10 legendary regional fast food chains you must try

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Fast food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King are as quintessential the American experience as apple pie. No matter where in the country you live, it is almost inevitable that these national brands have become a part of your life in some way.

But if you are Really you’re lucky, you grew up knowing and loving a regional chain that only exists in certain parts of the country. Some of these gems serve premium versions of the fast food we already know and love, such as high-quality burgers, sandwiches and chicken tenders. Others delight their customers with amazing regional specialties like authentic Chicago Italian beef or Southern-style fried chicken.

Fast food lovers may feel like they’re missing out when they don’t live near one of these favorite regional chains. But there is also something really special about traveling somewhere and visiting a restaurant that is very important to the culture of the region. Great regional fast food is like pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and gingerbread for Christmas – you only eat it on special occasions, but that makes it even more delicious.

So if you’re traveling to a new place or want to break away from your usual dining spots, consider one of these 10 legendary regional chains that everyone should try at least once.

Culver

Culver’s has become a staple fast food chain for Midwesterners since it began serving customers in 1984.and it’s not hard to see why. The chain serves classic fast food dishes such as burgers, fries and chicken sandwiches. But everything is a little more elevated because all the food is made to order and made with fresh, carefully sourced ingredients.

Customers who come here for the first time should definitely try the famous Butterburgers, whose name comes from toasted buns spread with butter. Wisconsin cheese curds and fresh, ultra-creamy frozen custard are also can’t-miss menu items.

Culver’s currently operates nearly 1,000 restaurants in 26 states, according to data firm Scrapehero.

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What burger

Whenever you’re craving a juicy burger in the Lone Star State, run – don’t walk – to your nearest Whataburger. This beloved regional burger chain has been serving customers since the first restaurant opened in 1950, and it shows no signs of stopping. It currently operates over 1,000 locations in 15 states (372 cities, to be precise).

At Whataburger, customers can find fast food classics like traditional cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches, but the menu also has a unique regional twist. Look no further than the Green Chile Double and the limited edition Southern Bacon Spicy Chicken Sandwich with crunchy slaw, pickles and Southern-style dressing.

Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens hasn’t been around as long as some other legendary regional chains. Still, since it began serving customers in 2003, it has exploded in size and now serves an impressive 255 locations. Not to mention the chain has announced plans to open another 1,200 locations over the next few years.

If you can’t guess from the name, this restaurant brand specializes in chicken. It serves hand-breaded chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, wraps, salads, and even basic chicken dishes and waffles. Just remember to pair main course with some classic southern sides and homemade dipping sauces for the ultimate Slim Chicken experience.

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Portilla

There are plenty of great one-off shops around Chicago serving up city favorites like Italian beef and Chicago hot dogs. But every local knows that the most reliable and delicious versions of Windy City favorites can be found at Portillo’s.

Half of the chain’s charm comes from its nostalgia-inducing vintage restaurants and employee uniforms. The menu is also delicious, but if you’re stopping by for the first time, be sure to bring a big appetite. In addition to its Italian beef and hot dogs, Portillo’s is also known for its chopped salads, cheese fries, chocolate cakes and chocolate cake shakes, which feature a whole slice of the decadent dessert mixed with ice cream.

Portillo’s currently operates over 100 restaurants. Most are in Illinois, but the chain also has locations in Arizona, Florida, California, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Wisconsin.

Fazoli

Part of what makes Fazoli’s so unique is that it serves Italian-American dishes in a fast food format, which is rare when you look at all the burger and chicken chains across the country.

Fazoli’s menu is full of delicious options like pizza, baked pasta dishes, sandwiches and salads. However, one of the best things about being a patron of Fazoli is that you get unlimited breadsticks with your meal. So if you’re a carb lover, make sure to enjoy this bottomless, freshly baked bread on every visit.

Fazoli’s currently has 208 restaurants in the Midwest and South.

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Wawa

Don’t knock gas station food until you’ve tried Wawa. There’s a reason why this convenience store and fast food chain is so near and dear to the hearts of East Coast consumers –the food is really solid and highly customizable.

Walk into any Wawa and you’ll find a row of touchscreen ordering systems where you can peruse the chain’s variety of breakfast sandwiches, cold sandwiches, hoagies, salads and quesadillas. Once you’ve made your selection, you can modify and refine each element of your meal until it’s exactly the same, from the spice to the type of bread.

There are currently more than 1,000 Wawa locations in seven states, according to Scrapehero, although the chain is mainly concentrated in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.

John’s taco

Taco Bell is probably the go-to place for many Americans who crave convenient Mexican-inspired fast food. However, if you find yourself in the Midwest or Mountain States, you should know that there is another popular chain that puts its own spin on fast food tacos: Taco John’s.

With a wide selection of different tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and bowls, even the pickiest Mexican food lovers should find something they like. And for Taco Bell fans who never really got over the loss of the Double Decker Taco, Taco John’s has a storied Taco Bravo that may make up for the loss.

Whatever you choose, be sure to try the famous Taco John’s Potato Olés, crispy pieces of seasoned potatoes, perfect for dipping in various sauces. The network is currently operational 365 restaurants throughout the United States.

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Bojangles

Hand-breaded chicken, handmade butter cookies, Southern sides… If any of these mouth-watering terms pique your interest, stop by Bojangles the next time you find yourself in the Southeast.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Bojangles is a place for fast food lovers who appreciate Southern dishes and, of course, great fried chicken. This signature crispy, marinated chicken is the star of some of Bojangles’ most iconic menu options, including chicken sandwiches, breakfast chicken biscuits and chicken tenders. If you’re looking for the ultimate midday meal, be sure to add some Bojangles Fixin and a cup of classic sweet tea to your order.

Bojangles currently operates more than 800 locations in 16 states, according to Scrapehero.

Grilled burger habit

In-N-Out Burger is not the only extremely popular regional chain that has emerged on the West Coast. In addition to its signature burgers, sandwiches, and handcrafted cocktails, The Habit Burger Grill is also a must-try if you find yourself close enough to one of its restaurants.

Although technically fast food, the food at Habit is a little more elevated because it meets high quality standards. This means the beef in your burgers is never frozen and has no fillers, the ahi tuna is suitable for sushi, and the tri-tip steak has USDA Choice Seal of Quality. Not to mention, at Habit you can eat the Double Char, a signature burger that recently won the coveted title of #1 best fast-food burger of 2024. “USA Today”10 awards for the best readers. (We tried it and it lived up to expectations!).

Currently, The Habit has over 380 locations in 14 states. The vast majority of these restaurants are located in California and surrounding Western states, but customers can also find several locations scattered throughout the East Coast.

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Runza

Runza is another Midwestern fast food joint, but its menu is just… a little more unique than those you will find in a typical fast food chain.

Runza serves burgers and chicken sandwiches, but its signature Runza sandwiches are something much more unique. They are all equipped freshly baked bread stuffed with ground beef, onion, a secret blend of spices and cabbage. Runza also offers several flavor riffs on the original, like the Cheeseburger Runza Sandwich stuffed with classic burger toppings and the Southwest Runza Sandwich with…heddar cheese, salsa and tortilla strips.

Despite its slightly non-traditional specialty compared to other fast food brands, customers clearly love the regional chain. Since opening its first restaurant in 1949, it has expanded to more than 80 locations in Nebraska and surrounding states. If you don’t currently live near Runza but can’t wait to give it a try, the chain ships its famous sandwiches to all 48 states in the continental United States.