Is Del Taco really number one?

I recently came across an article in USA Today that featured a list of America’s top 10 favorite fast food chains. To be honest, I was surprised by the results and found myself questioning the taste of the American public.

Arby’s came in at number ten, but I was surprised to find out it ranked. My dad liked it, so we ate it growing up, but now Arby’s is just mid-range to me. Their jamocha shakes are good, though.

Zaxby’s was next up. I would have ranked it higher. I did drive five hours for it, after all. I’m a fan of their loaded fries and cheddar cheese bites.

Popeyes ranked next. I have made my opinions regarding Popeyes clear. I am still quite distraught about them closing down here. Their chicken sandwich still reigns supreme, though.

Number seven was Taco Bell. I would rank this one slightly higher. Their Baja Blast had a chokehold on me for a while, and their quesadillas are perfection. I’m also a fan of the chalupas.

Unexpectedly, Captain D’s made the list. I wasn’t expecting this one to rank at all. Unfortunately, a single experience since moving to Georgia left me too traumatized to eat there again. I got food poisoning.

Hardee’s was number 5. West of the Mississippi, we call it Carl’s Jr. This was another one my dad liked, so we ate there often. They had a teriyaki burger that was quite delicious. Hardee’s is not a favorite for me, though.

In-N-Out Burger was next. I have only been here once on a trip to Salt Lake City. I remember it being bustling, but it was delicious. I would go occasionally if they ever did come to Warner Robins.

Number 3 was Chick-fil-A, which I understand the hype for. I also rank this restaurant very high on my list.

The silver spot went to KFC. This one is a puzzler for me. I have never decided consciously to go. It was always whenever my family wanted a bucket of chicken. I can get a pack of chicken at Kroger for cheaper, and it tastes better.

Finally, the top spot went to Del Taco, the only one on the list I have never been to. There was one in my hometown, but whenever I wanted Mexican-adjacent fast food, I would hit up either Los Jilbertos (a hyper-local spot) or Taco Johns, which, unfortunately, doesn’t have any locations here. Perhaps it’s time to take another five-hour road trip to the closest one?

So, my only experience with Del Taco was a Vine I saw years ago that said, “Get to Del Taco. They got a new thing called, ‘fre sha vaca do.'” (it was supposed to say “fresh avocado”). Maybe that’s why it’s so popular. Did the Vine become a viral marketing campaign for Del Taco? 

Like any thorough journalist, I interviewed people about their experience at Del Taco:

“I ordered a burrito and taco, and I literally couldn’t finish it. It tasted so bland,” my husband Devon Smith said.

“I went there, but it was a long time ago, and I don’t remember anything,” our reporter and resident expert on Mexican cuisine, Sandra Hernandez, said.

“I mean, it was okay,” our reporter Owen Jones said.

“I have not been to Del Taco. I heard on the internet it was bad once and have avoided it since,” our sports editor Clay Brown said.

“They lost me at fries. I mean, what taco place serves fries? Not even nacho fries; Taco Bell, sorry. It screams, ‘We couldn’t figure out what else to add as a side dish to our “cultural” staples, so we’re adding fries.’ We’re a burger and fries nation, not taco and fries,” our publisher Don Moncrief said.

Well, the prospects for Del Taco don’t look good. But my husband was proven wrong with Sabor Latino, so I tried it myself.

I won’t use it often, but I downloaded the app to find first-time deals. I snagged a free bean and cheese burrito deal and ordered the carne asada quesadilla tacos, “guaced up.” The beer-battered fish tacos and snickerdoodle shake also called my name, so I may try those later.

Overall, it was okay. The tacos weren’t mindblowing, and the fries on the side were bland. 

It was filling, though. Two tacos and a small fry did me in. In fact, it made me sluggish and sick afterward. (Or it could have been the fact that I hadn’t eaten fast food in a month.)

All things considered, I only paid $11 to feed my husband and me (although he still thinks it tastes like cardboard).

So, yeah, like Sandra, I probably won’t remember much about them either. I can get “fre sha vaca do” from Aldi.

And just for fun, here are my top ten fast-food spots:

• 10) Subway (two words: meatball marinara)
• 9) Burger King (their fries are surprisingly good)
• 8) Long John Silvers (their fried fish is 10,000 leagues better than Captain D’s)
• 7) Sonic (their ocean water was a staple for me after school)
• 6) Taco Bell (see above)
• 5) Chick-fil-A (also see above)
• 4) Checkers (their fries are the best)
• 3) Cook Out (affordable, delicious, and right next to the office? Sign me up!)
• 2) Zaxby’s (worth driving across state lines for)
• 1) Whataburger (also worth driving across state lines for; we need one here)

Writer’s note: according to my mom, we actually went to Del Taco once as a family. But I can’t remember when we went. I guess it really is forgettable.