You clicked on this, which suggests you’re like me. We both understand that ice isn’t just for making drinks cold—it’s a delight to crunch on its own.
Which fast-food chains excel at this essential task? Where can you find ice that is given as much, if not more, attention than the food itself? Five popular fast-food chains were visited and evaluated for their ice based on taste, texture, and crunchability.
1. Sonic Drive-In
Among the various “two-types-of-people” scenarios in life, when it comes to pebble ice, there are truly two types: those who love the tiny nuggets and those who aren’t concerned with ice. I belong to the first group. This pebble ice is simply the best, and Sonic excels in providing it. Each nugget is perfectly sized, around 3/8″ to 1/2″. It’s the most satisfying ice to chew, and no other fast-food restaurant is as consistently enjoyable.
2. Chick-fil-A
This is a close comparison. Chick-fil-A’s ice, which you can purchase, is slightly larger than Sonic’s and just a bit less enjoyable—but only slightly. Whether you prefer your pellet ice a bit larger is a personal choice. Beyond the size, there are no complaints. Chick-fil-A knows exactly what it’s doing with its ice, particularly in their iced coffee.
3. McDonald’s
The ice here varies: some pieces are thin, some curved, some triangular, others flat. Some are bumpy, while others are smooth. No two ice cubes at McDonald’s are identical, which adds a bit of excitement, especially with non-pellet ice. It’s a fun way to finish your meal and helps clean your teeth a bit.
4. Burger King
Burger King’s ice is consistent, with each piece resembling a half-oval shape. The small bumps provide a unique texture. At this level, the ice is quite similar to standard ice, so there’s nothing particularly notable about it. It’s adequate and serves its purpose.
5. Taco Bell
Taco Bell doesn’t have bad ice, per se. It’s standard ice chips—long, flat, rectangular. These pieces can be a bit tough to crunch, but it’s manageable. While Taco Bell is known for its innovation, that creativity hasn’t extended to its ice department.
Original info from Cheapism.com.
Where do you think is the best ice? Comment below!