Celebrity Chefs And Their Go-To Fast Food Restaurants
Gourmet kitchens and tasting menus are part of the job, but even celebrity chefs get hit with fast-food cravings.
Off the clock, plenty of culinary pros still reach for the kind of fast-food comfort that shows up hot, salty, and fast.
Turns out, even the masters of fine dining have go-to comfort meals that come in a paper bag.
Disclaimer: Preferences and anecdotes here are based on published interviews and reporting, and details can be paraphrased differently across outlets. Restaurant locations, menus, and hours can change.
The content is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not legal, financial, or professional advice.
5. Jacques Torres Craves Shake Shack
Chocolate wizard Jacques Torres knows a thing or two about perfection, and apparently, that includes burgers.
When this pastry legend needs a fast meal, Shake Shack becomes his go-to destination in New York City. The Madison Square Park location holds a special spot on his list, proving that even master chocolatiers appreciate a perfectly grilled patty and fresh ingredients.
Maybe it’s the quality beef or the crispy fries, but something keeps bringing this chef back for more. Sometimes the simplest pleasures hit differently after a long day in the kitchen.
4. Alton Brown’s Go-To Is Arby’s
Alton Brown has said he mostly avoids fast food these days, but he still feels the strongest “pull” toward Arby’s when the craving hits.
He’s pointed specifically to the chain’s classic roast beef sandwiches, describing them as tasting the way he remembers them from childhood. The point is not daily habit, it’s nostalgia and consistency, which fits a food personality known for caring about repeatable results and clear flavor cues.
3. Buddy Valastro Champions Popeyes
Cake Boss Buddy Valastro isn’t shy about his fast food preferences.
He boldly declared that Popeyes’ chicken sandwich beats Chick-fil-A’s version, sparking debates among fried chicken lovers everywhere. This New Jersey baker knows flavor when he tastes it, and Popeyes’ crispy coating and juicy meat win every time.
Valastro has said he prefers Popeyes’ chicken sandwich over Chick-fil-A’s, praising the crispiness. After decorating elaborate cakes all day, sometimes only spicy fried chicken hits the spot perfectly.
2. Nick Wallace Loves Popeyes Fried Chicken
Chef Nick Wallace has said Popeyes is his stop after a long day when he wants fried chicken, and he even gets specific about the order: a four-piece with a breast, wing, leg, and thigh.
He’s also been described as someone who goes through more than 200 pounds of chicken thighs a week for his own catering business and restaurant work in Jackson, Mississippi, so the pick reads like a pro choosing comfort he trusts.
1. Arnold Myint Treasures Jollibee Memories
Filipino-American chef Arnold Myint often points to Jollibee as a formative fried chicken memory from childhood.
Nostalgia runs deep with this favorite, tied to family gatherings and a strong sense of cultural connection. Myint has talked about the nostalgia of Jollibee, especially the fried chicken-and-spaghetti combination.
Food goes beyond flavor alone, and his story highlights how meals can carry belonging and heritage. Each bite can bring people back to meaningful moments, showing that even fast food can hold emotional weight far beyond convenience.
