fast food
Quick counter service
Fast food is food prepared and served quickly at restaurants designed for speed and convenience: We grabbed fast food on the way home.
The term typically refers to standardized, inexpensive fare from chain restaurants—burgers, fries, fried chicken, pizza.
As a modifier, it describes this style of dining or extends metaphorically to anything produced quickly with minimal quality: fast-food journalism.
Meat patty in bun
- friesDeep-fried potato strips
- pizzaTopped flatbread dish
- tacoFilled, folded flatbread
- fried chickenBattered poultry cooked in oil
nuggets · burrito · hotdog · cheeseburger · wrap · milkshake · onion rings · chicken sandwich
Vehicle-accessible service window
- takeoutRestaurant food for elsewhere
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- grab-and-goReady for quick departure
- self-serviceCustomer performs the task
kiosk · mobile ordering · curbside pickup · express lane · combo meal · value menu · supersizing · paper wrapper
Global fast food chain
- Burger KingFast food franchise
- KFCFried poultry chain
- SubwaySubmarine sandwich franchise
- Taco BellQuick-serve Mexican chain
Pizza Hut · Wendy's · Domino's · Chipotle · Chick-fil-A · Five Guys · In-N-Out · Sonic
Gold-colored curved structures
- dollar menuBudget-priced fast food selections
- Happy MealChildren's combo with toy
- secret menuUnadvertised restaurant items
- limited-time offerTemporary promotional deal
mascot · franchise · Americanization · guilty pleasure · advertising · branding · uniformity · globalization
Covered in slick fat
- fatteningPromoting weight gain
- caloricRelating to heat units
- processedSubjected to operations
- sugaryContaining much sweetener
sodium · preservatives · additives · supersized · obesity · empty calories · trans fats · high-fructose corn syrup
burger
Meat patty in bun
fried chicken · nuggets · burrito · hotdog · cheeseburger · wrap · milkshake · onion rings · chicken sandwich · nachos
drive-thru
Vehicle-accessible service window
- takeoutRestaurant food for elsewhere
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- grab-and-goReady for quick departure
self-service · kiosk · mobile ordering · curbside pickup · express lane · combo meal · value menu · supersizing · paper wrapper · tray
McDonald's
Global fast food chain
- Burger KingFast food franchise
- KFCFried poultry chain
- SubwaySubmarine sandwich franchise
Taco Bell · Pizza Hut · Wendy's · Domino's · Chipotle · Chick-fil-A · Five Guys · In-N-Out · Sonic · Arby's
golden arches
Gold-colored curved structures
- dollar menuBudget-priced fast food selections
- Happy MealChildren's combo with toy
- secret menuUnadvertised restaurant items
limited-time offer · mascot · franchise · Americanization · guilty pleasure · advertising · branding · uniformity · globalization
greasy
Covered in slick fat
sugary · sodium · preservatives · additives · supersized · obesity · empty calories · trans fats · high-fructose corn syrup · cholesterol
- food termsprotein, carbohydrate, flavor, fat, taste
- eateriesrestaurant, diner, bistro, cafeteria, pizzeria
- Quick Mealssandwich, grilled cheese, quesadillas, cereal, sandwiches
- food culturetable manners, culinary traditions, dining etiquette, traditional foods, ethnic cuisine
- food industryrestaurants, eateries, cafeterias, catering, bakeries
- restaurantsmenu, chef, reservations, table service, waitstaff
fast foodfine dining
Elegant restaurant experience
haute cuisine · gourmet food · upscale dining · tasting menu · farm-to-table dining
fast foodhome cooking
Meals prepared at residence
made from scratch · farm-to-table · garden-fresh · locally sourced · whole foods