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Q: How would you rank the American fast food chains in China?
As inspired by the question about Pizza Hut. Do you think any of the American fast food chains here are as good as or better than they are in your home country? Apologies to all of the non-US expatriates for saying "American", but I can't think of a fast food franchise that isn't from the there. Consider it a compliment actually.
My top pick would be for Subway. It's not better necessarily, but they do the same daily "buy one get one" deal that they do in the US, which I can't complain about. Papa Johns is also decent, although it's pretty expensive I think.
Bonus question: any Chinese fast food chains you like more?
I like KFC better. I like their breakfast choices, the variety of congee and egg patties. The rice bowls are also a nice feature.
On the other hand, Pizza Hut in China licks stinky goat balls.
NiceBrice:
Yeah, if I had to choose between McDonald's and KFC, I'd probably go KFC. I think a lot of foreigners are turned off by the "Chinese-i-ness" of the menu, but that's probably the same reason it's done so well for itself here.
Scandinavian:
Actually Pizza Hut in China has Stinky Goat Balls on the menu
KFC is easily the pick of the bunch. They seem to have maintained the "westerness" as well as adapting to the Chinese tastes.
A pity that the Chinese sell them contaminated chicken on occasion, EDIT and the CCP gets hysterical about KFC rather than the Chinese supplier.
I'd choose McDonalds over KFC any day of the week, KFC runs too many "ma fan" promotions. For example, at KFC I can't order the chicken nuggets (ji kuai) without ordering some other crappy sandwich. I wish my town had a Burger King or a Subway, those are pretty good in China.
Hi Trav,
I echo your comments about KFC. McDonald's is also good here in my experience.
I also like Subway Sandwiches. "A..............occasion." Yeah, that DOES suck. Shame on them.
NiceBrice:
Just saw this:
http://news.yahoo.com/breaking-subway-just-unhealthy-mcdonald-185710202.html
So that sucks.
The only link between KFC in China and the UK is the faint taste of Chicken, sometimes, the coating is nothing like the original and so very different. It was the coating that made KFC stand out, so in China it is just a.n.other chicken shop. 2/10
Pizza Hut - bland, boring, doughzzas - 1/10 (but then I would only give the UK ones 3/10)
McDonalds - OK, quite similar to the UK - 5/10
But to be honest, I prefer Chinese fast food, (when I'm looking for fast food), stir fried noodles, or dumplings, or even the fast food 'meals', for me beat 'western' fast food any day all day.
I quite like the Burger King here. Admittedly I've only experienced the new one here in Shenyang, but the burgers and fries were just like they are back in the UK. The onion rings were a little disappointing though.
If I had to pick my favorite fast-food brand here, it would be Yoshinoya. Give me a big bowl of niu rou fan and I'm a happy guy. Helps that they have a DQ in them, too!
I much prefer to eat at home .......... whether in China or Canada
KFC is OK ---- 5 outta 10 in both home countries -- yidian hao
McDonald's ---- 3 outta 10 in both home countries --- mama huhu
Pizza Hut ---- 3 outta 10 in Canada .....1 outta 10 in China - bu hao
wish we had a Subway to try here ......... at home 7 outta 10 ... China I can only wonder.
Scandinavian:
don't wish for Subway. We have one here, and the people working there don't know what a sandwich is. the sandwiches are randomly put together, but sure, I would like all the meat still slightly frozen in one end of the bread.
Only the original poster mentioned Papa Johns, surely my #1, pizza made fresh.
I heard Pizza Hut pizzas are sent here frozen and just reheated to serve because they didnt want the Chinese to get their recipes, that is my least favorite place here.
#1 Papa
#2 McDonalds (the food is better than those shitty places that claim to serve western food, Houcaller, DIO Coffee, Western Cafe, blah blah.
#3 Subway (for health purposes)
#4 B.K. (Sadly I don't really have one near me)
#5 KFC (food scandals and chicken scandals, although I did just eat it for lunch, Beijing Chicken wrap, not bad)
Are there more beyond this? Can i count DQ? That would have to be #1 I guess
#1 Papa John's. They actually have quality sit-down restaurants, as opposed to deliver or pick-up only shops. Their full menu is quite nice, and it seems to be the choice for pizza of most Chinese people I know.
#2 McD's - I hate McD's burgers, but the McCafe is always nice, and I can always get some ice cream when looking for a snack.
#3 DQ - Tastes the same as back home, but more unique flavors and less candy. Only wish the stores had an English menu, and also a dinner menu for hot dogs and pork tenderloins!
#4 Dunkin Donuts
#5 Pizza Hut - The menu is pretty out there, but there are a few gems on the menu, and their desserts beat most shops around here. Their breakfast sucks. If they want to do American breakfast ,they need to learn to do it right.
I have not had BK or Subway here, mostly because I dislike BK back home as well, and the Subway shops here are always overcrowded, and don't have much on the menu for meat lovers like me.
I must admit, on "I'm busy, hungry and can't deal with any weirdness" days, KFC was a godsend. I never touch fast food at home.
Scandinavian:
lying on the sofa in a fetal position helps too on those days
Does Papa John's count? If so I'd rank that quite highly as the pizza's I've had from them in China haven't been bad. Dominos (my usual choice back home) is awful though.
1. KFC
2. Pappa Johns
3. everyone else except:
Dead last: McD's I don't think anything they make is even real food.
TIC, no to fast food. I would rather eat a live rat.
I would give them an 8 out of 10. Some of them here are way more clean than back at home. I remember the burger King I went to back home was always filled with flies. Plus the people they hire in the back made me feel uneasy.....I still bought stuff there. The reason I say it's an 8 out of 10 is because you can't get free refills.
The only place I've been that offered free refills was Subway so I agree with you there, but back home they had free refills too. The subway places back home were much bigger in space and seating capacity. I wouldn't say the best is Subway I would tend to lean more towards Burger King in some places because I've been to 3 Burger King Joints in China one at the airport, and the other two at shopping malls.
