Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Can Fast Food Be Good Food?
By
VittlesVamp VittlesVamp
Published Mar 17, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
VittlesVamp VittlesVamp
Published Mar 17, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
We've read "Fast Food Nation." We've seen "Super Size Me." And, we've been queasy about fast food monoliths like McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell ever since. But, does fast food always have to mean bad food? (Not that Mickey D's fries aren't tasty - It's just that a large portion contains 520 calories, with 220 of those calories coming from fat.)
Well, it looks like McDonald's has found its saving (gourmet and good-for-you) grace as an minority investor in - of all things - a British import: Pret a Manger. With 10 locations throughout Manhattan, Gothamist has found refuge in its gleaming stainless steel shelves, lined with pre-packaged fare that focuses on fresh, natural food, free of additives and preservatives. We are drawn to its neat rows of sandwiches in bright white triangular boxes, plastic-encased salads and bottled organic fruit juices. It reminds us of an old-time Horn & Hardart automat in a bizarre way - mind you, with slightly unnerving Bollywood meets "The Sopranos" decor in the seating area.
Our favorite foodstuffs at this super-fast, super-fresh, organic-leaning chain? We're fond of the Coronation Chicken Salad Sandwich spiked with sweet mango chutney, as well as the Tuna Salad on crispy baguette with the added crunch of cucumber slices. The spicy Turkey Chili and hearty Lentil Soup are also fave picks when the weather is cold. And, who can argue with fair trade, organic Sumatran Dark Roast Coffee at prices that beat the Starbucks down the block?
On top of it, if Pret's marketing materials are to be believed, we don't need to feel the least bit guilty about indulging in their wares. The chain's apple juices hail from the Hudson Valley. Their yogurt comes from the happy, healthy cows of Ronnybrook Farm in Dutchess County, New York. And, their chicken comes from Bell & Evans Farms in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Still not convinced? Try this on for super size: At the end of every day, Pret a Manger donates the food they didn't sell to City Harvest. Fast food you can feel good about. Pip pip and cheerio!
Tagged
books
burger king
chicken
city
city harvest
coffee
dutchess county
Eat on the Cheap
fair trade
fare
fast food
fast food nation
food
gothamist
hail
history
hudson valley
manhattan
mcdonald's
media
Mickey D
new york
sandwiches
soup
starbucks
Super Size Me
taco bell
the sopranos
turkey
VittlesVamp VittlesVamp
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .