California is home to some of the nation’s most recognizable fast-food chains, from iconic burger joints to growing coffee shops and ice cream favorites.
USA Today readers recently ranked the best fast-food restaurants in 2026 — and one California-based restaurant chain took first place.
Here’s a hint: It’s not In-N-Out.
“On any given day, tens of millions of Americans are treated to irresistibly delicious food that’s in their hands just a few minutes (or less!) after ordering,” USA Today said in the new ranking, published July 15. “It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and preparation to deliver that sort of speed, quality and scale.”
Here’s which California restaurant chain claimed the No. 1 spot in the country:
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Which California-based fast-food chain is No. 1 in US?
USA Today readers named Del Taco the No. 1 fast-food restaurant in the United States for 2026.
The chain got its start in 1964, when founders Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson opened the first Del Taco in Yermo.
By the end of the 1970s, Del Taco had expanded to 100 locations, according to the company website.
Today, Del Taco operates nearly 600 locations across 18 states, including California.
That includes several restaurants in the Sacramento area, as well as Fresno, Merced, Modesto and Santa Maria.
Del Taco took first place on USA Today’s list of the top 10 fast food restaurants in the United States. Del Taco What’s on the menu at Del Taco?
Del Taco is known for combining Mexican-inspired favorites with classic American fast food.
The menu features tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, loaded crinkle-cut fries and burgers.
Customers can also order shakes and iced coffee drinks as well as mini churros, donut bites and other desserts.
Del Taco is the No. 1 fast-food chain in the United States, according to USA Today readers. Rob Nikolewski TNS What are top 10 fast-food restaurants in the US?
According to USA Today, these were the top 10 fast-food restaurants in the nation in 2026:
Del TacoA&WChick-fil-AWendy’sRaising Cane’sTaco BellMcDonald’sPopeyesZaxby’sArby’s
“These 10 fast food chains serve up diverse, delicious menus that cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs, all while keeping service fast and prices reasonable,” USA Today said.
How did USA Today determine Best10 award winners?
To determine USA Today’s Best 10 Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026, a panel of experts nominated contenders across various categories.
Readers then cast their votes for their favorites.
USA Today readers also picked the best fast-food burgers and fried chicken in the country.
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This story was originally published July 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
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Angela Rodriguez
The Modesto Bee
Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.
Dining and Cooking