Sidebar #86 - Fast Food in Costa Rica

Most major American fast food chains are found in Costa Rica in 2026. Costa Rica has a lot of American influence and also many expats live here. Living in the capital, San Jose, I’ve had access to many of these “amenities” and comforts of home. For those curious, a list of American chains that I’ve come across in Costa Rica are: McDonald’s, Burger King, Dunkin, Starbucks, Popeye’s, KFC, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Subway, Quizno’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Domino’s, Little Caesar’s, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Outback, and Johnny Rocket’s. However, the reality is that most of these places are only really found in the Greater San Jose area, known as “GAM”. Regional cities may have a McDonald’s or Subway, but most smaller towns have their own local restaurants called “sodas”.




On the other hand, there aren’t too many fast food chains that are Costa Rican, although a few come to mind. Perhaps the most ubiquitous fast food chain unique to Costa Rica is actually an ice cream place called “Pops”. There are 4 or 5 in Desamparados alone. Additionally, there is a Little Caesar’s-adjacent pizza chain known as “Ready Pizza”. Ready Pizza is one of the best bargains in Costa Rica - you can buy a large one-topping pizza for just $7.  “Cosechas” is a smoothie chain that originated in Costa Rica, and is quickly expanding to other Latin American countries. “Rosti” is a chain of restaurants which specializes in Nicaraguan-style rotisserie chicken. Finally, although both KFC and Popeye’s exist in Costa Rica, there are many competing Costa Rican fried chicken chains such as “Pollolandia” and “API”, which is my host family’s favorite.

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