Marple Newtown Restaurants Rank No. 1 in Zagat Survey

Why are we here?

Are we alone in the universe?

What are the best places to get fast-food?

Bedeviled by the third question (but, for now at least, mute on the first two), the people at Zagat commissioned a brave team of 6,000 surveyors to scour the nation’s fast-food eateries, supersize themselves, and record their findings.

One year, and 779,000 meals later, here’s what they found.

From burgers and bacon to ice cream and coffee, the following top chains have locations within our Patch.

Panera Bread–located at –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Best Salad

1. Top Facilities - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

2. Best Breakfast Sandwhiches

3. Best Grilled Chicken

4. Best Value (tied)

5. Top Service - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

Starbucks Coffee–located at , , ande–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Best Coffee

3. Top Facilities - Among Quick-Refreshment Chains

4. Top Service - Among Quick- Refreshment Chains

5. Best Drive-Thru

McDonald's–located at and –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Top Facilities - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

1. Best Fries

1. Best Value

1. Best Value Menu

1. Best Breakfast Sandwiches

1. Most Child Friendly

1. Best Drive-Thru

2. Best Fish

3. Top Service - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

3. Best Coffee

5. Best Burger

5. Best Grilled Chicken

5. Best Milkshake (tied)

Rita’s Water Ice–located at –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

4. Top Ice Cream/Custard

Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries–located at –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Best Burger

2. Best French Fries

4. Top Food - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

Wendy’s–located in –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Top Food- Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

2. Best Value Menu

2. Top Facilities - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

2. Top Service - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

2. Best Salads

3. Best Burger

3. Best French Fries

4. Best Drive-Thru

4. Best Grilled Chicken

Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits–located at –was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

2. Best Fried Chicken