Surprising Restaurant Named No. 1 Fast Food Chain

Del Taco has been named by USA TODAY as America's No. 1 fast food restaurant, ending Chick-fil-A 's nearly decade run as the top chain .

The Mexican restaurant chain was selected by readers as the nation's best, followed by KFC and Chick-fil-A.

"This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries. In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu," USA TODAY wrote.

Del Taco, which is based in California. is reported to have 594 total locations in just 18 U.S. states. USA TODAY 's full list of America's top 10 best fast food restaurants is included below:

1. Del Taco
2. KFC
3. Chick-fil-A
4. In-N-Out Burger
5. Hardee's
6. Captain D's
7. Taco Bell
8. Popeyes
9. Zaxby's
10. Arby's

Chick-fil-A's drop comes months after it announced its plans to end its "no antibiotics ever" pledge and will instead begin a less-strict standard to allow some antibiotics in its chicken beginning in spring 2024. Many food companies have shifted to limiting the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock as resistance to antibiotics, which occurs when illness-causing bacteria and fungi become able to defeat medicines and create "super bugs" in recent years, the Washington Post reports.

The No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine label allows restaurant chains and chicken producers to use only antibiotics intended to treat actual illness in animals, rather than ones that promote unnatural growth. McDonald's previously announced its plans to move toward a standard similar to Chick-fil-A's new proposal in 2015, while Tyson had previously changed its standard amid difficulties with keeping its "no antibiotics ever" promise last year.

Burger King and Popeye's are also among other national fast-food chains that already adhere to the NAIHM promise.