A quick meal doesn't have to mean dull digs. Up and down the country, America's fast food restaurants are set in everything from grand 19th-century mansions to uber-sleek modern confections. From beautiful outposts of the world's best-known chains to visually striking mom-and-pop burger joints, we've picked out the most surprising fast food restaurant in every state.
Lovers of all things retro should make a beeline for this diner with vintage vibes, located down on Alabama's coast. Expect a glittering chrome façade, booths outfitted in turquoise and white stripes, and even a pair of vintage cars outside (Ford Sunliners, to be exact). The soundtrack is aptly retro (you're bound to hear Elvis through the speakers) and the wait staff don vintage dress, too.
Another fast food spot with vintage clout, Sami's can be found in Alaska's biggest city. You'll feel as though you've been whisked back to the 1950s when you clock the diner's bold, red neon sign, glittering stainless steel façade, and rows of sleek black bar stools and booths. A menu of breakfast staples, belly-busting sandwiches, and old-school American entrées is reason enough to stick around.
McDonald's golden arches are famous the world over, but in Sedona – a city known for its spas and red-rock landscapes – the famous 'M' looks rather different. This location has eschewed the iconic butter yellow for a pretty shade of teal. It's said that these were the conditions under which the ubiquitious fast-food joint opened a venue here, since officials thought that the bold yellow would jar with the surrounding landscapes. The altered sign is posted onto a gorgeous adobe-style building, too.
The Purple Cow – which has locations in Little Rock, Conway, and Hot Springs – might not be to everyone's taste but, if you're partial to the color purple, then it's just the spot for you. Hues of lilac and mauve are splashed everywhere, from the booths and thee walls to the neon lights above the bar, and even the menu follows the theme. Opt for a heaping purple ice cream sundae or an eye-popping purple shake.
McDonald's oldest restaurant, which is located in Los Angeles County, has a fittingly retro design. There's the charming vintage sign, which features Speedee, the fast food chain's original mascot, plus giant yellow arches going right through the roof. The low-rise structure is also a fine example of Googie architecture, whose futuristic buildings were inspired by the new-fangled vehicles of the Space Age.
This gloriously kitsch diner in northern Colorado goes all-out on the 1950s theme. Expect the usual checkered floor and booths upholstered in deep teal and crimson red, plus a fittingly retro juke box and pastel-colored neon 'soda fountain' sign. It's a great spot for petrolheads, too; car hoods and bumpers protrude from the walls, and a retro motorbike is propped up above the tables.
The world owes a lot to Louis’ Lunch. It's hailed as the spot where the classic hamburger sandwich was first invented, and the diminutive, family-run venue – which first opened in 1895 – has plenty of charm in itself, too. Come by to photograph the neat brick building with its bright red shutters and intricate arched windows, then step inside and sample one of their much-talked about hamburgers.
Anyone who loves cars will surely claim that this is the most beautiful fast food spot in the state. The owner has a passion for classic cars, and the diner is planted right next to a garage housing his own glittering collection. The restaurant itself is fittingly retro, and is a beautifully executed example of a classic diner – think stainless steel, eye-catching red-and-white tiles, and a gleaming checkered floor.
The world's largest McDonald's joint is also among its most imaginatively designed. Its sheer size has earned it the nickname Epic McD – it's a giant glass confection, with floating circular designs and white waves on the façade, and the logo appears as a jumble of rainbow-colored letters. In true Floridian style, plenty of palm trees brighten the parking lot too.
Not everyone would describe this quirky spot as 'beautiful', but it's all in the (beady) eye of the beholder – and the unusual KFC outpost gets points for sheer imagination. The so-called 'Big Chicken' is a Marietta pride and joy, thrusting some 56 feet (17m) into the sky, with a moving beak and eyes. It was originally built back in the 1960s, for a restaurant named Johnny Reb’s Chick-Chuck-‘N’-Shake – fittingly, it eventually became a KFC. Over the years, it's faced the wrecking ball on several occasions as its condition deteriorated, but is now fresh from a facelift in 2017.
One look at this drive-in in Hawaii's capital and it's clear how the old-school joint got its name. The exterior is kaleidoscopic, with a façade that ranges from deep mauve to pastel yellow and popping turquoise blue. While it might be the bright frontage that first attracts customers, they stay for the downhome cooking that has been doled out since 1961. Signature plates include the boneless chicken with gravy, and the Spam and eggs.
This Starbucks in the Rocky Mountain city of Ketchum looks more like a swish ski lodge than a quick-service coffee chain – but a Starbucks is actually tucked behind this rustic-chic façade. Inspired by the popular ski resorts in the area, the coffee shop features striking log walls and swathes of soaring glass. Inside, there are yet more log walls, vaulting beams, and black-and-white photos depicting ski scenes.
It's fitting that Chicago's flagship McDonald's store is a fine piece of architecture – this is the city that invented the skyscraper, after all. The building is as about as modern as they come – a great hunk of glittering glass with a roof layered with solar panels, plus hanging plants and wood-clad interiors inside. The building has been awarded LEED Platinum certification too.
One glance at this kitschy diner in central Indiana and you might think you've been whisked to Hawaii – the façade gives serious tropical vibes with its popping yellow sign emblazoned with palm trees and red neon. This taste of the tropics is paired with a dose of vintage charm – think low-rise, streamlined architecture, and an interior characterized by pastel tiled floors and bright red bar stools.
Not everyone will get behind the zombie theme at this cult burger bar in Iowa's state capital, but you certainly can't fault it for creativity. The offbeat joint is endlessly imaginative, with monsters bursting out of planters outside and intricate zombie-themed artwork on the walls. As it goes, the food and drinks are quite beautiful, too; the milkshakes come in a rainbow of colors, topped with everything from Fruity Pebbles to Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
Harking back to 1978, this fun fast food diner now has locations across the Sunflower State, including in Wichita, Topeka, and Salina. And, happily for fans of a retro theme, each spot evokes an era gone by. Step in to see a feast of vintage design features, from classic checkered flooring to neon guitars, and rainbow-colored skis and surf boards mounted to the walls.
Possibly the quaintest KFC in the whole of the country, this spot in Corbin, Kentucky is where it all began in 1940. The restaurant – in all its white-washed, gabled glory – has been restored and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. As well as a typical KFC joint, it also houses a museum and a replica of the Colonel's original kitchen.
Even if you had no intention of visiting this Big Easy burger joint, the cheerful façade might well draw you in. It's impossibly bright, with vivid purple window frames and plenty of potted plants. The funky signage on the restaurant's sidewall is inviting, too. Once you're inside, the smashburgers and perfect French fries will keep you coming back time and time again.
There are plenty of quaint restaurants across the New England state of Maine – from rustic seafood shacks to genteel historic spots. But you might not expect the local McDonald's to look quite like this. When the fast food giant wanted to expand into Freeport, Maine, it was faced with restrictions on what could be built. So it moved into one of the town's fine mid-19th-century mansions, Gore House, once owned by an affluent merchant. Thanks to an elegant blend of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture, it’s become a local landmark.
This retro-style diner just south of Baltimore has got its vintage theme just right. There are some lovely touches, including honeycomb detailing above the royal blue booths and a charming mural featuring customers relaxing at an old-school diner bar. The usual splashes of neon and chrome bring it all together.
Classic dining cars are a rarity these days, so that makes this charming spot extra special. The diner was first established at the tail-end of the 19th century in the form of a horse-drawn wagon, while the car was completed in the 1920s by the Worcester Lunch Car Company. Now it's earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, drawing in diners with its pretty lemon-yellow façade, arching portico, and flower boxes.
Halo Burger has spent more than a century whipping up good old-fashioned burgers, and it now has locations across Michigan – from Burton to Grand Blanc. However, it's the Flint spot that really turns heads. The building looks almost like a Spanish villa, with its gables and turrets, giant arched windows, and terracotta roof. Inside, original, delicately tiled flooring and chandeliers add extra interest.
Lakeview Drive Inn is the real deal. This fast food spot was founded back in 1938 and remains family owned and operated. The place takes great pride in being an authentic old-school drive-in, and that goes down to the streamlined retro architecture, with its splash of bold red and neon signage. You can choose between a hot dog, hamburger or cheeseburger, and a raft of daily specials.
Stepping into Brent's Drugs is like stepping back in time. Located in the Fondren District, it's a beloved fixture of the Mississippi capital and has been going strong since 1946. The interiors are beautifully nostalgic: expect eye-catching turquoise booths, pastel-hued neon signs, and a charming selection of black-and-white photographs.
You'll not have fallen on hard luck at all if you wind up in this charming diner. Opened just shy of 30 years ago, the spot is committed to its 1950s theme, including vivid red booths and red and black checkered flooring. The diner hosts live musicians and the decor offers a nod to the venue's musical clout, too; you'll spot decorative musical notes and photos of musicians adorning the walls.
Bozeman's Pickle Barrel sub shop is cute as a button. Established in 1974, it's housed in a diminutive brick building adorned with a whimsical painting of a pickle, plus an ornately carved wooden sign. A cluster of pretty neon signs and a window box full of blooming flowers adds to the charm, as does the small patio seating area just outside.
There's nothing polished about Omaha's Hi-Way Diner, but it's still beautiful in a retro, ramshackle kind of way. You'll find a hodge-podge of old-school signage, from a RCA Victor record label sign to a giant camel bearing the word 'cafe', plus classic neon relics. Throw in some retro cabinetry and a menu of downhome staples and you've got the makings of a beautifully nostalgic American diner.
Everything is loud and proud on the Las Vegas Strip – including the McDonald's. Amidst the glittering hotels and hulking casinos, you'll find this bold outpost of the fast food chain, with its colorful walls and head-turning light fittings. The most striking feature of all is the gleaming gold ceiling piece, which includes intricate molding and the words 'Welcome to Las Vegas'.
Surf's up at this laid-back burger joint in the coastal town of Meredith, which is arranged around the eponymous Meredith Bay. The interiors are wood-clad from floor to ceiling and the straw fringe that hangs from the roof evokes Hawaii. The charm continues outside on the terrace, where potted plants swing from wooden beams and fairy lights are criss-crossed overhead.
This modern, quick-service burger joint has some seriously funky decor. Pictured is the industrial-chic location in Plainview, which has a loosely tropical theme. You'll spot leafy ferns and flowers stenciled onto the sleek bar, ample potted plants, and exposed pipes painted in popping red. Look out for the disco ball dancing overhead too.
The little city of Roswell is well-known for its popular UFO festival and was the location of the 'Roswell incident', when US Army Air Forces announced that they'd found an unidentified 'flying disc' in the 1940s. It's apt, then, that the McDonald's in this town is shaped rather like a flying saucer. It really looks the part, with a glittering glass-clad façade, angular shapes, and glowing neon lights.
Affectionately known as the 'McMansion', this elegant McDonald's outpost on Long Island is tucked into Denton House, a 1700s farmhouse turned swish Georgian-style mansion, complete with a quaint veranda. The fast food juggernaut originally bought the property in the 1980s and had plans to tear it down. However, an outcry from the local community led to this incarnation instead.
This town is home to the Biltmore estate and one McDonald's outpost takes cues from the sumptuous mansion. The joint on Hendersonville Road wows with its grand octagonal dining room replete with columns, a pressed-tin ceiling, and chandeliers. Artwork hangs above a stone fireplace and there's even a piano. Despite the restaurant's shift in design, all your McDonald's favorites still grace the menu.
BarN & Grill is a clever name for this laid-back spot in the east of North Dakota. You'll find the down-to-earth grill tucked inside a hulking, rust-red barn, in this bucolic slice of the state. On offer are classic fast food eats, including burgers, chicken strips, and pizza.
Another swish McDonald's that offers a departure from the norm, this outpost in northeastern Ohio can be found in a graceful Colonial-style mansion. The joint has earned itself the nickname 'the White House of McDonald's', and it's easy to see why when you take in its grand columns, balconied upper terrace, and soaring portico. Inside, there's a sweeping staircase and chandeliers, too.
This sweet fast food joint does exactly what it says on the tin. Having been going strong for some 60 years, and proudly family owned and operated, the diner lays its 1950s theme on thick. It's not uncommon to see bright vintage cars pulling up at the nostalgic drive-in, where the most striking element is a giant sign with heart-shaped detailing and a retro font.
There's always a line at this cult donut shop, which originated in Portland's Old Town Chinatown neighborhood (pictured) and has now grown to six locations in Oregon and others across state lines. You'll notice the signature baby pink, which is splashed over the sign, as well as the bold green and yellow door, and the detailed stained glass above it. The interiors explode in a riot of color, too, from the walls to the patterned floor, and the joint's famously bright, topping-heavy creations look out from a carousel display.
For many (and though there are fierce rivalries), the only place to chow down on one of Philly's classic cheesesteaks is at Pat's King of Steaks, where it all began. The venue itself, though relatively understated, is a landmark too. A bright neon crown winks above the restaurant, whose corner location gives it an unusual streamlined shape – the bold, white-and-red color palette also turns heads. Look out for the marker out front which regales the joint's history.
Admittedly Modern Diner is a slightly strange name for this old-school spot north of Providence, which tips itself as the first diner on the National Register. The charming dining car is a Sterling Streamliner model, a line pedaled out in the 1930s and '40s – it's understated yet wonderfully nostalgic, with a pale yellow and red façade, and an interior filled with emerald green bar stools and an orange checkered floor.
You can't miss the funky Tattooed Moose in the genteel city of Charleston. The exterior is adorned with kaleidoscopic murals, and the joint's name is up in lights. It's just as quirky inside, with exposed industrial elements, mounted moose heads, and scribblings from diners on the walls. You might have seen it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives – Guy Fieri loved the menu filled with sandwiches, wings and duck-fat fries.
Another winning vintage diner, Phillips Avenue has been running since 1996, though you'll feel as though you've been pulled back into the midcentury. You'll find all the usual trappings here: shining green-leather bar stools, old-school tiled floors, and a neon sign out front. There's also a beloved juke box to boot.
It's not hard to see why the King of Rock and Roll loved this historic Memphis spot so much. Arcade Restaurant – the oldest in the city – was purportedly Elvis Presley's preferred place to eat. He'd come by to order a peanut butter and banana sandwich and sit in his favorite booth. You can still sit in that same booth today and the interiors remain wonderfully retro, with a color palette of turquoise and peach, and scores of musical photos stacked up around the room.
This outpost of the small Mexican fast-food chain Torchy's Tacos is striking indeed. The building rises in a series of bold, hexagonal shapes, with criss-crossing red beams, long tables tucked inside, and the restaurant's catchy name up in lights. The menu offers classic tacos, chips and queso, and a range of breakfast bites.
Cheerful Ruth's Diner, which can be found just east of Salt Lake City, has become a beloved spot for its failsafe menu of American comfort food. It is also quite lovely to look upon. The neat entryway portico is lit up in winking neon, and you'll spot a retro jukebox almost as soon as you walk in. Smartly upholstered booths, walls filled with photographs and plenty of wood add to a nostalgic, homely vibe.
The folks behind The Blue Benn Diner are committed to evoking the America of the mid-century. The classic dining car was made by the Paterson Vehicle Co. back in the 1940s and has stood in its current location since 1948. It's a common feature of 'America's best diner' lists, not least because of its classic façade and interiors. Take in the royal-blue splashed exterior, the blue-tiled bar, and the train car–style booths.
It might be kitsch, but there's something quite charming about The Pink Cadillac Diner. As its name suggests, a hot pink Cadillac is parked right out front, winning the admiration of punters, who take the opportunity to pose for plenty of photos. The diner itself is also washed in popping pink, while the interiors are as wonderfully retro as you'd expect: think black-and-white photos of Elvis, a checkered floor, and music notes and records adorning the walls.
This funky Jewish-influenced diner in Washington's biggest city goes beyond the typical retro decor. The murals on the walls are bold and eye-catching – think galloping horses, wavy geometric patterns, and glittering black-and-white cityscapes. The usual diner knick-knacks are also replaced with curios, such as a fine vintage mirror and streamlined chandeliers. Come by and order the diner's signature dish: a classic Reuben.
A West Virginia staple, Dolly's looks especially attractive by night, when her eye-popping neon is all aglow. But the vintage spot is worth a visit at any time of day for its classic decor featuring the usual bottle-red booths, chequered floor and kitsch artwork. The marble bar is a departure from the usual steel, though the menu stays safe with a roster of burgers and steaks.
Another McDonald's location that punches above its weight, this Wisconsin Dells joint looks just like a giant log cabin – fitting since the bucolic region is popular for skiing. Duck inside and the theme continues with a soaring stone fireplace, mounted animal heads, and exposed wooden beams.
Among Casper's handful of down-to-earth family-friendly restaurants and fast food joints, this is the most eye-catching of all. Peaches' is folded into an attractive maroon barn and was originally a drive-in burger joint aptly known as The Red Barn. Now the current iteration has been running since the 1970s, delighting punters with its rustic façade, pared-back interior, and friendly service.