But have you thought about what goes on behind the scenes at your favorite spots?
Read on for some of the most shocking chain restaurant secrets we found on the Internet.
Some specials aren’t worth the risk.
Shutterstock
Kniss says, “Especially watch out for the soup of the day.
Plastic is a huge restaurant chain problem.
Don’t think that sit down dining is more eco-friendly than eating at McDonald’s because it’s not.
Shutterstock
Nearly EVERYTHING is portioned in plastic bags.
… Our trash cans at the end of the night is 90% discarded plastic bags.”
Some menu items may have questionable ingredients.
Shutterstock
Thankfully, many big chains nowlist all nutrition informationfor their menu items on their websites.
Butwe’re not sure that worked.
The 10 Most Toxic Ingredients Lurking in Fast Food
Many dishes may have been shipped frozen.
Courtesy of Subway
Most (but not all) ‘chefs’ in chains are actually ‘Heater Uppers’ not chefs.
Chains often buy many of their dishes pre-made.
You know those ‘new’ stuffed jalapeno appetizers you enjoyed so much or that great Lava Cake you devoured?
Shutterstock
What did the restaurants do?
They heated them up and served them."
Fortunately, there are at least a handful ofchains that never freeze their meat.
Shutterstock
Some of your food may simply be microwaved.
Most of the soups and sauces come in a bag and sit in a hot well."
12 Worst Frozen Pizzas to Stay Away From Right Now
Servers use terminology very carefully.
Shutterstock
It’s breaded chicken also known as chicken nuggets."
How did we not think about that before?
Grill marks may be fake.
Red Robin
Some unhealthy items often masquerade as “good for you” picks.
Some restaurants may not be actively lying, per sebut they might be lying by omission.
I cringed every time someone ordered it and made the comment of wanting to ‘eat light.
Courtesy of Texas Roadhouse
8 Strict Rules That Have Gotten Hooters Girls Fired
Vegan items may be fried in animal fat.
Reddit user 4play-notes that one particular chain restaurant “fries everything in beef tallow.
Ice and soda machines can harbor tons of bacteria.
Shutterstock
Mold and bacteria thrive.
It’s very common (and easy!)
A previous version of this story was originally published in June 2021.
melissamn / Shutterstock
It has been updated to include new information.
Shutterstock
