LAKE FOREST, CA — In an era defined by shifting consumer loyalties and an increasingly competitive quick-service restaurant (QSR) landscape, Del Taco has once again proven that its unique blend of quality, value, and menu diversity is a winning formula. The nation’s second-largest Mexican QSR brand has officially been crowned the #1 Fast Food Restaurant and #1 Fast Food Fries in the USA TODAY 2026 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards.

This double victory marks a significant milestone for the Lake Forest-based chain, reinforcing its position as a dominant force in the American culinary consciousness. This is not a flash-in-the-pan success; rather, it represents a sustained period of excellence, as the brand celebrates its second consecutive year at the top of the "Best Fast Food Restaurant" category and its third straight year holding the title for "Best Fast Food Fries."

Main Facts: A Clean Sweep Across Multiple Categories

The 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards served as a comprehensive validation of Del Taco’s multi-daypart strategy. While the top two awards garnered the most headlines, the brand’s performance across other specialized categories highlights a deep-seated affinity among consumers for the entirety of the Del Taco menu.

The final tallies for Del Taco included:

• #1 Best Fast Food Restaurant: Beating out legacy burger giants and specialized chicken chains.
• #1 Best Fast Food Fries: Sustaining a three-year "dynasty" for their signature Crinkle Cut Fries.
• #3 Best Fast Food Breakfast: A testament to their growing influence in the morning daypart.
• #4 Best Fast Food Taco: Specifically recognizing the fan-favorite Beer Battered Crispy Fish Taco.

The USA TODAY 10Best awards are uniquely prestigious within the industry because of their selection process. Nominees are first vetted and selected by a panel of industry experts—including editors from USA TODAY and 10Best.com, as well as relevant expert contributors—before being put to a public vote. This means that Del Taco did not just win the favor of critics; they won the hearts of the dining public across the United States.

Chronology: From Barstow Roots to National Acclaim

To understand Del Taco’s current success, one must look at the brand’s evolution from a single walk-up window to a national powerhouse. Founded in 1964 by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Barstow, California, Del Taco began with a simple but revolutionary idea: providing high-quality Mexican-inspired food alongside American classics like burgers and fries, all at a price point accessible to the working class.

The Early Years (1964–1980s)

In its first decade, Del Taco established the "working kitchen" model that still defines the brand today. While competitors began moving toward highly processed, pre-packaged ingredients to speed up service, Del Taco maintained a commitment to slow-cooking beans from scratch and grating 40-pound blocks of cheddar cheese in-house.

Expansion and Refinement (1990s–2010s)

As the brand expanded throughout the Western United States, it refined its identity as the "fresh" alternative to Taco Bell. By the 2010s, Del Taco had successfully navigated several ownership changes while keeping its core menu intact, eventually expanding its footprint to 17 states and growing its unit count to over 550 locations.

The Winning Streak (2024–2026)

The last three years have represented a "Golden Era" for the brand’s public perception. In 2024, Del Taco began its ascent in the USA TODAY rankings, specifically with its fries. By 2025, the brand had overtaken industry titans to claim the #1 spot for Best Fast Food Restaurant. The 2026 results confirm that this was not a one-time anomaly but a reflection of a brand that has successfully synchronized its marketing, operations, and culinary innovation.

Supporting Data: Why Del Taco Continues to Win

The data behind Del Taco’s success suggests that the brand is tapping into a specific consumer desire for "elevated QSR." In a post-pandemic economy where fast-food prices have risen significantly, consumers are demanding more value for their dollar—not just in terms of quantity, but in terms of quality.

The Science of the Crinkle Cut Fry

Securing the #1 spot for Best Fast Food Fries for three consecutive years is no small feat in a country that prides itself on fry culture. Data suggests that Del Taco’s Crinkle Cut Fries win because of their unique structural integrity. The "crinkle" design provides more surface area than a standard straight-cut fry, allowing for a higher ratio of crispy exterior to fluffy interior. Furthermore, the brand’s decision to pair fries with Mexican entrees (the "Del Taco Way") creates a flavor profile—salty, starchy, and savory—that sets them apart from competitors who only offer chips and salsa.

The Ingredient Advantage

Del Taco’s internal metrics and marketing emphasize "Real Food for Real People." Key data points that contribute to their high rankings include:

• Freshness: Unlike many competitors, Del Taco grills its chicken and carne asada steak in-house throughout the day.
• Labor-Intensive Prep: The brand continues to slow-cook lard-free beans for three hours at every location, a process that many larger chains have automated or outsourced to factories.
• Menu Versatility: With a menu that spans from $1 value items to premium Epic Burritos and the award-winning Beer Battered Fish Tacos, Del Taco captures a wider demographic than specialized competitors.

Breakfast Growth

The #3 ranking in Best Fast Food Breakfast is particularly significant. The QSR breakfast market is currently the most contested daypart in the industry. Del Taco’s success here is driven by their "Breakfast Roller" line and high-protein breakfast burritos, which cater to the "on-the-go" morning commuter seeking something more substantial than a standard egg sandwich.

Official Responses: A Commitment to the Guest Experience

Following the announcement of the 2026 rankings, Del Taco’s leadership expressed both gratitude and a renewed commitment to the brand’s core values.

Noah Chillingworth, Chief Marketing Officer at Del Taco, highlighted the importance of the guest-voted nature of the awards. “From tacos and burritos to burgers, breakfast and, of course, our famous Crinkle Cut Fries, these rankings reflect our commitment to serving high-quality food across our entire menu, and since the awards are voted on by guests, they are especially meaningful,” Chillingworth stated.

He further emphasized the brand’s consistency: “We’re honored to receive back-to-back recognition as the nation’s Best Fast Food Restaurant, while also claiming the top spot for Best Fast Food Fries three years running.”

Industry analysts note that Chillingworth’s focus on the "entire menu" is a strategic nod to Del Taco’s hybrid model. By not being "just a taco place" or "just a burger place," Del Taco avoids the pigeonholing that can limit other brands. This official stance suggests that Del Taco will continue to lean into its "Mexican-American" heritage rather than pivoting to a more singular focus.

Implications: What This Means for the Future of QSR

Del Taco’s continued dominance in the USA TODAY 10Best awards has several long-term implications for the brand and the wider fast-food industry.

1. The Challenge to the "Number One"

While Taco Bell remains the largest Mexican QSR by unit count and total revenue, Del Taco’s "Best Restaurant" title suggests a shift in brand sentiment. As consumers become more discerning about ingredient quality, Del Taco’s "working kitchen" philosophy provides a significant competitive advantage. If Del Taco can leverage these awards to fuel further national expansion, they may begin to close the gap in market share.

2. The Power of Brand Advocacy

The fact that these awards are reader-voted indicates that Del Taco has a highly engaged and loyal fan base. In the digital age, this "earned media" is more valuable than traditional advertising. The brand’s ability to mobilize its "Del Yeah! Rewards" members and social media followers to vote in national polls is a clear indicator of strong brand health.

3. Expansion Potential

Currently operating in 17 states, Del Taco still has significant "white space" in the Midwest and Northeast. Winning national awards like these provides the necessary social proof for franchisees and developers in new markets. When a brand can claim to be the #1 Fast Food Restaurant in the country, it lowers the barrier to entry in regions where the brand is not yet a household name.

4. Innovation Pressure

Maintaining the top spot for three years in the fry category and two years in the overall category puts immense pressure on Del Taco’s culinary team. To avoid stagnation, the brand must continue to innovate within its "Fresh Flex" restaurant designs and its menu offerings. The #4 ranking for the Beer Battered Crispy Fish Taco suggests that seasonal and specialized items are a key driver of interest, and we can likely expect more "limited-time offers" (LTOs) that push the boundaries of traditional fast food.

Conclusion

Del Taco’s sweep of the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards is more than just a marketing victory; it is a validation of a 60-year-old philosophy that prioritizes fresh preparation over convenience-store-style assembly. By securing the #1 spot for both the restaurant as a whole and its iconic fries, Del Taco has set a high bar for its competitors.

As the brand looks toward the remainder of 2026 and beyond, the focus will undoubtedly remain on the "working kitchen"—where the beans are slow-cooked, the cheese is freshly grated, and the crinkle-cut fries are served hot—ensuring that the "nation’s favorite" title is defended for years to come.

About Del Taco
Del Taco offers a unique variety of Mexican and American favorites, such as burritos and fries, prepared fresh in every restaurant’s working kitchen with the value and convenience of a drive-thru. Founded in 1964, Del Taco operates more than 550 restaurants across 17 states. For more information, visit DelTaco.com.