A series of surveys and AMA threads from current and former fast-food employees on Reddit, Insider, and Business Insider revealed which menu items they recommend avoiding. Their insights often relate to food safety, freshness, or misleading marketing rather than just “healthiness.” Here are 12 popular fast-food picks employees consistently warn customers about.
Flashy Gimmick Foods Aren’t Worth It
Fast-food chains often roll out limited-time or “experimental” items to spark curiosity. Former employees warn these gimmicky foods rarely get ordered, which means ingredients sit longer than standard menu items. Business Insider reports that some seasonal items don’t move fast enough to ensure freshness, leading to questionable quality. The safer bet is to stick with long-standing core menu items that have steady turnover and fresher prep cycles.
Supersize Portions, Supersize Problems
Employees consistently advise against super-sized meals, not because of calories alone, but because of quality. According to a 2019 Consumer Reports survey, oversized fries and drinks often sit the longest before being served. Staff prioritize standard portions since they sell faster, meaning “supersized” servings may be assembled from older batches. The result: soggier fries and watered-down sodas that don’t match the marketing appeal of “more for less.”
Why You Should Skip Fast-Food Mac & Cheese
At several chains, mac and cheese is premade and kept warm for extended periods. Former employees on Reddit noted that these pans sometimes sit for hours, with cheese sauce breaking down and noodles turning mushy. Unlike pizza or burgers that turn over rapidly, mac and cheese isn’t a high-demand item, so it rarely tastes as fresh as advertised. A 2022 Insider report ranked it among the least reliable sides.
The Problem with Tuna Salad Sandwiches
The infamous Subway tuna lawsuit in 2021 highlighted the risks of ordering fast-food tuna salad. Lab tests commissioned by The New York Times found that multiple samples contained no detectable tuna DNA. Employees have also reported that tuna salad mixtures are heavily processed, with lots of mayonnaise and fillers to mask flavor inconsistencies. Because tuna isn’t a big seller, it often sits refrigerated for long stretches before use.
Pretty Garnishes Can Be a Red Flag
Food stylists may make garnishes look appetizing, but workers admit these extras often aren’t handled with the same care as core ingredients. A Food Safety Magazine report noted that lemon wedges, lettuce leaves, or parsley used as garnish may bypass the same wash and storage procedures as main ingredients. Employees recommend skipping any decorative extras since they don’t add much flavor and may introduce unnecessary contamination risks.
Why the Fish Sandwich is a Risky Pick
Fish sandwiches are among the least-ordered fast-food items, which creates freshness concerns. A former McDonald’s employee on Reddit explained that while burgers sell quickly, fish patties may sit for hours under heat lamps. Seafood is also more prone to bacterial growth if not handled properly. A 2018 Consumer Reports test found higher bacteria counts in fast-food fish sandwiches compared to beef and chicken counterparts.
Don’t Request “Fresh” Fries
It sounds smart to ask for fries cooked to order, but employees reveal it can backfire. On Reddit AMAs, workers explained that custom requests force staff to dump new oil batches into baskets without enough circulation, often resulting in undercooked, greasy fries. Fries are normally turned over so fast that most batches are already fresh within minutes. Ironically, asking for “fresh” can leave you with worse fries.
Chicken Nuggets: Order Fresh, Not Standard
Unlike fries, chicken nuggets are a worthwhile candidate for a “fresh batch” request. McDonald’s employees on Reddit threads noted that nuggets can sit in warming trays for up to 20 minutes, after which they lose crispiness and texture. Ordering them fresh ensures they’re cooked on the spot, which takes only a few minutes. Because nuggets are popular and quick to prepare, employees typically don’t mind this request.
Grilled Chicken at Burger Joints Isn’t the Healthier Bet
Fast-food grilled chicken sandwiches are often marketed as a lighter choice, but employees caution otherwise. A 2021 Consumer Reports study showed that grilled chicken patties at major chains contained high sodium levels, often more than breaded fried chicken. Workers also report that the patties arrive pre-cooked and are reheated, which affects both texture and taste. In contrast, fried chicken options are usually cooked on-site and turned over quickly.
The “Secret” Starbucks Menu Myth
Employees at Starbucks repeatedly warn customers not to order “secret menu” drinks. Baristas on Reddit explained there is no official secret menu, customers often show TikTok recipes requiring ingredients that stores don’t carry or recipes that take extra time during rush hours. This leads to frustration for both staff and customers. Even Starbucks corporate has stated that these viral creations aren’t endorsed and may not be replicable at stores.
Why Panera’s Soups May Disappoint
Panera Bread promotes its soups as homestyle, but employees reveal they arrive frozen in plastic bags before being reheated. In a 2019 Business Insider piece, former workers confirmed the “fresh” branding is misleading, since soups are simply thawed in hot water before serving. While this process is food-safe, it doesn’t align with customer expectations of scratch-made freshness. Soups also sit in warmers for long stretches during slow hours.
Arby’s Roast Beef Isn’t What It Seems
Arby’s markets its roast beef as freshly sliced, but employees report otherwise. According to a 2019 Mashed investigation, the meat arrives in pre-cooked, vacuum-sealed bags of concentrated roast beef slurry, which is then reheated in water and sliced. Workers on Reddit confirm this process, noting it’s not carved from a fresh roast. While safe, it doesn’t match the perception of traditional roasted beef found in delis.
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