Matt Meltzer

Everybody who's ever been out past closing time has an IHOP story. But for a restaurant that’s a bedrock of the American experience, IHOP really doesn’t get talked about enough. It hasn’t had cult-favorite sandwiches or dining room brawls that go viral. It just quietly sits under its blue A-frames, serving pancakes, burgers, and other breakfast favorites at all hours to all kinds of people. And the thing is, most of the stuff they’re serving is pretty good. To prove it, I went to the IHOP next to my nearest airport at a normal hour, and much to the entertainment of the staff, ordered their recommendations for the best things on every part of the IHOP menu. Much to my delight, I found far more hits than misses, and food still tastes great when the sun is out. RECOMMENDED:🥖 The best Subway sandwiches, ranked🍔 All the Popeyes sides, ranked🌮 The best Taco Bell items, ranked🍳 The full McDonald's breakfast menu, ranked

Whatever your thoughts on Popeyes fried chicken, its ambience cannot be matched. If you’ve ever taken the time to savor a spicy sandwich inside, you’ll notice a lively mix of jazz, zydeco, and gospel music on the loudspeaker, which makes lunch a little like a trip to New Orleans, or, at least, a fried chicken place with good taste in music. Of course, a fun soundtrack isn’t what brought Popeyes from a regional chain to over 3,700 locations worldwide. It was its chicken sandwich, which gained cult status in the late 2010s and kicked off this decade’s chicken sandwich wars. But there’s plenty of other stuff on Popeyes menu, too, so we tried it all and found the chicken sandwich isn’t even close to the best thing. RECOMMENDED:🥖 The best Subway sandwiches, ranked🍔 All the Popeyes sides, ranked🌮 The best Taco Bell items, ranked🍳 The full McDonald's breakfast menu, ranked

Who among us hasn’t strolled into a McDonald’s at 10:35 am, eager to destroy a Sausage Egg McMuffin, only to be greeted with a lunch menu and a polite “We stopped serving breakfast at 10:30.” The disappointment is crushing, and the hard stop time for this generational hangover food is almost as famous as its grease-soaked wrappers. Why has McDonald’s breakfast stood ahead of its franchise counterparts? After eating the entire menu, I can surmise it has a lot to do with the breads, which are higher quality than you’d expect. But it probably also has a lot to do with nostalgia. Here’s a look at the best items on McDonald’s breakfast menu, and which are worth rushing to get to by 10:30. RECOMMENDED:🥖 The best Subway sandwiches, ranked🍔 All the Popeyes sides, ranked🌮 The best Taco Bell items, ranked

Somewhere this century, Subway became the official food of the American road trip. Maybe it was the $5 footlongs, maybe it was the idea of eating something healthier, but all of a sudden, Subway went from the odd strip-mall sandwich shop to the default spot in gas stations and service plazas across the nation.  Even off the road, Subway is a staple in almost every American city, the fastest-growing fast-food franchise during the first part of this century. A big part of Subway’s appeal is its flexibility—with a long menu and dozens of toppings, you could theoretically eat a different sandwich every day for the rest of your life. Lacking that much time, we tried the standards, and a few of the more intriguing new items, and ranked the top 16 Subway sandwiches. Methodology: In the name of consistency, we ordered all classic subs with lettuce, tomato, provolone, and mayo on Italian bread. Specialty subs were served as suggested by Subway, and we made some slight modifications to make them better, as noted below. RECOMMENDED: What to order at McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A and Arby's RECOMMENDED: The definitive ranking of the best fast food restaurants in America

Taco Bell might be the world’s most self-aware fast food chain. It once lauded itself as the home of the late-night “Fourth Meal,” leaning into its reputation as a place for those who, for some reason, were starving at 2 am. That stoner-riffic reputation also led Taco Bell to become one of the great innovators in fast-food snack-food hybrids, developing myriad creations that passed through their menu like salty, fleeting romances. Taco Bell is always a welcoming blend of the novel and the familiar, a lineup of classics you remember from your late-night drive-thru days, and a collection of zany new creations you’re always curious to try. We stopped in and grabbed a little of both, then ranked the 17 best. Methodology: Taco Bell’s menu is a maze of made-up words and flavor combinations, so we tried to get one or two items from each section, including drinks. We were sure to also revisit the classics, to see how they stacked up to the new stuff. And threw in a couple of limited-time additions that are worth a mention. RECOMMENDED: What to order at McDonald's, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A and Arby's RECOMMENDED: A definitive ranking of the best food restaurants in America

In the vast cornucopia of true American cuisine that is the fast food menu, dessert is often an afterthought. As we wade our way through crispy chicken sandwiches, seven-layer burritos, and burgers dripping with bacon, the little sweet treats at the end get criminally overlooked.  RECOMMENDED: The best fast food restaurants in America It’s a shame, too, because many fast food restaurants have fantastic desserts, some as simple as a cookie and others as complex as a multi-layer mousse pie. And since calorie counting went out the window the minute you turned onto franchise row, you may as well enjoy something sweet to cap off your indulgence. Here’s a look at the top 15 fast food desserts from your favorite quick service spots. Method: To keep this from becoming a list of cookies and milkshakes, we looked at which fast food place did unique items the best. If two places did something well, we picked the better of the two. So if you’re looking for the best milkshake, lava cake, or chocolate chip cookie, now you know where to go. More of your favorite fast-food rankings: 🍔 The best food at Wendy's 🍟 The best food at McDonald's 🍗 The best food at Chick-fil-A 🥪 The best food at Arby's 🌮 The best food at Taco Bell

Poor Arby’s. Somehow, amid the glut of American fast-food restaurants, it’s the only one that became a punchline on The Simpsons. And while Millhouse might not be a fan,  Arby’s still boasts a core of hard-core devotees, who’ll eat there ahead of anywhere else on Franchise Row, and a lot of regular restaurants too. The reason is simple: The meat. And if you love the stuff, Arby’s is hard to resist. Beyond the beef, there’s a slew of other stuff on the menu that may make you rethink every joke you ever made about the place. I enlisted the help of an Arby’s aficionado, and with his invaluable input, we ranked the 12 best things on Arby’s menu. Method: We ordered one of every sandwich on the Arby’s menu. Sandwiches that offered “with cheese” and “without cheese” were tried both ways, to ensure a fair determination of which one was better. Only the top 12 were selected. Plain fries and other non-signature sides, as well as desserts, were not sampled. All prices and calorie counts are for sandwiches only.

More than any other fast food franchise, McDonald’s is an icon. It’s a brand that’s part of the language, like Q-tip or Google. “We’ll just stop at a McDonald’s,” your dad would say when you asked about when you’d eat or where you’d use the bathroom. “We don’t have any McDonald’s,” towns that eschew chains always brag when telling you about their dedication to small business. The Big Mac, Happy Meal, and Ronald McDonald are as much a part of American culture as road trips and college football. And while some might argue the food is secondary to the overall experience, there are some decent meals to be had. We tried the whole menu and found the items that could stand alone without the golden arches. But also, the ones you may want to avoid. Here’s a look at the McDonald’s menu, and which items reign supreme. RECOMMENDED: The best McDonald's breakfast items, ranked

While I can’t prove it for a fact, I have a pretty good hunch that Huey Lewis was sitting in a Wendy’s sunroom somewhere in the early ‘80s when he was inspired to write “Hip to be Square.” Because, really, what’s hipper than a square-shaped burger? Ok, a lot of things, but still in the saturated world of fast food burgers, Wendy’s has made itself a standout by giving its burgers a different shape. And for that, they should be applauded. Of course, in the years since, Wendy’s has gained a reputation for more than just square burgers. Their irresistible Frostys are a staple of the American childhood experience, and their old dollar menu created a huge cult following for the spicy chicken nuggets. Now, with so much on the menu, one might wonder if burgers are even worth ordering on a visit to Wendy’s. We tried the whole menu, and found out the answer is probably no. RECOMMENDED: The best items on the Chick-fil-A menuThe best McDonald's menu itemsThe best Taco Bell items

There is something inarguably addictive about the chicken at Chick-fil-A. Take one bite, and your brain instantly asks for another—the mix of salt, spice, and sweet kicking your pleasure receptors into high gear until the sandwich is gone. The effect has created around-the-block lines and drive-thrus across America, and a mass appeal that no other franchise enjoys. But the fried chicken alone isn’t what drives people to Chick-fil-A in droves. If you’re new to the phenomenon, or are curious about the menu beyond your usual order, we tried the whole darned thing to see what’s best. Below, the best Chick-fil-A items to order next time you're hungry. August 2025: We limited this list to entrees, no sides, and with one exception, only items from the lunch and dinner menu. We ordered only the simple versions of each sandwich, though most can be ordered “deluxe” with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. We ate dishes without sauce, then added sauce to see which paired best. Items are evaluated on their natural, sauceless states. RECOMMENDED:The best McDonald's menu items, rankedThe best items on the iHop menu, ranked from worst to bestThe best Taco Bell items to pick from the menu  

Some days, you have time to savor breakfast over steaming coffee and the morning headlines. Those days usually begin with S. The rest of the week, breakfast is an on-the-go adventure, where you try and find the best fast food breakfast you can eat with one hand—and not spill all over your clothes. Not so long ago, that meant an almost-identical lineup of breakfast meat, egg, and cheese sandwiches, all of which tasted pretty much the same. But it’s 2025, and even fast food breakfast in America has upped its game. Now you’ll find smoked brisket and chipotle chicken on gourmet breads, avocado toast, and even a couple of options you might dare to call “healthy.” Here are the top 11 for your morning commute. June 2025: I picked one item from each fast food franchise, considering a variety of options since not everyone loves breakfast sandwiches, and some places have offerings that are a little more unique. Rankings are based on overall quality and flavor, with a nod to originality and creativity. No value was assigned to the relative mess they might leave on your front seat. RECOMMENDED: The best fast food restaurants in America

Miami’s food landscape is a melting pot, but when it comes to comforting bowls of fatty meat, we’ve always been more of a ropa vieja kind of town. Ramen skeptics doubted that hot soup could thrive in a city where the humidity hugs you like an overenthusiastic relative. But the trendy Japanese dish has nevertheless prevailed, with broth so rich and flavorful even the most die-hard gazpacho fans can get behind it. It hasn’t been all smooth simmering, though. Some of this town’s earliest ramen pioneers faded faster than a Miami sunset, leaving behind only the hardiest of spots—and making room for some brand-new challengers—to keep us slurping. Now, whether you’re a traditionalist craving tonkatsu or a culinary daredevil seeking the spiciest curry, Miami’s ramen game is strong enough to call the streets of Tokyo to mind. These are our picks for the best ramen in Miami right now. RECOMMENDED: The best omakase in Miami serves up art on a plate

Morning commutes up US-1 are right up there with property taxes and club promoters as the worst things about living in Miami. However, those commutes can be considerably more bearable with a piping hot bag of bagels in your passenger seat, conveniently available at this deli near the perpetually-jammed intersection of SW 27th Ave. If you’ve got a little more time, relax in this classic deli setting and enjoy a Dr. Brown’s soda with your nova sandwich or corned beef hash—though, we wouldn’t recommend trying either while driving. 

Not only is this place Brickell’s best bagel spot, but it's also home to the best bagel sandwiches in all of Miami. The Little Havana Bagel (they're all named after different Miami neighborhoods) is the go-to for meat eaters. It's topped with eggs, steak, onions and American cheese. For vegetarians, the Collins breakfast wrap is a must, stuffed with scrambled eggs, feta, and spinach. Just make sure you get there early on the weekends. Lines for this place are intense. 

At this point, Acai bowls at 7-Eleven are probably imminent. Still, this spot at the base of Portofino does the food trend tastier than anyone in town. The Maui transplants who opened Lilikoi include a chef with Fat Duck pedigree, who’s serving up stuff like sous vide eggs on quinoa flour waffles with coconut milk whipped cream and organic eggs on homemade whole wheat toast. They’ve also got juices pressed to order, and an innovative smoothie menu highlighted by a kale piña colada.

People who still call it “Dade County” and remember a time when the zoo was on Key Biscayne will tell you the best breakfast in Miami is at Wagon's West. Fancy, it is not. But it's got charm all over the place, from its wooden dining room to the waitresses that have seen their customers grow up and bring their children to the table. The breakfast Cheers ambiance aside, South Dade locals still flock here for the food, where omelets and waffles are the stars of the show. It’s a true throwback spot that hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1981.

There may not be a breakfast spot in Miami that offers more for everyone than this Aventura staple. Not only does the menu boast savory stuff like short rib and sliced lox benedicts, but those with a sweet tooth swear by the cookie dough-stuffed French toast. Add in a quinoa porridge and Greek yogurt granola parfait for the healthy and you’ve got an easy choice for big group breakfasts. Pro tip: Go early on the weekends to avoid a wait. People into this kind of decadence don’t wake up early.

If staring at the cases of chocolate-covered heaven while you wait for your brunch table is just too painful, head there during the week for plain-old breakfast. This gourmet bakery does eggs, omelets, and Brioche French toast as well as anyone, but the real draw is the indulgent sweets in the display case. Try not to think too hard about the calories and be sure to take plenty of pictures.

Given our large collection of New York transplants, Miami has an upsettingly-small number of great bagel places. But many say the best in the city can be found here, at this deli-diner hybrid near Sans Souci. At Bagel Bar, Miami Shores lifers enjoy hand-rolled bagels and bialys next to MiMo transplants at the counter. It's a delightfully odd cross-section of Miami you won’t find in most places. And if you’re not bagel-obsessed, the chocolate chip pancakes they serve on the weekend can still become addictive.

The take-out market next to iconic Joe’s Stone Crab might be the best-kept secret (in terms of value) on the Beach. Thoughwidely known for its fried chicken, the breakfast here is also one of the best deals around. You’ll get the same high-quality food as next door, but breakfast for two here with coffee and OJ is rarely over $30 with tip. The omelets are the best pick, especially if you pack them with seafood, and the hash browns are just as delicious in the morning as they are next to hearty stone crab claws at night.

Stuffing fries into a sandwich has been a time-honored tradition since Primanti Brothers introduced the idea to steelworkers in Pittsburgh in the 1930s. The next logical step is to fuse that very-American idea with cuisines from around the world, which is exactly what Moty’s does so skillfully. This Mediterranean truck still serves some of the best falafel, shawarma and kebabs in Miami. But the Bomb—which consists of falafel, chicken shawarma and French fries in a pita—is a full lunch you can devour in under five minutes.  

One of the cool things about living in Miami is we have access to cuisines that aren’t too common in the rest of the country. Take, for example, Mr. Good Stuff's signature item, the luna, Venezuelan corn arepas filled with everything from BBQ pulled pork to short rib to gouda cheese. It’s the kind of thing you’d have to search long and hard for in other cities, but all we have to do is pull up Mr. Good Stuff's Twitter and find the truck's location.   

Despite roaring success in its two stand-alone stores, Ms. Cheezious keeps it real and still roams the streets in its trademark turquoise truck. Sandwiches like the grilled bleu and bacon, the frito pie melt and the fried chicken and waffle melt have become staples of the South Florida culinary landscape. And they still taste just as delicious handed down to you from that magical window as they did in the beginning.  

This timeless dessert truck has won pretty much every award a food truck can receive. The concept is genius: take a flavor of hand-made gelato (like Oreo, Belgian chocolate or salted caramel brûlée) dip it in one of three chocolates and then cover it with toppings such as pretzels, sprinkles or caramelized pecans. It’s the ultimate in customizable desserts and—even if you know nothing about flavors—it’s impossible to go wrong.  

Aside from jokes about the always-broken soft serve machines, people don’t talk about McDonald’s dessert. It’s an entirely different menu, and the Golden Arches’ most iconic items mostly lie on the hot food side. But McDonald’s dessert is also one of the most criminally underrated menus in the fast-food world. While few of us are hungry for sweet treats after polishing off a Big Mac Extra Value Meal, the dessert menu at Mickey D’s is worth saving room. Or, dare we suggest, stopping in for after dinner somewhere else. We tried the whole dessert menu, and here’s what to try. RECOMMENDED: The best McDonald’s menu items 6. Dreamland Shake This limited-time, pastel psychedelic shake is meant to bring you back to the McDonald’s cartoon universe of your childhood.  And they are onto something, because this thing is so sweet you may start hallucinating Birdie and the Hamburglar. It’s a fever dream of a dessert that makes your head spin with the overwhelming sugar, and if you have kids, keep them far away. Remember, there are no more McDonaldland playgrounds for them to burn this off anymore. The blue “berry” shake and pink whipped cream are flavors reminiscent of 7-Eleven ICEEs—a vague fruitiness that doesn’t taste like anything in nature. Photograph: Matt Meltzer for Time OutMcDonaldland Shake 5. Sundae McDonald’s soft serve ice cream (see #3) on its own is a decent dessert. Sadly, McDonald’s couldn’t apply the same quality standards to its chocolate syrup. Like a lot of mass-prod

Wander into Wendy’s and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Even if you’re able to resist the flock of chicken sandwiches and tempting variations on the Frosty, narrowing down the signature square burger selections is a challenge on its own. The right burger is going to depend on a lot of things, from how hungry you are to your relative appreciation for bacon. Or maybe, you just want to feel like a kid again. Whatever you’re feeling, here’s a look at all of Wendy’s burgers, to make at least one crucial life decision a little easier. RECOMMENDED: The best items on the Wendy's menu, ranked Jr. Cheeseburger/Hamburger The king of Wendy’s sunroom nostalgia is and will always be the Frosty. But since mom and dad wouldn’t let you have ice cream for lunch, second in line is this classic, square little hamburger. Somehow, it filled you up and tasted like the whole world on a bun when you were a jit, and the faint flavor of pickles still brings you back to those simpler days. As an adult, it’s not good for much more than a “Ratatouille”-style trip back to childhood. It’s still tasty, but unless you’ve got the stomach of a six-year-old, you’ll still be hungry. Price: $2.00 Calories: 240 Hamburger; 280 Cheeseburger Photograph: Shutterstock/DeutschlandreformJr. Cheeseburger at Wendy's Double Stack The double stack is like nostalgia-plus-one, a way to get that same, square-patty feeling from the old days with enough meat to satisfy. It’s—hold onto your hats—a double stack of beef and cheese o

Trying to eat healthy at Chick-fil-A seems about as practical as ordering mocktails in New Orleans. This isn’t a nutritious endeavor; let’s not try to make it one. But after trying nearly every item on the Chick-fil-A menu, I’ve come to what I assume is going to be a very unpopular conclusion: Chick-fil-A’s healthier options are actually better than their fried chicken. Not to besmirch America’s beloved salty-sweet, borderline-addictive chicken obsession. But if you venture past the beige part of the menu, you’ll find Chick-fil-A puts just as much thought into their colorful salads. And if you’re trying to eat a little better, it’s low-key your best fast-food option. But let’s be clear: Ordering one of Chick-fil-A’s salads as-is doesn’t do much for your healthy eating. The salads pack more calories and fat than most of the chicken sandwiches, thanks mostly to the cheese, dressing, and fried tortilla strips that come on top. Some might also call this, “The stuff that makes them taste good.” Chick-fil-A’s salads, however, are still delicious minus all the add-ons. You’ll just need to get a little creative to order them in a way that’s just as tasty, and leaves you full. Here is how you do it. Order the Southwest Salad with no dressing and no cheese, subbing regular grilled chicken (the same one used on the Market Salad) for the spicy. Politely decline the tortilla strips and pepitas too. This cuts out most of the fat, and drops about 300 mg of sodium. Ask for a packet of Texas

No fast food franchise evokes emotions quite like Taco Bell. It’s part teenage/twentysomething nostalgia for late-night bad decisions, sure. But it’s also because Taco Bell knows its place, trading on its reputation as late-night drunk and stoner food with a beautiful, self-effecting wit. And rather than trying to get people to take it seriously, Taco Bell leans hard into innovating the kinds of things people who are hungry at 2am might crave. Its endless mission to blend convenience store snacks and Mexican food has resulted in countless mind-blowing, viral sensations. With each new menu addition comes a legion of devoted fans, who are equally as crushed when that item is discontinued in favor of some newer, crazier idea. So, as a tribute to the menu items of yesteryear, and to remind you of the good times you had with them, here’s a look at all of Taco Bell’s discontinued menu items. Plus, some suggestions for what you should indulge in instead.  Bell Beefer Once upon a time, even taco spots felt like they needed to have a burger on the menu. Taco Bell’s version was around from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, with taco meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese on a bun. Why we loved it: If you weren’t feeling tacos, it was a great option for a hamburger-obsessed kid. Discontinued: Mid-1990s, with a brief limited-time resurgence in the 2010s. What to order instead: Crunchwrap Supreme gets the handheld/beefy part of this long-gone favorite. Chicken Club Burrito   Today, Taco Bell pushes the

You never have to go far to find a bit of Cuba in Miami, but when it comes to surrounding yourself with guayaberas, cafecitos and fritas, two areas lead the pack: Little Havana and Hialeah. But who does it better? We revisit these two Cuban cornerstones to see what’s old and what’s new. Little Havana, once the landing point for Cuban refugees in the ’60s, morphed into a home for Central American immigrants in the aughts and into a popular destination for out-of-towners today. “It’s evolved into a tourist mecca now,” says Frank Rodriguez Melo, a Cedano Realty Advisors principal who has owned and managed residential property in Little Havana for nearly 20 years. “The young people come almost out of nostalgia, and a lot of businesses have come in playing off that nostalgia. Azucar Ice Cream Company and Velvet Creme Doughnuts are the kinds of places your grandpa took you to, and now they’re back.” Little Havana, once the landing point for Cuban refugees in the ’60s, morphed into a home for Central American immigrants in the aughts and is now a haven for young professionals escaping Brickell’s high rents as well as a destination for out-of-towners. So where do Cubans, immigrants, first generations and second generations live these days? It’s Hialeah, which boasts the most Cubans outside Cuba. While filled with residents who’ve been there since the 1950s as well as new-to-the-U.S. arrivals, the suburb increasingly attracts younger people. “The problema Hialeah’s had for a long time

Chances are, you’re not friends with your neighbors. Maybe you nod and occasionally trade comments about each other’s dogs, but past that, it’s a nonexistent relationship. But a new boom in micro-units—classified in SoFlo as apartments smaller than 550 square feet—is changing the way you socialize with the people next door. Several high-profile micro-unit developments are already on the way in Miami—most notably Wynwood 25 (227 NW 24th St), one of three Related Group projects, which broke ground in July. Wynwood 26 (51 NW 26th St), a joint venture with Block Capital Group, and Wynwood 29 (2828 NW First Ave), a partnership with developer Tony Cho, are scheduled to break ground as soon as this year. But they’re a lot more than just cramped versions of stoic urban high-rises: These stand-alone communities are meant to get you out of your home rather than encourage you to stay in it. “This generation’s social life is mostly outside. We understand they can manage on a smaller size,” says Ron Gottesmann of NR Investments, the company behind Canvas and Filling Station Lofts in the Arts and Entertainment District. It’s also planning a micro-condo project in the area with a series of amenities that foster community. “We want to create a connectivity of people who live in the building with coworking spaces, gyms and places to listen to music.” For Brian Koles of Property Markets Group (PMG), whose Vice project in Downtown Miami (230 NE Fourth St) is slated to open August 2018, micro-u