Whether welcomed or not, fast food occupies a significant role in busy lives. Time-tested choices coexist with trendy newcomers. While not gourmet, edible quality is expected. Some resort to extra cheese or milkshakes to mask flavors.
To spare your taste buds, we’ve tapped ex-fast food workers on Reddit. Their insights have shaped a list of items to avoid, straight from the creators. Brace yourselves, appetite might dwindle.
The hot dogs at Cinemark Theatres


As the day wrapped up, it was part of the staff’s routine to give those hot dogs a wash and let them soak in water, kind of like a rehydration process. After that, straight into a container they went, right into the freezer.
But here’s the kicker: the very next day, guess where those same hot dogs ended up? Back onto the hot dog warmer, like they’d never left.
They weren’t thrown out until they decided to turn a shade of green that nobody wants to see, or if their casing just couldn’t hold on anymore. So, yeah, those hot dogs had quite the extended stay.
The large blizzard at Dairy Queen
A former DQ employee says to skip the large blizzard. Those blender spindles, they just can’t reach the bottom of that big cup, so don’t expect a proper blend.
What you’re left with is a good two or three inches of plain old ice cream at the bottom. Save yourself the disappointment.


McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish
The ultimate scam according to a former employee.
You’re handed the exact same bun they use for a cheeseburger, a mere smudge of that dirt-cheap sauce, a budget-friendly, deep-fried fish square, and to top it off, they’re holding back on the full slice of cheese, can you believe that?


Grilled Chicken at McDonald’s
Coming from a McDonald’s crew member, many folks opt for the grilled chicken, thinking it’s the healthier choice. But what most don’t realize is that when you’re at a fast food joint, they’ve got ways to turn almost anything into a treat for your taste buds, even if it’s not the healthiest ride.
Take that grilled chicken, for instance. It might seem like the better option, but here’s the deal: to prevent it from sticking to the grill, they slick up the surface with three squirts of liquid margarine.
And if you’re wondering how it’s all nice and juicy, well, after they place those frozen chicken blocks down, guess what? Another three rounds of liquid margarine make their grand entrance, this time on top.
So, when it comes to grilled chicken, think twice. It’s all part of the behind-the-scenes flavor magic that might not exactly match up with your health goals.


Double Pan Fried Noodles at P.F. Changs
You might want to take a closer look at those double pan-fried noodles from P.F. Chang’s. Surprisingly, they pack a punch in the calorie department – reportedly 1199!
It’s worth considering before you dive into that plate.


Chili’s Awesome Blossom
Employees have this nutritional content book tucked away in the back, and they have a little secret strategy: they’d come up with just about any excuse to keep customers from laying eyes on it.
Take the Awesome Blossom, for example – that deep-fried onion delight.
Brace yourself: it packed a punch of over 2,500 calories. And believe it or not, some folks would actually munch down an entire one before even getting to their main meal.
It’s the kind of revelation that might make you think twice about your appetizer choices.


Fish-salad options at Subway
Subway generally gets a thumbs-up, but here’s a little advice – steer clear of the ‘fish’ selections.
Here’s the deal on how they’re made:
Step 1: Toss in half a pound of dried tuna or “crab meat.”
Step 2: Pour in a whopping three pounds of mayo.
Step 3: Mix it all up until those dried bits don’t feel so parched anymore.
So, if you’re a mayo enthusiast and aren’t too fond of your arteries, then by all means, dive in. But if not, you might want to skip this one.


Mandarin chicken at Panda Express
A former Panda Express employee learned a thing or two. Most of the stuff served up is actually quite fresh, except for one major exception – the Mandarin chicken.
Believe it or not, it arrives in this rather dubious bag adorned with a panda, and the next step is simply popping that bag into the microwave. No kidding.


Fish and veggie burgers at Hungry Jack’s
When it comes to Hungry Jack’s down under – think Australian Burger King – a former worker has insider knowledge to share.
Steer clear of the fish burger and the veggie burger. They weren’t exactly hot sellers, which meant there was a solid chance you’d end up with a patty that had been chilling for over an hour.
Those patties took a bit of time to deep fry, so we often had one sitting in the warmer, just in case.
But, here’s the twist: this former employee had a secret indulgence. He’d whip up a fresh fish or veggie burger just for himself, and that was a whole different story.


Soup at Panera
Here’s a little trick from a former Panera employee. If you’re eyeing the soup, it’s best to wait until after the lunch rush.
Here’s why: they actually hold onto the soup from the day before and bring it out for a reheating spin. It’s a practical move, sure, bu the magic really happens when it’s fresh – straight from that plastic bag out of the thermo.


Lemons and lettuce at Red Lobster
Someone’s time at Red Lobster was a year well-spent. There are just a couple of things that might raise an eyebrow.
Lemons and salads, those are the ones to watch. Lemons often found themselves in the grasp of not-so-clean hands, and during the bustling hours, some servers got a bit hands-on with the lettuce and fixings.
But other than that, you can confidently chow down on anything else from that joint.


McDonald’s Sweet Tea
A pound of sugar for every gallon.


Stuffed crust pizza at Pizza Hut
Let a former employee fill you in on the stuffed-crust pizza secret: each slice is a cheese explosion. An entire mozzarella stick finds its way into the crust of every single slice.
And since those pizzas get sliced eight ways, well, you’re looking at a grand total of eight full-blown mozzarella sticks in each stuffed-crust pizza.
Oh, and here’s a bonus: after the oven adventure, they take an actual paintbrush and give the pizza a generous oil and grease bath. It’s all part of the process.
So, dear Pizza Hut enthusiasts, it might be time to start ticking things off your bucket list, just in case.


The McRib
Check out the McRib. Now, before that tangy sauce does its magic, take a gander at it. It’s not a sight for the faint-hearted.
That appearance, let’s just say it’s a far cry from appetizing. Think more along the lines of an unappetizing scab than anything resembling meat.


The chicken salad at Chick-fil-A
A former employee spent almost two years at a Chick-fil-A in Southern California, so here’s the lowdown: most things there are whipped up fresh when you order. If you’re eyeing those fried or grilled delights, you’re in good shape as far as the prep conditions go.
But there’s a clear red flag – avoid the chicken salad sandwich like the plague. That one’s a no-go. The chicken salad itself is a concoction of days-old, stripped-of-breading frozen chicken patties, mixed with celery, mayo, and the like.
It’s not something he’d ever recommend, and honestly, how it passes as a healthy choice is a mystery. It’s just plain unappetizing.
And here’s a tidbit about the menu – Chick-fil-A’s got a thing for MSG. It’s like their culinary sidekick.
But here’s the kicker: He’s overheard managers fibbing to customers about it. So, take that into consideration next time you’re in the mood for some Chick-fil-A goodness.


Spinach alfredo sauce at Papa John’s
Steer clear of the spinach Alfredo sauce. This one’s a strong “no” for a few reasons.
It’s not exactly a crowd favorite, which means it’s often left chilling in an open container in the fridge. That sauce ends up soaking in all sorts of unsavory aromas, making it stink to the high heavens.
Trust me, you’re better off skipping this olfactory adventure.


Buffalo chicken snackers at KFC
Let this former KFC worker clue you in on something about those shredded buffalo chicken snackers.
They’re crafted from the chicken that’s lingered a bit too long in the heating bay – you know, the stuff that’s past its prime and can’t make its way onto a customer’s plate.
So, yeah, these snackers are basically the last resort for that ‘expired’ chicken.


Steak at Subway
Here’s the scoop on Subway’s steak. Working behind the scenes and prepping it took all the charm away, according to a former member of the staff.
Imagine this: it’s like dealing with a frozen meat log that you’ve got to wrestle into submission using nothing but your bare hands. After that experience, enjoying it just wasn’t the same.


Fountain soda
Here’s a piece of wisdom gathered by someone who worked at two fast food joints – when it comes to soda, stick to cans or bottles.
Those pop dispensers can be quite the sight. More often than not, when you see an “out of order” sign, it’s a not-so-subtle way of saying that there’s a hose lurking in there, choked up with a good ol’ serving of mold.
So, yeah, do not take any chances.


Scrambled eggs at Perkins
Here’s a nugget of insight about their scrambled eggs. Picture this: a massive five-gallon bucket of mixed egg, just hanging out in the hot kitchen for the entire day.
But wait, it gets even better – as the day winds down, they top it off with more egg, just to refill it, and then tuck it away for tomorrow’s breakfast crowd.
The only person with the power to decide when that bucket gets emptied and cleaned is the kitchen manager. And here’s the kicker – they rely on their nose to make the call.
So, if you’re eyeing those scrambled eggs, you might want to think twice, considering the way they’re handled behind the scenes.


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