swiss cheese and everything on them, with a batido de mamey to wash it all down. It’s simple, nostalgic, and one of those meals I never get tired of. My favorite frita spot in Miami is El Mago de las Fritas. I remember going there as a kid with my dad and watching ‘El Mago’ working behind the counter. The combination of the seasoned meat and sauce is what makes the frita special. You get the soft Cuban bread against the crunch of the papitas, the richness of the meat and melted Swiss, and all those textures and flavors coming together in every bite.” —Gustavo Montes, executive chef, Yamashiro, Miami

“My go-to fast food order has got to be a Double ShackBurger. The original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is the way to go, you really can’t beat it. Grab a couple of friends, have one person brave the line, and get a few orders of the crinkle-cut fries. When conceptualizing the menu at Sadie’s, I wanted to make sure our burger gave that same feeling: approachable, reliable, and always a crowd-pleaser.” —Jeffrey Marks, executive chef, Sadie’s, NYC

“Taco Bell, Mexican Pizza combo. I know the Mexican pizza isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still good. I order the Mexican pizza and two tacos supreme. Or for a local pick, if it’s Fatso’s, I order a char dog with everything. No fries, instead I go with a quarter pound of fried shrimp.” —John Manion, chef, El Che Steakhouse & Bar and Brasero, Chicago

“Honestly, I hate to admit this publicly, but when I do indulge in a burger once in a blue moon, I’m a Five Guys or Shake Shack guy. They both just do it right, it’s that simple. Good-quality ingredients, straightforward cooking techniques, and a burger that’s tasty, satisfying, and fast. You really don’t need much more than that. At Five Guys, I keep it simple. A single burger with American cheese and onions, plus some fries to share. At Shake Shack, I’ll go with a classic ShackBurger and, again, split the fries. Maybe it’s a boring order, but I think there’s something to be said for a fast-food chain that knows exactly what it does well and doesn’t overcomplicate it. When the ingredients are good and the execution is right, you don’t need to dress it up.” —Franklin Becker, head chef and owner, Point Seven, NYC

“It might sound silly, but I never liked fast food burgers or sandwiches as a kid. I’d always get a chicken nugget meal with Dr. Pepper, fries, and barbecue sauce. I’m definitely less selective now when it comes to late night munchies, but I’m still choosing chicken nuggets, preferably Wendy’s nugs.” —Joey Rosato, lead line cook, Kinda Nice, Brooklyn

“I love Gotham Burger Social Club in NYC. The Gotham Smash is a nostalgic smash burger with grilled onions, melted american cheese, housemade pickles, jalapeños, club sauce, ketchup, and mustard. I order it without jalapeños just because I’m getting old and if I don’t carry some Tums it’s probably not the best choice. It’s like going to the big arches but a thousand times better and not feeling guilty at all.” —Fabian Von Hauske, consulting chef, Ray’s, NYC

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