Fast-food workers share items you should STOP ordering from 50+ favorite food chains

Everybody has their favorite fast food spot. Let’s face it- sometimes you really just don’t want to cook after a long day and want something fast. It’s convenient.

Seeing the nutrition facts, coupled with some former fast-food employees’ accounts, however, might change your mind about getting that quick bite again. Even their own workers won’t order some of these items.

After seeing this slideshow, you’ll know it’s always the healthier choice to just eat at home.

1. Firehouse Subs: Tuna

Getting tuna from any fast-food chain is usually questionable. You will not get quality tuna with this one. This sub comes in at 480 calories and 1070 mg of sodium. That’s basically all of your sodium intake in one sitting.

2. Wendy’s: Chili

Wendy’s chili isn’t the most popular item on the menu. Chili in the fast-food industry is notorious for sitting in storage for long periods of time. Getting this might not be a smart move for your stomach. Just get the burger.

3. Five Guys: Fries

Fries and burgers are a fast food classic. Five Guys make their fries with peanut oil. It’s definitely not healthy for you, coming in at 953 calories.

4. Chipotle: Tacos

Chipotle is a fan favorite. This hard truth might disappoint you. Their taco dishes are only half portions for the same price. Get a burrito next time.

5. Subway: Tuna

There are countless options for a great sandwich at Subway, but the tuna isn’t one of them. The tuna sits out for a long time before getting replaced and sometimes might even be expired. According to fleaona on Reddit, the process comprises draining huge cans of tuna, adding a huge bag of mayo, and then mixing it with their hands.

6. Shake Shack: Double Smokestack

This is Shake Shack’s version of a double bacon cheeseburger. It might be tasty, but it’s sure not good for you. This burger contains 1,895 mg of sodium. That’s basically all your recommended daily sodium intake in one sitting.

7. Arby’s: Roast Beef

This top menu item is something you’re going to want to reconsider. This roast beef comes in a paste that’s dried in the oven. Here’s the kicker, too- if you’re ordering in the early hours you might receive yesterday’s leftovers.

8. Denny’s: Grand Slamwich

This is probably the most unhealthy breakfast you could probably have. Eating one of these meets more than half of the recommended caloric intake. It also contains 3,320 mg of sodium.

9. Taco John’s: Beans

I’d steer clear of anything containing beans at this fast-food chain. Taco John’s beans are just left on the warmer all day. If it gets too dry, employees will just add some water to it.

Eat This Not That
Source:

Eat This Not That

10. Long John Silver: Baja Fish Taco

You would think fish would be a healthier alternative when getting fast food, but think again. These Baja fish tacos aren’t as healthy as they seem. According to menuwithaprice.com, one taco is 580 calories, 39g of fat, and 1330 mg of sodium.

West Virginia Surf Report
Source:

West Virginia Surf Report

11. P.F. Chang’s: Pad Thai

Pad Thai is known to be one of the most unhealthy things you could order at a Thai restaurant. On the website, it says this dish is 1,120 calories. It’s also well over your daily intake of sugar at a whopping 50g.

12. Movie Theater: Popcorn

Not only are there a ton of chemicals inside this popcorn- it’s ridiculously overpriced. The popcorn might even be leftover from the night before. You’re better off sneaking in your own and saving your money.

13. White Castle: Hash Brown Nibblers

You wouldn’t think this tiny snack could be so deceiving. These little bites come in at 1,440 calories, 101 g in fat, and 1,830 mg of sodium. I’d just opt-out for some hash browns from the frozen aisle at your local grocery store.

14. Buffalo Wild Wings: Stick to the wings

Thank god they can get something right. I would skip out on anything else on the menu next time. According to employees, pretty much everything else is prepackaged and frozen.

15. Steak ‘n’ Shake: Chili or Shakes

This chain shouldn’t be your first choice for chili. The station is barely cleaned. As for the grease, that’s only changed on rare occasions.

16. Auntie Anne’s: Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel Dog

I mean, the picture explains itself. This thing will probably give you a heart attack. This dog is 370 calories, 20g of fat, and 700 mg of sodium.

Auntie Anne's Preztels
Source:

Auntie Anne's Preztels

17. Little Ceasar’s: Breadsticks

These breadsticks are a popular Little Caesar’s favorite. You might want to look for another alternative after learning this, though- they grease these up with day-old butter to keep up its appearance.

18. Einstein Bagels: Anything with Eggs

You can definitely tell when the taste of eggs are old. This chain puts the eggs in a microwave in the morning and then warms them through the day. I think making your own eggs is a safer bet.

Twitter/SunSentinel
Source:

Twitter/SunSentinel

19. Bojangle’s: Chicken Rice Bowl

Chicken and rice isn’t always a bad meal for you. It’s just the way Bojangle’s does it that’s bad. This dish contains 1,130 calories, 126 mg of carbs, 4,370 mg of sodium.

20. Chick-Fil-A: Gluten Allergy Beware

Chick-Fil-A has a wide fan base for sure. I’d recommend people with gluten issues to stay clear, though. They might have excellent service, but it’s been reported that they don’t clean the grill in between orders.

21. Gas Stations: Slurpees

These classics have always touched a special part of my heart as a kid. Although the sugar content is definitely through the roof. Another fun fact: These machines are rarely cleaned, making it a breeding ground for mold.

22. Domino’s: American Cheese/Philly Steak Pizza

There are so many better places you could order your pizza from. I understand though, if it’s late at night. Also, keep in mind when it comes to ingredients that aren’t on the standard menu items, they don’t get refreshed as much. These items are usually on the edge of going bad in the Dominos kitchen.

23. Starbucks: Any Food Item

Starbucks is notorious for it’s overpriced food. It’s honestly not worth the price for what you’re eating. It comes prepackaged and frozen.

24. Papa John’s: John’s Favorite

This pizza is basically just baked grease. It’s full of pepperoni, sausage, and six cheeses. Having just one slice of this loaded pizza contains 410 calories.

25. Carl’s Jr: Thickburger El Diablo

This burger is packed full of deep-fried greasy foods. The Thickburger contains a tremendous amount of meat and deep-fried jalapeno poppers. Like a lot of these food items, this burger contains calories that are more than half of your daily intake at 1,290 calories.

26. Hardee’s: Charboiled Monster Thickburger

Well, first off I don’t know who would really want that much meat in one place. It’s 2/3 lb of beef and 4 thick strips of bacon. This thing packs at 1,420 calories.

27. Burger King: Fish Sandwich

I don’t think I’ve ever even heard anyone say that they even actually eat the fish from here. The quality is definitely poor and who knows how long it’s been sitting in storage. I’d personally rather not find out.

28. Checkers: Chili

Chili at fast food restaurants are never good for you. Mostly in the fast food industry, chili is just reheated. Sometimes they even use old pieces of hamburger and other ingredients.

29. Dairy Queen: Anything but a Blizzard or hamburger

Honestly, Dairy Queen is really only good for its Blizzards. If you want actual food, I’d probably stick with the burger. Anything else is probably past its shelf life limit and not the best quality.

30. KFC: Barbeque Chicken

KFC is a popular American favorite. I’d skip on the barbeque sauce, though. One employee reported that their barbeque chicken sandwiches are stale. It’s reported that they soak it for an entire month before serving.

31. Moe’s Southwest Grill: The Homewrecker Burrito

There are so many other places you can go for some satisfying tex-mex food. I’d avoid the Homewrecker Burrito though. According to Calorie King, this thing is 639 calories, 27g of fat, and 1,333 mg of sodium.

32. A&W: Anything Breakfast after Breakfast time

At A&W, the breakfast items are prepared ahead of time once noon comes around. You might have to wait around for a while. You might as well just make your eggs at home.

33. California Pizza Kitchen: Jerk Chicken Thin Crust Pizza

Thin crust doesn’t actually mean thin. Veggies also don’t mean it’s good for you either. This loaded pizza contains 1,320 calories and 3,960 mg of sodium.

34. Panda Express: Orange Chicken

Why go to a fast-food chain when you can just get take out from your local Chinese place? You might want to know about Panda Express’s policy for one of their favorite menu items. If the chicken gets dry, employees spoon some uncooked sauce to keep it good.

35. Sonic: Chili

Sonic is always an easy fix. Most of the items aren’t really good for you, anyway. Specifically, the chili at Sonic comes prepackaged and tossed in a warmer. They are also known for cross-contamination.

36. Jimmy John’s: Iced Tea at Night

Jimmy John’s is a popular food chain throughout the country. I wouldn’t get the iced tea at night, though. By the end of the day, the container probably hasn’t been cleaned out and it’s going to be gooey.

Genuine Kentucky
Source:

Genuine Kentucky

37. Baseball Stadium: Hot Dogs

These hot dogs aren’t as great as they turn out to be. Vendors keep their hot dogs after the day. They refrigerate them in water until the next game.

38. Pizza Hut: Deep Dish

Deep dishes are already hard to clean. Now put that mixed with fast food and you’ll get dirty pans. Employees will even throw this into the washer with crust still on it.

39. Mcdonalds: Fries

There was a trend that went viral years ago that if you ordered “fresh fries”, employees were required to make an entirely new batch for you. This will just make your food take forever and everyone else pissed at you. They are also super high in calories for something that is supposed to be a side.

40. Quiznos: Turkey Bacon Guacamole Sub

Just because there’re veggies in it doesn’t mean it’s actually healthy for you. It might taste good, but if you’re on a diet, I’d avoid this one. According to Fast Food Nutrition, a 12 inch is 1,340 calories, 62g of fat, and 4,090 mg of sodium.

41. Friendly’s: Tuna

I personally would never order tuna while out- just make it from home. You’ll be shocked to hear what an employee had to say about their tuna salad. They reported that the tuna salad was made only once a week at their location.

42. Jersey Mike’s: Chicken Parm or Meatball Subs

Jersey Mike’s is a big fast-food favorite for getting a quick sub. I wouldn’t recommend the Chicken or Meatballs though because it comes prepackaged and microwaved or boiled for prep.

Antelope Valley Press
Source:

Antelope Valley Press

43. Tim Horton’s: Anything besides Donuts or Bagels

Unless you’re getting a bagel or a donut you’ll probably be unhappy with the product. Not only are these ingredients not good for you, but they also come frozen. They might not even be stored properly.

44. Sbarro: Meat Primo Pizza

This pizza is not diet food that’s for sure. According to their website, a 17″ is 3860 calories. The amount of sodium comes at 10,510 mg. That’s scary.

Twitter/Atlanta Airport
Source:

Twitter/Atlanta Airport

45. Popeye’s: Shrimp Po’Boy

This sandwich is an all-time favorite at Popeye’s, but it’s not really good for you. This is another menu item that isn’t good for the diet in any way. It comes in at 660 calories, 41g of fat, and 1,980 mg of sodium.

46. Taco Bell: AVOID IF YOU HAVE A SERIOUS FOOD ALLERGY

It’s basically a guarantee you’re going to have cross-contamination here. If you have a serious food allergy, it’s not worth the risk of eating there. They even note on their website, they can’t even guarantee it.

47. Panera Bread: Any Soup

Let’s face it, Panera is basically glorified hospital food for the price we pay for it. They arrive in frozen bags and are defrosted in what’s probably a dirty sink. Then it’s transferred into a pitcher.

48. Cinnabon: Caramel Pecanbon

This desert is the ultimate diet buster. We all like desert now and then but this one is really bad. This Cinnabon classic comes in at 1080 calories, and 960 mg of sodium.

The Pud Hog Blog
Source:

The Pud Hog Blog

49. Church’s Chicken: Cob Sandwich

Again, veggies can be deceiving. This thing doesn’t even look edible. This sandwich is 810 calories and a scary 1,480 mg of sodium.

50. Johnny Rockets: Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger

Well, it’s a no-brainer that a bacon burger probably isn’t good for you. This Johnny Rockets burger takes this to new heights. This comes in with a whopping 1,770 calories and 2,830 mg of sodium.

51. Dunkin Donuts: Hot Coffee

You’re better off getting your hot coffee at Starbucks. According to this Reddit thread, many customers have reported the quality going down immensely since getting new coffee machines. Plus, if you get a cold drink, it’s actually larger. More bang for your buck.

52. 7-Eleven: Food in the Warmer

I’ve always steered clear of 7-Eleven food. If you’re getting any of the items in the warmer, especially at night, it’s most likely been in the warmer since 5 a.m. Your most likely safer just buying the same item from the frozen aisle at the grocery store.

53. Culver’s: Veggie Burger

It’s usually a good rule of thumb that within the fast food industry it’s impossible to get away from cross-contamination. These chains aren’t equipped to serve a good veggie burger when it revolves around meat. At Culver’s specifically, they reheat it in the microwave and throw it on the same grill as everything else.

Well, I know at least for me- I’ll be skipping the fast-food next time. Now that you’ve gone through this slideshow, I hope you’ll think again before getting that quick bite. It’s probably best for you to stick to your local family restaurant next time.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Article Sources:

To learn more read our Editorial Standards.