April 25, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
Love can move fast – and so, apparently, can the first date.
Forget long waits and white tablecloths at a fancy eatery. For a growing number of singles, romance is kicking off somewhere between the drive-thru window and a waffle fry.
In a recent survey, dating news and analysis site DatingNews.com found that among 1,500 actively dating singles (ages 18 to 61), 73% of men and 67% of women said they would accept or ask someone out to a fast food restaurant for a date.
And the survey found that one in five singles would consider the fast food chain Chick-fil-A as the ideal location.
Curious how Tallahassee daters felt, the Tallahassee Democrat posed the question in a couple of local social chat groups:
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
Would you accept a first date at a fast‑food restaurant?
Here’s what we heard.
Madison Kali who received the most likes for her comment said: “I wouldn’t care where I was taken, I feel that on the first few dates you don’t just go all out and blow money on someone you just met. If someone took me to something as simple as McDonald’s and bought me a Happy Meal I’d be OK with it. However if we’re years and years into a relationship and no nice dinners at least every so often, that’s a no go.”
Some added that they don’t typically eat fast food so they wouldn’t want it on a date.
Longtime partners shared their success stories with dating and saying some of their most spontaneous dates ended up being the best — like one person who said their first date was at Wendy’s. Fast‑forward, and they’ve been married for 17 years and have two children.
Across dozens of comments, one theme stood out: high‑pressure, interview‑style dates are out, coinciding with the survey results that found that “52% of singles say they prioritize vibes and connection over cost when it comes to planning first dates.”
Beyond fast food, Tallahassee daters offered their own go‑to spots for a great first date, from breweries to cozy coffee shops to low‑key cocktail bars. We’ll have a few suggestions rounded up for you soon.
Tallahassee resident Marlen Mendez, 24, says casual spots along the line of Applebee’s or Olive Garden would be a better alternative compared to flat out fast-food joints like McDonald’s.
“The setup in a fast food restaurant is a lot more uncomfortable like the hard chairs, lack of privacy and the lighting is a lot different. Versus Applebee’s offers booths which is a little more comfortable, the light is different and they serve alcoholic drinks.”
To Mendez, atmosphere is equivalent to effort, setting the tone for the person’s intentions along with good conversation. Fast food leaves the impression that there’s not much thought put into this interaction.
Others on social media stated that food shouldn’t be the focus of the date at all.
“The date is to meet the person, not see how much they have to offer,” one commenter wrote.
Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.