Why are we here?

Are we alone in the universe?

What are the best places to get fast-food?

Bedeviled by the third question (but, for now at least, mute on the first two), the people at Zagat commissioned a brave team of 6,000 surveyors to scour the nation’s fast-food eateries, supersize themselves, and record their findings.

One year, and 779,000 meals later, here’s what they found.

From burgers and bacon to ice cream and coffee, the following top chains have locations within our Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch.

Chipotle Mexican Grill–located at 133 W. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

2. Best Value

5. Best Food - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

Dunkin’ Donuts–located at 163 W. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

2. Best Coffee

5. Best Breakfast Sandwiches

Panera Bread–located at 278 E. Lancaster Avenue in Wynnewood–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Best Salad

1. Top Facilities - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

2. Best Breakfast Sandwhiches

3. Best Grilled Chicken

4. Best Value (tied)

5. Top Service - Among Large Chains (up to 5,000 U.S. locations)

Cold Stone Creamery–located at 10 Coulter Avenue at Suburban Square in Ardmore–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

2. Best Milkshake

International House of Pancakes (IHOP)–located at 130 W. Lancaster Avenue–was recognized in the following Full-Service categories:

1. Best Coffee

2. Best Breakfast

2. Most Child-Friendly

McDonald's–located at 111 W. Lancaster Avenue–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Top Facilities - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

1. Best Fries

1. Best Value

1. Best Value Menu

1. Best Breakfast Sandwiches

1. Most Child Friendly

1. Best Drive-Thru

2. Best Fish

3. Top Service - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations)

3. Best Coffee

5. Best Burger

5. Best Grilled Chicken

5. Best Milkshake (tied)

Starbucks Coffee–located at 41 Saint James Pl. at Suburban Square in Ardmore–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Best Coffee

3. Top Facilities - Among Quick-Refreshment Chains

4. Top Service - Among Quick- Refreshment Chains

5. Best Drive-Thru

Subway–located at 61 W. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore–was recognized in the following Fast-Food categories:

1. Top Service - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations) 

2. Top Food - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations) 

3. Top Facilities - Among Mega Chains (more than 5,000 U.S. locations) 

4. Best Value (tied)