Chrissy Teigen Bites Into Her Favorite Fast Food: Panda Express, White Castle and McDonald’s Happy Meals

Marc Malkin
·4-min read

Chrissy Teigen knows her way around a kitchen. Not only is she the author of two cookbooks, but she recently co-hosted “Chrissy & Dave Dine Out,” a Freeform series that takes a look at Los Angeles’ restaurant scene, with celebrity chef Dave Chang and “Fire Island” star Joel Kim Booster.

Teigen’s latest foodie gig is being named an advisor and investor in ChainFest, actor and writer B.J. Novak and Michelin chef Tim Hollingsworth’s food festival that celebrates fast food and fast casual chain restaurants. ChainFest, which began 2021 with a pop-up event in Los Angeles, features Hollingsworth reimagining fast food favorites with gourmet twists.

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“Tim did a wagyu Big Mac that was that was still served in the box that we love,” Teigen says. “He does in such a special and unique way, but it still reminds you of the food you had growing up.”

ChainFest makes its New York City debut Sept. 21 followed by a return to Los Angeles on Oct. 5.

Here, Teigen talks fast food, favorite meals and her dreams of opening a bed and breakfast.

If you could only eat from one fast food chain for the rest of your life, which would it be?

I have Panda Express on my mind lately because I just got back from their test kitchens. I was blown away by the new things they’re developing. This is really hard because I love White Castle but I’m never around them. When I am around one, I really go hard with White Castle. I love the chicken fried steak at Cracker Barrel. There’s so many. If there was one, I think I’d have to say Red Lobster.

Do your kids eat from the chain restaurants?

Absolutely. Everybody loves Panda Express. On Sunday nights, John [husband John Legend] and I do McDonald’s Happy Meals for the kids. [Son] Miles gets his chicken nuggets. [Daughter] Luna gets her plain hamburger. I feel like it’s a rite of passage growing up. I know that we are supposed to be really thinking about what’s going into our bodies all the time, but I believe there’s a special balance.

What is your least favorite food?

That’s a good question. I like big, bold flavors so I don’t tend to like really simple, clean foods. But there are things that kind of turn me off a little like beets and capers but when I’m pregnant, I love them.

Have you ever thought of opening your own restaurant?

No, never. I’ve actually recently been binging Gordon Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares.” I grew up on that show. I grew up watching Gordon yell at people. I used to think it looked so easy and fun, but now being in the industry, I know about the stresses. I would love, however, to open a bed and breakfast. That’s my biggest dream. I would love a four- to six-bedroom inn. Full meals downstairs in the kitchen where everybody eats together. Maybe in Connecticut or in Napa or Ojai.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

The oysters and pearls at French Laundry. We were just looking at the menu because our whole family is going up there next weekend. That’s the best meal start to finish I’ve ever had. Also n/naka. Maybe you’ve seen it on “Chef’s Table.” It is an insane, incredible experience. And then one more favorite meal I’ve had is at Yangban. Those are my three favorite places.

Before we finish, I wanted to ask you about John’s comments recently that your daughter Luna sees herself in Kamala Harris.

We were glued to the TV [on the final night of the Democratic National Convention]. It was so amazing to see, especially for our daughter, this woman who is so accomplished and gets up there and gets everybody so excited. I got such FOMO watching John perform on Wednesday, and then not being there last night was tethered to Los Angeles for work, but to get to sit at home and watch it with my kids is next level.

For ChainFest tickets, go to chainfest.com.

This Q&A was edited for length and clarity.

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