Reese Chatman, Campus Carrier features editor

College is a transitional period for most people. For many, it marks the first time in their lives when they experience full independence for their parents. Oftentimes, this includes, financially. As a result, college students are frequently on the hunt for the best deals in town, in hopes of avoiding dents in their wallet. In that effort to save money, students tend to gravitate towards fast food, which although not the healthiest option, is usually the cheapest.

Mcdonalds is the world’s leading fast food chain, feeding 1% of the global population on a daily basis. Naturally, it has its fans.

“My personal favorite fast food restaurant would have to be Mcdonalds,” Sophomore Mady Thompson said. “Their points and deals system is unmatched. I know it probably isn’t the healthiest option but they make their food so cheap that it really puts you in a position where it doesn’t even make sense for you not to buy their food. It’s just that affordable.”

The Mcdonald’s app has a system through which one can use the same deals once a day. For example, a customer could redeem a deal for a $1 Large Fry and then use that same deal once every day following that until the company decides to remove it from the app. In other words Mcdonalds not only financially incentivizes their customers, but it also causes them to develop eating habits that involve ordering the same food daily.

Roast beef sandwiches are a fast food market that very few restaurants have dipped their toes in. However, the primary outlier to this notion is Arby’s, the nationwide food chain, famous for their roast beef sandwiches.

“Arby’s is for sure lowkey slept on,” sophomore Ashley Moreno. “Almost none of my friends like going there, but I will forever stand by it. They do have pretty great deals too. I’m actually pretty sure if you download their app or sign up for their email, they’ll give you a free sandwich or something.”

Arby’s also features a variety of unique sauces not offered at other restaurants, such as their “Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch Sauce” and “Bronco Berry Sauce.”

“Their curly fries are to die for,” Moreno said. “I would have to say they are the best thing on the menu. If there was one item I would recommend from Arby’s, it would be that.”

“Cookout is hands down my all time favorite fast food restaurant,” Sophomore Abby Shrader said. “I feel like that is probably the case for most people I know at Berry. Everyone knows about their tray deals.

Cookout is a fast food restaurant that sells outdoor style fast food, such as burgers and hotdogs. They are open until well into the middle of the night, which pair well for the late nights that college students often endure. Their tray deals come with one entrée, two sides and a drink which usually sums up to about $8.

“Cookout has a lot of very unique items too.” Schrader said. “I love their Cheerwine. It’s just something that no one else has. The same goes for their quesadillas too. You really can’t go anywhere else that late and get something that cheap.”

“I know this might sound cliché, but I really am a big fan of Chick-Fil-A.” Junior Eli Pixler said. “It is for sure a little more on the expensive side but it just tastes so good. You can just tell it’s better for you than other fast food places too. Plus, their app is super good. I’ve been collecting points on that for years now.”

Chick-Fil-A is far from an unknown brand. Founded in Atlanta, Georgia, the fried chicken fast food restaurant chain has a very heavy presence in the South. The American Fast Food Index runs a poll every year that seeks to find America’s favorite restaurant. Chick-Fil-A has taken the top spot every year since 2013.

Overall, fast food can often be left by the wayside. Most have a negative connotation attached to it, mostly relating to it usually being a less healthy option than a home cooked meal. However, when money runs tight or when a busy life rules out the possibility of cooking, fast food always provides an affordable alternative.