No Stupid Questions

They think it's more expensive.

Y'all, Olive Garden and Friday's are as expensive as Chipotle and Popeyes. Stop exclusively celebrating birthdays there and just order takeout whenever.

Do they have options?

I gave up Taco Bell after college as “not actual food”, and for decades only went to McDonald’s in a road trip or Wendy’s for a frosty. There was a cheap local-ish burger joint that sometimes took their place but it was a bit out of the way ….. then we got Chipotle and Panera!!! Fast food that’s actual food and not quite as bad for you. And now it’s the same price or cheaper.

My burrito cost less than your Big Mac meal while being more filling. It has less sodium, less saturated fat, actual fiber and vegetables, and tastes so much better.

We do have at least one authentic burrito place that’s even better and cheaper but you can’t order online. Chipotle group orders are the god of food apps

Most cafes aren't open at 3am when I get off a dreadful shift and just want to wolf something down before collapsing into bed for 10 hours.

Where are you going to a cafe or restaurant that didn't also double their prices? Fast food is still eaten cause the restaurants also jacked up the prices. I'm Canadian and I took my wife and two little kids for breakfast. Our bill came out to over $100. For two full breakfasts and a couple of orders of pancakes You're also assuming everyone lives where you do and cafes and local eateries are abundant. Most places don't have anything but fast food and pizza available.

Until recently fast food was faster and cheaper than sit down joints and it's easier to eat while you drive. Since it's only been recent that is gotten slower and more expensive people still reach for it when they want quick calories. Unless fast food becomes faster and cheaper again it will probably decline from gas station food which is faster and getting better in most parts of the US and ordering ahead from local joints.

Usually a craving (This is the only reason I go to McDonald's once a year or so) or it's something I want to try that I don't have at home (like Jollibee or Shackshack).

Because when its good, and I mean everything is correct... its fucking amazing.

Last time I got Kentucky it was all perfect. The bun was fresh, the lettuce was fresh, just the right amount of mayo, the chicken was hot and crunchy. The chips were hot, fresh and had just too much enough salt and the pepsi was just a shade away from being frozen. It was the best chicken burger I've had in recent memory.

Now, this was an isolated incident. Normally I wind up slightly disappointed in something. But when its right...

I know it's poison but it's the only option that opens after 10pm

Similar to what others have said but with a slightly different take:

Fast foods have fortified themselves as the backup plan in everyday life.

Some people, including me at some point, have accepted that they are gonna have a meal or two a week when a busy day happens and no leftover is in the fridge.

Thankfully ive learned that as long as you don’t leave it to the last minute, you can probably do a decent take out.

My remaining fast food vice is Chipotle.

We have a bit of a tradition going. When my teenager drives over from his mom’s house Friday after school, I send out a Chipotle group order so he can pick what he wants, and it’s ready for pickup as he approaches.

So fast, so convenient

I eat fast food only when I use coupons to pay $6 or less for a meal. (Was getting one from McDonalds for $3.50 but they removed the coupon I used smh).

There's a lot more to fast food than burgers. Pizza, curry, poutine, sushi

I don't, because I'd rather have nothing. But it's what my husband will get for himself and the kids if I'm fasting or can't or won't cook for whatever reason.

It's not anyone's favorite food, but they like hamburgers and I hate hamburgers so it's the way they get to eat those, and it's convenient for them, and, well, fast.

I'm with you, though. I will either cook what I want, or go out someplace local with actual good food made from food.

Options.

And sometimes taste.

The obvious answer is that it's fast, tasty, and requires minimal effort for the consumer, especially if it's getting delivered. But it also tends to be very cheap compared to dining out. I don't know what you are ordering where a combo is so much but I normally get a bunch of food from Taco Bell to eat over the course of two days. I can get 2000 calories of food I like to eat for $12.

Wherever I am in the world, if I see a McDonald's I know I can get something quick, easy, and satisfying enough to get me by. That's true in America, Europe, South East Asia, New Zealand...

I think restarurant food mostly requires using utensils and you need a flat surface to place the food to eat. You can just hold a mcdonalds burger in your hand. Its easier to eat a burger in a car.

That being said, I personally hate fast food and can never eat those disgusting food. Cost just as much as a good local Chinese restaurant food. But the Chinese restaurant makes much better food.

It’s in the name. It’s fast. You order at a drive-thru and you’re on your way in a couple of minutes. I agree though that prices are insane now and doesn’t justify the quality. I’d rather go to an asian restaurant for their lunch specials and get more for my buck.

Its not really about the taste - its about the speed and convenience. If you want good food, you make your own. If you just finished a shift in a back-breaking job, and hate cooking, then its a chance to relax and free up some time.

the craving for absolute slop rears its ugly head every once in a while. I blame the ennui

Same as they always have. It's fast. You can grab taco bell in a flash compared to even the best run diner or cafe. And you don't have to sit around with a bunch of strangers that are essentially walking disease vectors to do it, unless you want to.

The draw of fast food joints has never been primarily about the food quality, or service. Yeah, you'll likely pick the place that has what you consider better food, and avoid shit service, but that's a different thing.

Even joints that pretend to not be fast food (like chikfila) only pull a small portion of their consumers on the food primarily. They might draw some customers away from other fast food places, but not from sit-down places like you're talking about

Habits, familiarity, convenience, complacency

It's addictive, it's marketed well, people are uninformed about how awful it is for them, and think prepping healthy meals is a lot harder than it is.

pfft. sometimes its worth the 5$ to not have to slow down to cafe speed. and i like fast food, its designed to be overtly tasty

Because it's fast and good enough. Not looking for a restaurant experience. I just want to eat and I forgot to defrost my chicken.

Because it's fast... Because I can take it home... Because it doesn't feel like I'm trashing something nice when I order it to be delivered...