Amanda Mactas

Title: Contributor

Location: New York, NY

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychobiology from Wheaton College and Master’s in Professional Writing from New York University

Expertise: Food and drink, travel, lifestyle

Website Links:

Manhattan with a Twist

Experience:

Amanda Mactas is a freelance writer and editor with bylines in Bella Magazine, PureWow, Time Out, Wine4Food, Reactor, and many more. When she's not eating or writing about food, she's often traveling the globe, reading books, or on the hunt for a good scare.

Articles by Amanda Mactas

McDonald's new Cajun chicken sandwiches set against a colorful background

I Tried McDonald's New Cajun Chicken Sandwiches & They Really Bring the Heat

The fast-food giant keeps trying to outdo itself, but are these new McCrispy spin-offs any good?

A single chicken nugget dipped in ketchup set against a colorful background

The Best Fast-Food Chicken Nuggets, Ranked By Taste

Nearly every fast-food joint serves them in some form, but which nuggets are the tastiest of all?

A trio of fast-food sandwiches against a colorful background

8 Best New Fast-Food Sandwiches of 2024 (So Far)

Catch these handhelds while they're hot—many of them are only available for a limited time.

A trio of menu items from Chick-fil-A displayed against a colorful background

Every Chick-fil-A Entrée, Tested and Ranked

The popular chain serves its juicy chicken in many different ways, but which one tastes the best?

Four popular brands of rolled tortilla chips against a colorful backdrop

The #1 Best Rolled Tortilla Chips in 2024

The cylindrical shaped snack from Mexico has spawned a number of imitators, but which brand tastes the best?

Freshly cooked bacon, lettuce and mayonnaise hamburger with red lobster tail on cutting board

10 Seafood Chains With Surprisingly Good Burgers

Thankfully, these seafood chains don’t skimp on the 'turf' in surf and turf.

Trader Joe's frozen cakes

The #1 Best Trader Joe's Frozen Cake in 2024

Don't overlook the sweets in the grocer's freezer case—they're easy to serve and delicious.

The 5 Fastest-Growing Pizza Chains in America

The 5 Fastest-Growing Pizza Chains in America

These regional chains have big aspirations and delicious pizza you're gonna want to try for yourself.

french dip sandwich

10 Restaurant Chains With the Best French Dip

Here's where to get the delicious combo of roast beef on French bread, with au jus for dipping.

egg rolls Thai restaurant

10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Egg Rolls

Crispy, crunchy, stuffed with savory fillings, and dipped in a tangy sauce—what's not to love about egg rolls?

10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Seasoned Fries

10 Chains With the Best Seasoned Fries

Here are the best spots to find addictive french fries with delectable seasonings across the U.S.

fish tacos

12 Restaurant Chains With the Best Fish Tacos

Whether grilled or fried, a flaky piece of fish wrapped in a warm tortilla makes a very satisfying bite.

8 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Chicken Salad

8 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Chicken Salad

These variations on the popular mayo and chicken concoction are worth the trip.

10 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Cuban Sandwiches

10 Chains With the Best Cuban Sandwiches

You don't have to travel to Havana—or even Florida—to find a tasty version of this classic handheld.

cobb salad eggs chicken blue cheese

10 Restaurant Chains With the Best Cobb Salad

With a pleasing combo of flavor and texture, this salty, crunchy, tangy salad is an underrated menu gem.

belgium waffles with strawberries

8 Restaurant Chains With the Best Waffles

Dig into a perfectly crispy, golden-brown waffle with your favorite toppings at these popular chains.

Pancakes loaded with caramel strawberries and chocolate

10 Restaurant Chains With the Best Pancakes

A sensationally delicious stack of fluffy, sweet flapjacks awaits at one of these popular chains.

baked potato with chives and sour cream

5 Restaurant Chains With the Best Baked Potatoes

Find out where to go for that much-needed dose of carbs, topped with your favorite flavors.

plate of french toast with berries

9 Restaurant Chains With the Best French Toast

Start your day with crispy yet custardy French toast at one of these popular chains.

salmon, arugula, and tomatoes

10 Restaurant Chains With The Best Salmon

America's favorite fish is expertly prepared and served up with style at these popular restaurants.

Tagliatelle con ragù alla bolognese

10 Chains With the Best Pasta Bolognese

The rich, meaty sauce is a specialty at many popular Italian-themed restaurant chains.

people taking buffet food

Top 10 All You-Can-Eat Buffets in America

After years of stagnation, buffet restaurants are a big draw once again.