Have you ever wondered what the best fast food options are in Canada?
Whether you’re a true lover of A&W burgers, a huge fan of McDonald’s fries, or even a pizza fanatic, you probably have a good cheat snack.
But if you’re always undecided about where to get your guilty pleasure snacks from, this might help.
Narcity decided to go straight to the experts – top Canadian chefs – to find out which of Canada’s largest fast food restaurants deliver top-notch fast food items. And the experts delivered effortlessly.
The next time you’re craving greasy fast food picks for the night, why not try ordering one of these? Not only are they budget-friendly, but they’re also officially chef-approved.
You’re welcome Canada! Bon appetit.
Chick-fil-A’s Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
According to Indian-Canadian chef Hemant Bhagwani, this is the ultimate fast food dish.
The chef behind a number of restaurants in Toronto – as well as the recently opened Goa New York in the US – told Narcity he just loves fried chicken sandwiches.
And Chick-fil-A’s Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich is a real winner.
“This is my favorite sandwich,” he said. “Perfectly crunchy, toasted, buttery bun, and I love the flavors.”
Arby’s Beef ‘n’ Cheddar Sandwich
Adam Turchetto, executive chef at Toronto’s Antler Kitchen & Bar, says when it comes to fast food, his guilt comes from the “forgotten and lost fast food chain Arby’s.”
“The ‘Beef ‘n’ Cheddar Curly Fries’ jingle has been living rent-free in my head for well over a decade,” he said.
If you’re wondering why he loves it so much, it’s not the beef, cheese sauce, or Red Ranch… it’s the onion bun!
“The onion bun just fits better than a sesame or potato bun,” he explained. “Opening the lid of this bun and pumping a packet or two of horse sauce over it for that wasabi-like, nostril-cleansing condiment puts it above all else.”
And if you’re really hungry, he recommends increasing the size.
“F*ck waffle fries. Spicy McCain curly fries are the greatest gastronomic creations ever, add a side of cheese sauce and it’s culinary bliss!” he said.
The teen burger from A&W
A&W is very popular here in Canada, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s a popular option even among chefs.
Chef Mark McEwan, known for appearing on shows like wall of cooks And top chef canada, listed the brand’s teen burger as his favorite dish.
“So my spin on Guilty Pleasures is a teen burger at A&W. Believe it or not, it’s excellent for a drive-through product,” he told Narcity.
While not emphasizing why he felt that way, he added that “A&W managed to move the needle with this creation.”
Subway’s turkey sandwich
If Subway is your idea of fine dining, then you’re not alone.
Hidekazu Tojo, the celebrity Japanese-Canadian chef behind Vancouver’s Tojo’s Restaurant, says his choice would be the turkey breast sandwich on honey-oat bread with all the trimmings and honey-mustard sauce.
“I love that they toast the bread for you and have a variety of toppings,” he revealed. “All the veggies really make the sandwich taste fresh and I enjoy the different textures.”
“I love spicy food, so sometimes I ask for extra jalapeños!” he added.
A&W Spicy Habanero Chicken Sandwich
For Eric Chagnon-Zimmerly, executive chef at Ottawa-based restaurant North and Navy, it’s a no-brainer.
The chef lists A&W’s Spicy Habanero Chicken Sandwich as his winner.
“It’s got fried chicken, a little bit of spice, mayonnaise, cheap iceberg, and a tomato that’s too cold [slice]! What more do you want when you’re feeling greasy food late at night after work?” he said.
He added that the root beer was “just as undeniable.”
“I’m almost certainly saying this rationally, but I also like that this is a Canadian brand that is primarily owned/operated by franchisees,” concluded Chagnon-Zimmerly.
The Jollibee Fried Chicken
If you’re a big fan of fried chicken, you shouldn’t miss this fast-food joint, according to Marc Cheng – the chef behind Toronto’s chic restaurant Clio.
Though he has admitted he hasn’t eaten it in a while, Cheng says Jollibee’s fried chicken remains his favorite fast food choice.
He adds that while the franchise started out as an ice cream parlor and morphed into a “ordinary burger and fries fast food chain,” the introduction of their fried chicken made it one of the most popular and popular fast-food chains-exports of food stamps in the Philippines.
“Just have the spicy version, the pineapple slaker and one of the cakes to finish,” he recommended.
McDonald’s double cheeseburger
A double cheeseburger from McDonald’s.
McDonald’s Canada
A fixture in the fast food industry was also mentioned.
Chef Jae-Anthony Dougan, the chef and owner of Tropikàl (whom you might also recognize from season 9 top chef Canada), told Narcity his favorite fast food joint of all time was McDonald’s.
The fact that it’s readily available and it’s so easy to get a cheeseburger (even when everything else is closed) are some reasons it’s his favorite.
He calls his favorite dish the classic double cheeseburger because of the way the cheese, salt, and pickles come together.
The Timbits by Tim Hortons
And of course it wouldn’t be a Canadian list without a little shout out from Tim Hortons!
Elia Herrera, the chef and co-owner behind concepts like Toronto’s Colibrí and Calgary’s Milpa, named an iconic item on her menu as her favorite.
“I love the Timbits,” she said.
The reason, she says, is that they’re delicious and fresh every time, especially at the locations near her.
“I love them, especially the sour cream and birthday cake [flavours].”
So if you’re looking for something sweet and chef-approved to wash down all those burgers, you know where to go.
There you have it, these dishes are a must-try if you’re starving for inspiration for your next order!
