Domino’s Loaded Tots Debut in Big Game Lead-Up

Who among us hasn't relied on the Domino's delivery person for big eats? Well, now they're delivering Domino's Loaded Tots.

Ripped from the headlines! (Not really; it's just a bit of the press release):

“We’re excited to bring potatoes to our Boston Domino’s menu for the first time, just in time for the biggest football game of the year,” said David Jenks, Boston Domino’s franchise owner. “Loaded Tots make the perfect addition to any party spread. Whether you want a side item to accompany pizza or are looking for an overall crowd-pleaser, Loaded Tots are sure to impress. Domino’s Loaded Tots are delicious.”

Each order comes with golden brown potato tots which are topped to perfection and oven baked. Domino’s Philly Cheese Steak Loaded Tots feature tender slices of steak, creamy Alfredo sauce, fresh onions, fresh green peppers, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots are topped with smoky bacon, mozzarella, cheddar and garlic Parmesan sauce. Domino’s Melty 3-Cheese Loaded Tots are covered with mozzarella, cheddar, provolone and creamy Alfredo sauce.

Holy smokes. Heart is racing. Mouth is watering. I'm not even planning on watching the damn Big Game, but I'll pretend I am just to have an excuse to order these. Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots? With bacon and cheddar and garlic Parmesan sauce? Are you kidding me? And those Philly Cheese Steak Loaded Tots look scrumptious, too. Eagles fans will be gobbling 'em up, I'm sure.

It's no surprise Domino's came in second only to Dunkin' in The Most Popular Fast Food in Massachusetts. Damn. If they'd debuted the Loaded Tots a few weeks early, maybe they'd have knocked out Dunkin' and claimed the No. 1 spot for their own! Keep scrolling and see who else made the Top 20.

Fast food in Massachusetts is plentiful, just as it is across the United States. But what fast food chains are the most popular in Mass?

Gambling.com asked the question recently, and they came up with this list: The Most Popular Fast Food Rankings in the Bay State. You can visit Gambling.com's Massachusett's page here. And we'll dive into the list below, which certainly had some chains you'd expect (the No. 1 will come as no surprise), but also had a few unexpected entries.

First though, a little bit of my own pontificating. I'm of the mind that, when you ask someone what their favorite fast food joint is, more often than not they'll answer with the chain the grew up closest to. Case in point: when I was growing up in Greenwood, we had McDonald's right on Main St. It was our summer oasis between games of stickball at Greenwood school. From early on, I had a taste for Mickey Dee's. And to this day, I'll still find myself craving the 2 Cheeseburgers Meal. It used to be $2.99 for 2 cheeseburgers, fries, and a coke!

Personal theories aside, how was the research gathered for this one? How were the numbers crunched? Here's how:

The research team at Gambling.com analyzed Google Trends statistics to discover what MA’s favorite Fast Food Chains and Takeout Cuisines were over the past 7 days. Four different fast food related phrases were analyzed on Google Trends to measure the popularity of each Fast Food Chain. Separately, three phrases were used to measure the different Takeout Cuisines. The totals for all phrases were then added together for each chain/takeout type. Finally the Fast Food Chains and Takeout Cuisines were ranked by popularity.

Makes sense to me! So let's see how the Top 20 shook out.

Then: "Time to make the donuts..."

Now: "America runs on Dunkin'!"

Then: The Noid

Now: The Pizza Tracker

"Pan" means bread, so technically it's Bread-era Bread.

It's pronounced "chuh-POWT-lay." Like the pepper.

Then: "Yo quiero Taco Bell"

Also Then: Forthmeal. Remember when they tried to make that a thing?

Two cheeseburgers meal for $2.99 back in the day. A deal you'll never beat.

Amazing to see this placed so high in a state where there's a local sandwich shop on every corner.

Then: "Have it your way!"

Now: Creepy-ass Burger King showing up unannounced, creepin'.

"Grew a mustache and a mullet, got a job at Chic-Fil-A..." - Ben Folds, "Army"

Then: "Finger Lickin' Good!"

Also Then: Norm MacDonald as the Colonel. RIP.

Remember the Popeyes that used to be by Fenway Park?

Then: Chocolate Frosty

Now: Vanilla Frosty

The $5 all-you-can-eat pizza buffet was a gamechanger back in the day.

Bless up to all the Dairy Queens in MA that have to close their doors in the winter.

Are they more famous for the burgers or for the giant bags of peanuts?

To all you college kids who hit your local mall for a faceful of free Panda Express samples to save a little dough: we see you.

Then: "Pizza Pizza"

Now: $5 Hot-N-Ready

Then: Dunking your crust in the garlic butter sauce.

Now: Dunking your entire slice in the garlic butter sauce.

It is "Wing Stop" or "Wings Top?" Asking for a friend.

When Sonic finally migrated to MA about 20 years ago, it was a revelation.