Whatever your opinion of the big chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King, one thing is for sure: there's more to fantastic fast food than the big guys. From old-school drive-ins to modern burger joints, here's our pick of the best independent fast food spot in every state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Famous by name and famous by nature, this hot dog restaurant in Alabama's capital has been going strong since 1917, and is now nothing short of a local institution. It was opened by Greek immigrant Christopher Katechis all those years ago, and today it still turns out those tried-and-tested dogs, topped with everything from sauerkraut to house chili sauce. You can get top-notch burgers and a slice of sweet pie too.
This Anchorage hot spot was established back in 1955, and it's still the number one place for a fried chicken fix in Alaska's most populous city. Wings and drumsticks are doused in buttermilk, battered, and fried until delicously golden. Get them with sides like chili cheese fries or mashed potatoes and country gravy, and don't miss an old-fashioned ice cream soda.
There's a wonderfully retro vibe at this Phoenix stop, which keeps things simple with a small menu of burgers and milkshakes. The bacon cheeseburger is always a winner, and sweet-toothed diners will love the cookies and cream shake. The classic French fries are cooked to perfection too.
Popular David's Burgers has a small smattering of central Arkansas locations, from Little Rock to Hot Springs and, as its name suggests, burgers rule the menu. The joint is serious about the quality of its meat too, using only the finest chuck, and grinding the beef daily. You can't go wrong with the classic beef burger, layered up with pickles, lettuce, and tomato, but chicken burgers and grilled cheese are on offer too.
The USP of this City of Angels burger joint is that it deals only in 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef. The fine patties are fed into imaginative burgers such as the Pastrami Heat, which comprises spicy jam and Wagyu pastrami, served alongside scratch-made, hand-cut fries. You'll find four locations across LA.
The Mile High City has plenty of amazing eating spots, but you still can't beat a tried-and-true burger joint. Crown Burgers has been running for around three decades, with a menu of belt-busting burgers, grilled sandwiches, and quick breakfasts. Come by for a Royal Burger layered up with pastrami (pictured), served with a heap of onion rings.
This beloved Bridgeport spot has a whole lot of history. It began life as a little hot dog stand, started by its namesake Harry Tomlinson in the 1930s, and has stood in its present location since the 1940s (though now it's a brick-and-mortar restaurant). Order 'the works': a dog layered up with sauerkraut, onions, mustard, and relish, or swap your McDonald's breakfast for a Tomlinson's egg platter or pancakes.
You don't need to guess twice at the what this down-home fast food spot's specialty might be. This place is all about hot dogs, which either come smothered in spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut, heaving under baked beans and onions, Boston-style, or kicking with sport peppers, jalapeños, and hot sauce. There's also an impressive roster of sandwiches and burgers, and some comforting breakfast staples too.
Gooey grilled cheese sandwiches are the star attraction at this cheerful, quick-service Floridian joint. Here, you can pimp your classic grilled cheese with everything from crab salad and braised short rib to BBQ tempeh and orange marmalade. If you've got a sweet tooth, try the S'mores Melt: marshmallows, crumbled graham crackers, and chocolate-hazelnut spread parceled up between slices of sourdough.
This mini-chain has six locations in the Atlanta and Athens region, and the menu – which deals in comforting fast food classics – should be enough to tempt any visitor to the Peach State. Feast on hot dogs heaving under warming chili, burgers served in pillowy steamed buns, and tender, golden chicken nuggets. The Frosted Orange Shake wins high praise from customers too.
Those searching for a quick lunch in Hawaii should look no further than the Rainbow Drive-in. It's an Aloha State classic, having been running since 1961, and it now has a trio of locations in Honolulu and Aiea. Comforting Hawaiian staples are doled out onto paper plates – think hamburger patties with rice and special house gravy, spam and eggs, and griddled mahi mahi with tartare sauce. Happily, it's still family owned and run too.
This no-frills Boise area burger stop has a small menu, which means everything on it is executed to perfection. Try the pulled pork burger, which is finished with barbecue sauce, American cheese, and onions, or plump for the meatball sandwich with rich marinara sauce and Parmesan. Vegetarians are looked after with the Green and Beans Burger, made with fresh beans and veggies and topped with pickles, salad, and onions.
A family-run spot in Illinois' biggest city, the Windy City Grill focuses on American and Greek fast food staples, served in simple surrounds. Here, you can sink your teeth into rib-sticking Chicago-style hot dogs, classic Italian beef sandwiches, and bulging gyros. There's a generous kids' menu and a selection of milkshakes on offer too.
Taking inspiration from the Golden State, this Indy spot promises 'fresh never frozen' fast food, with a menu dominated by tempting burgers. The standard options are joined by creations such as the California Melt, which sees two patties, salad, avocado, and secret sauce slotted into slices of grilled sourdough. Beyond the burgers, you can get baskets of hot chicken wings and fried shrimp, plus corn dogs and taquitos.
Renowned for its stellar portions, this Des Moines classic features burgers, gyros, and tenderloin sandwiches on its sizable menu. However, the real fail-safe option is the classic Coney dog, which comes slathered in the joint's signature housemade chili, and finished with mustard, onions, and pickles. Loosen your belt and enjoy it with a giant handful of French fries, homemade onion rings, and coleslaw.
This much-loved Kansas mini-chain was started by brothers Dale and Craig Steven in 1978, and has grown from one Wichita restaurant to 27 charmingly retro locations across the state. It's still a family-owned business today, and is famed for its signature chromed-up interiors and drool-inducing range of Steakburgers, all made with premium Black Angus beef. Be sure to order some fries on the side – with a range of tasty seasonings to try, they really are something special.
No prizes for guessing which fast food staple reigns supreme at this pared-back Louisville spot. Here, chicken is indeed king, with wings smothered in buffalo, honey mustard, and golden barbecue sauce, and fried chicken dinners heaving with home-style sides like potato salad, green beans, and sweet potato casserole. Leave room for dessert – the pecan pie and peach cobbler will leave you wanting a second helping.
Nearly every topping you could imagine is piled onto the hot dogs at the ever-colorful Dat Dog, with a trio of locations in the Big Easy. Get yours under lashings of Andouille sauce, with sauerkraut and Creole mustard, or with jalapeños and barbecue sauce. You can choose between a vegan bratwurst, crawfish sausage, alligator sausage, and Vienna all-beef too.
It's no wonder the steamed cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and seafood staples at Rapid Ray's are so good – it's had 70 years of practice doling out fast food favorites to the folks of southern Maine. The well-loved joint first opened in Saco in 1953, and seven decades later, it's still as popular as ever. The menu is relatively small, but perfectly formed, with Maine classics like clam cakes and lobster rolls (lobster meat delicately mixed with mayo and layered on a buttery hot dog roll) taking pride of place on the menu.
Fries are a side act at most fast food venues – but that's not the case at Thrasher's French Fries, which purports to make 'the best French fries on the planet'. The concept was born in 1929, dreamed up by the eponymous businessman J.T. Thrasher, who wanted to elevate the humble French fry. He did so by placing a keen focus on the quality of the potatoes he sourced – fast-forward almost 100 years, and the processes and recipes remain the same. Mr Thrasher would be proud.
This Massachusetts mini-chain now has a string of locations in the Boston area, but its ethos hasn't changed: it's all about providing Beantown residents with fast, high-quality vegetarian food that's seasonally sourced, and mostly made from scratch. Clover Food Lab is 'obsessed' with speed, regularly timing how long it takes to dole out orders (and it's currently only a fraction slower than McDonald's average). This is not your average fast food, either: choose from delights such as falafel sandwiches with crunchy slaw, Baja mushroom pitas, and 'fish' and chips made with banana blossom.
It's not for us to choose which of these veteran Detroit fast food joints is the best in the state. Lafayette and American – both original purveyors of Motor City's classic Coney Island hot dog – have a decades-long rivalry, and every Detroiter you meet will have their favorite. Try both and make your choice: each of the venues' Coney dogs start with a Frankfurter, which is then layered up with chili (no beans), onions, and mustard. American's offering is known to be slightly spicier.
You can't go wrong with the signature offering at this down-to-earth Minneapolis spot – a beef patty is topped with ketchup, mustard, fried onions, and sweet pickles for mouth-watering results. My Burger is also known for its monthly specials: imaginative offerings include creations like the spicy Campfire Burger, which sees a beef patty paired with peppered bacon, hot pepper cheese, salad, and barbecue-garlic mayo. Whatever your burger pick, pair it with a heap of Cajun or jerk fries.
Tupelo is best known as the birthplace of Elvis, but the little city is home to some mighty fine food joints too. Among them is Johnnie's Drive In, which focuses on fast American comfort food. Swing by and tuck into burgers, barbecue sandwiches, or breakfast plates piled up with meat and eggs. You'll dine surrounded by Elvis memorabilia too.
A whole roster of classic fast food eats is on offer at this nostalgic Kansas City mainstay. The joint has been running since 1962 – and the fact that it remains a local favorite is telling indeed. Customers keep coming back for the shrimp dinner, spicy taco burger, and deep-fried burritos. Moreish shakes come in creative flavors like cherry and chocolate, Piña Colada, and bubblegum.
You'll see all the tried-and-tested American fast food classics on the menu at this old-school drive-in – think juicy burgers, hot sammies, fish and chips, and corn dogs. However, customers especially keep pouring in for the selection of sweet treats. Get your sugar fix with old-fashioned malts finished with a dollop of whipped cream, handmade shakes in flavors from banana and peach to peanut butter and butterscotch, and classic ice cream cones and floats.
This casual Omaha restaurant does exactly what its name suggests: it focuses on well-made burgers, created with top-notch ingredients and paired with fuss-free sides. Build your own, choosing between a beef, turkey, or Thai black bean patty, and layering it up with extras like Swiss cheese, avocado, Thai slaw, and garlic aioli. A brioche bun is the way forward.
There's no shortage of classic American comfort food to be found in Sin City – but this laid-back burger joint serves some of the best around. It now has almost a decade of experience when it comes to turning out lip smackin' and knee slappin’ burgers and fried chicken, with a small but perfectly formed menu that caters to vegans too. Standout menu items include the kicking Nashville Hot Chicken burger and the crispy vegan Chick’n bites, plus burgers such as the Farm Burger, with applewood smoked bacon and a fried egg.
There's now a small handful of locations of this cheerful joint, started by Portsmouth couple KC and Lexie back in 2010. Tempting menus are served in simple but colorful digs across venues, and the imaginative specials often pull in the crowds. Graze on concoctions such as the Atomic Bomb Wedgie Burger, which sees your patty of choice (beef, chicken, or bean) finished with blue cheese, salad, sriracha aioli, and fried jalapeños. Pair it with a side of fries smothered in ketchup, mayo, and blue cheese.
White Manna certainly needs no introduction to locals; the nostalgic hamburger joint is a Hackensack legend, and has also featured on TV shows like Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It was actually established in 1939 at the World's Fair in New York City, and was eventually transported to New Jersey in 1946. Today, things remain gloriously unchanged – stop by the tiny venue for a classic, fuss-free burger with pickles and oozing American cheese.
This simple Las Cruces joint promises 'the best burgers in town, since 1983'. It's not just lip service, either – customers say Burger Nook dishes up some of the finest burgers in southern New Mexico, with a straight-shooting menu that does the classics just right. Opt for a simple beef burger layered up with pickles, salad, and American cheese, a hot dog in a soft white bun, or a crunchy taco or fried burrito.
You could spend months eating your way around New York City and still not sample all of its stellar fast food eats – from towering burgers to rib-sticking pizza – but the aptly named Burger World should definitely be on your hit list. The garlic potato fries win the menu, and you can pair them with everything from a grilled chicken burger to crispy fried shrimp, or hot wings with a blue cheese dip.
A convivial, family-orientated drive-in with a menu of fast food classics, South 21 has been serving the folks of Charlotte since 1955. The most famous menu item is the Super Boy – a mammoth burger featuring two beef patties, mustard, onions, salad, and a pickle, plus a heap of French fries. The homemade onion rings also come with high praise.
A vintage drive-in that dates back to the 1960s, Scotty's has become a Bismarck landmark over the years. It's best known for the Rebel Burger: a giant, belly-busting creation that features three (yes, three) beef patties along with gooey American cheese, pickes and onions, ketchup, and mustard. The seasonally available Hot Hamburger – a patty on sourdough, with mashed potatoes and beef gravy – is another Scotty's classic.
'Eat it, Love it, Get out.' That's the motto at this down-to-earth fast food spot in Ohio's capital. There's absolutely no fuss here, with a menu built on tried-and-true items such as grilled pitas stuffed with meat, veggies, and tzatziki; Italian beef sandwiches; and beef hot dogs. Fast food fiend Guy Fieri has even paid this joint a visit.
The name of this well-loved Oklahoma City joint gives the game away: it's hailed for its onion burgers, an Oklahoma staple born in small-town cafes in the 1920s. Fast-forward more than a century and they're cooked to perfection here, and finished with crunchy salad, jalapeños, and ketchup, mayo, or mustard. Hand-breaded chicken and an Impossible Burger join the classics on the menu too.
Who doesn't love a down-home drive-in? This old-school stop is one of the finest fast food places in the Pacific Northwest, with a nostalgic vibe and a menu fit to burst with comforting classics. Opt for tried-and-tested burger combos such as the Mushroom and Swiss, or seafood delights like the clam strips basket with French fries. Sweet-toothed diners can opt for a classic shake, sundae, or float too.
Philly cheesesteak stands and restaurants are now ubiquitious across the City of Brotherly Love – but it all began with Pat's King of Steaks. This long-running restaurant is tipped as the place where the classic Philly sandwich was invented in the 1930s. Fast-forward nigh on a century and you can still come by to get the Philly staple in its truest form, served hot in a white hoagie roll with onions and Cheez Whiz.
Touting itself as the purveyor of 'Rhode Island's best hot wieners', Olneyville now has two locations (one in Providence, and the other in Cranston). The signature hot dog is the star choice, but the menu is also filled up with burgers and hot sandwiches, plus loaded fries and chicken wings.
This mini South Carolina chain began back in the 1940s, when the Rush family opened a drive-in on the border of their own farm. Now more than 80 years have passed – but, as the restaurant's motto goes, 'times change, traditions remain'. A fast food–filled menu has stood the test of time, with a selection of fuss-free burgers, hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, and fried chicken.
Another long-running spot, Nick's Hamburger Shop has been operating since the 1920s, when Harold and Gladys Nikalson first started flipping burgers. Back then, the moreish burgers were just 5 cents, but while prices have gone up over the years, little else has changed. The diminutive menu features hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chips, homemade pies, and shakes – and that's it. It's old-school fast food done right.
Things are done a little differently at Bluff City's Plant Based Heat. This modern fast food shop is entirely vegan, with plant-based burgers, wings, and sandwiches on the menu. The 'vings' are the star attraction, made from soy and pea protein, and doused in the sauce of your choice, from lemon pepper to agave gold. The hickory-smoked Beyond Meat burger is a winner too.
San Antonio is one of only two certified UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the US (the other being Tucson), and fantastic fast food is just one of the many feathers in the city's culinary cap. The best place to get your fix is Burger Boy which, as the name suggests, focuses on first-rate burgers. They're straightforward, with classic garnishes and sauces – and you can also try a hot dog, corn dog, or fish sandwich.
Another burger spot worth writing home about, Utah's Crown Burgers was first established in 1978, and now has several locations across Salt Lake City and Layton. There's a sizable menu, and all the fast food bases are covered; here, you can try everything from a French dip sandwich to a chicken gyro, chili hamburger, or veggie burrito.
'Real food, real easy' – that's what diners are promised at this contemporary fast food spot, with a few locations in Vermont. The menu centers on the house burgers, whose toppings include ingredients like spicy scallion slaw, chili-lime crema, and tzatziki sauce, and there are also chicken sandwiches, grain bowls, and chicken nuggets.
This Virginia joint takes quality seriously, promising 'always fresh and never frozen' food. You can taste the difference in its tempting menu, which allows you to build your own burger. Begin with your choice of bun (we love the brioche or Texas toast), then layer up with a beef, chicken, or turkey patty, your favorite cheese, and toppings such as salsa, sliced pineapple, sauerkraut, and egg.
The people of Seattle have been enjoying Matt's Hot Dogs for around 30 years, and the joint's popularity shows no sign of waning. It keeps its fans satisfied with its selection of 100% pure beef hot dogs – finished with toppings like onions, chili, and coleslaw – and a solid roster of burgers. Top tip: 'spike' your fries with jalapeños for a spice fix.
You'll find all your fast food favorites at this easygoing joint in South Charleston. There are zero frills, with a pared-back dining room and a simple menu, but that's part of the charm. Swing by for a meat and egg platter at breakfast, or a cheeseburger, fish fillet, or ham and Swiss cheese sandwich for lunch.
This Wisconsin classic claims to have been flipping 'Milwaukee's best burger since 1934'. Decide for yourself by swinging by and sinking your teeth into a towering creation featuring juicy beef patties, moreish American cheese, and crunchy pickles. Top accompaniments include golden French fries, baked beans, and pea soup.
It was 1968 when Red Baron first began serving its menu of cockle-warming comfort food, and more than half a century later the place still has legions of fans. Regulars keep coming back for the thoughtful menu, which is relatively small but punch-packing – think signature cheese and bacon burgers, footlong hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, plus more unusual offerings such as the Pizza Burger, with rich pizza sauce.
Now discover the most historic fast food restaurant in every state