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Published on July 19, 2024
Del Taco Dethrones Chick-fil-A as America's Top Fast Food Chain in USA Today's 2024 Readers' Choice AwardsSource: Google Street View

The reign of Chick-fil-A as the crowned king of fast food has come to an abrupt halt as USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards have a new winner for 2024: Del Taco. The Mexican chain, which has been a favorite in the West, managed to clinch the top spot, nudging the chicken sandwich giant into third place behind KFC, according to Eat This.

The annual list compiled by USA Today is first shortlisted by editors and fast-food experts, covering an array of categories from the best burgers to the best fries. This year’s victor, Del Taco, was celebrated for its affordable and satisfying Mexican fare as well as a notable vegan and vegetarian menu. "This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries. In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu," Eat This notes. Despite being a fast-food powerhouse, Chick-fil-A's displacement to third was a significant move from its previous nine-year streak as number one.

While Chick-fil-A's customer satisfaction and sales figures have shown robust performance, Del Taco's rise signifies a shift in consumer preferences. "Chick-fil-A is a favorite of many, including their friendly cow mascots who want you to 'eat mor chikin'.' The restaurant offers a variety of chicken-centric dishes, including nuggets and salads, but their classic chicken sandwich has been the most-ordered menu item at Chick-fil-A for (at least) two years running," detailed the entry for Chick-fil-A, presented by FOX 5 Atlanta.

Del Taco also made waves by nabbing the title for the best fast-food fries—a category previously dominated by McDonald's. Del Taco's crinkle cut fries, praised for their ability to retain salt and crispiness, especially when adorned with chili, queso or carne asada, garnered enough votes to push the golden arches to a third place finish. "Known for its Mexican-inspired menu, Del Taco racks up plenty of fans for its crinkle cut fries. The shape holds salt and crispiness which really helps if you order them covered in chili, queso, or carne asada," 10Best editors wrote in an assessment, echoed by Eat This.

Fast-food aficionados looking to see who else made the cut in this year's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards can check out the full lineup of winners and categories online, and perhaps even discover a new favorite among the listings. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A, despite sliding from its top spot, remains a formidable competitor in the fast-food landscape, with both its classic offerings and animal mascots still championing the call to "eat mor chikin."