Del Taco has taken the top spot in USA TODAY's 2026 10Best Reader's Choice Awards — not once, but twice over. The California-based chain claimed both #1 Fast Food Restaurant and #1 Fast Food Fries, marking its second consecutive year winning the restaurant title and its third straight year dominating the fries category.

The chain also landed #3 for Best Fast Food Breakfast and #4 for Best Fast Food Taco, signaling broad fan loyalty across its entire menu. Awards in the 10Best program are ultimately decided by reader votes nationwide, making the wins a direct reflection of customer enthusiasm.

Del Taco credits its success to freshly prepared ingredients — from slow-cooked scratch-made beans to freshly grated cheddar and its signature Crinkle Cut Fries. Founded in 1964, the brand now operates more than 550 locations across 17 states.

Baja Fresh is bringing the heat this summer with a new limited-time lineup called the Crispy Diablo — and it's available now through mid-October at participating locations nationwide.

The fast-casual Mexican chain is offering three new menu items built around crispy chicken or shrimp tossed in its fiery Diablo salsa: a bowl served over lime rice, a flour-tortilla burrito, and a two-taco combo.

Each option is rounded out with fresh ingredients like pico de gallo, mixed cabbage, cilantro, black beans, and a squeeze of lime — all made to order.

"The Crispy Diablo entrées deliver everything our guests love in one bite," said Logan Reves, VP of Restaurant Operations at Baja Fresh. The chain, founded in 1990, operates roughly 70 franchised locations across the U.S.

DoorDash is moving its delivery ambitions skyward. The San Francisco-based company has announced it received FAA Part 135 air carrier certification — a milestone it says was years in the making — clearing a major regulatory hurdle for its in-house drone delivery program, DoorDash Air.

The certification required passing a rigorous five-stage evaluation covering aircraft airworthiness, maintenance, and safety procedures. DoorDash is now one of only eight drone operators in the country to have earned it.

No firm launch date has been given, but the company promises updates later this year on both the aircraft itself and how drone delivery will integrate into its broader network. As Head of DoorDash Air Harrison Shih put it, the goal is to make drone delivery work "for any merchant, anywhere."

California is burger country — and a new national ranking makes that clearer than ever. USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for 2026 named the Double Char from Habit Burger & Grill the best fast food burger in the nation, marking the third consecutive year the Irvine-based chain has claimed the top spot.

The winning burger features two freshly chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. Habit has been chargrilling since 1969, starting in Santa Barbara, and now operates over 350 locations.

California dominated the list, with fellow Irvine chain In-N-Out Burger's Double-Double landing at No. 2. Habit has playfully rubbed it in before — posting a billboard near LAX to remind In-N-Out of its runner-up status.

Krispy Kreme is taking its fans on a Latin American flavor journey with its new limited-time Destination Dessert Collection — the latest stop on the brand's ongoing global tour after two summers of Paris- and Italy-inspired doughnuts.

The collection features three new creations: a Tres Leches-inspired doughnut, a Guava Cheesecake doughnut, and a Choco Dulce Cookie Crunch doughnut inspired by the classic Argentine chocotorta.

Each shell doughnut is filled and topped with flavor combinations that aim to capture beloved regional desserts in a single bite. The collection is available in-shop and through the Krispy Kreme app for pickup or delivery, sold individually or by the dozen while supplies last.

This Weeks Hidden Gem

GYU JINYA in Lancaster brings a welcome Japanese dining option to the Antelope Valley, especially for anyone looking for more than just a quick sushi stop.

Located at 4075 West Ave. L in Lancaster, GYU JINYA offers a broad Japanese menu that includes sushi rolls, crispy katsu sets, shabu-shabu, udon, tonkatsu, and other Asian-inspired favorites.

 What makes the restaurant stand out is the variety. It is not trying to be just one thing. It gives diners several different ways to enjoy Japanese comfort food, whether you are in the mood for something light, crispy, hearty, or interactive.

The restaurant’s goal is simple: to give the Antelope Valley a place for quality Japanese food at everyday prices. That local focus matters. GYU JINYA presents itself as a neighborhood Japanese kitchen, serving lunch and dinner with meals made fresh and with care for the community.

One of the strongest parts of the menu is the range of choices. The katsu sets offer that golden, crispy, satisfying style that works well for a full meal. The sushi rolls give diners a fresh option, while the shabu-shabu adds something more distinctive for people who want a warmer, more hands-on dining experience. The udon is another highlight, especially with the restaurant noting that its handmade udon noodles are flown in from Japan.

That mix makes GYU JINYA a good fit for groups, families, casual lunches, dinner outings, or anyone who wants Japanese food without having to leave the AV. It is the kind of place where one person can order sushi, another can get tonkatsu, someone else can go for udon, and the table still feels like it fits together.

GYU JINYA feels like a strong addition to Lancaster’s food scene because it gives locals a stylish but approachable Japanese restaurant with enough variety to make repeat visits easy.

Local Bites Take

Best reason to go: A wide Japanese menu with sushi, katsu, shabu-shabu, and udon all in one place.
Good for: Lunch, dinner, families, casual date nights, sushi cravings, and Japanese comfort food.
Price feel: $$

Would we go back? Yes — especially to try the katsu sets, shabu-shabu, and handmade udon.