Although sit-down restaurants can give you a more unique eating experience, you may not have the time to sit down and wait for a meal in between classes. Even though Berkeley doesn’t have that many options when it comes to fast-food chains, there’s still a handful where you can go for a quick meal. Here’s the Daily Clog’s ranking of the biggest fast-food chains in the city!
- Jack in the Box
Although I love the iconic Jack in the Box tacos, it can be a pretty long bus ride from campus, making the location inconvenient for students. If you have a late-night craving for a hamburger, though, it does stay open until midnight, which is an added plus!
- Popeyes
As another fast-food chain that is located pretty far from campus on San Pablo Avenue, Popeyes comes in at four on our list. If you’re looking to go on a small outing with friends, make sure you have time to spare! Popeyes has great menu items, such as its iconic fried chicken sandwiches that are super good. Be warned, though, as its prices are higher than most fast food chains. We decided to give this a pass because this is pretty common for most fried chicken places.
- Taco Bell
Ah, Taco Bell. What’s not to love? With its steel door that feels like it weighs 20 pounds, the cheap food and location on Durant Avenue, it has been a Berkeley staple for years. As one of the few places left in Berkeley where you can get a quick meal under $5 when ordering off the value menu, it’s been my go-to since I was a freshman. Taco Bell is also open until 1 a.m. So if you want to go somewhere with friends after your weekend activities, this is the place for you. Let’s not forget about its Mountain Dew Baja Blasts which are the perfect drink after a long day.
- McDonald’s
What college town wouldn’t be complete without a McDonald’s? If you’re craving some of its famous french fries, McDonald’s is just a quick bus ride to Downtown Berkeley, placing it higher on our list. Since McDonald’s is common in most places around the world, I tend to crave some chicken nuggets like the ones I get at home. As a result, I’m filled with nostalgia whenever I eat some. It also has a lot of coupons on its app, which makes for a cheaper meal if you can find a deal that works for you.
- Chipotle
Since Chipotle is so close to campus and is a common place for club fundraisers and socials, it takes the top spot on our list. With its wide variety of burritos and quick service, this is the optimal fast food place to go to if you’re looking for a quick lunch between classes. It’s also one of the more popular fast-food places in general, because it tends to have fresher ingredients compared to other fast-food restaurants. Thus, it’s more appealing for anyone looking for a place to eat.
With this list, you may have found some new fast-food chains you never thought existed in Berkeley. So, next time you’re feeling a little peckish and are craving fast food, think of some of the places on this list!
