After months of drive-thru lines, late-night cravings, and bargaining with your diet, you finally admit it—you need fast food. But that also means you have to do that thing where you choose a spot that’s not so greasy it’s regrettable, not so bland you question your life choices, and not so crowded you lose your will to live. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt if it actually tastes good. We’ve got the list.
Taco Bell
$ | (978) 419-2070 | WEBSITE
Taco Bell should always be high on the list for fast food consideration, because there really is no downside to coming here. They make some of the best made-to-order meals in the area, have a solid kitchen serving things like nacho fries or steak and cheese quesadillas, and the service is always friendly. So even if your kids won’t stop talking about their latest video game, you’ll at least have something delicious to distract you from the regrettable realities of family dining.
Rizzas Pizza
$ | (603) 666-7332 | WEBSITE
Is Rizza’s Pizza a bit of a family-night staple? Yes. But is it also still a really reliable spot to grab a quick pie and some wings? Absolutely. The hardest part about planning a visit here is the uncertainty of whether or not you’ll be able to find a parking spot in the always-full lot. So, this is another place where you’ll want to come during an off time, or pay a friend $10 to arrive 20 minutes before you and claim your table.
Five Guys
$ | (603) 836-0491 | WEBSITE
Five Guys feels like the kitchen of your friend who never misses a chance to grill. So there are plenty of straightforward spots to sit and enjoy a meal among the simple furniture at this Manchester burger joint. Also, the burgers are great and the fries are solid. They also have vegetarian options, in case you want to impress your date with your dietary awareness and/or let them enjoy a meatless meal in what will surely be an irresistible display of consideration.
Also, they do offer timely delivery, in case you also want to demonstrate how efficient and prepared you are.
Dairy Queen
$ | (603) 627-7178 | WEBSITE
For something a little more indulgent, go to Dairy Queen in Manchester. We really love this spot, mostly for their stellar soft serve, but also because it feels like a classic fast-food joint (even though it’s kept very clean) and we so rarely get the chance to enjoy such consistently fresh treats. Even though it’s in a busy part of Manchester where parking can be a bit crazy, this place still feels welcoming and it’s not so hectic that you can’t enjoy your meal.
They have well-packaged DoorDash orders too, in case you’re feeling a little lazy to drive.
Pizza Hut
$ | (603) 623-4838 | WEBSITE
Taking a friend to Pizza Hut is like introducing them to your favorite comfort food. If they don’t appreciate it, maybe they just don’t get good pizza. Because what’s not to love about Pizza Hut? It’s a fast-food spot that blends classic American pizza-joint vibes with the efficiency of modern service. The pizza is super cheesy and fresh, they serve delicious meat lovers and classic pan pies, and the bread sticks and boneless wings hit the spot every time.
Because you’re in Manchester, the limited parking and small seating area can make it tricky during peak hours. Weekday lunches or early dinners will be more relaxed and convenient, except for maybe the (slightly busy) Friday night rush when you might wait a bit for your order.
Kennedy Fried Chicken
$ | (603) 644-3000 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing too complicated going on at Kennedy Fried Chicken, which is why we love it for a quick bite. This place is pretty straightforward, but not at all bland. Grab a seat at the counter, order a 10pc chicken with coleslaw, and enjoy a meal that’s reliably satisfying. The chicken pieces, like the thighs, are delicious with crispy, well-seasoned skin and tender meat inside. The fingers also have a great crispy batter with plenty of meat. Fries are nicely salted, no frills.
For around $12, you can get a mountain of rice, five pieces of chicken, and a can of soda. The mozzarella sticks are also great. This is a solid call for both a post-work pick-me-up or a late-night craving.
Wendy’s
$ | (603) 222-9074 | WEBSITE
If the Pentagon assembled a team of logistics experts and tasked them with designing the perfect quick lunch spot, you’d get Wendy’s. The Manchester location offers reliably fresh and hot food, has those unique baked potatoes and chili made with recycled burger meat, and can simply be described with no word other than ‘reliable.’ Plus, there are tasty items like the Chilli Cheese Fries you can eat without slowing down.
Before you swing by, we should mention that the drive-through can cause congestion, so try to use the app for pickup, or risk waiting 10 hungry minutes in line, which is a lunch-rush worst-case scenario.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
$ | (603) 782-0750 | WEBSITE
Jersey Mike’s is a reliable kind of sandwich spot for Manchester. It has a loyal following (despite technically being a chain), is straightforward but rarely chaotic, and serves pretty good subs that don’t cost $20. So it definitely deserves to be on your list of potential lunch options. There are some quick tables where you can eat on a busy day, but we really like ordering ahead here, which pretty much speeds up the entire process.