12 Secretly Terrible Fast-Food Items Employees Won't Touch

Fast-food frenzy

The views stated below represent personal opinions as of when they were written and do not reflect those of any group or organization.

Getting a speedy meal is handy. Take a look at the rapid-service restaurant chain known as fastest drive-thru . But certain fast food items will have you wishing that you cooked yourself a meal at home instead. Make sure to avoid these fast-food items that even employees won’t order.

Gimmicky food

Over the last ten years, fast-food restaurants have deliberately added healthier options to their menus, such as more salad choices and alternatives like apple slices or yogurt with children’s meals instead of French fries. Recently, they've promoted new offerings as being handcrafted or even artisanal, but take those claims with a grain of salt. "While some of our so-called handcrafted burgers or sandwiches may come with additional toppings, they're not necessarily superior in quality compared to what you've enjoyed over the years," explains Tricia, who has gained experience from working at two well-known fast-food companies during her time in college. Staff members would likely suggest giving one of these dishes a try. fresh offerings arriving at quick-serve eateries .

Super-size

Just because the so-called value menu might mean more food for little money doesn’t mean you should order the largest size meal available. “After working in fast-food I’ve realized no one needs that much fried food,” says Nicky, who has worked at McDonald’s for two years. “It’s tempting when you think you’re getting more for less, but you’ll end up feeling disgusting after you eat all of those fries.” Check out the most convenient fast-food restaurants.

The mac and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is quintessential comfort food, and occasionally the urge becomes irresistible. However, a worker from Panera Bread commented on a Reddit post advising against trying their version of this traditional meal. "The pasta is entirely microwaved," mentions user President Pancake. "This applies even to the mac and cheese." The comment further suggests that the top choices at Panera are actually the genuine sandwiches and salads which utilize fresh ingredients. Discover natural foods you can consume for health benefits. detox your body.

Tuna salad

You may want to steer clear of the tuna fish salad or any dishes like it that can be prepped earlier. "When I was working at Friendly’s, we only made the tuna salad once a week," recalls Colleen from her days at the fast-service eatery. Discover more More hidden truths fast-food employees aren’t disclosing.

Beware of garnishes

You might believe that the parsley and lemon appear acceptable, but when visiting a fast-food joint, reconsider: Jaime, who was employed at a Florida-based quick-service restaurant, warns, "Avoid consuming any garnishes or pickles. At my workplace, they used to rinse these items and use them again if customers left them untouched. Additionally, we were told to remove leftover coleslaw from plates and serve it once more." Fortunately for everyone, that location has since shut down. Take a look at this. top-selling products at McDonald’s .

Avoid ordering the fish sandwich.

Ordering fish or other seafood might seem healthier at typical restaurants, but this doesn’t hold true for fast-food establishments. "Customers often overlook this fact, but the Filet-O-Fish ranks among the least healthy items we serve," reveals Charity, an employee based in North Carolina. Another compelling argument against opting for speedy sea creatures: "Having experience working both at casual eateries such as Panera and fast-food chains including McDonald's, I strongly advise steering clear of any menu item labeled as seafood," states Michael. "It definitely won't be fresh, plus regardless of whether you realize this, it typically sits out for extended periods." Additionally, stay away from these options. dishes that servers wouldn't place orders for at their respective restaurants .

Do not request "fresh" fries.

Throughout our interviews with fast-food employees, they all seemed annoyed when people would demand freshly made meals. french fries A staff member elaborates on this issue: "Customers often complain about the wait time when they order fresh fries," notes Stephanie, who was employed at an Ohio-based Burger King location. "Additionally, based on our workload, we might not prepare a separate batch just for your order, so you could still receive fries as though no specific request had been made." Discover more details here. Quick-service "statistics" are entirely incorrect. .

However, you might prefer to opt for freshly prepared chicken nuggets.

In a Reddit thread discussing food items at fast-food restaurants that staff advise against ordering, Ritch88 mentions: "When you get chicken nuggets, specifically request freshly made ones. Typically, they remain in a heated container without being refreshed. Although there’s a timer set for this purpose, more often than not, once it signals, workers tend to restart the timer rather than prepare new nuggets. This practice can continue until all the nuggets are sold."

Observe the clock at the drive-through.

A Reddit user and ex-Panera employee named Meganoli advises paying attention to timing when using the drive-through lane. "Please, please, please avoid coming through the drive-through around 8:30 p.m. to place an order for three paninis and five salads, only to complain about how lengthy the process seems. While the drive-through works well for those wanting a swift coffee or pastry—items which can indeed be prepared quickly—it isn’t designed like a typical fast-food service where everything comes instantly. Such orders require more time, and it would simplify matters for all involved if customers opted to go inside instead." 10 fast-food scandals rocked the industry.

Skip the grilled chicken at fast-food places specializing in burgers.

If you're visiting an eatery famous primarily for burgers, you might want to steer clear of the grilled chicken sandwich. "In our branch, we hardly sold any grilled chicken sandwiches. As a result, they stayed on the shelf much longer compared to other dishes, making their consistency very chewy," explains Stephanie. What occurs within your body once you consume a fast-food hamburger? .

Do not inquire about the "secret" Starbucks menu.

Patrons frequently inquire of Starbucks staff members regarding a so-called "secret" menu—though such a list doesn't actually exist. This misconception arises because inventive patrons have developed widely favored beverages not officially listed. However, should you desire something out-of-the-ordinary, specify the components to your barista: "People often query me about this 'secret' menu, yet I assure them we do not possess one. Simply share your preferences!" states Amelia, employed at a Starbucks location in Chicago, Illinois.

The chili is off-limits.

The chili offered at Wendy’s might seem like a cozy choice on their menu, yet this changes once you learn how it's actually prepared. As Reddit contributor Cozmo23 mentions, "[it's] generally not an issue of safety; however, many folks react with surprise upon hearing my description of Wendy’s chili." According to him, "the meat used originates from burger patties that were cooked earlier than intended for customer orders. These discarded patties get collected into bins and stored inside refrigerators. Later, during the preparation process for making chili, these meats are retrieved, boiled thoroughly, chopped finely, and finally incorporated into the dish."