By Cheri Sicard
Sometimes, when you’re on the road and in a hurry, fast food is the only option. But did you know that regional fast food chains often offer better options than the big national chains?
In the video down below by Mashed [5.46M subscribers, 2.16B views], you can see their picks of each state’s best regional fast food chain.
I agree that, in many cases, regional fast food chains are better than the big ones, but only sometimes. For example, I recently stopped at a Taco John’s during a drive through Wyoming and found it to be simply awful in every way. On the other hand, New Mexico’s Blake’s Lotaburger received an honorable mention in my Best Green Chile Cheeseburgers of New Mexico article.
I haven’t tried all these regional fast food chains, but I have tried many.
Also, please note that each regional fast food chain is located by the state where it started, but some now operate in multiple states. As these regional chains improve, they tend to expand their reach. For example, I’ve noticed that two favorites of mine, Wisconsin’s Culver’s and Kansas’s Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, are now found far beyond their home states; New Jersey’s Jersey Mike’s can now be found on the opposite coast, and many places in between; and Georgia’s Waffle Houses are in MANY states throughout the South and beyond.
In my opinion, if you catch these rising star regional fast food chains on the way up, you’ll have a better chance of getting outstanding food. For example, I used to love Waffle House breakfasts, but a recent visit showed me that they are not what they were when I lived in the South 40 years ago.
According to Mashed, the best regional fast food chains in every state are listed below. Watch the video to learn more about the food served at each establishment and see some mouth-watering eye candy of the food, too.
How many have you tried? What are your favorites? Do you have other chains to add to the list? Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments below.
- Alabama: Milo’s Original Burger Shop
- Alaska: Arctic Roadrunner
- Arizona: eegee’s
- Arkansas: Slim Chickens
- California: The Habit Burger Grill
- Colorado: Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard
- Connecticut: Duchess
- Delaware: Casapulla’s Subs
- Florida: 4 Rivers Smokehouse
- Georgia: Waffle House
- Hawaii: Zippy’s
- Idaho: Boise Fry Company
- Illinois: Beef-A-Roo
- Indiana: Schoop’s Hamburgers
- Iowa: Maid-Rite
- Kansas: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
- Kentucky: Indi’s Fast Food Restaurant
- Louisiana: Dat Dog
- Maine: Gifford’s
- Maryland: Chap’s Pit Beef
- Massachusetts: Boloco
- Michigan: National Coney Island
- Minnesota: My Burger
- Mississippi: Ward’s
- Missouri: Lion’s Choice
- Montana: The Pickle Barrel
- Nebraska: Runza
- Nevada: Don Tortaco Mexican Grill
- New Hampshire: Moe’s Italian Sandwiches
- New Jersey: Jersey Mike’s
- New Mexico: Blake’s Lotaburger
- New York: Golden Krust
- North Carolina: Cook Out
- North Dakota: Burger Time
- Ohio: Skyline Chili
- Oklahoma: Braum’s
- Oregon: Burgerville
- Pennsylvania: Wawa
- Rhode Island: Del’s Lemonade
- South Carolina: Rush’s
- South Dakota: B&G Milkyway
- Tennessee: Pal’s Sudden Service
- Texas: Whataburger
- Utah: Arctic Circle
- Vermont: Al’s French Frys
- Virginia: Elevation Burger
- Washington: Taco Time Northwest
- West Virginia: Tudor’s Biscuit World
- Wisconsin: Culver’s
- Wyoming: Taco John’s
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RVT1264
Probably not the best but, when in LowCal, one of the must tries is the Original Tommy’s which sells cheeseburgers and such with their signature chili on it. There’s just something about the experience but let me warn the others in your car that your guts are going to speak up if you know what I mean.
Another place I have to get to when they’re around are White Castle. Again, there’s just something about it and your guts are going to talk back after a trip there.
Thank you for the list, Cheri. My nephew was a cook at a nearby Waffle Hiuse, so I have eaten there. Have heard of the one listed for Tennessee and might, not sure, have seen one. My personal favorite is Krystal and their small, simple burger — thin and small square beef patty fried in chopped onions and paired with a small square bun, dot of mustard, and a slice or two of dill pickle. Is a direct copy of White Castle by a Chattanooga businessman who encountered White Castle while traveling. Additional fast-food favorites are Burger King (Whopper) and Taco Bell (soft taco supreme). Sign of my advanced age: can no longer eat a dozen Krystals at once. 🙁 Safe travels!
The Barbarians would have been at the gates if you had not listed WAWA for Pa. Their fastest growing market is now Florida due to all the retirees from Pa.