America, for many, is seen as the home of fast food. The revelation of having whole meals cooked and available to eat within just a couple of minutes has taken the world by storm, with fast food restaurants now extending their reach across the globe. There are few places better to enjoy this delicious American innovation than in Orlando, as it is home to numerous chains and restaurants. If you’re staying in one of our Orlando holiday villas to rent, then you’ll have the chance to try a variety of fast food options. In this article, we’ll be taking you on a tour of some of the finest fast food restaurants in the region, ranging from the burger-and-fries staple, to cuisines from around the world.

A History of Fast Food

Fast food has been at the core of our civilisation for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years, with food sellers offering pre-cooked meals that are ready to eat for those with less money. In Ancient Rome, many of the apartment-style living areas did not include kitchen facilities, which meant that inhabitants would have to purchase food from stalls in the streets. Additionally, it has been discovered that dating back as far as the 2nd-century, according to a Han Dynasty artefact, there were noodle stands that stayed open all night.

Fast forward to 1902, America’s first automat was opened in New York by Joseph Horn and James Hardart, which marked the start of the fast food revolution in the US. In 1921, the first White Castle chain restaurant opened its doors which took the transformation even further, as they were the very first burger chain in the States.

The design and progression of the automobile meant that people’s needs were changing, which prompted the creation of the drive-in restaurant. This encouraged diners to park and remain in their cars while they ordered and ate, using carhops (a waiter or waitress) to take their orders and return with the food.

The real turning point was in 1948, with the first-ever McDonald’s restaurant opening its doors, having rebranded from originally being a barbecue drive-in restaurant. The initial menu was sparse, offering only hamburgers, potato chips and orange juice, but this expanded the following year to incorporate french fries and Coca-Cola. A simple menu and assembly line layout allowed the owners to sell burgers for 15 cents, roughly half the amount of a sit-down restaurant. Five years after opening, the restaurant became a franchise.

Taco Bell and Burger King opened the doors to their first restaurants in the 1950s, while Wendy’s took a little longer, opening in 1969. Since then, the world has been dominated by fast food, with cuisines across the globe adopting the idea of pre-preparation to speed up service and allow customers to eat sooner.

The idea of taking orders and serving food quickly has always been at the core of fast food. Initially with the use of carhops, then the drive-thru system created a new way for people to order, coming into place in the late 1940s. Nowadays, self-service touchscreens and mobile ordering are commonplace features for the fast food industry, speeding up the ordering process even more and allowing customers more control of when, where and how they eat their food.

Taco Bell

With a total of 20 locations across the region of Orlando, Taco Bell has been a staple of American fast food for decades. Although they are an American chain, their focus has always been on providing high-quality and affordable Mexican-inspired food for its customers. Mexican food really started to take off in popularity in the 1920s, as workers crossed the border in California and brought with them the dishes of their homeland.

Taco Bell’s menu has evolved over the years, now offering a diverse array of Mexican-inspired dishes that cater to any preference. Depending on the location you visit, you’ll be able to take advantage of the drive-thru, or you can order online and choose which restaurant you’d like to collect from.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Often simply known as Freddy’s, they are a nationwide fast food chain with two great locations in Orlando. A relatively young franchise compared to others on the list, Freddy’s has flipped the idea of fast food on its head, offering a fast food-inspired menu but cooking all meals fresh to order.

The menu, as the name suggests, is based around a sizeable offering of different varieties of burger, along with hot dogs and sides. They also specialise in frozen custard (a richer version of ice cream which uses egg yolks, as opposed to cream and sugar), which is served in a myriad of ways, along with a wide range of toppings.

Wendy’s

An American icon, the freckled and pigtailed girl can be seen in towns and cities across the US. With 20 locations in Orlando, their menu is based around the traditional fast-food staple of burgers and french fries. Offering a range of their famously square burgers, from the modest double cheeseburger to the indulgent S’Awesome Bacon Cheeseburger Triple, Wendy’s is a restaurant that shouldn’t be missed during your trip to the region.

Flippers Pizzeria

Established in 1987 by three friends, Flippers wanted to bring a fresh take to takeaway pizza. At the time, the options all looked and tasted similar, so this inspired them to open a new kind of pizzeria. The original location was built on the principles of using high quality and fresh ingredients and cooking the pizzas in an authentic pizza oven.

Although the recipe and mission of Flippers haven’t changed, they have expanded somewhat, now offering 15 locations across the region for you to grab some fantastic slices. You can order online for delivery, takeout, or to dine in. Alternatively, you can do it the old-fashioned way and rock up to the restaurant. Either way, if you’re wanting to try some American-style pizza, Flippers is an excellent choice.

Arby’s

More suited to a lunchtime snack than an evening meal, Arby’s offering is built around meaty sandwiches, unlike many others. Having started in 1964, with franchising coming a year later, Arby’s has developed its menu over the years and now produces a stacked range of sandwiches that include beef, pork, chicken and turkey in various styles and combinations.

With many locations in the region of Orlando, you’ll have no trouble finding an Arby’s to grab a great sandwich from. Additionally, as many of the restaurants offer drive-thru facilities, you can grab your food and continue with your day.

Pollo Tropical

If you’re in the mood for something a little more exotic, then Pollo Tropical will deliver. Caribbean-inspired dishes are aplenty, with their iconic citrus-marinated chicken taking centre stage. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite before heading out to catch an evening show, or want to have a sit-down meal with the family, the range of locations, including many close to our villas along the US192, will mean you’re never far from these exotic flavours.

Steak ‘n Shake

Originally founded in 1934, long before the fast food revolution, Steak ‘n Shake was built on the simple premise of providing tasty steak burgers and delicious milkshakes. Although they continue to serve some of the finest steak burgers in the region, the menu has expanded to incorporate new dishes such as breakfast options and original chilli meals.

Chick-fil-A

As the name may suggest, chicken is at the heart of the menu here. With the first restaurant opening in 1967 in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Shopping Centre, Chick-fil-A has been trying to do things a little differently. From closing the doors of their restaurants on Sundays to offering scholarship opportunities for their employees, they are not only in the food business, but the people business.

Their menu, unsurprisingly, is packed with chicken-based delights, ranging from stacked burgers to crispy nuggets and grilled wraps. They also offer extensive customisation of their meals, allowing you to add different salads, sauces and ingredients.

Hot Dog Hall of Fame

Located at the Universal Resort, the Hot Dog Hall of Fame is a restaurant that features some of the best hot dogs from around the US. The menu offers hotdogs in all kinds of varieties and an abundance of toppings.

Not only this, but the seating area is set out in a stadium-style as if you were eating at a baseball game, complete with field lights, bleachers and trophies on display.

McDonald’s

Last, but certainly not least, is the iconic McDonald’s. Known the world over, the golden arches can be found in nearly 50 different locations across Orlando. Offering both home delivery, drive-thru and the ability to order on your phone, McDonald’s has become synonymous with fast food.

One thing that is unique to Orlando, however, is that it is home to the world’s largest McDonald’s. Although the menu on offer here is more diverse than other locations, it’s hard not to visit without having a classic burger and fries. Additionally, this restaurant on International Drive is also home to a large play area for the little ones and an arcade for competitive adults.

As you can see, the depth and breadth of the fast food available in Orlando is huge; it’s not just limited to burgers and fries (although they are tasty!). These restaurants are perfect for grabbing a bite to eat after a busy day, before you head back to your villa. If you’re looking to learn more about visiting Orlando, make sure you head on over to our blog. We post regular updates that include top tips on how to spend your time in the region, the best attractions and advice for travelling to the US.