Erin Elizabeth
Ice cubes are not usually the first thing people think about when they think about fast food restaurants. However, there’s something about a good ice cube in your soft drink that can improve the entire meal!
After finishing my Sprite, Pepsi, Lemonade, or whatever soft drink I order with my meal, I love to munch on the ice cubes that have been soaking in the drink.
However, not all ice cubes are created equal. Some are soft and chewable, while others are large and difficult to eat.
Even still, some people prefer the larger ice cubes because that ensures their drink will stay cold without getting watered down.
Fast Food Ice Cubes
Here are the best fast food ice cubes for all different tastes and preferences.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A’s ice cubes, which they call “nugget ice” and some call ‘”sonic ice,” are a perfect size, in my opinion.
They are small enough to munch on but big enough not to melt immediately.
They are also a great consistency, with less density than standard-size ice cubes.
These ice cubes are so popular that Chick-fil-A actually sells bags of their ice.
Chipotle
Chipotle’s ice cubes may seem basic at first appearance, as they look standard size and are in classic cube form.
But what I like about them is that they don’t melt as quickly as crushed ice.
Therefore, it’s nice to have thicker cubes if I want to have a cold drink for longer or if I’m drinking outside on a hot summer day.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s has a high standard for many of their menu items, as they have a huge reputation to uphold.
Their ice is of high quality as well, which is why it’s so crystal clear.
It comes in cube form instead of crushed but is still more chewable than much other cubed ice. They work great in McDonald’s coffee drinks as well as soft drinks!
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic’s crushed ice has a nice texture, almost like snow.
It’s easy to chew and melts quickly in your mouth, making it perfect for a fast food soft drink.
Starbucks
Starbucks ice is in a standard cube shape, but I find that their ice melts just right with my iced drink as long as it’s not too hot out, leaving me some ice to crunch on at the end.
You can ask your barista for light ice or extra ice depending on your preferences.
Starbucks also offers the option of coffee ice cubes – instead freezing plain water, they freeze coffee. You have to ask for these, however, and I haven’t tried myself.
These coffee cubes are perfect for sipping your iced coffee because they don’t water down the flavor.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has the perfect balance of cube and crushed ice, which I like to call “ice chips.”
These ice cubes are not as crunchy as crushed ice or dense as regular cubes.
And in some of their frozen drinks, they’ll use crushed ice to achieve a slushie consistency.
Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s has some of the best fast food ice cubes because they are crushed perfectly.
I love crushed ice, but sometimes restaurants have too heavily crushed ice that melts by the time you finish your drink.
This isn’t the case for Raising Cane’s, so you still get to enjoy it at the end.
Burger King
Burger King has some well-shaped, classic ice cubes.
This ice is cube-shaped but has just the right amount of crunch, making it easy to chew but not too crunchy.
In-N-Out
In addition to the best burgers of any fast food restaurant on this list, In-N-Out has some of the softest ice cubes that I’ve ever had.
It’s more like shaved ice than a regular cube, so it melts in your mouth almost instantly.
It’s the perfect ice for a hot summer day or if you want a cool drink without having to chew too much ice.
Panda Express
Panda Express’s ice cubes are almost identical to Chipotle’s classic cubes.
They are standard-size cubes but not too hard or dense, which is great for both drinking and munching.
Popeyes
Popeyes is best known for its delicious, crunchy fried chicken, but it also became quite infamous when an employee dunked a basket of their ice into the deep fryer.
This is a dangerous stunt, and I don’t recommend it. Just enjoy their delicious chicken and drinks, and stay safe!
Wendy’s
Last but not least, Wendy’s ice cubes are pretty classic.
But although I usually love crunchable crushed ice cubes, I appreciate that Wendy’s takes a while to melt because it gives me ample time to enjoy their delicious food – like the Spicy Asiago Ranch Chicken Club – without rushing.
Fast Food Ice Cubes
- Chick-fil-A
- Chipotle
- McDonald’s
- Sonic Drive-In
- Starbucks
- Taco Bell
- Raising Cane’s
- Burger King
- In-N-Out
- Panda Express
- Popeyes
- Wendy’s
What’s Your Favorite Ice?
There are ice cubes for everyone’s preferences! I love the ice nuggets when I’m drinking soda, but I prefer larger ice cubes if I’m drinking an iced coffee.
Check out our favorite fast food milkshakes if you’re looking for other cold drinks!
