Which Drive-Thru Coffee Do You Like Best?
For many of us, coffee makes or breaks our morning. No one wants to choke on a bland, burnt mug before their 9-5 but it’s hard to pinpoint which fast-food joints have the best bang for your buck. Don’t worry, we’ve narrowed down the worst and best chains to score a good brew.
1. Taco Bell
To no one's surprise, Taco Bell earned the top spot for worst coffee. It often teeters between burnt or barely noticeable flavor, and you’re really only paying for dark water. The Bell may be open later than some chains, but it’s hard to get excited about beans that bland.
2. Subway
Subway’s had its ups and downs but despite being a successful sandwich chain, they never crawled away from the bad coffee brand. More often than not, it’s cold and tasteless and coffee lovers aren’t shy about spitting it out (figuratively). Don’t be surprised if this flavorless pick-me-up can’t hit the spot.
3. Whataburger
Whataburger hopped on the iced coffee bandwagon, which sounded good on paper but became a flop. Their iced coffee doesn’t boast the same flavor as other chains, with many pointing out the artificial taste. Sure, you can request more caramel, but no one needs eight pumps in the morning.
4. Tim Hortons
You’d think a well-known coffee chain would have better beans, but Tim Hortons lacks an enjoyable brew. There’s something far too synthetic about their everyday blend, and their dark roast is only a smidge better. That said…you bet people will chug it every morning.
5. Krispy Kreme
Yet another donut chain that’s letting us down! With so many choices, it’s easy to fool yourself into thinking there’s one good option. But it’s just bland coffee, sickly sweet lattes, and inconsistent brews all the way down.
6. In-N-Out Burger
For such a high-quality burger joint, we expected their coffee to taste fine. But it doesn’t. It’s a bland brew that tastes like someone plopped full coffee beans in some water. It’s not even a viable option if you’re in a hurry.
7. Dairy Queen
We love their frozen treats and we love their expensive ice cream cakes. We don’t, however, love their coffee. It’s probably unfair to even call it coffee. It’s really a 490-calorie coffee, soft-serve ice-cream thing topped with chocolate drizzle (and that’s a small). There’s too much going on and it doesn’t tick any of the boxes.
8. Jack in the Box
Jack’s coffee isn’t the worst thing we’ve ever had, but we’ve had better. Just about every chain uses Arabica beans, so while this brew’s passable, it still doesn’t have any standout qualities. It’s also a dice roll on how strong your cup will actually be.
9. Carl’s Jr.
If you want a medicore cup of coffee, or a plain decaf, Carl’s Jr. is the place to be. It’s not the world’s worst cup but it’s also fairly bland and lacks options available at better places. Be careful before you order; your only real option is a dark roast blend made from 100% Arabica beans, which isn’t for everyone.
10. Burger King
The jury’s out and it looks like BK should stick to Whoppers. They flew a little too close to the sun with all their mediocre options, and though they’re far from the worst, their coffee still runs too sickly sweet, or terribly bland. That burnt aftertaste doesn’t help either.
Alright, now it’s time to dive into the best options. Without further ado, here are our picks for the best fast-food coffee places.
1. Starbucks
We’re sure this ruffles some feathers, but Starbucks remains the best place for coffee. Some say there are too many options, others say it’s too expensive—the reality is that Starbucks offers quality and variety like no other. No matter what you want, no matter how you want it, they’ve got you covered.
2. Chick-fil-A
Believe it or not, Chick-fil-A has some pretty great beans. Of course they do, their stuff comes from THRIVE Farmers, a farmer-direct coffee company that leaves you with a rich, smooth flavor. Their iced coffee, admittedly, isn’t anything to write home about, but we’re still pleased with a hot cup of joe.
3. Culver’s
Oh, you thought their cheese curds were good? They are, don’t get us wrong, but you can also try Culver’s coffee for a surprising home run. It’s made from 100% Arabica beans, which falls in line with nearly every fast-food joint, but Culver’s coffee comes without those burnt flavors or a nasty aftertaste.
4. McDonald’s
Coffee lovers are still divided on McDonald’s brew, but we’re pretty big fans. They have a wide selection available from iced lattes and cappuccinos to their premium roast blend. Pots are also prepared every half hour, so you know you’re getting a fresh, smooth cup.
5. Panera Bread
We’ll admit that Panera coffee can taste bitter. However, a quick pump of vanilla or a splash of cream turns it into an enjoyably rich cup. They also have plenty of options available, which puts them a step above bland chains.
6. Dunkin’ Donuts
Say what you want about Dunkin’ Donuts, they still make a mean cup of coffee. While we don’t advocate putting 20 syrup pumps in a medium iced coffee, we do vouch for the original blend. It’s smooth, it’s sweet, and it’s a popular go-to.
7. Sonic Drive-In
Sonic may not offer all the bells and whistles of Starbucks, but their pleasant mugs get the job done. It’s actually the best choice for anyone set in their ways because Sonic uses Green Mountain Coffee, the same beans found in Keurig pods. Don’t worry, these guys brew their own stuff, so it’s better than what you make at home—it’s just not that different.
Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA on Wikimedia
8. White Castle
Do you need a simple rich blend with a smooth finish? It’s White Castle to the rescue. Their coffee doesn’t exactly stand out from the rest, but it’s still a good choice for anyone in need of a basic cup. It also smells amazing.
9. Wendy’s
Who knew Wendys’ had it in them? It’s an affordable, medium-roast blend made from Arabica beans. The taste is rich, the aroma’s there, and it’s miles ahead of other fast-food restaurants. Their iced coffee, though sweet, is also far better than other chains.
10. Wawa
Okay, okay, we know Wawa isn’t technically a fast-food chain. But it’s still a winner as far as quick, enjoyable coffee goes. This gas station brew boasts a decently smooth blend, and their flavored drinks are fine for what they are.
Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States on Wikimedia
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