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QDOBA Mexican Eats named Best Fast Casual Restaurant
Best Fast Casual Restaurant (2020)
The concept of a fast casual restaurant has skyrocketed in popularity in the U.S. These eateries offer the convenience of fast food with the quality and comfort more akin to a sit-down restaurant.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Fast Casual Restaurant are as follows:
No. 10: Au Bon Pain
Au Bon Pain translates to “from good bread,” and bread is the cornerstone at this bakery and deli. Breads and pastries are made from scratch, and the menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads and sweet treats.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Mariha-kitchen
No. 9: Muscle Maker Grill
Muscle Maker Grill was founded in 1995 with a vision of making mainstream comfort food more healthy, without sacrificing flavor. With the motto “Great food with your health in mind,” MMG’s menu features grass-fed beef and all-natural chicken, as well as options for just about every dietary preference.
Photo courtesy of Roti Modern Mediterranean
No. 8: Roti Modern Mediterranean
Roti Modern Mediterranean serves the flavors of the Mediterranean using the best wholesome ingredients and bright spices – food that’s designed to make diners feel great. The menu includes rice plates, pita sandwiches, laffa wraps and fresh salads.
No. 7: Chipotle Mexican Grill
The burritos and burrito bowls from Chipotle Mexican Grill are made from real non-GMO ingredients without added colors, flavors or preservatives. Filling options include chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas, grilled vegetables or sofritas (braised, shredded tofu).
Photo courtesy of iStock / zkruger
No. 6: I Heart Mac & Cheese
Carb lovers rejoice! This decadent favorite among cheese lovers serves customized bowls of mac and cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches with a host of sauce choices and ingredient add-ins. Healthy options include bases of cauliflower or broccoli, so there’s something for everyone.
Photo courtesy of Potbelly Sandwich Shop
No. 5: Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Potbelly bills itself as “The Neighborhood Sandwich Shop,” where hungry diners can pick up toasty sandwiches, entree salads, soups, fresh-baked cookies and hand-dipped milkshakes. Each shop has an antique stove, symbolic of a warm and welcoming gathering place. "Each Potbelly shop reflects the local neighborhood, too, so it feels as though it's the only one on earth," says 10Best Local Expert Jacqueline Runice.
No. 4: Portillo's
Portillo's is a staple for their Italian beef, served Dry (very little gravy), Extra Gravy (extra splashed on) and Dipped (gravy on the side). No matter how you take your Italian beef, Portillo’s has become known as one of the best in Chicagoland and around the country with its original recipe served on fresh baked French bread.
Photo courtesy of Slim Chickens
No. 3: Slim Chickens
Only all-natural chicken tenderloins go into the chicken tenders at Slim Chickens. Each tender is hand-breaded to order and served as a basket, sandwich, salad, wrap or with a stack of waffles. The house Slim Sauce packs a tomato punch with a hint of pepper.
Photo courtesy of Jason's Deli
No. 2: Jason's Deli
Jason’s Deli has been an independent, family owned business for more than four decades, known for their extensive salad bar and even bigger menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and stuffed potatoes. Nothing on the menu contains high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, MSG or artificial colors or flavors.
Photo courtesy of QDOBA Mexican Eats
No. 1: QDOBA Mexican Eats
Just about everything on the menu at QDOBA, from the guacamole to the flame-grilled vegetables, is made fresh each day. Diners build their own Mexican masterpieces in the form of tacos, burritos, grilled quesadillas or burrito bowls.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurant chains!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
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10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.