The Ultimate Fast Food Bucket-List Stop In Each U.S. State
Fast food might be quick, but across America, it’s also deeply personal.
Every state has that one spot where the drive-thru feels like a pilgrimage, where a local chain outshines the big names with flavor, nostalgia, and hometown pride.
Some built their reputation on juicy burgers and crinkle-cut fries, others on fried chicken that tastes like family recipes passed down through generations.
1. Milo’s Hamburgers (Alabama)
Alabama knows burgers, and Milo’s has been proving it since 1946. Their secret sauce drips with tangy perfection over thin, griddled patties that crunch at the edges.
But here’s the real star: the legendary sweet tea, so good they bottle and sell it statewide. One sip and you’ll understand why Alabamians are fiercely loyal to this place.
2. Arctic Roadrunner (Alaska)
When you’re battling Alaskan winters, you need serious fuel. Arctic Roadrunner delivers with half-pound burgers stacked ridiculously high with fresh toppings.
This Anchorage institution has been feeding hungry locals since 1964. The onion rings are thick-cut and golden, and the portions could probably sustain a small bear. No joke, these burgers are legitimately massive.
3. Eegee’s (Arizona)
Arizona heat demands creative cooling solutions, and Eegee’s delivers with their famous frozen fruit drinks. Imagine a slushie that actually tastes like real strawberries, lemons, or whatever monthly flavor they’re featuring.
Their subs are solid too, but honestly? Everyone comes for those icy, refreshing eegees that make 115-degree summers almost bearable. Almost.
4. David’s Burgers (Arkansas)
Fresh, never frozen—that’s the David’s Burgers promise, and you can taste the difference in every juicy bite. This Arkansas chain hand-forms patties daily and tops them with your wildest dreams.
The fries are hand-cut, the shakes are hand-spun, and basically everything screams homemade quality. It’s fast food that doesn’t taste fast at all.
5. In-N-Out Burger (California)
You knew this was coming. In-N-Out isn’t just a burger joint; it’s a California religion with a secret menu longer than the regular one.
Animal style fries drenched in cheese and spread? Yes, please. The ingredients are ridiculously fresh, the prices shockingly reasonable, and the cult following totally justified. West Coast for life.
6. Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard (Colorado)
Colorado’s Good Times proves you can have it all: juicy burgers and creamy frozen custard under one roof. Their patties are cooked-to-order, and the custard is churned fresh throughout the day.
After hiking a fourteener, you deserve both. The wild fry flavors and friendly vibe make this Rocky Mountain favorite worth the stop every single time.
7. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (Connecticut)
Wait, pizza at a fast food list? Absolutely, when it’s Frank Pepe’s legendary coal-fired pies. Since 1925, this New Haven institution has been slinging crispy, charred-crust perfection.
The white clam pizza is iconic – no sauce, just clams, garlic, olive oil, and magic. Lines stretch around the block, but one bite makes the wait vanish from memory.
8. Grotto Pizza (Delaware)
Beach days and Grotto Pizza are basically synonymous in Delaware. This local chain started in Rehoboth Beach back in 1960 and quickly became a coastal tradition.
Their sauce is sweet and tangy, the crust perfectly crispy, and the cheese stretches for days. Grab a slice after hitting the boardwalk – it’s what the locals do.
9. Pollo Tropical (Florida)
Florida’s Caribbean influence shines brightest at Pollo Tropical, where citrus-marinated grilled chicken rules the menu. The flavors are bright, zesty, and totally tropical.
Black beans, yellow rice, and sweet plantains complete the island vibe. It’s like a mini vacation on a tray, and way healthier than your typical drive-through fare. Sunshine in every bite.
10. The Varsity (Atlanta, Georgia)
What’ll ya have? That’s the famous greeting at The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant since 1928. Hot dogs, burgers, and frosted orange drinks flow faster than Atlanta traffic.
It’s greasy, it’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s absolutely perfect. Georgia Tech students have fueled up here for generations, and the tradition isn’t stopping anytime soon.
11. Zippy’s (Hawaii)
Hawaii’s comfort food headquarters serves everything from saimin noodles to plate lunches piled dangerously high. Zippy’s chili is legendary – locals put it on everything from rice to hot dogs.
Open late and always packed, it’s where island residents go when they need real food, fast. The napkin stack you’ll need? Also legendary.
12. Big Jud’s (Idaho)
Idaho doesn’t mess around with portion sizes, and Big Jud’s proves it. Their one-pound burger challenge has defeated countless hungry souls who thought they could handle it.
The regular burgers are massive too, and everything comes with crispy fries. If you somehow finish the monster burger, you get your picture on the wall. Good luck with that.
13. Portillo’s (Illinois)
Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches are serious business, and Portillo’s is the temple where they’re perfected. The hot dog comes dragged through the garden—no ketchup allowed, ever.
Italian beef gets dipped until it’s gloriously soggy with au jus. The chocolate cake shake sounds weird but tastes like heaven. This is Illinois eating at its finest.
14. Mug-n-Bun Drive-In (Indiana)
Step back to 1960 at this classic Indianapolis drive-in where carhops still bring food to your window. The root beer comes in frosty mugs that practically beg for Instagram photos.
Burgers are simple and delicious, just like they should be. It’s nostalgic Americana served with a smile, and Indiana wouldn’t have it any other way.
15. Maid-Rite (Iowa)
Iowa’s famous loose meat sandwich confuses outsiders but delights locals who know better. It’s like a deconstructed burger – seasoned ground beef piled on a bun without forming a patty.
Maid-Rite has been serving this Midwest mystery since 1926. Add mustard, pickles, and onions, then prepare for messy, delicious confusion. Napkins are absolutely mandatory here.
16. Spangles (Kansas)
Kansas keeps it real with Spangles, a regional chain that’s been flipping burgers since 1978. Their crinkle-cut fries have a cult following, and the special sauce rivals any secret recipe.
Breakfast is served all day, because sometimes you need a breakfast burrito at 8 PM. The prices stay reasonable, and the quality stays consistent. Pure Kansas comfort.
17. Indi’s Fast Food (Kentucky)
Kentucky fried chicken gets a local twist at Indi’s, where the coating is extra crispy and the seasoning hits differently. This Louisville favorite keeps it simple and southern.
The biscuits are fluffy, the sides are homestyle, and everything tastes like grandma’s kitchen with a drive-through window. Sometimes simple is exactly what you need, and Indi’s delivers perfectly.
18. Raising Cane’s (Louisiana)
Born in Baton Rouge, Raising Cane’s does one thing spectacularly well: chicken fingers. The menu is refreshingly simple – no weird options, just perfectly fried tenders.
The real magic? That Cane’s sauce everyone becomes obsessed with. Pair it with crinkle fries and Texas toast, and you’ve got Louisiana’s gift to fast food. One love, one chicken.
19. Harmon’s Clam Cakes (Maine)
Maine’s seafood game is unbeatable, and Harmon’s proves it with their legendary clam cakes. These aren’t fancy – just clams, batter, and a deep fryer doing beautiful things together.
Crispy outside, tender inside, and packed with ocean flavor. Grab some tartar sauce and eat them hot while watching boats bob in the harbor. Coastal Maine perfection achieved.
20. Royal Farms Chicken (Maryland)
A gas station serving world-class fried chicken? Welcome to Maryland, where Royal Farms makes it happen. The chicken is pressure-fried to crispy, juicy perfection that rivals any restaurant.
Locals know to grab a box before road trips or beach days. The Western fries are legendary too. Who knew filling up your tank could also mean filling your belly?
21. Kelly’s Roast Beef (Massachusetts)
Revere Beach and Kelly’s Roast Beef are inseparable since 1951. Their roast beef sandwiches are piled dangerously high on buttery onion rolls with cheese and sauce.
The seafood is fresh, the fries are crispy, and the ocean view is free. It’s a Massachusetts institution where summer memories are made one sandwich at a time. Wicked good, as they say.
22. Halo Burger (Michigan)
Flint, Michigan’s beloved Halo Burger has been serving happiness since 1923. Their signature Halo sauce is tangy and creamy, turning regular burgers into something special.
The Boston cooler – a Vernors ginger ale float – is pure Michigan nostalgia in a cup. Despite hard times, Halo Burger remains a bright spot and community gathering place. That’s real resilience.
23. My Burger (Minnesota)
Minnesota nice meets burger perfection at My Burger, where customization is king. Build your burger exactly how you want it, from the patty type to the endless topping combinations.
The ingredients are fresh, the buns are locally baked, and the sweet potato fries are addictive. It’s fast casual done right in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and one amazing burger joint.
24. Ward’s (Mississippi)
Since 1978, Ward’s in Gulfport has been feeding hungry Mississippians burgers that actually taste like beef. The patties are thick and juicy, the buns are toasted perfectly, and the portions are generous.
Hand-cut fries and sweet tea complete the Southern experience. It’s unpretentious, delicious, and exactly what fast food should be. Mississippi knows what’s up.
25. Lion’s Choice (Missouri)
St. Louis claims Lion’s Choice as its roast beef champion, and rightfully so. The beef is sliced thin, piled high, and served on toasted buns with tangy horseradish sauce.
Dip it in au jus for maximum flavor explosion. Since 1967, this Missouri favorite has been proving that roast beef sandwiches deserve way more respect than they get. Seriously underrated.
26. Mark’s In & Out (Montana)
Montana’s Mark’s In & Out has zero relation to California’s famous chain but serves equally crave-worthy burgers. This Missoula institution keeps things simple and delicious since 1954.
The special sauce is legendary, the onion rings are hand-battered, and the shakes are thick enough to stand a spoon in. Big Sky Country deserves big flavors, and Mark’s delivers.
27. Runza (Nebraska)
Nebraska’s official comfort food comes wrapped in bread at Runza. This stuffed sandwich filled with beef, cabbage, and onions sounds weird but tastes like home.
German immigrants brought the recipe, and Nebraskans perfected it into fast food form. The crinkle-cut fries and frings (half fries, half onion rings) are genius too. You can’t understand Nebraska without trying one.
28. Roberto’s Taco Shop (Nevada)
Las Vegas runs on Roberto’s, especially at 3 AM when nothing else sounds right. Their California burritos are massive, stuffed with carne asada, fries, cheese, and everything good in life.
The salsa bar lets you customize heat levels from mild to regret. It’s authentic Mexican fast food that fuels late nights and early mornings. Vegas wouldn’t survive without it.
29. Moe’s Italian Sandwiches (New Hampshire)
Portsmouth’s Moe’s has been stuffing Italian sandwiches to bursting since 1959. These aren’t dainty subs—they’re overstuffed monsters requiring two hands and serious commitment.
Cold cuts, provolone, veggies, and oil create the perfect bite. The bread is crusty outside and soft inside, holding everything together beautifully. New Hampshire’s sandwich game is strong, thanks to Moe’s.
30. White Manna (New Jersey)
This tiny Hackensack diner has been slinging sliders since 1946 from a building that’s barely bigger than a food truck. The burgers are thin, griddled with onions, and completely addictive.
You’ll need at least three to feel satisfied. The griddle never stops, and neither does the line of people craving these mini masterpieces. Jersey knows its sliders.
31. Blake’s Lotaburger (New Mexico)
New Mexico’s official question is red or green chile, and Blake’s Lotaburger answers with roasted Hatch green chiles on everything. The green chile cheeseburger is a state treasure.
Since 1952, Blake’s has been perfecting this spicy, smoky, cheesy combination. One bite explains why New Mexicans are so fiercely loyal. It’s not just a burger – it’s cultural identity.
32. Gray’s Papaya (New York)
New York City’s Gray’s Papaya serves cheap hot dogs and tropical drinks 24/7 to everyone from tourists to celebrities. The recession special – two dogs and a drink – is legendary value.
The papaya drink is weirdly refreshing with salty hot dogs. It’s quintessential NYC eating: fast, affordable, and surprisingly satisfying. No frills, just flavor and New York attitude.
33. Cook Out (North Carolina)
North Carolina’s Cook Out offers insane value with their tray system: entree plus two sides for pocket change. And the sides? They include everything from hush puppies to quesadillas.
The milkshakes come in 40-plus flavors, including Cheerwine and banana pudding. Open late and always packed, it’s where college students and night owls find happiness. Ridiculously good deal.
34. Kroll’s Diner (North Dakota)
North Dakota’s German heritage shines at Kroll’s Diner, famous for knoephla soup – a creamy, dumpling-filled comfort bowl. The German sausage and sauerkraut are authentically delicious.
It’s diner food with Old World roots, served fast and filling. The fleischkuekle (fried meat pies) are worth the trip alone. Kroll’s proves North Dakota’s food scene is seriously underrated.
35. Swensons Drive-In (Ohio)
Ohio’s Swensons has been perfecting drive-in service since 1934. Carhops literally run to your car, taking orders on the spot with impressive memory skills.
The Galley Boy – double cheeseburger with two special sauces – is legendary across the state. Potato puffs are crispy little clouds of joy. It’s old-school fast food done exactly right, with bonus cardio for employees.
36. Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy (Oklahoma)
Oklahoma’s Braum’s is part fast food, part ice cream shop, part grocery store – and somehow excels at everything. They own their dairy farms, so the milk and ice cream are ridiculously fresh.
Burgers are made from their own beef, and the ice cream comes in endless flavors. It’s vertical integration that actually tastes amazing. Only in Oklahoma.
37. Burgerville (Oregon)
Oregon’s Burgerville sources ingredients locally and seasonally, making it the hippest fast food chain around. Tillamook cheese, Oregon hazelnuts, and Walla Walla onions make regular appearances.
Seasonal milkshakes featuring local berries are worth planning trips around. It’s sustainable, delicious, and proof that fast food can be environmentally conscious. Very Pacific Northwest, very good.
38. Sheetz (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania’s Sheetz is a convenience store that somehow became a food destination. The made-to-order system lets you customize everything via touchscreen, from breakfast to late-night munchies.
The MTO menu is massive and surprisingly good for gas station food. Sheetz vs. Wawa debates get heated in Pennsylvania – choose your side wisely. This is serious business here.
39. Olneyville New York System (Rhode Island)
Rhode Island’s hot wieners are not regular hot dogs—they’re smaller, natural-casing links topped with meat sauce, mustard, onions, and celery salt. Olneyville perfects this unique style.
Order them all the way and get the full Rhode Island experience. It’s messy, flavorful, and totally distinct from anywhere else. Tiny state, big hot dog personality.
40. Rush’s (South Carolina)
South Carolina’s Rush’s serves soul food with speed, combining the best of both worlds. The fried chicken is crispy and well-seasoned, and the sides taste homemade.
Mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet tea complete the Southern feast. It’s comfort food that doesn’t require waiting around, though you might want to linger anyway. Deliciously efficient.
41. Nick’s Hamburgers (South Dakota)
Brookings, South Dakota’s Nick’s has been flipping thin burgers on a griddle since 1929. The burgers are simple – thin patties, steamed buns, pickles, onions, and not much else.
But simplicity done right beats complexity done wrong every time. The smell hits you from the parking lot, and the taste delivers pure nostalgia. South Dakota’s hidden gem shines bright.
42. Pal’s Sudden Service (Tennessee)
Tennessee’s Pal’s Sudden Service lives up to its name with shockingly fast service and unique angular architecture. The drive-through times are measured in seconds, not minutes.
Their Big Pal burger and sweet tea are East Tennessee staples. The efficiency would make engineers weep with joy, but the food quality never suffers. Fast food operating at peak performance.
43. Whataburger (Texas)
Texas doesn’t just love Whataburger—Texans would probably go to war defending it. The burgers are big, customizable, and available 24/7 for late-night cravings.
Spicy ketchup is basically a food group here, and the jalapeños add proper Texas heat. That orange and white striped building means you’re home, even if you’re 500 miles from home. Everything’s bigger in Texas.
44. Crown Burgers (Utah)
Utah’s Crown Burgers does something wild: puts pastrami on burgers. It sounds wrong but tastes incredibly right, especially with their special sauce and fry sauce for dipping.
This Salt Lake City institution has been converting skeptics since 1978. One bite of that pastrami burger and you’ll understand why Utahns are obsessed. Trust the process, embrace the pastrami.
45. Al’s French Frys (Vermont)
Vermont’s Al’s French Frys (yes, spelled that way) has been serving hand-cut fries and soft serve since 1946. The fries are thick, golden, and perfectly salted.
The burgers are solid, but honestly, people come for those fries and creamy soft serve. It’s simple roadside food elevated to art form. Summer in Vermont requires an Al’s stop – it’s practically law.
46. Cook Out (Virginia)
Virginia shares North Carolina’s love for Cook Out, where the tray system makes choosing sides an adventure. BBQ sandwiches, corn dogs as sides, and milkshakes bigger than your head await.
The value is unbeatable, the variety is impressive, and the late-night crowds prove its popularity. Virginia knows good food doesn’t require fancy prices. Just bring your appetite and decide carefully.
47. Dick’s Drive-In (Washington)
Seattle’s Dick’s Drive-In has been a local institution since 1954, serving no-nonsense burgers and fries at rock-bottom prices. The menu is simple, the service is fast, and the quality is consistent.
Late-night Dick’s runs are a Seattle rite of passage. No customization, no complaints – just good burgers done one way, the right way. Seattle wouldn’t be Seattle without it.
48. Tudor’s Biscuit World (West Virginia)
West Virginia runs on Tudor’s biscuits, which are fluffy, buttery, and stuffed with everything from sausage gravy to country fried steak. Breakfast is served all day because biscuits don’t follow rules.
The Miner is a legendary sandwich piled impossibly high. It’s comfort food that sticks to your ribs and fuels hard work. Mountain State mornings start here, no exceptions.
49. Culver’s (Wisconsin)
Wisconsin’s Culver’s serves ButterBurgers – yes, the buns are buttered – and frozen custard so creamy it should be illegal. The cheese curds are deep-fried perfection, squeaky and golden.
Concrete mixers blend custard with endless mix-ins for dessert bliss. It’s Midwest hospitality in fast food form, and Wisconsin exports this deliciousness with pride. Butter makes everything better, obviously.
50. Peaches Family Restaurant (Wyoming)
Wyoming’s wide-open spaces require serious fuel, and Peaches Family Restaurant delivers with hearty portions and homestyle cooking. The breakfast plates are massive, and the pancakes are fluffy as clouds.
It’s the kind of place where locals know your name and your order. Fast, friendly, and filling – exactly what you need before exploring the Cowboy State’s wilderness. Pure Wyoming hospitality.
