We’ve ranked the city’s viral tacos and mania-inducing milkshakes. Now, it’s time to rank the drive-thrus themselves. Which deliver the crunchiest fries? Which move the fastest? If you hit the Taco Bell at 7pm, will the cashier hand you a perfect Crunchwrap, or a sad, soggy mess? To help you fuel up efficiently, we’ve taken all such factors into account.
A&W Restaurant
$ | (435) 586-3393 | WEBSITE
It’s lunch hour in Cedar City, you’re driving down Main Street, and you spot a line of cars stretching around the block. Is it a car show? A drive-thru COVID test site? A giveaway for free oil changes? No. It’s the queue for A&W, a fast-food favorite that’s packed during peak times.
The drive-thru offers decent people watching through your windshield and leads to customizable hamburgers and even pet-friendly patties for dogs, but we can’t endorse a wait that stretches past twenty minutes when the food quality can be hit-or-miss.
Tacos El Jefe
$ | (435) 865-6747 | WEBSITE
The crowd at Tacos El Jefe in Cedar City usually depends on the current buzz about their lengua torta. If word gets out, there will be a wait. If it isn’t particularly busy—or you come during a quiet time, like Tuesday at 3pm—you should be able to get your food and leave pretty quickly. Either way, you don’t need to come here. If it’s a fancy Mexican restaurant you’re looking for, go elsewhere.
Alberto’s A Mexican Food
$ | (435) 865-5949 | WEBSITE
Our top-rated Mexican spot in Cedar City has one location—and it’s always busy. But this is no amateur operation. The kitchen is efficient and well-staffed, so waits rarely stretch past 15 minutes. Don’t hesitate to stop by for an impromptu meal of carne asada fries or enchiladas, served on flavorful tortillas that keep regulars coming back. The place is clean, prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is friendly—though some have noted occasional service hiccups.
Overall, it’s a go-to for quality fast food.
Del Taco
$ | (435) 867-0420 | WEBSITE
Del Taco’s indoor play area—which also draws families from all over Cedar City—keeps the kids entertained like a miniature amusement park. It’s a clever setup, and it does make the meal feel more relaxed. If you’re craving something hearty, and you want a double del burger with that signature green salsa, grab a booth near the windows, and watch the little ones play. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to get your order.
Subway
$ | (435) 867-9888 | WEBSITE
This place is a hassle. You cannot call ahead, you cannot place an order online and grab a drink. You will wait in line for a good fifteen minutes of your life, as everyone else walks by, smirking at you for wanting a custom sandwich at this fast-food chain. But for their fresh-made turkey sub, we’d still do it once. For best results, come early on a weekday.
KFC
$ | (435) 586-3393 | WEBSITE
After 6pm on weeknights, the line for the Famous Bull Combo and 12-piece chicken tenders at Cedar City’s KFC can stretch all the way to the parking lot entrance. But even then, the wait is usually less than 20 minutes—they run a tight drive-thru operation outside, handing you your order before you could hope to spell “coleslaw” correctly. Expect another rush for family meals around 7pm.
Jack in the Box
$ | (435) 586-7132 | WEBSITE
Cedar City hasn’t been the same since Jack in the Box arrived. If you show up during peak hours, the limited drink machines can mean a wait of 20 minutes for a shake. The line at the drive-thru is worse. Go during off-hours, or to another location—or honestly, to any other decent fast food spot.
Culver’s
$ | (435) 708-1422 | WEBSITE
Before it satisfies your craving, this fast-food staple will test your patience. Arrive at noon on a Sunday, and you’ll spot at least 20 cars in the drive-thru. The line advances faster than anticipated, but it still seems over the top for a spot that masters just a few things: hot burgers and fresh fries. Either wait 25 minutes, or swing by on a weekday afternoon.
Papa Johns Pizza
$ | (435) 865-1700 | WEBSITE
Thanks to the legion of late-night drivers and hungry locals who frequent this Cedar City spot, cars start pulling into Papa John’s parking lot as late as 11:45pm for the midnight closing, every day of the week. The crowds are here for a fresh pizza that costs around $18 and seems to be beloved by every single pizza lover in town. We get it—the pizza is reliable, cheesy with toppings, and satisfying.
But, still, it’s not quite worth rushing over right before closing to eat this, and you can skip the wings. Go earlier in the evening if you can.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (435) 865-8654 | WEBSITE
Would Chick-fil-A be as essential without the student crowd? The question feels almost silly—this SUU campus spot is one of the city’s top fast food joints—but at the same time, the student energy is a fundamental part of the atmosphere. When you swing by between classes, just to grab those waffle fries with their light, non-greasy crunch dipped in house sauce, you’re participating in a convenient and slightly predictable campus ritual. Do it already.
Bruno’s Italian Deli
$ | (435) 867-4477 | WEBSITE
Our go-to spot in Cedar City has a predictable closing time that’s also semi-annoying if you arrive late. Just show up by 8:00pm and you’ll usually get a warm welcome, and if you’re hungry, a complimentary bread basket while you wait for your order. If you’re with friends and get a later table, duck in to the deli counter, grab a refillable drink, and chat with the staff (there’s a friendly vibe).
Costa Vida
$ | (435) 586-2007 | WEBSITE
A consistently long line that grows with the dinner rush (especially on Fridays). It’s easy to manage the wait though, with one person holding the spot while others grab a booth. Visit during off-peak hours if you want to skip the queue—the enchiladas are just as tasty anytime.
Carl’s Jr.
$ | (435) 865-7407 | WEBSITE
We once waited nearly twenty minutes in the fluorescent glow for burgers from this Cedar City truck stop—though we’ve also been in and out much faster during off-peak hours. Though travelers come from all over I-15 for the outstanding Western and Double Western options, the line never seems too chaotic. But the friendly and attentive staff like to hold people hostage at the point of their tongs for endless seconds before bestowing clamshells of delicious food upon them.
At times they disappear to reload on Famous Star Doubles. Still, it’s a top way to spend a road trip pit stop in Utah—just take a booth by the window and stock up on frosty beverages from the fountain, like everyone else at this impromptu truck stop gathering.
Firehouse Subs Cedar City Towne Center
$ | (435) 238-4156 | WEBSITE
If you can embrace the hearty-sub-plus-firehouse-theme formula, Firehouse Subs Cedar City Towne Center is a great meal. If, on the other hand, you’re expecting a bargain compared to other sandwich shops in Cedar, it’s significantly less appealing. Between the Hook & Ladder and the Thanksgiving sub, four to six standout options dominate the menu, and people tend to start craving those subs between lunch and dinner rushes.
You can always try the kids meals with fireman hats, but your wallet isn’t looking great.
