Since we are all lovers of fast food, we take a look at the best fast food chain in each state in America.
Fast food is ingrained in our American fabric.
Some may call it a stain, and rightfully so. Fast food is not entirely healthy for us. It lacks the basic nutrition that we require to keep us motivated throughout the day and is an enemy of our arteries.
At the same time, however, what would we do without fast food? As Americans, we live hectic lives with equally hectic schedules. Sometimes we don’t have the time to prepare a well-balanced meal or go out to a sit-down restaurant.
This is where fast food shows its value.
In a nation as diverse as America, we all don’t see fast food in the same light. Each state has their own fast food chain that residents hold near and dear; and since we love guilty pleasure foods, we have warmed up to the task of naming the best fast food restaurant in every single state.
Yes, you read that correctly — every, single, state.
That’s fast food in a nutshell. So, without further ado, let’s take a trip to find the best fast food joint in all 50 states of the wide swath of land we call Murica’!
Alabama: Papa Murphy’s
Alabama residents have quite a fond relationship with fast food.
According to Health.com, residents in this deep south state spend nearly 60 percent on fast food despite being ranked near the bottom in fast food restaurants per capita. Case in point, Alabama residents love food.
They especially love Papa Murphy, the quick-serve pizza joint that allows its customers to purchase a pre-made pizza and let them cook it themselves at home. According to AL.com, Papa Murphy’s was the fastest-growing food chain in the state between 2014 and 2016, which translates into the take-and-bake chain making glorious profits.
In some ways, it’s kind of awkward that Papa Murphy’s would wind up being the fast food chain of Dixieland. The chain is based in the Pacific Northwest, and Southerners hate associating themselves with anything out West (or up North).
Papa Murphy’s has been able to push through that barrier though thanks to their fantastic pizzas at cheap prices that many Alabama residents are accustomed to.
Alaska: McDonald’s
There aren’t a lot of fast food restaurants in Alaska, but, when folks in the northernmost state in America need their fast food fix, they turn to the Golden Arches.
McDonald’s has long been a trusty ally of fast food fanatics in Alaska, with more locations in the Last Frontier than any of the other major chains that grace the land of the free.
McDonald’s viability shows the true staying power of one of the world’s most recognizable chains. To Alaskans, McDonald’s represents a vital connection to the rest of America.
Sure, they have the oil pipeline, but what better way to tie the Last Frontier to the rest of the country than a nice, juicy Big Mac? Come on, the Big Mac represents America just as much as the Statue of Liberty or Cinderella’s Castle.
You can find McDonald’s in the state’s two large cities (Anchorage and Juneau) and even in some of the state’s smaller towns. Simply put, Alaskans are “lovin’” their McDonald’s.
Arizona: Jack In The Box
Arizona is covered with fast food chains.
The Grand Canyon State represents the midpoint of fast food nation. Throughout the state, you’ll find, in no particular order — Whataburger, In-N-Out, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Little Caesars Pizza. If you’re into fast food and are looking for a new state to call home, you can’t go wrong with Arizona.
In a state where fast food chains have a bloody death for residents’ fast food dollars, one chain comes out on top — Jack In the Box.
Sure, Jack In the Box has become a nationwide chain, but it still claims the West as its home turf, and Arizona is in the middle of their kingdom. Jack In the Box (also called “Jack In the Crack” by its loyal followers) is the fast food chain of choice for many Arizonans, and for good reason.
If you have never had Jack In the Box, then you’re missing out on some of the best fast food burgers in the nation. Also, you can’t beat their breakfast, which is better than many of the nation’s heritage chains.
Some may put Jack In the Box in the same category as McDonald’s, but while that will be up for debate in other parts of the country, it’s a non-issue in Arizona — Jack In the Box is the king of the fast food chains in this chain-rich state.
If you’re one of the few that doesn’t like “The Box,” you will be amped to know that Arizona is one of the few states that has In-N-Out, and that isn’t a bad second choice.
Arkansas: Slim Chickens
Ah, Arkansas, the home of the evil empire of retail, Walmart.
While we can probably curse The Natural State for giving us the Death Star of retail, we can’t hate on them for also being the home of one of the best regional fast food chains in America.
We’re talking, of course, about Slim Chickens.
What the heck is Slim Chicken’s, you might ask? Think of this chain like this: Take chicken tenders and make it the main star of the menu, and, bam!, you have Slim Chickens.
Sure, it sounds similar to another chicken tender-themed fast food chain, but more on that later. We’re talking about Slim Chickens right now.
Slim Chickens is a relatively young chain, getting its start in Fayetteville, AK in 2003; but it has since spread its wings throughout Arkansas and even into neighboring states such as Texas, Tennessee, and even spreading as far north as South Dakota.
While chicken tenders are central casting at Slim Chickens, that isn’t the only thing that this chain does well. This chain also has great chicken and waffles (made up of tenders, what else?), chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps, and even salads for those that want to eat a tad bit healthy while not feeling so guilty about eating at a fast food chain.
California: In-N-Out
What else did you expect from the Golden State?
Born in 1948 in Baldwin Park, In-N-Out has become one of the most recognizable fast food chains in America, which is pretty remarkable given that the chain is located in only a few states out West.
In-N-Out is famous for their fresh burgers which come in three versions: the regular hamburger, the cheeseburger, and, what many order, the “Double-Double,” which consists of two hamburgers with two slices of cheese. Put the customary lettuce and tomato and wrap this baby in its famed wrap, and what you hold in your head is simply a legend.
Also famous at In-N-Out is their “secret menu,” which contains items that are known only to the diehard customers and are not available at every location. Their “secret menu” is home to some of the biggest burgers on their menu, where you can top your burger in what they describe as “Animal Style,” which is too good for us to describe for you here.
While In-N-Out has recently expanded its reach to the Lone Star State, the best restaurants are in its home state, which has a better grasp on the In-N-Out lingo than its peers.
So what’s the most famous In-N-Out location? Head to Los Angeles near UCLA, and sitting at the corner of Gayley and Le Conte is one of the restaurant’s classic designed restaurants. If you’re ever in the LA area, it’s worth going to just to get a taste of fast food history.
Colorado: Chipotle
Colorado is the home of the Rocky Mountains, but it is also the home of one of the best-known fast food chains America has ever seen.
When you set foot inside a Chipotle, you’re eating Colorado goodness, literally. On July 13, 1993, a man named Steve Ells founded what would become known today as Chipotle Mexican Grill. Ells was attracted to the prospect of taquerias while working as a line cook in San Francisco.
Looking to create a chain of taquerias, Ells moved to Denver and opened the first Chipotle on East Evans Avenue. Ells wouldn’t know just how big his concept would get.
While Chipotle is now on nearly every corner in America, you can definitely tell that this fast-food chain has roots in Colorado. From its modern decor to its diversified menu of delicious (and gas-inducing) burritos, the taste of Colorado is ever present in its entire menu.
Of course, Colorado has other fast food chains. In fact, according to Thrillist, the state has the eighth-best fast food culture in America, with no shortage of chains to satisfy the state’s fast-food crazed residents. Also getting its start in Denver is one of the Chipotle main rivals, Qdoba, which is solid in its own right, but when it’s time to name the chain the state has close ties to, Chipotle takes the title.
Connecticut: Subway
In 1965, Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck changed the sandwich world.
That was the year the two would join forces to create what we know today as Subway, the largest single-brand chain in the world. When Subway first opened, nobody, knew that this chain would throw a monkey wrench into the fast food game.
But they did, and today, Subway is part of the fast food world’s lexicon, right up there with the Golden Arches and the Big Mac. Though Subway ran into some tough times recently, it is still on top of the fast sandwich game, and it plans to hold onto the top perch for years to come.
Delaware: Wings To Go
When you think about wings, Buffalo comes to mind; but what you probably didn’t know is that Delaware can also lay claim to fame for wings.
Coming out of the First State is Wings To Go, a chain that has grown to have locations in states like Alabama, North Carolina, and Texas, states that have made their own names in the chicken arena.
So how did this fast food wing spot grow so fast?
Well, let’s take Doc’s time machine to 1985 when the first Wings To Go opened up across the street from the Dover Air Force Base. The new wing restaurant became a huge hit with those stationed at the base, and it also pulled in crowds from the beaches as well.
Three years later, the chain began to allow franchises, and before you knew it, Wings To Go was and still is rapidly expanding. Wings To Go originally had five degrees of heat, with the hottest being “Suicide.” Wings To Go has introduced an even hotter sauce, HOMICIDE (yes, spelled just like that), which may have you rethinking about your entire life prior to putting that wing inside your mouth.
If you’re a daredevil and can’t resist the urge to try HOMICIDE or any of the other chain’s wings, make your way to this Delaware tradition near you.
Florida: Pollo Tropical
You would think that Burger King would take the crown for Florida, but nope, you’d be wrong.
While Burger King did start and is still headquartered in the Sunshine State, the land of beaches and Mickey Mouse is known for another fast food chain, one that is more tied to its tropical vibe.
That chain is Pollo Tropical, a chicken chain that serves Caribbean-inspired food in a fast food setting. Getting its start in South Florida, the chain now covers every inch of the Sunshine State and has now expanded its reach into Caribbean areas like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.
The only other U.S. state to have Pollo Tropical is Texas, but recently, Fiesta Restaurant Group, the owner of the chain, has closed down a number of Pollo Tropicals in the Lone Star State.
So once again, that leaves Florida as really the only state where you can enjoy fast food Caribbean food, and their grilled chicken and other items will have you mighty grateful that you skipped the numerous Burger Kings that also dot the Florida fast food landscape.
Georgia: Waffle House
If you live in the South, then you know of the cheap goodness of Waffle House.
In the Peach State, though, Waffle House takes on a whole new meaning. Granted, Waffle House isn’t the only fast-food chain that has its roots in Georgia. Chick-fil-A and Zaxby’s are also legendary in their own rights, but Waffle House is the chain that screams “Southern comfort food.”
We know, we know, Waffle House isn’t technically “fast food,” but the service here is lightning quick and this chain has locations on every spec of land in the state, so, for Georgia at least, we’re going to make an exception here.
For those poor souls that are void of the greatness of Waffle House, their waffles and breakfast are the stars of the show, but this chain also has pretty juicy burgers and dinner platters at prices that will have you looking twice.
When one thinks of Georgia, three things come to mind: Atlanta, Waffle House, and Tyler Perry, in that particular order.
Hawaii: Zippy’s
Oxtail soup at a fast food joint?
That’s one of the unique foods that is on the menu at Zippy’s, Hawaii’s premier fast food restaurant that makes the big chains look like scraps. Opened in 1966 by the Higa Brothers (Francis and Charles), Zippy’s became a hit right out of the gate, and today the chain has locations all across the state.
What makes Zippy’s so zippy is its eclectic menu, which, in addition to the oxtail soup, has other delicious items such as chicken katsu, sushi, and chili, which is their most famous menu item.
The Hawaiians know how to make fast food unique, and, in reality, there should be a Zippy’s in every state in this Union. Sadly, it isn’t, so buy us a plane ticket so we can enjoy some oxtail soup, please?
Idaho: Chick-Fil-A
Idaho is synonymous with potatoes, but when it comes to fast food, there isn’t any fast food spot that Idaho residents can really cling to.
So now the question becomes what do we put in this spot? Well, let’s go with Chick-Fil-A, the chicken sandwich place of choice for many in this state. Maybe it’s the waffle fries that attract residents to Chick-Fil-A, we don’t know, but what we do know is that this is one of the chain’s most popular markets.
So eat all of the chicken sandwiches and waffle fries you can eat, Idaho, because every taste of that golden waffle-like fry is a taste of your golden potatoes, sweet Idaho.
Illinois: Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Choices, choices, choices.
Illinois has such a plethora of iconic fast food chains that it’s hard to pick which one better represents the Land of Lincoln. So after an intense moment when we flip coins, did rock, paper, scissors, and even engaged in a game of Twister, we decided to pick Potbelly Sandwich Shop as Illinois’ claim to fame.
Illinois is pretty famous when it comes to sandwiches, and this chain latched on to that fame and, like Chicago’s famed deep dish pizza, took the state’s vision of sandwiches nationwide. It all started in 1977 in an old antique shop in the Windy City’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. For the next 19 years, it was Illinois’ best-kept secret. But in 1996, a guy named Bryant Keil decided to take Potbelly Sandwich Shop nationwide, and the rest is fast food sandwich history.
With over 400 locations nationwide serving classics as the Roast Beef and the Chicken Salad, and their most famous sandwich, “A Wreck,” it’s pretty easy to get your hands on a famous Potbelly sandwich.
You can thank the sandwich lovers of Illinois for this charming chain.
Indiana: Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
Don’t tell Indiana residents this, but Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken actually got its start in Ohio.
I know, that’s kind of hard to swallow, but there is a reason why this small chicken chain resonates so well in The Hoosier State. The man who started the chain was Lee Cummings, who grew up in Henryville, IN and was the creator of KFC’s “Secret Recipe.”
After selling KFC in 1962, he began to develop his own recipe, the “Famous Recipe,” and in 1966, he traveled to Lima, OH to open “Harold’s Take-Home” with partner Harold Omer. “Harold’s Take-Home” would later be known today as Lee’s Famous Chicken, and it became a staple in the Midwest.
With over 100 locations today, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is sure to still keep Indiana on the map, despite the fact that its headquarters now reside in Fort Walton Beach, FL, which kind of sucks because this Midwestern chain should still be headquartered in the Midwest, darn it.
Iowa: Maid-Rite
Iowa is home to a ton of fast food chains, but one that Iowans really gravitate to is Maid-Rite.
This classic Midwestern chain has been on the fast food scene for quite a while. How long? The first Maid-Rite opened in 1926 by a man named Fred Angell. That original Urbandale location plus the original four franchises that opened toward the end of the ’20s are still in operation to this very day.
Maid-Rite is a fast casual restaurant that sells all of the classic diner foods, including their version of the sloppy joe, which is as good as advertised. There is something classic about Maid-Rite, the old-school nature of the chain and its food advertising Midwestern wholesomeness at its finest.
The next time you’re in Iowa, make sure you stop by a Maid-Rite and taste some fast food history.
Kansas: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Fun fact: White Castle was born in Kansas, but that isn’t the chain that properly represents the Sunflower State.
That title belongs to Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a burger chain that is famous for their steak burgers. Freddy’s is like Steak & Shake, but cost a tad bit more and has better steakburgers. Also, you can’t beat their custards, which goes perfectly with their premium steakburgers.
Freddy’s was, at first, a Midwestern chain, but has since expanded into Southern states such as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. It will be worth your wild to have a steakburger at Freddy’s, that extra $3 bucks you’d be paying will be plenty worth it.
Kentucky: Kentucky Fried Chicken
In a state dominated by chain fast food joints, one chain stands as the king — Kentucky Fried Chicken.
That’s right, their name advertisement is true, my friend. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born 87 years ago in North Corbin, which was known back then as “Sanders Court & Cafe.” The first KFC opened in Salt Lake City, and today, it’s one of the world’s best known fast food chains with over 25,000 restaurants around the world.
Central to KFC’s success is its Original Recipe seasoned chicken, which is kept under lock-and-key (we think) at the company’s headquarters in Louisville. Their “secret recipe” hasn’t been told in decades, so we’ll never know what goes into making their Original Recipe chicken the stuff of chicken gold.
Louisiana: Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen
Louisiana residents spend a lot of money on fast food, which speaks as to why this small state has so many fast food outlets.
The Cajun State is also home to two chains, the growing Raising Cane’s, which specializes in chicken tenders, and Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, which got its birth in little Arabi, LA and has since risen to challenge KFC as the world’s leader in chicken.
Popeye’s is famous for their Cajun-flavored menu. Everything is covered in Cajun spices, from the chicken to the Dirty Rice that is a must order for anyone who loves rice. In fact, many would say that Popeye’s Dirty Rice is the main reason why they visit, and can you really blame them?
Although the chain moved its headquarters to suburban Atlanta some years back, Popeye’s will forever be a chain Louisiana identifies with.
Maine: Tim Hortons
OK, there aren’t any fast food chains in Maine that represent the state, so this one was a tough one.
They have all of the usual suspects, but one chain that is spread throughout the state that isn’t in as many states is Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee icon that has multiple locations within Maine’s borders. So you know what that means? It means that Mainers can enjoy their iconic coffee while the rest of us suffer from the other coffee chains.
Count your blessings and pray for the non-Time Horton states, Maine.
Maryland: Chick-fil-A
Although Chick-fil-A’s roots run deep in the state of Georgia, Maryland natives are just as smitten with the iconic fast food chain – and can you blame them?
From their ionic made-to-order chicken nuggets which one can easily consume by the dozen to their delicious original chicken sandwiches and beloved waffle fries, one can never go wrong with a trip to Chick-fil-A! After all, there’s a reason why the franchise’s various branches rank so highly among the top-rated fast food stops on Yelp in some of the state’s biggest cities!
Massachusetts: Dunkin’ Donuts
Dunkin’ Donuts is synonymous with The Bay State as In-N-Out is with California.
The famed coffee and donut chain is global now, but there is no mistake about its Massachusetts roots. Folks here take DD with just as much pride as Canadians do with Tim Horton. They swear by the coffee, hailed as the best in America, and their menu is pretty darn tasty as well.
Ever since Starbucks has hit the coffee scene, DD has steadily been at war with their West Coast rival, and currently, the chain is beginning to transform their usual “grab-and-go” restaurants and make them into spots where folks can sit, work on the laptop, or hang out with friends while enjoying their famous coffee and donuts.
Dunkin’ Donuts has become one of America’s great legacy chains, and there is a great chance that many in the land of the free run on Dunkin’ every day.
Michigan: Little Ceasars Pizza
You will run into many pizza lovers that may have conflicting opinions about Little Ceasars Pizza.
But answer this question? Where else can you get a large pepperoni or cheese for just $5 and faster than you can say “pizza-pizza?” The answer? Nowhere. The fast service and respectable pizzas are what makes this Michigan-based pizza chain such an iconic place in the world of fast food, whether you like this place or not.
We mean, seriously, who would be able to top their $5 “Hot-N-Ready” pizzas? While it may seem like that pizza may taste like cardboard, they are pretty darn good, and if you’re feeding a family, this is certainly the most affordable route.
Pizza-pizza? We think so.
Minnesota: Dino’s Gyros
There are only a few locations of this Mediterranean fast food restaurant, but those locations keep a crowd of hungry Minnesotans looking for great Mediterranean cuisine on the fast and cheap.
Dino’s is one of, if not the only chain of its kind in the U.S. that serves fast Mediterranean food, and you’d think that a state like California or New York would already have the jump on this, but nope, little Minnesota has beaten them to it. Don’t discount this chain as beneath the regular sit-down spots or you’ll miss out on a chain that has become quite famous in the land of 10,000 lakes.
While Dino’s is certainly fast food, don’t discount this chain as beneath the regular sit-down spots or you’ll miss out on a chain that has become quite famous in the land of 10,000 lakes.
Mississippi: Bumpers Drive-In of America
The year was 1983, and this drive-in restaurant would change the game of fast food in Mississippi for the foreseeable future.
Mississippi is a state that spends a ton of money on fast food, but when they want something local, they turn to Bumpers Drive-In of America, which is sort of like Sonic but more retro. In fact, it’s that retro design that sets the two apart, and in a state where it seems like time has stood still for decades, Bumpers is the perfect fit for the Magnolia State.
All of the classic drive-in cuisines are represented here, from the fresh burgers to the chili cheese dogs and onion rings, the food (and the prices) keep Mississippians coming back for more. The food at Bumpers is truly worth it.
Missouri: Hardee’s
This combined mega-chain didn’t really get their start in Missouri, but they have since become the Show Me State’s biggest claim to fame in the fast food world.
Hardee’s began life in Rocky Mount, NC, while its West Coast counterpart, Carl’s Jr, was born out of a hot dog cart in Los Angeles. Sometime in the ’90s, the two came under the banner of CKE Restaurant Holdings, and in that same time span, Hardee’s moved its headquarters away from Rocky Mount and to St. Louis, where it has been ever since.
Hardee’s is well known for their “Thickburgers,” which are bigger than the average fast food burger, and more pricer; but the higher price is worth it considering that Hardee’s uses Angus beef instead of frozen thin patties and that makes all the difference when compared to the other chains.
Montana: Arby’s
Although Arby’s got its start in Ohio, the chain resonates with many in Montana.
There are a lot f Arby’s within Montana’s borders, and we do mean a lot. Remember, Montana is a state that treats beef with much respect, and Arby’s famed roast beef sandwiches are simply the stuff of legend under the big sky.
Montana has the meat, and Arby’s has moved in a capitalized on it.
Nebraska: Runza
In the heart of the Heartland, this chain’s burgers are truly legendary.
Nebraska has a plethora of burger joints, but one that reigns supreme thin this state is Runza, which has, among its many tasty menu options, a burger called the “French Dip Burger,” which is everything as advertised.
Don’t ignore the rest of Runza’s menu, which is stacked with all of the classic fast food trappings and healthy options like salads.
Nevada: Don Tortaco
In the land of casinos and huge buffets, fast food restaurants may very well be your only refuge after going broke in Vegas.
If that is the case, skip the many national chains that are located here and hit up Don Tortaco, a chain that takes Mexican fast food to the point of Vegas sophistication.
The entire menu is delicious and they’re cheap, which may very well be your saving grace to try to find food on a budget after the casinos have gobbled your finances up.
New Hampshire: McDonald’s
What can you say? New Hampshire’s fast food game is pretty weak.
When a state’s fast food game isn’t up to snuff, they get the “Golden Arches Fate,” and that’s exactly the fate that has befallen on New Hampshire. Yes, the state has other chains, but none more omnipresent than Mickey D’s.
Sorry, New Hamshire.
New Jersey: Jersey Mike’s Subs
Subway, meet one of your main rivals.
Jersey Mikes Subs was actually the first sub shop on the scene as it was born in 1956 in Point Pleasant Beach on the Jersey Shore. Though Jersey Mike’s has a smaller store count than Subway, there are many who claim that Jersey Mike’s has better subs.
One of this chain’s most prized menu items is their BLT sub, which is enough to actually make a full meal out of. Unlike Subway, Jersey Mike’s has yet to reach its growth ceiling, which means that it has plenty of time to catch up with its rival, both in store count and in quality.
New Mexico: Blake’s Lotaburgers
New Mexico’s biggest claim to fame in the fast food world is the Lotaburger topped with cheese and green chile.
While you can get it at the local Whataburger, the best place to get these bad boys is at Blake’s Lotaburgers, which is recognized as one of the best regional fast food chains in the country. Not only are their burgers simply the bomb, but the rest of the menu is also tasty and fresh.
Blake’s covers the entire state and has also expanded into West Texas, with more locations on the way. If you get a Blake’s Lotaburger in your town, consider yourself lucky.
New York: Shake Shack
There are some who believe that Shake Shack is an overpriced burger chain not worthy of its claim.
But the New York-based chain also has a legion of fans that will rebuke the haters, those who claim Shake Shack as one of the best fast food brands in America thanks to their fresh burgers that draw the chain a ton of fans.
Whichever spot you sit on the Shake Shack issue, everyone can at least acknowledge that Shake Shack isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
North Carolina: Bojangles
Chicken is in North Carolina’s DNA, and if they want great chicken fast and cheap, they don’t do any KFC or Church’s Chicken. They instead turn to Bojangles, which has a legend in the Tar Heel State that few fast food chains can match.
Born in Charlotte in 1977, Bojangles now has 600 locations around the world, but their largest restaurant count is in their home state, and it seems that everyone has their “favorite Bojangles” where the chicken is spiced to perfection and the biscuit is fluffy and buttery.
Sure, North Carolina has a plethora of homegrown chicken restaurants. This is the South, where the chicken is seasoned and fried to golden perfection, but from a chain perspective, Bojangles is a perfect representation of southern chicken, in a good way.
When it comes to chicken in North Carolina, it’s always ‘Bo Time!
North Dakota: The Kegs Drive-On
OK, this is not a fast food chain per se, and in fact, North Dakota doesn’t have a chain that resonates with the rest of America.
But this oil-slicked state does have one of the few fast food restaurants that are actually part of the National Historic Registry, The Kegs Drive-In, which has been on the fast food scene in ND since 1919, a lot older than many of the fast food chains that populate this state today.
Sure, The Kegs serve the usual drive-in food, but how many states can actually lay claim to having an NHR fast food place in their state? Not very many, and that’s why The Kegs made it on this list.
Ohio: Wendy’s
Ohio can easily lay claim to the birthplace of modern fast food. It’s the birthplace of White Castle, and while that chain has become legendary in its own right, there is another chain that we think represents The Buckeye State better.
Wendy’s.
Dave Thomas started the chain in Columbus in 1969, and although Dave is no longer with us, he has to be proud of how fast and how large his creation has grown. They revolutionized the fast food world by introducing their “square patties,” which is a concept that still hasn’t been copied to this very day.
Today, Wendy’s is part of a select group of fast food chains that we call “legacy chains,” a title that Wendy’s isn’t prepared to give up anytime soon.
Oklahoma: Sonic Drive-In
Most of the nation has heard of Sonic Drive-In, but not many may have known that the famous drive-in chain has its roots in the Sooner State.
Yep, back in 1953 in Shawnee, OK, Troy Smith opened “Top Hat Drive-In,” which would soon change its name to Sonic Drive-In and the rest is fast food history. Sonic is famous for bringing back the popularity of the carhop, and it’s fun to see servers roller skate up to your car with your perfectly seasoned meal.
Another bonus: This is one of the few chains that serves tater tots. Good job, Sonic.
Oregon: Taco Time
What time is it in Oregon? It’s Taco Time!
While Taco Bell dominated the fast Mexican market, Taco Time has quietly caught up to the giant in stature. The chain, born in Eugene in 1959, now has over 300 locations nationwide serving up their own brand of tacos, burritos and more.
Although the chain is known as being headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, Taco Time will always continue to be an Oregon treasure in the fast food world.
Pennsylvania: Tony Luke’s
Philadelphia is the home of the cheesesteak, so it’s fitting that the best fast food chain come out of the Keystone State hails from South Philly.
That chain is Tony Luke’s, a South Philly institution that has fast become a chained monster on its own, spreading their gospel of Philly Cheesesteaks to those who don’t know how a real Philly tastes like.
In a lot of ways, Tony Luke’s is doing us a favor by spreading their cheesesteak goodness to the outside world. Thank you, Tony Luke’s.
Rhode Island: Taco Bell
We had to mention Taco Bell sometime, didn’t we?
Rhode Island has joined the sad company of not having any chains that represent the state. Sure, RI has its share of Burger Kings, McDonald’s and the like, but none that stand out and screams, “Hey, we’re from Rhode Island!” At least Rhode Islanders can take in the fact that they have numerous locations where they can obtain a taco made out of a huge Doritos chip. That says something, right?
Sorry, Rhode Island.
South Carolina: Bojangles
South Carolina and North Carolina are different in some ways, but when it comes to fast food recognition, they both share this iconic chicken chain.
We’ve already explained briefly why Bojangles is the darling of the Carolinas, so we don’t feel the need to repeat it here. Just know that you’ll be able to find a Bojangles in nearly every city and town in the Palmetto State, just like you would in the Tar Heel State.
It’s Bo Time in SC!
South Dakota: Taco John’s
Like its northern neighbor, South Dakota has not produced any fast food chain that has broken out and gone nationwide.
But there is one small Sioux Falls chain that has become a favorite of those who love tacos. Taco John’s has a nice sized menu of all of your favorite Mexican staples, from their namesake tacos to a breakfast menu that many in this part of the country have said surpasses McDonand’s and the other chains that have set up shop in SD.
This isn’t Taco Bell, Taco John’s is the real deal, and will be worth your money.
Tennessee: Krystal
Meet the southern rival to White Castle.
Krystal got its start in Chattanooga, and the chain is still quite a legend in that town, even though the company’s headquarters has since moved to suburban Atlanta. There isn’t really a difference between White Castle and Krystal with the only exception being that Krystal puts mustard on their burgers while WC does not.
To many on either side of the mini-burger battle, there is the single biggest difference and one that is still being fought over to this very day, a war that intensifies, even more, when Northerners move down south and discover the hard truth — no more White Castle (in restaurant form at least).
But Southerners stand and defend Krystal, and their burgers are worth defending to those who refuse to see the light.
Texas: Whataburger
Like Ohio, Texas has given birth to a ton of fast food chains, from San Antonio’s Taco Cabana, which was one of the first fast food chains to serve beer, to Austin’s Schlotzky’s, which at one time was one of Subway’s main rivals.
While those chains are certainly well known across the nation, the chain that carries the most prestige in the Lone Star State is Whataburger, which got its start in Corpus Christi and has since become a Texas institution.
Whataburger to Texans is like In-N-Out to Californians, you don’t mess with Whataburger in Texas, period.
Utah: Arctic Circle
Why get your burger fix at In-N-Out when you can head to the local Arctic Circle?
For those not in the know (which is everyone outside of Utah), Arctic Circle is a chain that many Utah residents swear by. Their burgers and shakes far surpass the legacy chains, and they really do try to live up to their slogan of “Where the Good Stuff Is.”
So why go to a chain when you can hit up an Arctic Circle and get “the Good Stuff?”
Vermont: Al’s French Frys
This isn’t a chain, but Al’s French Frys is a Burlington institution.
Vermont is one of the few states that hasn’t had a chain that has broken out into the mainstream, but many within Burlington know of the savory french fries that Al’s cooks up.
On second thought, maybe it’s best that Al’s French Fries has only one location. That way, the restaurant can keep its legendary status.
Virginia: Five Guys
Give us Five Guys or give us death.
That is pretty much the mantra for anyone who is within striking distance of a Five Guys. The Arlington-based chain has been voted the best burger in so many polls that it is possible that Five Guys is one of America’s greatest fast food treasures.
Speaking of, Five Guys has since gone global, which has expanded their burger reach to places that only the likes of McDonald’s and Burger King have reach, which is a pretty phenomenal feat unto itself.
Washington: Starbucks
Starbucks is a global phenom now, but its roots are still in Washington State.
Starbucks, like its East Coast rival Dunkin’ Donuts, is not your typical fast food place as they specialize in coffee, and with what food they offer you could get a Whopper meal with a side of a 10-piece nugget for a fraction of the cost of a Starbucks sandwich.
But Starbucks is so recognizable that its statue has loomed over the other chains that have gotten its start within the state, and now that it’s global, the world now gets to taste what Washington residents have known for a long time — this coffee is good.
West Virginia: Tudor’s Biscuit World
In a lot of ways, this biscuit chain is a perfect fit for the Mountaineer State.
There is no getting around the fact that West Virginia is a blue-collar state, and Tudor’s Biscuit World is a blue-collar chain. As per their name, this restaurant specializes in breakfast biscuits, and those biscuits have become a routine for many West Virginians who want to start their day off right.
Wisconsin: Culver’s
In the competitive burger world, one Midwestern chain has begun to assert itself as one of the nation’s best.
Welcome to Culver’s, where the burgers and fresh and cooked great, and the fries are hard to describe. Originally just a Wisconsin chain, Culvers is now beginning to spread wings to other areas of the country — and that may not be bad in the battle of burgers that has seen Culver’s rise to become one of America’s greatest chains.
Wyoming: Taco John’s
While Taco John’s has a lot going for it in South Dakota, the chain originally got its start here in Wyoming and is still a state favorite.
We have already explained why Taco John’s is so good, but this chain has special meaning in Wyoming. So if you want some authentic burgers and fries from this eldest fast food joint, Taco Johns is simply one of the best.