Republicans, Democrats Split on Olive Garden, Other Food Issues

Members of Congress aren't the only ones who are divided these days, according to a new survey by Public Policy Polling.

  • Share
  • Read Later
Tom Uhlman / Bloomberg / Getty Images

An Olive Garden restaurant in Cincinnati

In surveys, Americans generally prefer Burger King to McDonald’s — but in a hypothetical presidential race, they would vote for Ronald McDonald over the Burger King, according to a new poll. Thankfully, for democracy’s sake, 42% said they are not sure who they would pick.

Public Policy Polling, best known for its polling on campaigns, surveyed 500 registered voters on their food preferences between Feb. 21 and Feb. 24. The margin of error for the sample is plus or minus 4.4%. The results, published online Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, are divvied up by party affiliation, race, age, and gender and reveal some remarkable differences in the ways Democrats, Republicans and Americans overall perceive their food.

Here are some delectable takeaways:

  • Forty-three percent of Republicans said Olive Garden is a “quality source of authentic ethnic food.” Forty-one percent of Democrats agree, a virtual tie.
  • More Republicans dig Mexican food than Democrats (73% to 69%, but the difference falls within the margin of error), while those numbers are almost reversed for Chinese food: 74% of Democrats like Chinese compared to 69% of Republicans.
  • Thirty-nine percent of Democrats prefer KFC over Chick-fil-A for their fried chicken cravings, while 48% of Republicans prefer Chick-fil-A over KFC.
  • Democrats like bagels (34%) and croissants (32%), while Republicans prefer donuts (35%).
  • Forty-seven percent of Democrats are partial to regular soda, while 42% of Republicans prefer diet.
  • Both parties agree that Coke is better than Pepsi, 43% to 35%; more than half of all Americans would rather drink a Coke than a beer.
  • Speaking of beer: Democrats like Corona best among major brands (15%), while Republicans prefer Budweiser (17%). Democrats also prefer to drink beer made by “micro/regional breweries” (29%) while Republicans prefer “larger, national brands” (27%)
  • Both parties agree that dinner is by far the best meal. Just 11% of Americans say that lunch is their favorite.
  • Most voters are not sushi fans, but more Democrats (52%) than Republicans (36%) said they’d be willing to eat the Japanese food.
  • However: Republicans prefer seafood more than Democrats, 80% to 72%.

The poll also dishes out insights about Americans’ favorite foods:

Favorite Beer: Budweiser

Favorite Pizza Topping: Pepperoni

Favorite Pizza Chain: Pizza Hut

Favorite Sandwich Chain: Subway

Favorite Mexican Chain: Taco Bell

Favorite Fast-Food Burger: Burger King

Favorite Breakfast Food: Pancakes

You can read the full results here and here.

MORE: ‘Catholic Guilt’ About Sex Is Just a Myth, Poll Says

MORE: New Study Uses Tweets To Rank America’s Happiest Cities, States