I don't like to feed LO fast food very often but we do eat Chick Fil A pretty frequently - maybe 3-4 times a month? I don't feel bad about it! I guess it is fast food though.
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Yes, definitely. I consider most things that have a drive thru window fast food.
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Yes--that's what it is! Maybe better quality fast food, but it's still fast food!
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Yes. I think they have healthier options, but it's still fast food. It's also delicious!
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Yes. Chick-fil-A is definitely fast food in my book. Although it is somewhat higher quality fast food then say McDonald's.
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Yes. If it's served from a counter or drive through, it's fast food.
But on a scale of actual food to crap, I consider their nuggets to be the closest thing to actual food you can get in fast food places.
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yes.
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Yes.
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Yep. I'd rate it better than McDonalds or some other places but still definitely fast food.
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Yes, Better than Mickey D / Burger King but definitely fast food.
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I've actually never eaten there for political/philosophical reasons, so I don't know what the food is like...but I've seen them in mall food courts so I've always considered it to be fast food.
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I consider it amazing.
(and yes - fast food)
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Yes.
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@MaryM: do you consider panera fast food? they have a drive through...just curious?
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Definitely fast food and definitely one we eat!
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Yes!
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@Mrs D: I've never seen a panera with a drive through. that would be awesome!
I would have to say it falls in the middle of fast food vs. sit down restaurant. The only rational reason I can come up with is the fact that there's a known wait (why they give the buzzer thingies), and that the food is made fresh and you don't pick it up from the same counter you order at.
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@MaryM: they are just starting a few here in the midwest. We have 2 by us. My brother in law is high up at panera so I wanted to share the feedback with him if drivethru = fast food because I know they strive hard to fall into "quick service" as opposed to "fast food"...
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What else would it be? I do consider it better than most though.
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Very much so! I love some Chik-fil-A, but my napkins soak up the oil from the tenders and the Polynesian sauce is straight up corn syrup.
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@Mrs D: I think the fact that they offer reusable plates and utensils also makes it less like "fast food"
Plus it's not food that's super easy to eat while sitting in a car.
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@Mrs D: can you ask your BIL if Panera plans to bottle any of their salad dressings? I'm specifically interested in the ones for the Asian Sesame salad and the Fuji Apple salad. I have tried several brands at the grocery store for a decent copycat to no avail.
While I don't consider Panera Bread or Boston Market fast food, but they are certainly not the healthiest dining out options either.
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Yep.
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I don't know what else it could be. (Not that I'm down on fast food, I eat it at least once/week!).
@Mrs D: I'm curious how that would work because it seems like most stuff takes a few minutes to make. slowest drive through everrrr (unless it was like a pizza place with drive through where you have to order ahead and pick up at drive through maybe?). Anyways. drive through or not, I would not consider panera fast food. I think places like Panera and chipotle and Piada are more akin to Delis where you order at a counter. Fast(er) food with less service but not "fast food"
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Most def!
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@Mrs D: I've never seen a Panera with a drive thru but I did recently learn from an ex employee that their food quality is on par with that of McDonalds, so yes that goes in the fast food category for me now! Chik-fil-a as wel button husband and I refuse to eat there.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I'll text him! I know they sell their soups at Costco...
@Mae: I agree...not sure how it works since I have not been to one. Maybe its like the "pull ahead" spaces at McD's...order, pay, pull ahead into a designated spot and they bring it out? They do have the order ahead service where you can order and pay online...then when you walk in at the pre-determined time you go to these "cubbies" where your food is waiting for you. Just grab it and go - no lines.
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@Mae: yep it just makes for a slow drive through here. There's an app to order before you go but I've never done it before
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@catomd00: wow - hugely misleading/incorrect comment from the ex employee. Do some more research before you believe him/her. They just removed all artificial flavorings and such from all menu items. They also use antibiotic free chicken. Dont get me wrong they have certainly unhealthy things on the menu - but the food quality is most definitely not in the same category as McDonalds.
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@Mrs D: see my response to @mae above.
@catomd00: hmm I've never heard that before and the calories are normally pretty decent
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Yup, but I wouldn't feel too bad about it. As others have said it's not as bad as a lot of other places.
I pretty much consider anything where you can walk up to a counter and walk away with a tray, or go through a drive through, fast food. But I'm not super anti-fast-food (moderation!), maybe if I was I would be more specific.
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Yes "fast food" just because it has a window/drive through. But not because of junk food.
Personally, I would rather my kids get CFA and eat grilled nuggets and fresh fruit compared to the stuff from panera.
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yup
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Yes Tho it's prob healthier than some chains!
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@Mrs D: when I worked at CFA, they strived to be 'quick serve' by offering healthier choices than other stores.
Oh, I've been to a Panera's with a drive-thru, too.
With that said, I do feel like CFA is fast food because it is fried food. Yeah, I know, having worked there, the food is pressure cooked so there's less grease. The chicken is hand breaded and cooked and not frozen.
Panera would be quick serve because it does feel more like a partial sit down versus a restaurant. I don't know however how much of their food is made on site other than their bakery items. I think being a chain restaurant, their soups are probably frozen and heated. To be consistent between stores.
Oh, as for CFA, I do know that they hand make their breakfast biscuits each morning. At least, that's what they did when I was there.
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@bluestriped bee: oh man...did you eat there all the time or did working there ruin it for you? I looooove CFA...
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@Mrs D: I don't really care to do more research because I don't eat there often enough to give it a second thought.
Perhaps they were talking of the food before changes were made. All the chicken is most certainly pre-prepped and microwaved though, which you can tell by eating it. -
Yes... but it's soooo good
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@Mrs D: I worked there for about 8 years so I ate there on my breaks. I would make things off the menu, like instead of a grilled sandwhich. I would slice up the grilled meat and roll it in some lettuce. So I changed things up a little. I did move across the country where there were no CFA, so my appreciation and cravings for CFA definitely grew. Then this year, 3 opened up in the Seattle area. I definitely crave it some days but sadly, since I've left the company, they've changed the menu so my go-to cravings are no longer available. Boo! It's okay, their chicken sandwiches, fries, milkshakes, iced tea and lemonades are still the same. I just miss the cheesecake and lemon pie they used to offer.
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I do, but it is so good!
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66 comments