Kim Fundingsland/MDN Drive-through fast food remains in demand in Minot during the current coronavirus pandemic. Orders can be picked up inside most fast food locations but inside dining is closed until state mandated restrictions are lifted.

Minoters like their fast food, even during the current coronavirus pandemic. With indoor dining curtailed throughout the state, the traffic at drive-through windows at fast food restaurants is remarkably steady. In some cases, maybe more than prior to COVID-19.

Under the golden arches of McDonald’s, the demand for drive-through business at Minot’s South Broadway location remains evident. A spokesperson for that restaurant said it “hasn’t really slowed down too much.”

McDonald’s is among those fast food restaurants where people can still go to the inside counter to pick up an order, but the dining area remains closed.

At Burger King on South Broadway the inside dining room is also closed due to coronavirus concerns but the drive-through window is busy. A spokesperson there said, “It’s pretty steady and people are getting out.” Customers can pick up orders inside the restaurant but cannot make any additional purchases or use the inside dining facility.

The situation is similar at Wendy’s, located adjacent to Burger King.

“We usually have a line,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told The Minot Daily News. “It’s more people.”

Kristi Smith manages Taco John’s on North Broadway in Minot. She said she thought overall business was perhaps down slightly as emphasis has switched from inside dining to 100% drive-through.

“We’re still getting our regulars coming through the drive-through,” said Smith. “For the most part people have been patient. A lot of them are customers that don’t traditionally do drive-through.”

One of Minot’s newest fast food restaurants, Slim Chickens on South Broadway, has been particularly busy during the coronavirus outbreak.

“On-line ordering and phone orders have been booming since all of this started,” said Allen Gange, assistant manager. “There was an impact with the dining room closed but, honestly, this past week or so it’s really picked up in business coming through the drive-through. People can come in and pick up their on-line orders but can’t buy anything else.”