The official ATOT Fast Food discussion thread

[Chaotic42]

Anyone drop the cash yet?

View attachment 133293

Hey, I just made that this week! Copper (II) Ibuprofenate. I thought it was toxic, but I'll go try some.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

That's why I've only gone a couple times. I've pretty much quit all (semi)fastfood at this point. The experience is worse, and the prices are high. *The only place I've been in the last year is tacobell. It's become a tradition to stop in after doing treework, as long as there's one on the way home.

*I do occasionally go to wawa if that's considered fastfood. Their annual gobbler bowl/sub should be out soon(now?), It's like the old thanksgiving school lunch, which doesn't have much to recommend it, but I still like it, and honestly prefer to real turkey.

- Yep, add to the fact that they make my insides cry now, its a really rare meal.

Only real chain place I go to anymore is an In N Out anytime we want a late night meal coming back from some kind of entertainment in the city. Clean, consistent, relatively well priced, always busy, and open later than almost anything else anymore.

All other fast food needs (long day and ain't no one cooking) are met by an independent sandwich shop, meat pie shoppe, and various taquerias in the area. Same price as McD's but much better and more food.

 

[Chaotic42]

I have a weird stomach issue that has gotten worse lately, but we've finally figured out what it is. Most fast food makes me ill, but for some reason Taco Bell its perfectly fine - no issues, it just works. So now it's my go to place if I don't want to cook. Plus they brought back the double decker taco and seven layer burrito, so I actually kind of like what I order.

 

[lxskllr]

I have a weird stomach issue that has gotten worse lately, but we've finally figured out what it is. Most fast food makes me ill, but for some reason Taco Bell its perfectly fine - no issues, it just works. So now it's my go to place if I don't want to cook. Plus they brought back the double decker taco and seven layer burrito, so I actually kind of like what I order.

That's pretty interesting. I wouldn't think the difference would be that great. Could it be potato? AFAIK, tacobell only has that one potato bowl thing, and you typically get fries at burger joints.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

I have a weird stomach issue that has gotten worse lately, but we've finally figured out what it is. Most fast food makes me ill, but for some reason Taco Bell its perfectly fine - no issues, it just works. So now it's my go to place if I don't want to cook. Plus they brought back the double decker taco and seven layer burrito, so I actually kind of like what I order.

- Probably because your body doesn't recognize it as food and lets it through without complaint.

 

[Chaotic42]

That's pretty interesting. I wouldn't think the difference would be that great. Could it be potato? AFAIK, tacobell only has that one potato bowl thing, and you typically get fries at burger joints.

I have something called eosinophilic esophagitis and I'm guessing the issue is some horrifying "food safe" chemical that most places use but Taco Bell doesn't. Seed oils seem to antagonize it as does eating hot (temperature) food. Coffee really makes it bad, unfortunately. If I were to go to McDonald's and get a breakfast combo with a hashbrown and coffee, I'd be... sad... for at least 36 hours.

It's tough out there.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'm sure you're right about the relative quality; but as a cheap bastard, Five Guys' prices just don't make sense to me.

Cheeseburger $12.99
Fries $6.09
Soft drink $3.59

The only discount I see is the Classic Combo for $15, which launched in January.

Wow, even more expensive where you are than it is here
$12.29 for a cheeseburger and $5.09 for a Little Fry (which is still enough for 3 people)

 

[Kaido]

This is what I come to the Internet for!

 

[QueBert]

Had a double smash burger from Sonic's tonight. I don't like Sonics, their Blasts and shakes are great but I don't do desserts much. Their burgers are borderline trash. This had no business being as good as it was. It was actually smashed thin and had some crispy lacing around the edges. It had a sauce that was like secret sauce without the pickle relish. And it was on a soft brioche bun. I go to Sonics like once a year, but I think I'll be back before the end of the month to get another.

The greatness of this was sorta offset by semi-mushy tater tots that only had about 1 damn tablespoon of chili and cheese on them.

 

[manly]

Wow, even more expensive where you are than it is here
$12.29 for a cheeseburger and $5.09 for a Little Fry (which is still enough for 3 people)

Yeah Los Angeles is a high CoL area.

Doesn't work for me, but Five Guys account holders seem to have a BOGO deal available? I was unsuccessful: "You must be logged in to redeem this coupon".

YMMV 11/28-11/30 Five Guys account holders Buy One Burger Get One Free - 2025-11-29

Five Guys account holders check your email for a coupon code for a buy one burger get one free good through 11/30

slickdeals.net

 

[manly]

Paging @RossMAN

De facto BOGO is back this month at Shake Shack

Shake Shack - free select sandwich with $10 purchase during December - 2025-12-01

Offer only valid for qualifying orders placed at a kiosk in-Shack, or for delivery or pick-up via the Shake Shack Mobile App or shakeshack.com, and fulfilled starting on Monday, December 1st 2025 thro

slickdeals.net

 

[RossMAN]

Paging @RossMAN

De facto BOGO is back this month at Shake Shack

Shake Shack - free select sandwich with $10 purchase during December - 2025-12-01

Offer only valid for qualifying orders placed at a kiosk in-Shack, or for delivery or pick-up via the Shake Shack Mobile App or shakeshack.com, and fulfilled starting on Monday, December 1st 2025 thro

slickdeals.net

I haven't taken advantage of that yet because 1) it's overpriced and 2) I prefer overpriced pizza over burgers.

Also don't forget about their other promo.

 

[manly]

I haven't taken advantage of that yet because 1) it's overpriced and 2) I prefer overpriced pizza over burgers.

Also don't forget about their other promo.

BOGO goes well with discounted gift card promo!
(Costco is currently sold out online, while Sam's Club has a 20% discount.)

Shake Shack: Get a $5 bonus card for every $25 spent on gift cards! - 2025-12-04

Pairs nicely with the Shake Shack: Spend $10 or More, Get Big Shack Sandwich Free deal. Not quite as much of a discount as Costco Members: 4-Pack $25 Shake Shack Gift Cards ($100 Value) but it's

slickdeals.net

 

[manly]

Going to get it for lunch tomorrow: KFC has BOGO chicken sandwich until 12/21

KFC Restaurant Online Offer: KFC Chicken Sandwich (Classic or Spicy) - 2025-12-08

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) [Restaurant Locator] is offering their KFC Chicken Sandwich (Classic or Spicy) for Free w/ Any Purchase of $5+ when you apply promo code KFCFREE11 (apply during checkout).

slickdeals.net

 

[nakedfrog]

Hm, got the day off tomorrow, suppose if I make my Costco trip around lunchtime I could avail myself of that.

 

[KLin]

Just ordered a classic and spicy chicken sandwich with that deal. W00t

 

[QueBert]

A Pot Pie with a free Chicken sandwich sounds good to me. Their chicken's whatever to me, but free's free and the Pot Pies there are delicious.

 

[Kaido]

Free SmokeShack burger with $10 purchase at ShakeShack. Code is SHACKCHEER



Going to try the new Big Shack burger. 56 grams of protein for $9.99:

 

[RossMAN]

Free SmokeShack burger with $10 purchase at ShakeShack. Code is SHACKCHEER

View attachment 134993

Going to try the new Big Shack burger. 56 grams of protein for $9.99:

View attachment 134994

I've had it a few times (always with coupon code, of course) here's my review:
1) I liked it, the meats were good.
2) doesn't necessarily remind me a BigMac competitor
3) I kinda prefer the Mcd's big mac, could be nostalgia or the thousand island dressing.
4) overpriced but that's expected. I preferred their summer BBQ burger https://www.foodandwine.com/shake-shack-summer-bbq-menu-2025-11723784

I'll be curious to read your review.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

A Pot Pie with a free Chicken sandwich sounds good to me. Their chicken's whatever to me, but free's free and the Pot Pies there are delicious.

That sounds like a plan but damn the pot pies are $4.99 where I'm at. Guess I could add a biscuit to use the deal. Then again found nothing that tops my local Popeye's Tuesday deal of $1.50 for a leg and thigh. So dinner for $3.25 after tax, or $4.90 if I'm hungry AF.

 

[manly]

That sounds like a plan but damn the pot pies are $4.99 where I'm at. Guess I could add a biscuit to use the deal. Then again found nothing that tops my local Popeye's Tuesday deal of $1.50 for a leg and thigh. So dinner for $3.25 after tax, or $4.90 if I'm hungry AF.

KFC has a small combo called "Taste of KFC" that's $5 (or $5.99 here in L.A.)
2 leg pieces, mashed potatoes and a biscuit
Pretty good pairing with the above promo.

I need to remember to check what the Tuesday deal at Popeye's is like locally, but it's definitely not $1.50. 🤣

***
It's a regional deal, but Ono Hawaiian BBQ has a bonus GC offer this month (purchase $40, get $10). They are expanding nicely here on the West coast. Last Christmas week, they had the standard BBQ chicken plate for $8, so that's a fantastic way to use the GC. I'm getting hungry already.

 

[Kaido]

I've had it a few times (always with coupon code, of course) here's my review:
1) I liked it, the meats were good.
2) doesn't necessarily remind me a BigMac competitor
3) I kinda prefer the Mcd's big mac, could be nostalgia or the thousand island dressing.
4) overpriced but that's expected. I preferred their summer BBQ burger https://www.foodandwine.com/shake-shack-summer-bbq-menu-2025-11723784

I'll be curious to read your review.

Review:

1. I felt that $10 for 56g protein was a relatively good deal these days. In my area, a Big Mac is $8.59 for 26g protein.

2. It does not compete with the Big Mac, it's a different type of burger for sure. I don't like Big Macs (too much bread vs. thin patties; I prefer either a thick burger or a smash burger), but the Big Mac is better because of the sauce. This just tasted like a less-good Shack burger. The OG ratio or double-patty Shack is a pretty solid design. Kind of like how most Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are meh because the original nailed it!

3. I don't visit often because it's generally out of my way & I feel like they've gone downhill. Not a ton, but something is weird about their buns these days, like they're oddly thicker & creamier, which isn't really what I'm looking for. Similar to Popeye's initial launch, their chicken sandwich was 10/10 for awhile, and now it's just mediocre. I used to make detours just to get that sandwich lol. I'm also in the minority of people who don't like crinkle-cut fries haha.

4. I got their Christmas Cookie Shake. $7 for 840 calories. Their shakes are pretty average now. This one just kind of tasted like frosting lol. I could buy more than a quart of ice cream for the same price haha. But I'm also spoiled because I have a Ninja Creami, so I get amazing-quality shakes & ice cream on-demand now!

System-wise:

1. I sous-vide my burgers & freeze them for up to a year vac-sealed, then thaw them in the fridge overnight and either pan-fry or grill to finish. 1.2 pounds (~19 ounces) of 80/20 ground beef is $7 at the local grocery store, which yields 3 thick burgers. Otherwise I do smash burgers or charcoal-grilled bison burgers. The only burger I really like when going out these days is BurgerFi (burgers + fries are still pretty good!).

2. The Ninja Creami ripped of the reverse-method $7,000 Pacojet for $179. You can make shakes on-demand or do make-ahead ice cream I eat homemade protein ice cream (40g protein & ~10g carbs!) for breakfast a few times a week lol.

 

[RossMAN]

Review:

1. I felt that $10 for 56g protein was a relatively good deal these days. In my area, a Big Mac is $8.59 for 26g protein.

2. It does not compete with the Big Mac, it's a different type of burger for sure. I don't like Big Macs (too much bread vs. thin patties; I prefer either a thick burger or a smash burger), but the Big Mac is better because of the sauce. This just tasted like a less-good Shack burger. The OG ratio or double-patty Shack is a pretty solid design. Kind of like how most Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are meh because the original nailed it!

3. I don't visit often because it's generally out of my way & I feel like they've gone downhill. Not a ton, but something is weird about their buns these days, like they're oddly thicker & creamier, which isn't really what I'm looking for. Similar to Popeye's initial launch, their chicken sandwich was 10/10 for awhile, and now it's just mediocre. I used to make detours just to get that sandwich lol. I'm also in the minority of people who don't like crinkle-cut fries haha.

4. I got their Christmas Cookie Shake. $7 for 840 calories. Their shakes are pretty average now. This one just kind of tasted like frosting lol. I could buy more than a quart of ice cream for the same price haha. But I'm also spoiled because I have a Ninja Creami, so I get amazing-quality shakes & ice cream on-demand now!

System-wise:

1. I sous-vide my burgers & freeze them for up to a year vac-sealed, then thaw them in the fridge overnight and either pan-fry or grill to finish. 1.2 pounds (~19 ounces) of 80/20 ground beef is $7 at the local grocery store, which yields 3 thick burgers. Otherwise I do smash burgers or charcoal-grilled bison burgers. The only burger I really like when going out these days is BurgerFi (burgers + fries are still pretty good!).

2. The Ninja Creami ripped of the reverse-method $7,000 Pacojet for $179. You can make shakes on-demand or do make-ahead ice cream I eat homemade protein ice cream (40g protein & ~10g carbs!) for breakfast a few times a week lol.

View attachment 135056

View attachment 135012

I agree especially with points 1 & 2. Yikes I haven't have a Big Mac in a while and assumed they were still $5.99-ish.

The SSBS (Shake Shack Big Shack) definitely brought the meats instead of thin patties and lots of bread.

 

[Aves]

always with coupon code, of course

It's comforting to know some things never change.

 

[RossMAN]

It's comforting to know some things never change.

Good seeing you old friend.