A fast food run in Yonkers looks pretty similar to a fast food run anywhere else: urgent. Home to busy families and commuters racing between Westchester appointments, Yonkers is filled with people seeking quick satisfaction between obligations. Luckily, Yonkers also has options—some are forgettable, some are reliable, and some make you wonder why you’d ever settle for drive-thru monotony.
Shake Shack Cross County
$ | (914) 289-1301 | WEBSITE
Shake Shack Cross County is supposedly a fast food restaurant, but it really just uses ingredients you might find in a burger joint and puts them into convenient meals. Those burgers are pretty solid though, and the vanilla shakes are better than we thought they would be. The space kind of looks like a food court stall that gets set up at a shopping mall and can easily be crowded in minutes – there’s cramped seating, uncomfortable chairs, and bright lights shining over the simple plastic tables.
That, and the fact that those meals are very easy to order ahead, makes Shake Shack Cross County a good, easy bite option while shopping.
Wendy’s
$ | (914) 337-9524 | WEBSITE
A trip to Wendy’s probably isn’t a quick in-and-out if you don’t want to circle the lot for parking. But time it right and you’ll be eating one of the best fast food burgers in Yonkers without having to deal with all the hassle. The smart move is to hit the drive-thru and place an order, pull around, and you eat your pretzel baconator in your car. Or at a table inside, while pretending you’re not in a rush.
Backup plan: show up after the lunch crowd clears and get your mango pineapple lemonade and a booth in record time.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
$ | (914) 361-1067 | WEBSITE
Whatever kind of fried chicken craving you’re having in Yonkers, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen probably can satisfy it. This compact, reliable spot has spicy chicken that’s crispy and flavorful, friendly staff who handle issues professionally, and quick service that makes takeout a breeze. Okay, it doesn’t have a sprawling dining room, but Popeyes works for pretty much any fried chicken need.
If you need to grab a satisfying meal between errands, you can get your order efficiently in a much more welcoming atmosphere than other fast food joints. But if you want to enjoy a proper fried chicken feast with delicious side dishes, you’ll probably have a good time too. Get the spicy fried chicken, which is their specialty, and is actually top-notch.
McDonald’s
$ | (914) 237-2791 | WEBSITE
Maybe you just finished a long shift and need something quick without the hassle. Maybe you’re running errands with the kids and you’re drawing a hard line at another complicated meal. McDonald’s is the miracle of a fast-food spot that somehow manages to be both efficient and pleasant, and also serves consistent food. Get the Big Mac or the Chicken McNuggets, pull up to the drive-thru window, and go enjoy your meal without the wait.
Five Guys
$ | (914) 361-4106 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something greasy and satisfying after a long morning, it may be time for a BLT sandwich from Five Guys. The interior of this fast food joint in Yonkers is pretty straightforward, but there are some good booths up front to settle into and let your crispy bacon-filled sandwich carry you through the afternoon slump. The cashier was helpful when I asked about the menu options, and my order was ready in just a few minutes.
While the soda machines could use some attention, the fresh food and peaceful atmosphere make it worth the trip—plus, the free peanuts are a nice touch while you wait.
KFC
$ | (914) 369-1780 | WEBSITE
KFC on Central Park Ave is the greatest fast-food chicken spot in Yonkers you’ve been missing. That’s probably because it’s tucked away on that stretch, but if an unassuming location is what it takes for this place to not have a line out the door at all times, then so be it. Your order is the large, crunchy chicken sandwich (yes, it’s genuinely huge), and the perfectly cheesy mac and cheese that we’re surprised they don’t have trademarked.
While you wait for your order to come up, you can watch as the biscuits get pulled fresh from the oven, the mashed potatoes get scooped into containers, and the chicken gets that famous seasoning right in front of you. It will be the best moment of your craving. Until you taste it.
Yonkers Halal Fried Chicken & Gyro
$ | (914) 377-4395 | WEBSITE
This halal spot started in Yonkers, but it’s right at home in the urban hustle. Yonkers Halal Fried Chicken & Gyro (we assume the chicken is a juicy one) serves fried chicken, spicy biryani, and flavorful versions of fast food. Altogether, it reads like a parody of a grab-and-go joint. But the food here is actually pretty amazing, and also incredibly affordable.
White Castle
$ | (914) 376-0247 | WEBSITE
White Castle has been around forever. The nostalgic fast food spot in Yonkers is the best place for sliders in the area. You should get the classic sliders if they have them, but if you want something kinda indulgent (but still fast food), they have thick milkshakes that are actually pretty great.
Taco Bell
$ | (914) 793-9440 | WEBSITE
Want to know what fast food was like before all the chains got too fancy? Have lunch at Taco Bell on Central Park Ave. This spot is just off the main road, with a decently-sized parking lot for those who want to eat in or grab-and-go, and has a clean, recently updated interior, options to order from a person or an electronic touchscreen, and customers always coming through.
The service is fast and accurate, and there’s a very good, very simple cantina chicken burrito bowl with steak: fresh ingredients, large portion, and delicious flavor. Throw in a quick drive-thru or convenient app order and cheers with the regular in the car next to you who just got the same thing.
Burger King
$ | (914) 969-6044 | WEBSITE
A lot of people in Yonkers seem to have the kind of schedule that allows them to linger over leisurely meals (probably because they just closed that big deal downtown, or however it works). If you are not one of those people, you will probably not be having a sit-down feast at Burger King today. But if you’re in the mood for one of their Impossible Burgers or breakfast items, there’s hope – skip the crowds and hit the drive-thru.
The streamlined menu has most of the Burger King classics, as well as some items you can only get there – so you can take your Impossible Whopper back to your car and eat like your next appointment depends on it.
Hot Spot Deli Yonkers
$ | (914) 410-4767 | WEBSITE
Your dreams of being a Dominican chef and moving to Santo Domingo might not be all that realistic, but you can still dare to dream at Hot Spot Deli Yonkers. This deli is run by Dominicans who may or may not be chefs, but who do know how to make the kind of all-day everyday comfort food that’s the real reason to visit the Caribbean. They do smoothies, fresh juices, and a huge menu, but really, you’re here for the Longaniza and Mangu 3 golpes, no matter the time of day.
