Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Fast Food Friendships

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

LAist has nothing against fast food and the cholesterol-clogged arteries it produces simply because, well, it tastes damn good. But the recent trend of two fast-food powerhouses (in reality, one taking over another for their lack of success) joining forces and combining under one roof makes us question which food items are safe to eat.

Take the Carl's Jr./Green Burrito merger. All across the country, where Carl's Jr. and/or the Green Burrito once stood gives you, the consumer, the opportunity to savour a Western Bacon Double Cheeseburger AND a quesadilla all at once. Or perhaps you have a craving for a Three-Piece Chicken Meal and a Vanilla Cone? If you do, swinging on down to the hybrid El Pollo Loco/Dairy QueenFoster's Freeze may be the place.

The fast food friendships don't end there. Mom and pop joints are also getting in on the action with Chicken & Doughnuts establishments, Chinese Food & Doughnuts joints and Fruit Smoothie/Thai food combinations. It's like the best of both worlds coming together to cancel out each other.

If we have to be real for just one moment, doesn't the combination of two well known brands cause you to wonder which one is the "main food" of the establishment? Does a place that was known for Chinese food that starts to make doughnuts make you reel back from the doughnut portion since it was never their original foray into food preparation?

Wouldn't things just be easier if they could stick to one thing, do it the best that they could, and leave well enough alone?

LAist isn't sure we know the answer, but we sure do know that we'll never order a vanilla dipped cone at El Pollo Loco. Because, you know, it just doesn't feel right.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today