America's best fast food chains you probably haven't tried yet
Hidden treasures
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Most of us are familiar with the fast food giants, whose signs can be seen all over the world. But how about America's smaller, local and regional restaurants 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 in the US you probably haven’t tried, counting down to the one everyone wants to visit.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America’s hidden gem fast food chains, counting down to the most iconic of them all.
We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each restaurant in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.
32. Huey Magoo's
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Florida-based Huey Magoo's specialises in a single fast food item cooked to absolute perfection: chicken tenders, served hand-breaded, grilled or smothered in sauce. The tenders are made with what the chain calls ‘The Filet Mignon of Chicken’ and fans rave about the quality and freshness of the meat. The tenders are served inside a range of wraps and sandwiches, or can be bought in hefty boxes of 20 or 30 pieces with sides like Texas toast and crinkle-cut fries. Huey Magoo's was founded in 2014 and now has more than 100 franchises across Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
31. Friendly’s
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With its family-friendly atmosphere, comforting diner food and extensive ice cream menu, Friendly’s is pure nostalgia for diners who grew up on America’s East Coast. The first Friendly’s restaurant was opened in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1935 as an ice cream shop selling double-dip cones for 5 cents a pop. These days it has more than 100 branches, but with a string of recent restaurant closures, the brand is long past its heyday. However, it maintains a loyal fanbase who love its retro vibe, 22 flavours of ice cream and fast food classics like waffle fries and chicken tenders.
30. Eggholic
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One of the less traditional chains to crack America in recent years, Chicago-based Eggholic serves up sensational egg dishes, curries, sandwiches, wraps and rice bowls inspired by Indian street food. It only opened in 2019 but has expanded at a rapid clip – there are currently more than 20 locations across the US and Canada, in states ranging from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, with several more due to open in 2024 alone.
29. Great Alaska Pizza Co.
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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.
28. Pollo Tropical
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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 – these days it has over 120 locations in the Sunshine State, as well as a handful of outposts in Puerto Rico and South America.
27. Wayback Burgers
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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 around 150 locations in the US and a burgeoning global presence. The brand frequently makes waves with limited-run specials like the Halloween-themed Frankenburger (a mashup of a burger and a hot dog) and the double Royal Silencer, with a 'spare' patty – a cheeky nod to Prince Harry's revelations.
26. Taco Cabana
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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 its patio area.
25. Melt Shop
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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 and Pennsylvania.
24. Maid-Rite
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The loose meat or tavern sandwich has been the pride of Iowa since 1926, when beloved local chain Maid-Rite started selling it from a small shop in Muscatine. The dish consists of seasoned ground beef that’s cooked loose (similar to a sloppy Joe without the sauce mixed in) and served in a bun with mustard, pickles and onions. Alongside its signature creation, Maid-Rite also sells a range of sandwiches, wraps, salads and milkshakes, and diners love the old-school vibe of the joint. These days there are more than 30 locations across Iowa, and it also has outposts in several other states.
23. Burgerville
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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 under $4 (£3.15). If you’re hungry the 1/2lb (226g) Colossal Burger is the one to get, containing two 1/4lb (113g) patties, American cheese, signature Burgerville spread, pickles and salad.
22. Pizza Pit
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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.
21. Habit Burger
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Habit Burger has locations in California and a smattering of other states (as well as outposts in China and Cambodia) and is best 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.
20. Pal’s Sudden Service
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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.
19. Portillo’s
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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.
18. Eegee's
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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-made ranch dressing and the huge cookies. The slushies – in flavours such as strawberry, piña colada and lemon – provide much-needed refreshment in the sweltering Arizona heat.
17. Jersey Mike's Subs
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The origin story of this New Jersey sandwich giant is pretty amazing: it was originally set up in 1971 by Peter Cancro, who was just 17 at the time. These days he’s still in charge, and the shop has more than 2,500 locations in all 50 states (plus outposts in Canada and Mexico) becoming one of the country’s top sandwich chains. But despite the company’s size, Jersey Mike's is praised for the consistency and quality of its overstuffed subs and various types of cheesesteak. Fans say they are best served ‘Mike’s way’: with freshly sliced onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil and spices.
16. Cook Out
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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 flavours, including banana pudding, peach cobbler and, in the summer, watermelon, made with real chunks of fruit. Other popular menu items include barbecue plates and hushpuppies (deep-fried dough balls).
15. Texadelphia
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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.
14. Runza
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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.
13. Wawa
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Lucky residents in several states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland 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.
12. Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store
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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. Favourite choices include pecan praline and cream, orange sherbet and mint chocolate chip, as well as the giant burgers.
11. Teriyaki Madness
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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 150 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.
9. First Watch
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This daytime café with more than 500 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 specialises in wholesome dishes such as vegetable omelettes, smashed avocado on toast and French toast, and customers love it.
10. Sheetz
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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.
8. Iceberg Drive Inn
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What might be the thickest shakes in all of America are served at Iceberg Drive Inn in Arizona, California and Utah. This chain was opened by an ice cream salesman in Salt Lake City back in 1960, and has been a local mainstay ever since. Look out for crazy flavours such as pineapple, mini marshmallow, and bubblegum. In the mood for something more substantial? It sells burgers, hot dogs and pastrami, plus excellent chicken sandwiches, too.
7. Taco John’s
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Best known for its 'West-Mex' cuisine, serving dishes like meat and potato burritos and fried chicken tacos, Taco John’s started as a tiny taco stand in Cheyenne in 1969, but word spread quickly about its delicious food. Now there are almost 400 restaurants in 23 states across the US, but most are concentrated in its home state and around the Midwest. As well as delicious salsas and crispy shelled tacos, Taco John’s is also home of the Potato Olé, a bite-sized deep-fried potato nugget coated with a secret blend of seasonings.
6. Biscuitville
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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.
5. Raising Cane’s
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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 700 restaurants across the states.
4. Krystal
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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.
3. Blake’s Lotaburger
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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 favourite with locals in the region. On the menu you'll find the LOTA Burger with green chillies and cheese, burritos smothered in green or red sauce, chilli con carne bowls, and chilli hot dogs.
2. Bojangles
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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. Fans say the flaky, buttery biscuits served at Bojangles are easily the best fast version you can buy, and the chain offers great value family meals too.
1. Culver’s
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With roots in Dairy-loving Wisconsin, Culver’s has a dedicated following for its epic ButterBurger, decadently served in a toasted and buttered bun. Fast food connoisseurs regularly hail its range of classic burgers as the best you can get, comparing it to the likes of In-N-Out, Five Guys and Shake Shack. The family-run chain has expanded impressively over the last decade, with almost 1,000 restaurants in 26 states, though it operates primarily in the Midwest. Alongside the burgers, diners also rate Culver’s signature fried Wisconsin cheese curds, root beer and frozen custards.
Now discover the most historic fast food joint in every state
Last updated by Natasha Lovell-Smith.
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