TFTT Reacts: Thrillist 2020 Fasties Awards

Thrillist

Thrillist 2020 Fasties Awards

Thrillist, who I’ve been following their food section for many years is doing an awards show which is hilarious and on-brand. In this post, I am going to choose what I think should win and why.

Best Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popeyes - Chicken Sandwich

Chick-fil-A - Chicken Sandwich

McDonald’s - Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Carl’s Jr. - Big Fillet Chicken Sandwich

KFC - Crispy Colonel Sandwich

My vote: Popeyes

Carl’s Jr is already out because we only have Hardee’s here and I can’t remember what their chicken tastes like. McDonald's seems like they changed their buttermilk chicken. I remember years ago it was good but now it’s hit or miss. Especially for the price. The only time I'm getting chicken from KFC is if I’m eating wings. Any other chicken from there, at least in American tends to be a bit soggy. Chick-Fil-A is good and they have good sauces but I just prefer Popeye’s chicken so much more. I think it has more flavor and they’re bigger, a much better deal. I do get the spicy one though. One day I’ll get the classic. Maybe.

Best Burger

Culver’s - ButterBurger Cheese

In-N-Out Burger - Double Double

McDonald’s - Quarter Pounder With Cheese

Whataburger - Double Meat Whataburger

Wendy’s - Dave’s Double

My Vote: Wendy’s

Culvers, In and Out, and Whataburger are out for me because I am not aware of any on the east coast. McDonald’s burgers need strong condiments and toppings to really make a difference. If it's not the Grand Bacon Extreme, there is no conversation. Wendy’s burgers are always tasty and fresher. I also think it is a better value.

Best Plant-Based Burger

White Castle - Impossible Slider

Carl’s Jr. - Beyond BBQ Star

Carl’s Jr. - Beyond Famous Star With Cheese

A&W - Beyond Burger

Burger King - Impossible Whopper

My Vote: Carl’s Jr BBQ Star

I don’t tend to order vegan patties because of allergies but it’s good to be an option. However, it seems like the trend is losing a bit of steam? Vegans should be able to get more than just a burger. I chose Carl’s Jr based on what would I order if I wasn’t risking an allergic reaction. I like the regular version so it could be good. I wish these burgers had more condiment options.

Best Fries

Arby’s - Curly Fries

McDonald’s - Fries

Chick-fil-A - Waffle Potato Fries

Taco Bell - Nacho Fries

Checkers/Rally’s - Famous Seasoned Fries

My Vote: McDonald's

Chick-Fil-A’s fries aren’t crispy enough. Tasty? Yes, but I want my fries crisp. Also, they’re fried in peanut oil so a lot of people cant have it. Checker’s fries also aren’t crispy enough and the seasoning could be stronger if you insist on adding more than salt. I haven’t tried Taco Bells fries but I haven’t been hearing much about them. I like Arby’s fries but the cooking is inconsistent. I have never had bad fries from McDonald's. The salt level is good and they’re always crisp. They go well with any food. A classic for a reason.

Best Taco

Del Taco - The Del Taco

Taco Bell - Crunchy Taco

El Pollo Loco - Chicken Taco Al Carbon

Jack in the Box - Taco

Taco John’s - Crispy Taco

My Vote: Taco Bell

(have only had theirs so cant discuss anything else, next)

Best Dessert

Yoshinoya - Cheesecake

Taco Bell - Cinnamon Sticks

Wendy’s - Frosty

Culver’s - Vanilla Custard

Jollibee - Peach Mango Pie

My Vote: Culvers

Even though I have never been, I think custard is great and I really don’t care for the other options. I’m not eating any cheesecake that isn’t directly from the Cheesecake factory. The peach mango pie sounds like it could be super sweet and not in a good way. The frosty is just icy milk. The cinnamon sticks I just don’t like for some reason, it might be the texture. I wish they would just have churros.

Best Chicken Tenders

Raising Cane’s - Chicken Fingers

Popeyes - Tenders

Culver’s - Original Chicken Tenders

Chick-fil-A - Chick-n-Strips

Long John Silver’s - Chicken Tenders

My Vote: Popeyes

Mostly my same thoughts from the sandwich post. Also, I haven’t had long john silvers in years, I kinda want to try it again. I like seafood and I think their tenders have that tempura-style batter that I like.

Best Breakfast Sandwich

Subway - Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

Chick-fil-A - Chicken Biscuit

Wendy’s - Breakfast Baconator

Taco Bell - Breakfast Crunchwrap with Bacon

McDonald’s - Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle

My Vote: Wendys

Even though I haven’t had it yet, I really don’t like the other options and I really like the baconator. I don’t trust subway that much with regular subs so I’m certainly not getting breakfast there. The crunchwrap is kinda greasy but props for the hot sauces. I don’t like the eggs at Mcdonalds, something is fake about it. Chick-Fil-a is good but I’m not stopping there just for breakfast. Apparently, some popeyes out there have breakfast so I would go there first.

Best Sauce

Culver’s - Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Chick-fil-A - Chick-fil-A Sauce

Raising Cane’s - Cane’s Sauce

McDonald’s - Honey Mustard

Whataburger - Spicy Ketchup

My Vote: Chick Fil A

Regional locations being pushed away, I only have McDonald's and chick-fil-a left. They’re both tasty sauces but the Chick-Fil-A ones is much more versatile.

Best New Menu Item of the Year

Popeyes - Chicken Sandwich

Burger King - Impossible Whopper

KFC Kentucky - Fried Wings

Taco Bell - Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme

Chick-fil-A - Mac & Cheese

My Vote- Popeyes

See in previous chicken posts why I picked this but let's explore why I rejected everything else. The impossible whopper is gone based on allergies. KFC has good wings but i don't know what's new besides the sauces? They’ve had hot wings for years. Taco Bell is gone based on allergies as well (beans) so then it just leaves the mac n cheese which doesn’t look great.

Best Coffee

Culver’s

Chick-fil-A

McDonald’s

Sonic Drive-In

Jack in the Box

My Vote: Mcdonalds

Default based on location. I like the frappe and the caramel iced macchiato is pretty good.

Regional Chain of the Year

Culver’s

In-N-Out Burger

Del Taco

Whataburger

Bojangles'

My Vote: Culvers

Never been to any of these but Culvers has the most options, the specialty items look good and they have well-known ice cream.

Chain of the Year

Popeyes

Burger King

Chick-fil-A

Wendy’s

White Castle

My Vote: Popeyes

Again, see earlier sections. Also, I have heard more about Popeyes this year than any of the other places and the sandwiches are still doing well. I wonder if they’re working on a plant-based option that would do well for them.

Menu Item of the Decade

Taco Bell - Doritos Locos Taco

KFC - Double Down

White Castle - Impossible Slider

McDonald’s - Szechuan Sauce

Popeyes - Chicken Sandwich

My Vote: Popeyes

See above but also I think an item that is worthy of the title still needs to be available. That sauce was there for three hours. The double down was good but not Popeyes good. The Doritos taco was a fun addition but I don’t think it’s at the status of that sandwich. I haven’t even heard of the slider until I read this article. Although I do think they should sell these in store for plant-based eaters.