Major fast food chain knocks Chick-fil-A off top spot as best drive thru in US – when one opens ‘everyone in town goes’

FOR the second time in a row, a popular eatery has dethroned Chick-fil-A as the most popular drive-thru in the nation.

It comes as a recent poll aimed to find the top 10 most-loved drive thrus in the country.

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A recent poll revealed the top 10 fast food spots in the country (stock)[/caption]

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Chick-Fil-A was knocked off the top spot for the second year running (stock)[/caption]

Fan favorites and major chains including McDonald’s and KFC feature on the list but you may be surprised where they rank.

But it was California-based Del Taco that was crowned the best drive-thru fast food chain by the USA Today poll of its readers.

The popular taco joint serves up a diverse menu of burritos, quesadillas and nachos. It’s also popular for its home-made guacamole and unique breakfast menu.

“The Del Taco is now open and everyone in town is in the drive thru,” wrote one person on X.

Del Taco can trace its roots back to the 1960s.

Back then, its tacos cost 19 cents and its cheese burgers sold for 24 cents.

Legend has it that Del Taco sold 900 tacos on its first day.

Fast forward to the ‘80s and Del Taco merged with the Naugles restaurant chain and opened its first 24-7 restaurants.

By 2006, Del Taco almost doubled in size. It also opened its 500th restaurant in 2008.

And in the 2010s, the taco joint launched its Buck & Under Menu of deals. In 2020, that changed to the DEL’S REAL DEAL$. 

At a time when inflation was on the rise, Del Taco dared to set up this menu with items that go for pennies.

“We wanted to have a clear value message,” Del Taco’s research and development director Anne Albertine told NRN.

But, who else is on the top 10 list? You may be surprised that some of the big names barely cracked it. 

Number two on the list is a place where the most popular item on the menu isn’t even something it’s known for. 

Fast Food meal deals

Here are some of the current value meals offered by popular fast food joints.

Taco Bell’s $7 Luxe Cravings Box:

• Chalupa Supreme
• Beefy Five-Layer Burrito
• Double Stacked Taco
• Chips and nacho cheese sauce
• Medium drink

McDonald’s $5 Meal Deal:

• McDouble or McChicken sandwich
• Four-piece Chicken McNuggets
• Small fries
• Small soft drink

Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag:

• Junior Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich
• Four-piece chicken nuggets
• Junior fries
• Small soft drink

Burger King’s $5 Your Way Meal:

• Whopper Junior, Chicken Junior, or Bacon Cheeseburger
• Fries
• Four-piece chicken nuggets
• Soft drink

People seem to be craving tacos these days. And it’s the hottest item on the runner up’s list: Jack in the Box.

The third spot went to beloved A&W, known for its root beer floats. 

And even though it didn’t return to the top spot this year, Chick-fil-A still made it to the top five at No.4. 

Known for its signature sauces and crispy chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A continues to satisfy the appetite of its dedicated fans.

But the No.5 spot went to Wendy’s. The “never frozen” beef staple not only dishes out fresh food, but also humor.

Its social media handle is known to “troll” other fast food spots online.

The fast food chain recently made a bold move infusing the hot chips Takis into several of its food items. 

Moving forward, the Colonel also made the list. KFC, known for its 11 herbs and spices, took the sixth spot.

And lucky number seven went to Taco Bell. Serving since the ‘60s, Taco Bell today hosts nationwide locations including late night Cantinas where you can grab a boozy drink with your crunchwrap supreme.

The remaining top ten drive-thrus include Raising Cane’s, Zaxbys and McDonald’s.