Patrick Oconnell
Fast food is a staple for many, but do these restaurants use real cheese? The answer is, it depends. Some fast-food chains, like Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, Chipotle, Panera, and Taco Bell, use real, non-processed cheese. However, others, such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Bojangles, have been criticized for using cheese products that are highly processed and don't meet the FDA's standards for being classified as real cheese. This topic has sparked interest and concern among consumers, with many questioning the quality and authenticity of the cheese they're consuming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fast food chains that use real cheese | Panera, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, Jack-in-the-Box, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Little Caesars, Qdoba, A&W, Five Guys |
| Fast food chains that don't use real cheese | McDonald's, Burger King, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons, Bojangles, Arby's |
| Chains with mixed results | Burger King (real cheese on some items), McDonald's UK (60% real cheddar), Taco Bell (real cheese on some items), Arby's (real cheese on some items) |
| Chains with real cheese on some items | Qdoba, A&W, Five Guys |
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What You'll Learn
Chains that use real cheese
While many fast-food chains use processed cheese products, there are several that opt for real cheese.
Chipotle
Chipotle is proud to use real cheese. Its nacho cheese product, Queso Blanco, is made by melting down Monterey Jack, which is also used to construct the rest of its entrées and sides, along with real white cheddar. The chain uses a blend of Monterey Jack and white cheddar in its dishes, which it says creates an addictive flavour and texture. In 2017, Chipotle announced that it was the first large-scale restaurant chain to use an exclusive array of ingredients free from artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A uses real cheese in its macaroni and cheese, which is a blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses, along with a pasteurized processed cheese spread to achieve the desired texture.
Wendy's
Wendy's partnered with Wisconsin's BelGioioso cheese company in 2017 and uses real cheese on its menu. The chain uses smoked gouda, muenster, blue cheese, asiago, and feta cheese on some of its burgers and chicken sandwiches. It also offers fresh mozzarella, though it still uses American cheese for many of its menu items.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell uses real cheese on some of its products. Its soft tacos are sprinkled with cheddar cheese, and the chalupa shells have aged cheddar baked in. It also uses a shredded cheese blend for other products and offers a vegan nacho cheese sauce made from soy.
Domino's
Domino's uses real cheese on its pizzas and breads. You can find real mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan on the pizzas, as well as provolone and feta.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen uses authentic cheese on its menu, including cheese curds made from white cheddar. Some of its burgers, like the Flamethrower, are topped with real cheese, such as Pepper Jack. Its chili cheese dogs also use cheddar.
Qdoba
Qdoba, a Mexican fast-food restaurant, includes real cheese in some of its menu items. The Loaded Mexican Street Corn uses cotija cheese, and its cheese blend, which includes Asadero, queso quesadilla, and sharp cheddar cheeses, is available for other dishes.
A&W
A&W uses real cheese curds made from aged cheddar, as well as mozzarella and Jalapeno Monterey Jack cheese.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box uses real Swiss cheese, which is aged over 60 days, though its cheddar cheese slices and sauce have a few additives.
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Chains that don't use real cheese
Many fast-food chains use processed cheese or "cheese food" instead of real cheese. This is because processed cheese stays fresh for longer and melts better, making it an irresistible ingredient for many restaurants.
McDonald's
McDonald's uses processed pasteurized American cheese, which is made from milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese cultures, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and added colour. While the company's website claims that the cheese is "pasteurized," it is not considered "real cheese" by the FDA.
Burger King
Burger King serves "cheese product" instead of real cheese on most of its burgers, particularly where American cheese is used. However, it does use real cheese, including Swiss and mozzarella, on select menu items like the Bacon Swiss Royal Crispy Chicken and mozzarella sticks.
Sonic
According to a user on Reddit, "everything at Sonic is fake." The Canadian-based chain primarily deals in coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and its menu items are made with processed cheese by default. However, customers can customize their orders and switch to real cheddar cheese.
Dairy Queen (DQ)
While Dairy Queen's Classic Beef 'n' Cheddar sandwich contains real cheddar cheese, it is the fourth listed ingredient after water, canola oil, and modified corn starch. The brand's official site does not specify the percentage of cheese in this sauce.
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is another Canadian-based chain that primarily serves coffee and breakfast sandwiches. While the restaurant's breakfast sandwiches are made with processed cheese by default, customers can choose to switch to real cheddar cheese.
Other fast-food chains that don't use real cheese include Arby's, Bojangles, and Five Guys.
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What is real cheese?
The definition of "real cheese" is a contentious topic, with some arguing that only natural cheese should be considered "real", while others include processed cheese in this category.
Natural cheese, also known as real cheese, has been a staple in cuisines worldwide for thousands of years. Typically made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, it is crafted using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations. This results in a diverse range of cheese types, each with its own distinct characteristics, such as the crumbly texture and sharp flavour of aged Parmigiano Reggiano or the smoothness of Gorgonzola.
Processed cheese, on the other hand, is a more recent innovation, undergoing industrialised manufacturing. It is produced by shredding and melting real cheese, adding other ingredients, and converting the mixture into slices, spreads, or sprays. While this process alters the flavour and texture of the original cheese, it creates a product that melts easily, has a longer shelf life, and is cheaper to produce and purchase.
According to the FDA, for a product to be considered cheese, it must contain at least 51% natural cheese. However, this leaves room for interpretation, as some processed cheeses can meet this requirement while still containing various non-cheese ingredients that significantly impact their composition.
Ultimately, the definition of "real cheese" is a matter of perspective. While some may argue that only natural cheese deserves this title, others may consider processed cheese a legitimate option, especially given its widespread use in the food industry, including in fast-food restaurants.
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Why use fake cheese?
There are several reasons why fast-food restaurants might opt for fake cheese instead of real cheese. One reason could be cost. Fake cheese is often cheaper to produce and purchase than real cheese, which can help keep costs down for the restaurant. Additionally, fake cheese tends to have a longer shelf life than real cheese, which can reduce waste and make it more economical for the restaurant.
Another reason could be meltability. Fake cheese is often designed to melt easily, which can be desirable for certain applications, such as cheese sauces or toppings that need to be melted quickly and efficiently. It can also help create a consistent product, as real cheese can vary in meltability depending on factors such as age and moisture content.
Fake cheese also allows for more filler and "approved ingredients" to be added to the mix, which can be used to alter the texture, taste, and consistency of the final product. This can be desirable for creating a uniform product that meets specific requirements, such as a particular texture or taste profile.
While some people may prefer the taste and texture of real cheese, others may be indifferent or even prefer the qualities of fake cheese. Using fake cheese can help cater to the preferences of these customers, providing them with a product that meets their expectations and tastes.
It's important to note that not all fast-food restaurants use fake cheese, and some have made efforts to offer higher-quality, real cheese options to their customers. However, for various reasons, fake cheese remains a common choice for many fast-food establishments.
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What are the alternatives?
Many fast-food chains have been called out for not using real cheese in their products. The FDA classifies American cheese as a "cheese product" and not real cheese as it falls short of the 51% cheese composition required to be called cheese. However, some fast-food chains are taking steps to offer higher-quality ingredients to their consumers. Here are some alternatives for fast-food lovers who want real cheese:
Wendy's
Wendy's has always stood out for its exclusive use of never-frozen beef. In 2017, the chain partnered with Wisconsin's BelGioioso cheese company to offer real cheese. The chain uses smoked gouda, muenster, blue cheese, asiago, and feta cheese on some of its burgers and chicken sandwiches. Its cheese fries have 98% cheddar cheese, and its cheese sauces use cheddar cheese and whole milk. However, keep in mind that Wendy's still uses American cheese for many of its menu items.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell uses a shredded cheese blend for many of its products. Its nacho cheese sauce, however, is made with nonfat milk, cheese whey, water, vegetable oil, and a host of other ingredients. The chain also offers a vegan nacho cheese sauce made from soy.
Chipotle
Chipotle announced in 2017 that it was the first of its kind: a large-scale restaurant chain featuring an exclusive array of ingredients free from artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Chipotle uses a blend of Monterey Jack cheese and white cheddar for its addictive flavour and texture. Its nacho cheese product, Queso Blanco, is made using the same melted-down Monterey Jack that it uses for its entrées and sides, along with real white cheddar.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A uses a blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses for its macaroni and cheese, though it does add a pasteurized processed cheese spread to get that gooey texture.
Domino's
Despite some rumours, Domino's does use real cheese on its pizzas and breads. You can find real mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan on the pizzas, as well as provolone and feta.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen's menu includes cheese curds made from white cheddar, as well as some (though not all) burgers like the Flamethrower topped with Pepper Jack and the chili cheese dogs that use cheddar.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box uses cheddar cheese slices and sauce with a few additives, but its Swiss cheese is the real thing. It's even aged over 60 days, which adds to its legitimacy and flavour.
Five Guys
Five Guys uses Kraft American cheese on its burgers, which the FDA does not consider actual cheese. However, you can get real cheese on the Patty Melt.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the restaurant. Some fast-food restaurants that use real cheese include Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Domino's, and Five Guys. Some restaurants that don't include McDonald's, Burger King, and Panera.
Processed cheese-like products are often ultra-meltable and tend to have a longer shelf life than real cheese. This makes them an irresistible ingredient for many fast-food restaurants.
According to experts at Dietz & Watson, real cheese is made with just four ingredients: milk, salt, culture, and rennet. Processed cheese, on the other hand, can be made with many more ingredients, including fillers and additives. For example, McDonald's cheese in the US contains milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese cultures, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and added colour.
You can check the restaurant's website or contact them directly to ask about their ingredients. Additionally, the FDA classifies products as "cheese" if they contain at least 51% real cheese, so you can use this as a guideline when checking ingredient lists.
