Menu

The 12 Best Fast Food in Chicago

For those looking for quick and convenient dining options in the bustling city of Chicago, fast food is always a popular choice. Whether you're a local or just passing through, finding the best fast food spots in Chicago can be a daunting task.

From classic burgers and fries to international cuisines, Chicago offers a wide range of fast food options to satisfy any craving. With so many choices available, it's important to compare and find the best option that suits your taste and budget.

Check out our list of The Best Fast Food in Chicago below to help you make your decision!

How this ranking works

This guide does not try to list everyone. It is our pick of fast food in Chicago, built on each business's public reputation and on how central this service is to what it does.

Some businesses pay for a fuller profile or a featured position. It is only open to those that have already passed our selection, and it is always marked.

Top 3Full rankingMapTips for choosing

Our 12 local picks compared

Maxwell Street Depot, Chicago#1
What sets it apart
  • Customers appreciate the friendly service and affordable prices.

  • The food is regarded as delicious and greasy, perfect for a late-night indulgence.

  • The polish sausage is highlighted as a must-try menu item, especially when topped with the flavorful grilled onions.

  • Many visitors praise the 24/7 availability and convenient location for a satisfying meal.

Maxwell Street Depot

4.41,277 reviews

Open 24 hours

411 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States

Maxwell Street Depot is a beloved fast food restaurant located in Chicago. Operating 24 hours, this establishment offers a variety of dining options like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Customers can enjoy their quick bite either through delivery or takeaway. The cash only policy adds a charming old-school vibe to the experience.

Chick-fil-A, Chicago#2
What sets it apart
  • Friendly and welcoming staff

  • Clean and organized location

  • Great value for food

Chick-fil-A

4.31,248 reviews
1910 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, United States

Chick-fil-A is a well-established fast food restaurant in Chicago, offering a variety of service options like outdoor seating, delivery, drive-through, and dine-in. They are popular for serving great coffee and are known for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Customers appreciate their healthy choices and quick bites.

Customers' reviews highlight the exceptional service and cleanliness of the restaurant. One customer praised the staff for being kind and helpful, while another appreciated the fresh food and quick service. Another patron highlighted the welcoming team culture at this Chick-fil-A location. Visit Chick-fil-A for a delightful dining experience.

Wendy's, Chicago#3
What sets it apart
  • This Wendy's is updated with a full redesign. The staff and service were friendly and fast.

  • The breakfast was delicious, and the seasoned fries were a big hit.

  • One customer had a negative experience with slow service, dirty facilities, and a bug found in their food.

  • Another customer was disappointed with missing items, incorrect orders, and cold food.

Wendy's

3.91,749 reviews
2312 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, United States

Wendy's is a popular fast food restaurant located in Chicago, IL. They offer a variety of services including outdoor seating, delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in options. Customers can enjoy coffee, late-night food, quick bite, and vegetarian options at Wendy's.

This restaurant is known for being popular for lunch, dinner, and solo dining. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly. They provide good service and have a variety of dining options available for their customers.

Some of the key points from customer reviews are:

Overall, Wendy's offers a convenient and satisfying dining experience for those looking for quick and tasty meals.

Wendy's, Chicago#4

Wendy's

3.91,626 reviews
2610 W Pershing Rd, Chicago, IL 60632, United States

Wendy's is a popular fast food restaurant in Chicago, known for its diverse service options like outdoor seating, delivery, and drive-through. Customers can enjoy a meal at Wendy's for lunch, dinner, or solo dining as it is popular for these occasions. The restaurant provides wheelchair-accessible facilities and offers amenities like toilets for customer convenience.

With a rating of 3.9 based on 1626 reviews, Wendy's has garnered a mix of feedback from customers.

Overall, Wendy's offers a variety of dining options and amenities for customers to enjoy a quick bite or a full meal in a casual atmosphere. Customer experiences vary, but many appreciate the convenience and range of services provided by the restaurant.

Sonic Drive-In, Chicago#5
What sets it apart
  • Standard burgers and fries, sometimes that's enough for a quick bite

  • Very easy transaction, great service, clean location, and complete tasty meals

  • Great first-time experience, food was fantastic, but the place was understaffed

  • Ok burgers and hot dogs, good tater tots and shakes, serving sizes may vary

Sonic Drive-In

3.82,479 reviews
1022 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

Sonic Drive-In is a popular fast food restaurant located in Chicago, IL. They offer a variety of services and features to cater to their customers' needs. Some of their service options include outdoor seating, kerbside pickup, no-contact delivery, delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in.

Customers have praised Sonic Drive-In for their fast service and delicious food. Here are some key points from customer reviews:

With a solid rating of 3.8 based on 2479 reviews, Sonic Drive-In continues to attract customers with their convenient dining options and menu offerings like coffee, late-night food, and quick bites. Customers can enjoy a casual atmosphere and find amenities like clean toilets and a comfortable seating area. They accept credit cards and debit cards for payment and provide various options for children such as high chairs and a kids' menu.

If you're looking for a delightful fast-food experience in Chicago, Sonic Drive-In is a great choice!

McDonald's, Chicago#6
What sets it apart
  • Plastic bag found in drink caused inconvenience

  • Unsatisfactory table service experience

  • Issues with food quality and preparation

  • Long wait times and poor customer service

McDonald's

3.81,247 reviews
180 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States

McDonald's is a popular fast food restaurant located in Chicago, IL, offering a variety of options for their customers. They provide services such as Kerbside pickup, No-contact delivery, traditional delivery, takeaway, and dine-in options. With their great coffee, they are known for being popular for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and solo dining. The restaurant is accessible with wheelchair-friendly amenities and offers coffee, late-night food, and quick bites.

Customer reviews provide valuable insights into their experience at McDonald's. Some key points from the reviews include:

Despite some mixed reviews, McDonald's continues to serve its customers with a range of offerings and dining options. Whether you are looking for a quick meal on the go or a relaxing dine-in experience, McDonald's aims to cater to your needs.

Chick-fil-A South Loop, Chicago#7
What sets it apart
  • Excellent customer service with engaging conversations

  • High quality food that is delicious and fresh

  • Great atmosphere and cleanliness of the restaurant

  • Special mention to staff members who go above and beyond to enhance the dining experience

Chick-fil-A South Loop

3.81,181 reviews
1106 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Chick-fil-A South Loop is a popular fast food restaurant located in Chicago. They offer a variety of service options such as kerbside pickup, delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in. Customers can enjoy their meals in a casual atmosphere that is family-friendly and great for solo dining.

WLocal pick
#8
What sets it apart
  • The order entry system can be challenging for employees, making customization difficult

  • Some customers experienced issues with the taste of the food, with concerns about freshness

  • Cleanliness was a concern for some, with reports of dirty dining areas and bathrooms

  • Despite some negative feedback, others appreciated the quick service and hot food options

White Castle

3.72,357 reviews

Open 24 hours

2140 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, United States

White Castle is a well-known fast food restaurant located in Chicago, IL. They offer a variety of services including delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in options. The restaurant is particularly popular for its great coffee and is known for serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

Customer reviews highlight a few key points:

Visit White Castle for a quick bite and enjoy their specialties with a casual atmosphere, suitable for solo dining or group gatherings. They accept credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making it convenient for customers. Don't miss out on their offerings and amenities, including late-night food options and accessible parking for a hassle-free dining experience.

McDonald's, Chicago#9
What sets it apart
  • A convenient location with quick service, although some orders may be sloppily put together

  • Great all-around experience, especially for breakfast

  • Issues with orders being inaccurately made and disappointing customer service

  • Challenges with messy food presentation and unprofessional behavior from staff members

McDonald's

3.7867 reviews
645 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

McDonald's is a bustling fast food restaurant that offers a variety of services to its customers. From kerbside pickup to no-contact delivery</b, this spot caters to all needs. Customers can also enjoy great coffee while indulging in breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The casual atmosphere welcomes groups and children alike, offering good food for everyone.

Wendy's, Chicago#10
What sets it apart
  • Fresh food with friendly and quick service

  • Efficient and extra sauce provided upon request

  • Disappointed with lackluster experience due to issues with soda machines, cleanliness, and ordering process

  • Received incorrect order with a mixture of regular and spicy nuggets, along with lukewarm fries

Wendy's

3.82,338 reviews
1623 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

Wendy's is a well-known fast food restaurant located in Chicago. They offer various services such as delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in. Popular for lunch, dinner, and solo dining, Wendy's ensures accessibility with wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilets. They provide a range of offerings including coffee, late-night food, and vegetarian options. Customers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, counter service, and more at Wendy's.

Wendy's, Chicago#11
What sets it apart
  • I went to Wendy's today and ordered a Caesar salad but it was filled with raw onions causing me to vomit. The workers seemed unprofessional, and the atmosphere was not pleasant - Gi Gi

  • The place is always clean with fast service. No complaints regarding cleanliness and service quality - Noel Hermosillo

  • Waited over 30 minutes in the drive-through, the salads were missing condiments, and the combo didn't include sides. Adonis Jose

  • During a busy lunch rush, the staff managed well, hot and fresh food served without issues - Tim Jensen

Wendy's

3.63,284 reviews
242 W Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL 60609, United States

Wendy's is a popular fast food restaurant located on W Garfield Blvd in Chicago. They offer a range of services including delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in options. Customers enjoy the active military discounts and find the restaurant ideal for lunch, dinner, and solo dining. The dining environment is casual and family-friendly.

With a rating of 3.6, Wendy's has gathered 3284 reviews. Here are some key points from recent customers:

Overall, Wendy's offers a variety of amenities and delicious meals despite occasional service challenges. Visit them for a quick, casual dining experience.

Wendy's, Chicago#12
What sets it apart
  • Quick service and friendly staff.

  • Clean interior and good quality cold brew coffee.

  • Dining room cleanliness and convenience of the tablet ordering system.

  • Dissatisfaction with service, food quality, and overall experience.

Wendy's

3.51,306 reviews
3610 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, United States

Wendy's is a popular fast food restaurant located in Chicago, IL. They offer a variety of services and features to cater to their customers' needs. Some of the key offerings include outdoor seating, delivery, drive-through, takeaway, and dine-in options. Customers can enjoy their breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Wendy's, known for their quick bite options and vegetarian choices.

The comparison in brief

#BusinessRatingReviews
#1Maxwell Street Depot 4.41,277
#2Chick-fil-A 4.31,248
#3Wendy's 3.91,749
#4Wendy's 3.91,626
#5Sonic Drive-In 3.82,479
#6McDonald's 3.81,247
#7Chick-fil-A South Loop 3.81,181
#8White Castle 3.72,357
#9McDonald's 3.7867
#10Wendy's 3.82,338
#11Wendy's 3.63,284
#12Wendy's 3.51,306

Is your business listed here?

Claim or add my business

Map of Fast Food in Chicago

Chicago is a city known for its diverse culinary scene, ranging from upscale restaurants to fast food joints on every corner. Whether you're craving a classic Chicago-style hot dog or a deep-dish pizza, there are plenty of options to choose from. Check out the map below to discover all the fast food spots in the Windy City.

Tips for choosing Fast Food in Chicago

  1. Location.
  2. Menu variety.
  3. Price range.
  4. Speed of service.

More guides like this