juliebean, do you even know what a "double-blind test" is? Didn't think so. It doesn't apply here. A blind taste test suffices. Not surprised at the results; D and PJ make serviceable pizzas, LC and PH not so much, in general.

In DC (National and Dulles), gotta check out the 5 Guys. Their breakfast sandwiches are killer--nicely-fried eggs with a 5G burger and all the toppings!

@Ron_johnings: Don't tell me what food to like and I won't correct your grammar. Deal? Given the huge variety in cuisine and quality available in chain restaurants, it is rather close-minded/pretentious to dismiss all of them as being of low quality. This topic is for those who listen to their taste buds, and not just to what their peers are saying. (Guess you also missed that, vera & chazmo...)

That said, I enjoy food from several chains (as well as from holes-in-the-wall and upscale restaurants, and my home-cooked cuisine!). Heck, Shake Shack is a chain at this point. Others include 5 Guys, In-n-Out, D'Angelos subs, Texas Roadhouse, Sweet Tomatoes (for the occasional salad fix), Taco Bell (guilty!!--but not the NYC locations), Houston's, etc.

My recommendation sounds a lot like your ideal (perhaps less a bit of family atmosphere, but I'm usually there in the wee hours of the morning). Great Burrito, on 23rd right by SW corner of 23rd/6th. They are open 24/7, convenient to several subways, and they hand-make their tacos (dbl corn tortilla, cilan tro, fresh lime wedge, etc.), burritos, tortas, tostadas, etc. w /beef, chicken, pork, chorizo, veggie, or tongue. Griddled and assembled right before your eyes. The pizza is only so-so---but who goes there for the pizza? The Mexican dishes are excellent! great Burrito gets my vote for "Best" overall taco if you're in Manhattan based on several factors.

I suspect part of the problem with many restaurants (and office workplaces) is that the coffee carafes are used to add water to the drip machines to brew the next batch. The bit of coffee residue in the water builds up and burns on the heater element in the machine, giving the coffee a burnt/old/stale taste even if decent grounds are used. And I am sure the commercial coffee makers ar enot cleaned out frequently enough!

I don't see why these places can't make single-serve cups (K-*ugh*-cups or the far preferable coffee pods). Or better yet, why not use cold-brewed coffee? it is smooth as heck, never a hint of bitterness, and hard to mess up. The concentrate can be purchased in large containers; just mix with hot water for a cup of smooth joe. Disneyworld and BK serve this kind of coffee--*much* better than the typical pencil-shaving flavor that most fast-food places and restaurants pour.

Geoffrey earns a FAIL in Reading Comprehension. I'll leave it as an exercise for Geoffrey to figure out why.

I was the moze for many years. After I got my ph.d. it became dr moze.

Five Guys breakfast sandwich is to die for. Nicely fried real eggs (2 large ones) with a 5G burger and your choice of toppings (cheese, sauteed 'shrooms and onions, plus jalapenos for me!) on their solid roll. If only they sold them nearby (I'd be a lot fatter!).

Also not to be overlooked in NYC are the egg sandwiches from the breakfast carts (on a roll or bagel of choice). Always real eggs cooked on a hot griddle.

@yknot: You dropped a '0' in the density of aluminum (it's 0.0027 kg/cc or 2.7 g/cc, about 1/3 the density of steel). The numbers for volume-specific heat capacity and conclusions are fine, tho.

I concur with leebo: mayo=good, Miracle Whip=abomination.

@jerseygirl: do you realize that most of the white sauce you get with streetmeat gyros is mayo-based? (It is NOT yogurt-based tzatziki.)

Something to try on a burger (even for mayo-haters) is a mix of mayo and sriracha. The combo is greater than the individual parts. (Plain yogurt and sriracha also works well. Great chili flavor and the white stuff mellows out the heat so it's not too distracting.)

Good point. I tend to use my nose too when shopping (strawberries, tomatoes, etc.) and still manage to find some very tasty ones (usually) through 'regular' outlets (supermarkets, veggie carts). And I have had my share of great-looking veggies/fruit that taste more like stage props.

The best sweet corn I've had in my life, by far, is from a farm a block away from my sister's house in the nw chicago suburbs. It is amazingly sweet and crisp, and puts to shame the vast majority of the local supermarket/restaurant offerings. Definitely no shipping issues there.

p.s. had very tasty strawberries from brighton beach just 2 weeks ago, for about half the price as the above. ripe, red, and lots of flavor.

Fast food style (not actual "fast food"!)--good mix of tasty middle beef and outer cooked/charred crust.

For reference, where do you usually get burgers?