DiningBuzz! - Which country has the best fast food

Based on a standard definition of fast food, say wiki's for sake of argument

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_food

which country would you say has the best, or maybe to phrase it another way, for people who travel a lot, what is your preference? I would have instinctively thought that the US, fast-food nation that it is, would be top of the list. Here in Germany I would consider things you get at the imbisses like curry wurst, fleischkase, etc. to be fast food, but they definitely don't get me excited like a big greasy American cheeseburger.

Another poster in the Omni "Are you a snob" thread suggested that fast food is ubiquitous in Asia. I've only been sporadically, so stand ready to be educated.

Thoughts?

It's tough, but I'd say that Singapore takes it if you are comfortable with hawker food being "fast food". The US does have phenomenal cheap, fast food though, so would have to come a close second for me.

Beyond that I'd have to do other parts of Asia (Thailand, Hong Kong, etc) and maybe respect some Mexican/ South American street food. The Dutch also have their own very unique fast food which basically involves taking anything, breading it and deep-frying. If you're Dutch, it's very, very nice :) If you're not, it just sounds pretty nasty.

It's tough, but I'd say that Singapore takes it if you are comfortable with hawker food being "fast food". The US does have phenomenal cheap, fast food though, so would have to come a close second to me.

Beyond that I'd have to do other parts of Asia (Thailand, Hong Kong, etc) and maybe respect some Mexican/ South American street food. The Dutch also have their own very unique fast food which basically involves taking anything, breading it and deep-frying. If you're Dutch, it's very, very nice :) If you're not, it just sounds pretty nasty.

I don't know... I'm privy to America because I'm American, but Japan has some pretty tasty fast food as well... BUT, the US wins since cheaper!!

I'll go with Italy - slices of gorgeous pizza, delicious pannini, gelato, mmmmmmmm! Ordered at the window and consumed standing up at a table outside in the sunshine.

A close second for me, is the UK - I love curry, and the sheer abundance of curry takeaways means it comes in second. Also, chips in a naan / pita bread after the pub, or chips and cheese - sooooo very very bad, but so very very good at the same time!

I'll go with Italy - slices of gorgeous pizza, delicious pannini, gelato, mmmmmmmm! Ordered at the window and consumed standing up at a table outside in the sunshine.

Neapolitan pizza...wish I had some right now...so glad Naples is on my circuit.


sooooo very very bad, but so very very good at the same time!

That describes many of life's experiences :p

I don't know... I'm privy to America because I'm American, but Japan has some pretty tasty fast food as well... BUT, the US wins since cheaper!!
How so? There's hardly any difference in price between a big mac in Japan to that in the US.
And you can get full bento meals (rice, protein, vegetable portion, pickles) for 300 or even 250yen ($3) in any city centre or a portion of handmade udon for $1.80 in areas that specialise in the dish - and that's with the current lousy exchange rates.
The range of instantly available hot foods for $3 or under throughout Japan is staggering.
If you want to eat at 4am on your sofa at home/hotel room then compare what's on offer at a Japanese 7-11 http://www.7meal.com/contents/e510/5101.html & http://www.sej.co.jp/sej/html/products/ff/hotsnack/ & http://www.sej.co.jp/sej/html/products/original/noodle_01/ etc, etc, etc to the instant microwavable foods at a US 7-11 http://www.7-eleven.com/Food/Hot/Default.aspx price is a bit higher, but you pay a premium for the convenience.

Even if you stick to the US version of "fast food" a Sasebo burger rivals In'n'Out and there are a a whole host of others: Lotteria, MosBurger, Kua'Aina, Freshness - plus the small independents like Zest at LaQua in Tokyo. Heck, even MacDonalds is better in Japan.

Then there's Bangkok - the range on offer was astonishing, didn't get to travel extensively there though.

Hong Kong. To me, the whole city is basically a huge food court with all kinds of international fare.

Singapore. Mini-me Hong Kong.

Taiwan. Even the hot food in 7-11s are delicious.

Of course Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam....

Yeah, basically countries in S.E. Asia, and Japan.

I find also pretty good fast food stalls in Sydney, Australia. But most I like are those of Asian.

Italy.

A piece of Sopressata, a hunk of cheese, and a loaf of bread. Doesn't matter which meal of the day it's for, it fits all of them.

No question the USA has to come in the top 3 - just has too.

I cannot think of a single American 'fast food' place I would want to eat, but I can think of many in parts of Asia, the UK, Italy, and other places around the world.

Once you see the food courts in Singapore it redefines your definition of fast food. In fact the so-called "fast food" here will often beat proper restaurant food elsewhere... ;)

Once you see the food courts in Singapore it redefines your definition of fast food. In fact the so-called "fast food" here will often beat proper restaurant food elsewhere... ;)

Agree with you and others. ^ In fact, even though I just had breakfast, the very thought is making me hungry. ;)

Once you see the food courts in Singapore it redefines your definition of fast food.

Agreed. I'll take fast food at Newton Hawker Center any day over a burger at even the best USA fast food outlets.

Thailand is right up there as well both in cost (low) and quality (high). ^

but they definitely don't get me excited like a big greasy American cheeseburger.

Another poster in the Omni "Are you a snob" thread suggested that fast food is ubiquitous in Asia. I've only been sporadically, so stand ready to be educated.

Alas, I've never been to Singapore, but considering what a cultural melting pot this country is I can well imagine that the food courts are awesome.

lancebanyon
A picture tells a thousand words - so try this: http://petamap.jp/contents/Feature/0910_1.html

And here is a blog by a hamburger aficionado which catalogs the phenomenal amount of choices in Japan (mostly Tokyo).
http://palstage.blog.ocn.ne.jp/

If you suspect that Asia only has rice and noodles as fast food this will challenge that assumption.

Tough call. As someone mentioned up thread, Bangkok's street hawkers offer great variety (though it's the fresh fruit I love best there), but one thing I miss from living in Istanbul is the numerous kebab shops. Nothing like a nice spicy Adana kebap (or durum where everything is wrapped in flat bread) with a few fries and a cold cup of ayran (yogurt, water, and salt -- I know how it sounds but it works) to wash it down with.

Ah, but Hong Kong...sorry, can't go down that road. I only just finished dinner but even thinking about HK food will make me hungry again.

Street food, though typically fast, merits its own category. Fast food in the non-outdoors sense? I'm not sure if any country has the best. The US has a large variety, though less so where I usually haunt (the Northeast). Actually, to be fair, there's not as many US-based chains in NYC as say, oh, many other regions in the states where roadways prevail, but then there are entries such as Korean frozen yoghurteries, fried chicken nooks, a Jollibee in Queens(Filipino), and dare I say the bodegas?

Japan has MOS Burger, which is a favorite standard-issue fast food joint, ramen huts, Matsuya (another choice entry), the Korean Lotteria, beef bowls, and curry houses, as well as places like Original Bento, which has a bunch of choices as well as side dishes. Where am I going with this? I'm not sure, but I'd be just as pleased to walk into a Sainsburys to get a buttered sandwich or a set meal with nuegado at a Mister Donut in El Salvador.

Perhaps my better response is: I don't ever crave fast food in the states, in China, restaurants usually stir-fry up eggplant with long beans in two minutes, and in Japan, I'll eat anywhere. Everywhere else (and including China), street food comes first, then a restaurant.

interesting that the OP didn't even mention the fastfood #1 in many european countries - doner kebap. I can't imagine Germany without it :)

Mexico - Tacos al Pastor
Singapore - like the street
Everywhere - Big mac (at least once a quarter)
Paris - Baquette with brie/beurre
Cincinnati - 5 way
Philly - Steak, whiz wid

I cannot think of a single American 'fast food' place I would want to eat


I envy you in a way. I absolutely love the stuff. I limit myself to an average of once a week for health's sake (usually my local independent fast food burger joint), and that takes an enormous amount of will power.

In Argentina...

Choripan with chimichurri

http://www.sitiosargentina.com.ar/imagenes-2009/choripan-.jpg

Yummmmmmm......

Gyros pita in Greece....

Tacos de asada in Mexico.... From a little stand on the street...

The Roulottes at the harbor in Papeete....

Flying fish sandwiches at Oistins Fish Fry in Barbados....

Chicago has some unique (http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/xoco.html)and yummy (http://www.grahamwich.com/)fast food.

If you suspect that Asia only has rice and noodles as fast food this will challenge that assumption.

Well sushi would have actually been the first thing I thought of, for Japan anyway. Is this a new phenomenon? I was in Hong Kong in 1995 and Tokyo and Okinawa a few years later. I don't remember seeing the fast food everywhere, but then again I wasn't looking.

interesting that the OP didn't even mention the fastfood #1 in many european countries - doner kebap. I can't imagine Germany without it :)

Yes - I think my small town has 5 of them, and the quality varies drastically. I did think of something local I like, and that is the baguette sandwiches I get across the border in places like Cora. Just something about that bread.

Western fast food seems to be extremely popular in at least some parts of the Middle East. I was somewhat surprised to see KFC all over the place in Cairo.

For me, Germany means pommes mit mayo, after a night out. Mmmmmmm!

For me, Germany means pommes mit mayo, after a night out. Mmmmmmm!

My own favorite German fast food is that old traditional German specialty, Döner Kebab (http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/02/germany-doner-kebab-street-food-meat.html). ;)

Fresh cut shawarma warp at any arabic countries for less than a dollar can't be beat and usually comes with bottle of coke.

Anyone who says London, or even the UK for that matter, has terrible food is living in the past

Anyone who says London, or even the UK for that matter, has terrible food is living in the past

That's true.

Even the pub menu has changed over the years.

Los Angeles, Tito's Tacos

While SE Asia (Penang, Singapore, KL, Bangkok, HK and Saigon) is probably on top for taste and quality, I was very impressed with Istanbul's abundant selection, as well. The USA lags far far behind, IMHO. Perhaps the USA leads in junk food?

Anyone who says London, or even the UK for that matter, has terrible food is living in the past

Definitely true. When I was in London in the mid-80's there were those crappy Wimpy's everywhere. It looks like the chain lives on in a few places. Hopefully they've joined the modern world.

Perhaps the USA leads in junk food?

That is exactly the term I should have used in the first place. Is there consensus that the USA is the junk food capital of the world?

Perhaps the USA leads in junk food?

That is exactly the term I should have used in the first place. Is there consensus that the USA is the junk food capital of the world?
Sorry, you are going to have to define what 'junk food' is.
I've already shown that Japan has an equivalent of anything the US has to offer AND it's the birthplace of junk Ramen (The USA's fastest growing Junk food category).
If junk food is unhealthy, salty, cholesterol laden popular food totally unsuitable for daily consumption then Japan still has the USA beaten. By a very long shot. Have you SEEN what happens to a bowl of real ramen when it gets cold? (shudder!)

If junk food is unhealthy, salty, cholesterol laden popular food totally unsuitable for daily consumption then Japan still has the USA beaten. By a very long shot. Have you SEEN what happens to a bowl of real ramen when it gets cold? (shudder!)

What happens to it? :)

What surprises me about Japanese food is the terrible, nasty white stuff with tiny spots of red that they refer to as beef. Not only is it gross, but it's expensive too...

What happens to it? :)

What surprises me about Japanese food is the terrible, nasty white stuff with tiny spots of red that they refer to as beef. Not only is it gross, but it's expensive too...
I used to come across people like you in Spain - Parma ham was popular in the UK in the 80s and visitors to Spain offered the very best quality jamon would turn their noses up at it and peel away the strips of white fat. I bet they had no idea how much the stuff would cost in their own currency just a decade or so later :)
So yes, I imagine a bowl of real ramen left to cool and congeal so that it formed an inch or two of solid fat/lard wouldn't appeal to you either.
If you walk around central Tokyo and keep your eyes open you'll see the fat collection services at work. All that fat and grease could never be poured into the sewers or they'd become congested and cease working. Instead the lard is regularly collected by dedicated companies. There's PLENTY of it around.

Sorry, you are going to have to define what 'junk food' is.agreed

I used to come across people like you in Spain - Parma ham was popular in the UK in the 80s and visitors to Spain offered the very best quality jamon would turn their noses up at it and peel away the strips of white fat. I bet they had no idea how much the stuff would cost in their own currency just a decade or so later :)

That's the thing, I don't care how much something costs, I only care if it's good quality food, tastes good, etc. Some people would munch on pet food if you repacked it, priced it way high, and said that people from some remote part of Japan spend most of their income on this treasured delicacy. :)

So if I see some nasty beef that's 95% white and 5% red, then I'll give it a pass. Instead I'll go for the cherry-red, virtually fat-free beef right next to it. And if the Japanese consumer drives up the price of the former and helps keep the price of the latter at a lower level, then that's welcome news.

I like Spanish jamon, and yes - I'll peel away at the fatty white strips each time.

That's the thing, I don't care how much something costs, I only care if it's good quality food, tastes good, etc. Some people would munch on pet food if you repacked it, priced it way high, and said that people from some remote part of Japan spend most of their income on this treasured delicacy. :)

So if I see some nasty beef that's 95% white and 5% red, then I'll give it a pass. Instead I'll go for the cherry-red, virtually fat-free beef right next to it. And if the Japanese consumer drives up the price of the former and helps keep the price of the latter at a lower level, then that's welcome news.

I like Spanish jamon, and yes - I'll peel away at the fatty white strips each time.
Aaah, thought so! :)
There is a bit more to some of the high quality foods that come into "stuff you don't like" category.
For instance, the fat you peel away from jamon iberico is not the same as that from other kinds of jam (even jamon serrano). It's high in oleic acid and eating it regularly will lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels in your blood stream. I understand that eating that fat with the discarded meat actually makes that meat healthier and more nutritious.
I'm not so familiar with the properties of the Japanese meats but I'm under the impression that a similar phenomenon is at work. The best and most marbled fatty meats have the least effect in raising bad cholesterol levels.
I know the Spanish jamon properties are related to the pigs' diets (the bush acorns/bellotas being the magic ingredient) so can't comment more on high grade marbled beef. But this isn't simply an Emperor's clothes scenario. The premium here does mean something. Granted, it's not to everyone's taste. But that expensive fat I've just discussed is nothing like the lard congealed on a bowl of unfinished ramen.

Interesting about the ramen. I've had lots of it in Japan, and only ever seen a few tiny droplets of oil on the surface. Not that I don't believe you, but this must be a different type of ramen that you speak of. I don't think I ever spent less than Y180 for a bowl, and usually around Y250 if that makes any difference.

Singapore... no contest.

In fact, there is no close second.

Catalunya tapas comes in distant third.

Interesting about the ramen. I've had lots of it in Japan, and only ever seen a few tiny droplets of oil on the surface. Not that I don't believe you, but this must be a different type of ramen that you speak of. I don't think I ever spent less than Y180 for a bowl, and usually around Y250 if that makes any difference.
There are lots of 'schools' of ramen and plenty are lighter (sappari) in style. I was referring mostly to tonkotsu ramen, one of the most popular styles. An extreme example is from the infamous Ramen Jiro chain. The broth here is so fatty and greasy it turns to lard before you can finish eating it. Here's some photographic testimony.
http://www.ramenate.com/2010/01/ramen-jiro-ogikubo.html
Imagine this stuff allowed to go cold!

There are lots of 'schools' of ramen and plenty are lighter (sappari) in style. I was referring mostly to tonkotsu ramen, one of the most popular styles. An extreme example is from the infamous Ramen Jiro chain. The broth here is so fatty and greasy it turns to lard before you can finish eating it. Here's some photographic testimony.
http://www.ramenate.com/2010/01/ramen-jiro-ogikubo.html
Imagine this stuff allowed to go cold!

Wow! No, I have never seen ramen even remotely similar to that, thank god.

For me Hong Kong, followed closely by Thailand. I would include mainland China in that list but unfortunately you never quite know whether what the street vendor is selling is actually what he/she says it is.

AFor instance, the fat you peel away from jamon iberico is not the same as that from other kinds of jam (even jamon serrano). It's high in oleic acid and eating it regularly will lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol levels in your blood stream.

The best and most marbled fatty meats have the least effect in raising bad cholesterol levels.

Do you believe that it's better to eat a lump of fat (from meat) than to cut that part off and leave it? I don't think it'll do you much good, even if it's "special" meat fat as you say.

Seriously, a steak made out of cherry-red, super lean beef is bound to be better for you than a gross slab of 95% fat that doesn't even resemble beef any more.

Do you believe that it's better to eat a lump of fat (from meat) than to cut that part off and leave it? I don't think it'll do you much good, even if it's "special" meat fat as you say.

Seriously, a steak made out of cherry-red, super lean beef is bound to be better for you than a gross slab of 95% fat that doesn't even resemble beef any more.
certainly from the Jason iberico it is. I've seen lots of studies and research to support this, it's just that almost everything I've read has been in Spanish.
I saw something on British TV recently that explained something equally counterintuitive about the fat in dairy products. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/slim/calcium.shtml
Just as it takes a leap of faith to accept that eating benecol margarine on a daily basis is beneficial or that cheese can be a slimming aid, it's the same with accepting that the supremely fatty slices of bellota fed free range ham are good for your heart.

I'd like to nominate Belgium for this, because of the sheer number of "frituren/friteries" over here and having turned baking French Fries/Chips into an art.

certainly from the Jason iberico it is. I've seen lots of studies and research to support this, it's just that almost everything I've read has been in Spanish.
I saw something on British TV recently that explained something equally counterintuitive about the fat in dairy products. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/slim/calcium.shtml
Just as it takes a leap of faith to accept that eating benecol margarine on a daily basis is beneficial or that cheese can be a slimming aid, it's the same with accepting that the supremely fatty slices of bellota fed free range ham are good for your heart.

Cheese is certainly not going to be a slimming aid. :)

Most of the funny advertising used is based on the fact that certain types of fats are better than others (such as vegetable ones, polyunsaturated... as opposed to saturated animal fats), which is not to say that they can be treated as good food. Your body needs a bit of everything, but for instance you can have 6x as many apples and not worry too much about the extra carbs, whereas gobbling 6x as much fat - even of the better variety - is still going to be a major no-no.

Scotland.

Forget the media myths of deep-fried Mars Bars etc. However walk into any self-respecting fish & chip shop and everything unless you ask otherwise will be battered/deep-fried.

My personal favourites - battered pizza, sausage, burger & haggis.

Wash it down with an ice cold glass bottle of Irn-Bru = Heaven.

Scotland.

Forget the media myths of deep-fried Mars Bars etc. However walk into any self-respecting fish & chip shop and everything unless you ask otherwise will be battered/deep-fried.

My personal favourites - battered pizza, sausage, burger & haggis.

Wash it down with an ice cold glass bottle of Irn-Bru = Heaven.

I looked up Irn-Bru, didn't expect it to be pop. Does it have more of a coca cola-taste or is it more like another, say sprite or mirinda or what not?

Argentina -Empenadas
Greece - Gyros
Turkey - Kebab

Americans love fast food. I found the US fast food places best as compared to others in price and variety. Every country serves its traditional foods according to trends some become famous like Bangkok's mobile meal have maintained its repetition in some of the best. Same as you will never find the fast food comparison of Los Anegles. A number of vendors have taken their business on the road, mobile kitchens and every type of food. Just thinking about spicy burritos will make your mouth water. Just take a walk through the Centro Historico and opt for the chefs serving everything across the streets. With favorite street side snakes like hoagies, Italian ices and soft pretzel, its hard to resist the food revolution. But if there's one reason to hit the streets to satisfy your hunger, it's to get your hands on the famous Philly cheesesteak. These juicy sandwiches made from chopped up steak, onions and either American, Provolone or Cheese Wiz cheese have become an institution in the City of Brotherly Love.

In Taiwan - Dan Bing a breakfast "sandwich" with fresh brewed soy milk
In Japan - love the fast food in train stations, quick, fast and cheap - love Okonomiyaki
In Shanghai and much of China go to the noodle stalls where they make noodles fresh. Great taste and price.
In the US East of St. Louis find a White Castle. :cool:

I looked up Irn-Bru, didn't expect it to be pop. Does it have more of a coca cola-taste or is it more like another, say sprite or mirinda or what not?

It's an unusual taste, quite hard to compare to anything else. To me it has a slight 'coppery' taste.

It's an unusual taste, quite hard to compare to anything else. To me it has a slight 'coppery' taste.
I agree with the 'coppery' taste.

To me Irn-Bru can be compared with the beloved Tizer or Lucozade of my childhood (I prefer both of these to Irn-Bru, but I came to Irn-Bru later in life as I'm not Scottish).

Do you know what barley sugar tastes like (boiled down sugar, barley water/麥茶màichá/mugicha and cream of tartar)? If you do the best way to describe it might be barley sugar flavour with a citric & 'coppery' medicinal bite to it.

My husband thinks it is what you might get if you combined cheap supermarket generic lemonade and orangeade and cherryade together.

It's an unusual taste, quite hard to compare to anything else. To me it has a slight 'coppery' taste.

Surely that should be a slight 'iron-ey' taste given the ammonium ferric citrate! (Made is Scotland from girders!)

I'd go with a bit citrusy, very sweet, with a metallic (I'll leave others to argue copper / iron!) zing to it!

I would have asked the question differently since "best" is such a subjective thing. Best tasting? Best bargain? Best variety? I might have asked, what are your favorite fast foods by country?

It is impossible to compare Mexican street food, to Hanoi and to compare Doner Kabob to Singapore hawkers. And sometimes it is the experience along with the taste/value. One of my most memorable meals ever was a blazing hot day in Beirut, we were starving and we had some lamb shawarma, a lamp sfiha and an ice cold Coca Cola from a street vendor. Nothing ever tasted as good as that. It was over ten years ago and I can still taste it.

There are lots of 'schools' of ramen and plenty are lighter (sappari) in style. I was referring mostly to tonkotsu ramen, one of the most popular styles. An extreme example is from the infamous Ramen Jiro chain. The broth here is so fatty and greasy it turns to lard before you can finish eating it. Here's some photographic testimony.
http://www.ramenate.com/2010/01/ramen-jiro-ogikubo.html
Imagine this stuff allowed to go cold!

I normally don't have visceral reactions to images of foods that are unusual to me, but I have to admit that this one almost turned my stomach - oil, grease, lard, raw garlic...I presume it tastes better than it looks. I can barely tolerate a slight bit of schmaltz on bread

Irn-Bru reminds me of a mix between cream soda and 7-Up gold (remember that?). It's good stuff.

The fact is that fast food is delicious everywhere! and my big belly is proof of it! ;)

I would have asked the question differently since "best" is such a subjective thing. Best tasting? Best bargain? Best variety? I might have asked, what are your favorite fast foods by country?

It is impossible to compare Mexican street food, to Hanoi and to compare Doner Kabob to Singapore hawkers. And sometimes it is the experience along with the taste/value. One of my most memorable meals ever was a blazing hot day in Beirut, we were starving and we had some lamb shawarma, a lamp sfiha and an ice cold Coca Cola from a street vendor. Nothing ever tasted as good as that. It was over ten years ago and I can still taste it.

^ ^

You should come back then and sample it again :D

Agreed, there is no "one" item that really stands out. Each country/region has its street food/food vendors/hawker centers/fast food joints... But I can say that I lean more towards the Far East region for "fast food"; so much more variety...

Germany. Never met an Imbiss I didn't like. Always enjoyed the little joint under the Mannheim Bahnhof.
Nordsee is not bad.

Japan for me. Amazing variety of things you can find. Nearly always high quality, no matter what. Noodle places. and last but not least, the humble BENTO BOX.

Germany. Never met an Imbiss I didn't like. Always enjoyed the little joint under the Mannheim Bahnhof.
Nordsee is not bad.

Nordsee is pretty good for "fast food" seafood. That being said, the best fast food in Germany is the venerable döner kebab, followed closely by a wurst im brÖtchen (or if you are in Bavaria, leberkäse im brötchen).

An other vote for Italy.

Everywhere you stop by, even if it's only a street pizza or a sandwich, the ingredients are usually better than those used in many fancy italian restaurants around the world...

A focaccia with stracchino cheese, a simple cured ham bite sized sandwich, a mini bruschetta with basil and tomato, a fried mozzarella in carrozza, or an "arancino di riso"... Mmm....

An other vote for Italy.

Everywhere you stop by, even if it's only a street pizza or a sandwich, the ingredients are usually better than those used in many fancy italian restaurants around the world...

A focaccia with stracchino cheese, a simple cured ham bite sized sandwich, a mini bruschetta with basil and tomato, a fried mozzarella in carrozza, or an "arancino di riso"... Mmm....And another vote for Italy. I just wish we could replicate the experience here in the US.

^ ^

You should come back then and sample it again :D

Agreed, there is no "one" item that really stands out. Each country/region has its street food/food vendors/hawker centers/fast food joints... But I can say that I lean more towards the Far East region for "fast food"; so much more variety...

I'd like to be in Beirut again; even if there's not much fast food (I should say street food), what is present (kebabs, manakish, falafel) is worth going back to. Throw in any baklava for good measure.

With food trucks becoming all the rage in addition to the street corner hot dog carts (especially in New York) and also some really good regional fast food chains (In N' Out Burger, El Pollo Loco etc.) in addition to our numerous other places (McDonalds, Burger King etc.) I'm giving the nod to the US of A!

Nordsee is pretty good for "fast food" seafood. That being said, the best fast food in Germany is the venerable döner kebab, followed closely by a wurst im brÖtchen (or if you are in Bavaria, leberkäse im brötchen).

Amen !!! Austria also has excellent fast food at just about any street stand.... ^

South-East Asia for me. I've had amazing fast food in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. And in southern China. Inexpensive, delicious, and healthy.

I've also had some very good stuff in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some sadza with gravy I've had in Zimbabwe was divine.

Cheers,
T.

Amen !!! Austria also has excellent fast food at just about any street stand.... ^

Notable items consumed on my visit to Vienna were rhubarb juice and pfefferwurst. It's not a fast food but I actually did like the Sacher torte...

Notable items consumed on my visit to Vienna were rhubarb juice and pfefferwurst. It's not a fast food but I actually did like the Sacher torte...

One of my favorite parts about Vienna was the Anker Bakeries. There were numerous ones over the city and I would always start my day with a Diet Coke and a pastry. I never had the guts to go here though:

http://cmk10.smugmug.com/Travel/2011-Europe-Trip/i-q76nrzs/0/L/1006701-L.jpg (http://cmk10.smugmug.com/Travel/2011-Europe-Trip/20596343_gQt6v4#!i=2098774188&k=q76nrzs&lb=1&s=A)

One of my favorite parts about Vienna was the Anker Bakeries. There were numerous ones over the city and I would always start my day with a Diet Coke and a pastry. I never had the guts to go here though:


For some reason that picture reminds me of those flat pork tenderloin sandwiches I used to get growing up in our main street diner, the ones that are beaten to less than a quarter inch thick and practially a foot round, sticking way out of a hamburger bun. Now I'm hungry...