Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's – Burgerville? Most of us are familiar with the fast food giants, whose signs can be seen all over the US. You probably know a few neighborhood gems too. But what about the smaller, local and regional chains that are less widely available but have won legions of loyal fans? From the small chains that have begun to spread their wings (chicken or otherwise) to cult brands that may have slipped under your radar, here's our pick of the fast food restaurants you probably haven’t tried, but should.
With locations scattered across the country, Wayback Burgers deals in hearty sandwiches filled with cooked-to-order beef patties, plus chicken tenders, cheesesteaks and hand-dipped milkshakes. The chain began life in Newark, Delaware in 1991, before spreading its rib-sticking deliciousness further afield, though it's still relatively small fry with fewer than 100 locations in the US and a burgeoning global presence. It's also been making waves with its latest special, the double Royal Silencer, with a 'spare' patty – a cheeky nod to Prince Harry's recent revelations.
You're guaranteed a traditional Southern feast at Bojangles, which has locations in states including Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Opt for thick fried chicken sandwiches or drumsticks, alongside fixings including dirty rice, green beans, mac 'n' cheese, and coleslaw. They offer great value family meals too.
Lucky residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington DC get to enjoy the culinary offerings at this convenience store chain whenever they fancy. What's on the menu? Freshly made meatball hoagies and a huge selection of coffees, which are restaurant quality but sold at petrol-station prices.
Washington and Oregon’s answer to Five Guys, Burgerville has been serving local beef since 1961, when its burgers were just 19 cents. Today they’re still good value, with an original hamburger costing $3.39. If you’re hungry the 1/2lb Colossal Burger is the one to get, containing two 1/4lb patties, American cheese, signature Burgerville spread, pickles, and salad.
Chicago is known for its all-beef hot dogs served with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, tomato slices, pickled peppers, and dill pickle spears, in a poppy seed bun. And while plenty of vendors sell them, Portillo’s is the place to go. The chain has been running since 1963 in Illinois and over the years it's expanded into other states including Michigan, California, Indiana, Arizona, and Florida.
Loyal Cook Out customers know that it’s one of the best places by far to get a milkshake in the Southern states, including Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and West Virginia. There are more than 40 flavors including banana pudding, peach cobbler and, in summer, watermelon, made with real chunks of fruit. Other popular menu items include the barbecue plates and hushpuppies (deep-fried dough balls).
Residents of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska have been heading to Runza for its beloved German-Russian-style sandwich for decades. Somewhere between a hot-pocket and a sloppy joe, it consists of minced beef, onions, and cabbage wrapped in bread dough and baked. If you decide to make a pilgrimage, don’t miss out on the crinkle-cut fries either.
Forget Taco Bell this 24-hour taco joint is where Texas and New Mexico residents go for good quality Tex-Mex. The freshly made, pillowy tortillas have been touted as the best in Dallas, and they’re even better loaded with cheese and beans. Fun fact: the reason Taco Cabana initially started staying open all night wasn’t to serve the party crowd but to prevent furniture theft from their patio area.
For more Tex-Mex inspiration, take a look at these easy Mexican-style recipes
One of the fastest growing chains in the US, Raising Cane’s has Chick-Fil-A and KFC worried. Its cult following flock for one thing: hot, crisp chicken fingers. Because that and chicken sandwiches, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and soft drinks are the only things it serves. Having opened in 1996, the brand now has more than 600 restaurants across the states.
Unless you’re from Florida, you might not know about the citrus-marinated, grilled chicken at Pollo Tropical. It comes with a choice of complimentary sauces including guava barbecue and pineapple rum. Some people love the Caribbean-inspired chain so much they even get married there. It opened in 1988 and experienced rapid expansion – however, attempts to branch outside of the Sunshine State have so far proved unsuccessful.
The new kid in California, Burgerlords is a super-cool, vegan burger joint with a couple of outposts in Los Angeles. Star items include the Brainburner, with japapeño potato chips, Provolone cheese, yellow chilies, and aioli – but there's such a small menu, that you could probably try everything.
A Tucson staple, Eegee's can only be found here and in a few other locations across Arizona. The locals love it for the crinkle-cut fries covered in its house-recipe ranch dressing and the huge cookies. The slushies – in flavors such as strawberry, piña colada, and lemon – provide much-needed refreshment in the sweltering Arizona heat.
This Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas gem has been around since 1933 and is known for its fresh ice-cream milkshakes. Loyal fans wish it would expand further, but all its stores must stay situated near to the dairy. Favorite choices include the orange sherbet, pecan praline and cream, and mint chocolate chip, as well as the giant burgers.
This daytime café with more than 400 locations is unique in that it’s only open for breakfast and lunch. Which is why it’s called First Watch, a sailor’s term for the first shift of the day. It specializes in wholesome dishes such as vegetable omelettes, smashed avocado on toast, and French toast, and customers love it.
If you want pizza delivery in Iowa or Wisconsin, Pizza Pit, not Pizza Hut, is your go-to. It has been serving its much-loved pizzas topped with fresh ingredients since 1969. Create your own by choosing a size and toppings, or select a specialty pizza such as the Bacon Onion Cheeseburger Pizza with minced beef, bacon, onions, and Cheddar.
At this 24-hour convenience store, the sandwiches and salads are made fresh to order, so it's a popular choice for those needing to fill up their cars and their stomachs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina. So much more than a gas station, the menu is huge and many items are customisable on its touch screens.
In North Carolina and Virginia, as far as locals are concerned, Biscuitville is the only breakfast place worth knowing. In operation since 1966, it gained a loyal following as its biscuits are baked fresh every 15 minutes. They’re used to make sandwiches such as the bacon, egg and cheese, with bacon that’s meaty and cooked on the griddle, and the sweet and spicy fried chicken and honey.
This small-scale drive-thru chain's restaurants, located in Tennessee and Virginia, are easily spottable as they're bright blue and have a giant hot dog, burger, box of fries and drink sitting on the roof. You'll find plenty to tempt you: from a breakfast menu featuring sausage and country ham biscuits to its Big Pal burger and Frenchie Fries.
What might be the thickest shakes in all of America are served at Iceberg Drive Inn in Utah, California and Arizona. This chain was opened in 1960 in Salt Lake City by an ice cream salesman and has been a local mainstay ever since. Look out for crazy flavors such as pineapple, mini marshmallow, and bubble-gum. In the mood for something more substantial? It sells burgers, hot dogs, and pastrami, and chicken sandwiches too.
This fast-casual restaurant serving chicken, tofu, and beef teriyaki rice and noodle bowls was founded in Las Vegas in 2004. There are currently more than 100 locations, following a period of rapid expansion in the past couple of years. So if you haven't heard people talking about it yet, you probably will soon.
When Five Guys franchisees John Rigos and Andy Stern decided it was time to branch off, grilled cheese sandwich chain Melt Shop was the result. Its menu is dangerously irresistible with items such as the fried chicken melt with pepper jack, red cabbage slaw and melt sauce. Try it for yourself at one of its locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Minnesota.
Those wanting a slice in Alaska go to Great Alaska Pizza Co., with locations throughout Anchorage, Fairbanks (including the North Pole), Eagle River, Palmer, and Wasilla. It serves thick Domino's-style pizza and the toppings are always fresh not frozen, with cheese shredded daily.
A regional fast food joint with a retro twist, Blake’s Lotaburger was founded in New Mexico in 1952. Now with locations throughout the state, plus more in Texas and Arizona, it’s a firmly established favorite with locals in the region. On the menu you'll find the LOTA Burger with green chilies and cheese, burritos smothered in green or red sauce, chili con carne bowls, and chili hot dogs.
In Texas they do cheesesteaks their own way, served on soft grilled rolls, topped with a whole array of unconventional toppings including jalapeños, queso, chipotle and ranch, and a side of tortilla chips. Try one of these beauties at Texadelphia, a chain with locations in Texas and Oklahoma. It was established in Austin in 1980 and is a lifeline for students.
Habit Burger, which has locations in California and a smattering of other states, is known for its Charburgers made with fresh beef and chargrilled on an open flame. The menu also has adventurous options such as the Teriyaki Char with grilled pineapple.
For those in the south, Krystal is the place to get sliders. It has been ever since it was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1932 – it’s one of the country’s oldest fast food chains. It calls beef sliders Krystals, chicken sliders Chiks, hot dog sliders Pups, and sausage patty and egg sliders Sunrisers, and you can even buy Krystals by the sackful.
Now discover the most historic fast food joint in every state