Second Helpings: Fast Food Tour

Tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were compiled by Greg Beets. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.

The 20th century has seen the convenience, economy, and consistency of American fast food restaurants revolutionize the way the world eats. To celebrate this tasty legacy, why not ring out the century with a drive-thru tour of nationally and internationally famous fast food chains? Because each chain has specific specialty items upon which their reputation rests, we suggest a dim sum approach to your tour. Order one or two notable items from each restaurant and eat them as you drive to the next restaurant for more food.

McDonald's

Various locations/Various hours

While their hamburgers tend to be too sloppy-sweet for the adult palate, McDonald's french fries have long been the best in the industry. While other chains experiment with newfangled crisping and flavor enhancing agents of undetermined origin, McDonald's continues to stick by the tried-and-true simplicity of deep fried Russets with lots of salt. Even Julia Child once admitted to their goodness. No wonder 7% of the U.S. population dines at McDonald's every single day.

Burger King

Various locations/Various hours (late-night drive-thru at some locations)

If you're cruising for flame-kissed meat but you don't have time to get out of the car, Burger King is the place. The Whopper starts with an all-beef patty that is carefully charbroiled on a slow-moving conveyor belt. Additional flavor comes from freshly sliced tomatoes and onions along with a sublime concert of ketchup and mayonnaise slathered across the bun. Burger King's new "taste test-winning" fries are a disappointing washout (especially in light of last year's hype-happy ad campaign), but you can always try their passable extra-crispy onion rings instead.

Wendy's

Various locations/Various hours (late-night drive-thru at some locations)

Although Wendy's food quality has suffered somewhat since its feisty upstart days in the Seventies, it's still the best and most innovative of the Big Three national burger chains. Much to the late Clara Peller's chagrin, the Big Bacon Classic overwhelms you with bacon, cheese, and onions to a point where you almost forget about the beef. Wendy's line of chicken sandwiches is superlative, and their fries are second only to McDonald's. The more health-conscious may steer toward a baked potato or salad, but be prepared to be derailed by the delicious, spoon-thick Frosty dairy dessert.

KFC (aka Kentucky Fried Chicken)

Various locations/Various hours

You could get better fried chicken, but sometimes, only the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs and spices will do. KFC's unique Original Recipe combines old-fashioned saltiness with a slight undertow of zesty zip that is revered from Korea to Kuwait. The less adventurous can stick to the adequate yet uninspiring Extra Crispy chicken. Notable side dishes include perfectly consistent mashed potatoes with mellow brown gravy and succulent corn on the cob that comes complete with a stick for easy, one-handed eating.

Taco Bell

Various locations/Various hours (late-night drive-thru at some locations)

All hail the $1.19 7-Layer Burrito, the most well-balanced, one-handed meal fast food has to offer. Beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole make up this hearty burrito, and even if it's not up to the standards of San Francisco's Mission District, it should hold you over quite nicely. Be sure to add some "Fire" taco sauce for extra flavor. Taco Bell's so-so Cinnamon Twists are an Americanized nod to the traditional Mexican churro. Personally, though, I wish they'd bring back the excellent Cinnamon Crispas of yore.

Taco Cabana

Various locations/24 hours

San Antonio-based Taco Cabana brought the combo plate aesthetic of Tex-Mex to the fast food arena. Although the drive-thru waits are almost unbearable in the late-night hours after closing time, oft-inebriated revelers jonesing for enchiladas, fajitas, and breakfast tacos line up anyway. Taco Cabana's fresh flour tortillas are good enough to eat alone, so don't throw away any extras. If you're inside, be sure to go hog wild at the extensive condiment bar. All the salsa, pico de gallo, chopped onion, and cilantro you can carry is available free of charge.

Jack in the Box

Various locations/Various hours (late-night drive-thru at some locations)

Although Jack in the Box is known as a burger place, the most infamous item on their menu is deep-fried tacos, two of which can be had for just 99 cents. A lot of people put down the Box's unique mix of spicy meat paste, lettuce, cheese, and hot sauce all wrapped up in a corn tortilla transparent with grease, but you'll miss them if you venture too far east, where there's no Jack in the Box. No fast food item goes better with cheap beer. The Sourdough Jack Bacon Cheeseburger is another menu highlight.

Sonic

Various locations/Various hours

In small towns across America, cruising around the Sonic drive-in is a Friday night rite for the youngsters. Sonic's urban locations aren't exactly hotbeds of action, but you can enjoy oldies radio through tinny loudspeakers as modern-day carhops bedazzle you with fast food's finest array of fountain drinks. The shakes and malts taste almost hand-dipped, and a Route 44-sized limeade is just the ticket for caffeine-free thirst quenching. Foodwise, Sonic's foot-long chili cheese dog (onions on request) with a side of piping hot tater tots is always a good bet.

Schlotzsky's

Various locations/Various hours

This Austin-based sandwich concern makes excellent turkey and pastrami sandwiches, but the Original is Schlotzsky's true standout. I happen to despise black olives, but I'll eat them happily if they're part of the three meat, three cheese masterpiece that is the Original. No one can accurately imitate Schlotzsky's perfectly toasted sourdough sandwich buns, either. Add a few dashes of the in-house Louisiana-style hot sauce for extra spice, and don't forget to try Schlotzsky's better-than-average deli-style potato chips on the side.