America’s Favorite Local Fast Food Chains State By State

Every state has that one fast food spot locals swear by but outsiders have never heard of.

These regional chains serve up flavors you won’t find at national franchises, from secret sauce burgers to biscuits that’ll make you weep.

Ready to taste your way across America without leaving your couch?

1. Milo’s Hamburgers (Alabama)

Alabama knows comfort food, and Milo’s has been delivering it since 1946. Their burgers come with a secret sauce that locals guard like family recipes.

The sweet tea here is legendary – seriously, people drive across state lines for it. You’ll find crispy fries and that unmistakable Southern hospitality at every location, making each visit feel like coming home.

2. Great Alaska Pizza Company (Alaska)

When you’re battling subzero temps, you need serious pizza. Great Alaska Pizza Company delivers pies loaded with toppings that would make a grizzly bear jealous.

They’ve mastered that perfect crispy-yet-chewy crust. Local ingredients meet creative combinations here, and the portions are as big as the Last Frontier itself, warming souls one slice at a time.

3. eegee’s (Arizona)

Desert heat demands something icy, and eegee’s delivers with frozen drinks that are practically Arizona’s unofficial state beverage. Started in 1971, they’ve been cooling down Tucson ever since.

Their subs are solid, but honestly? Everyone comes for those signature frozen concoctions. Monthly flavors keep things interesting, and locals debate which one’s best like it’s a competitive sport.

4. Slim Chickens (Arkansas)

Chicken tenders done right – that’s the Slim Chickens promise. Born in Fayetteville in 2003, they’ve turned simple fried chicken into an art form.

With seventeen house-made sauces, you’ll never eat a boring tender again. Their cayenne ranch is cult-worthy. Fresh ingredients and Southern charm combine here, proving Arkansas knows exactly what it’s doing in the chicken game.

5. In-N-Out Burger (California)

California’s worst-kept secret is actually the best-known regional chain ever. In-N-Out’s simple menu hides a not-so-secret menu that makes ordering an adventure.

Fresh beef, hand-cut fries, and those toasted buns create burger perfection. Animal style isn’t just an order—it’s a lifestyle. Lines wrap around buildings, but nobody complains because quality takes time, friend.

6. Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard (Colorado)

Colorado’s got mountains, craft beer, and Good Times—and locals treasure all three equally. Since 1987, they’ve been serving burgers with Rocky Mountain flair.

Their frozen custard is dangerously creamy, available in flavors that rotate faster than ski season. Wild fries with special seasoning hit different at altitude. Everything tastes better when you’re this close to the clouds.

7. Duchess Restaurants (Connecticut)

Connecticut’s answer to fast food since 1956, Duchess keeps it old-school in the best way. Their breakfast is practically mandatory for anyone with a morning commute.

Hot dogs, burgers, and coffee that’ll wake the dead – it’s no-frills perfection. Locals swing through multiple times weekly because consistency never goes out of style, especially when you’re running late for work.

8. Raising Cane’s (Louisiana)

Louisiana’s chicken finger empire started in Baton Rouge in 1996 with one simple mission: perfect the chicken tender. Mission accomplished, plus some.

That Cane’s Sauce is liquid gold – tangy, creamy, and completely addictive. Fresh-baked bread, crinkle fries, and coleslaw round out the combo. They do one thing exceptionally well, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need in life.

9. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop (Delaware)

Delaware’s sandwich royalty started in Wilmington back in 1976. The Bobbie – their Thanksgiving-inspired masterpiece – will ruin you for all other sandwiches forever.

Real turkey roasted in-house, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo create magic between bread. Portions are generous bordering on absurd. You’ll need both hands and maybe a nap afterward, but it’s totally worth the food coma.

10. Pollo Tropical (Florida)

Florida’s Caribbean vibes meet fast food at Pollo Tropical, where citrus-marinated chicken reigns supreme. Since 1988, they’ve been bringing island flavors to the mainland.

Black beans, rice, and plantains make every meal feel like vacation. Their TropiChops bowls are customizable flavor bombs. It’s basically a beach party for your taste buds, minus the sand in uncomfortable places.

11. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken (Kentucky)

Kentucky takes fried chicken seriously, and Lee’s has been competing since 1966. Their secret recipe involves a special marinade that makes every piece ridiculously juicy.

Crispy coating with just the right spice level keeps customers loyal for generations. Sides are proper Southern . creamy coleslaw, biscuits that crumble perfectly, and gravy worth writing home about. Colonel who?

12. Zaxby’s (Georgia)

Georgia birthed Zaxby’s in 1990, and chicken fingers have never been the same. Their Zax Sauce is the stuff of legend – people literally buy bottles to take home.

Chicken wings, salads, and those addictive crinkle fries keep customers coming back religiously. It’s Southern hospitality served fast, hot, and perfectly seasoned. Warning: you might become emotionally attached to their tongue torch sauce.

13. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (Hawaii)

Aloha spirit meets hearty portions at L&L, Hawaii’s gift to plate lunch lovers everywhere. Two scoops of rice and one scoop of mac salad aren’t negotiable – it’s tradition.

Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, and spam musubi transport you straight to the islands. Started in 1976, they’ve perfected comfort food with an ocean view mentality. Mahalo for the food coma, L&L.

14. Big Jud’s (Idaho)

Idaho doesn’t mess around with burger sizes, and Big Jud’s proves it. Their one-pound burger is just the warm-up – real daredevils tackle the two-pounder.

Established in Boise, they’ve been challenging appetites since the ’90s. Hand-cut fries and shakes complete the experience. If you finish their biggest burger, you’ll earn bragging rights and possibly a stomachache. Worth it? Absolutely.

15. Portillo’s (Illinois)

Chicago-style everything lives at Portillo’s, where hot dogs are sacred and ketchup is basically illegal. Since 1963, they’ve defined what fast food should taste like in Illinois.

Italian beef sandwiches dripping with flavor, chocolate cake shakes that defy logic, and those perfectly snappy hot dogs create pure joy. Lines are long, but rushing perfection is for amateurs anyway.

16. Pizza King (Indiana)

Indiana’s pizza loyalty runs deep, and Pizza King has earned it since 1956. Their Royal Feast pizza is loaded with toppings that would make other pizzas jealous.

Square-cut tavern style meets Hoosier hospitality here. That slightly sweet sauce is distinctly Indiana, and locals can taste home in every bite. Friday nights aren’t complete without a Pizza King box on the table.

17. Maid-Rite (Iowa)

Iowa’s loose meat sandwich headquarters since 1926, Maid-Rite keeps things beautifully simple. Seasoned ground beef on a bun sounds basic until you taste it—then everything changes.

No sauce needed when the meat’s this perfectly seasoned. It’s Midwestern comfort in handheld form. Locals have been arguing about the secret recipe for decades, but everyone agrees it just works.

18. Spangles (Kansas)

Kansas keeps it real with Spangles, where burgers and shakes have been hitting the spot since 1978. Their cheese sauce on fries is a game-changer you didn’t know you needed.

Fresh ingredients and reasonable prices make this a local favorite. The gyro burger is surprisingly amazing – who knew Kansas would nail Greek-American fusion? Breakfast served all day means you never miss out.

19. Amato’s (Maine)

Maine’s Italian sandwich headquarters since 1902, Amato’s basically invented the concept. Their real Italian sandwiches feature ham, cheese, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, pickles, and oil – no substitutions, no arguments.

Generations of Mainers have grown up on these subs. The bread’s always fresh, ingredients quality, and portions generous. It’s a taste of Portland history in every bite.

20. Royal Farms (Maryland)

Maryland’s convenience store-restaurant hybrid does fried chicken so well, it’s borderline criminal. Their Western Fries – topped with chicken, cheese, and ranch – are pure genius.

Fresh chicken fried throughout the day means you’re never stuck with sad leftovers. It’s the kind of place where grabbing gas turns into a full meal situation.

21. Kelly’s Roast Beef (Massachusetts)

Revere Beach’s legendary roast beef spot since 1951, Kelly’s defines Massachusetts fast food. Their roast beef sandwiches are piled impossibly high with tender, juicy meat.

James River BBQ sauce and mayo create the perfect flavor combination. Fried seafood’s excellent too – you’re at the beach, after all. Summer isn’t complete without a Kelly’s sandwich and ocean breeze combination.

22. Halo Burger (Michigan)

Flint’s burger treasure since 1923, Halo Burger has survived everything and kept slinging amazing burgers. Their Boston cooler – Vernors and ice cream – is pure Michigan in a cup.

Olive burgers might sound weird, but trust the process. The tangy, salty combo works perfectly. It’s old-school American diner food done right, with booths that have witnessed generations of family meals and first dates.

23. My Burger (Minnesota)

Minnesota’s build-your-own burger paradise lets you create exactly what you’re craving. Since opening, they’ve let customers be burger architects with endless topping combinations.

Fresh beef cooked to order, creative options like peanut butter bacon burgers, and hand-cut fries make this special. The walleye burger is a Minnesota must-try. Customization means nobody leaves disappointed or hungry.

24. Ward’s (Mississippi)

Mississippi’s burger and shake destination since the ’70s, Ward’s keeps things simple and delicious. Their burgers are juicy, messy, and absolutely worth the napkin pile.

Real ice cream shakes come in flavors that’ll make you nostalgic for childhood summers. Onion rings are crispy golden perfection. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows your order before you finish saying it.

25. Lion’s Choice (Missouri)

St. Louis roast beef royalty since 1952, Lion’s Choice slow-roasts beef daily for maximum tenderness. Their signature sandwich is simple: perfectly seasoned roast beef on a toasted bun.

The au jus is essential for dipping – don’t skip it. Horseradish sauce adds a kick for adventurous eaters. Missouri comfort food at its finest, proving sometimes less really is more.

26. Mark’s In & Out (Montana)

Montana’s drive-in classic has been serving Great Falls since the ’50s. Their burgers are big enough to satisfy a hungry rancher after a long day.

Hand-breaded chicken strips and curly fries complete the experience. It’s old-fashioned drive-in service with food that tastes like simpler times. Rolling down your window for dinner never goes out of style in Big Sky Country.

27. Runza (Nebraska)

Nebraska’s unique contribution to fast food, the Runza is a bread pocket stuffed with beef, cabbage, and onions. It’s basically a warm hug from the Great Plains.

German-Russian heritage meets American fast food here perfectly. Their crinkle-cut fries and homemade chili complete the meal. Football season without Runza? That’s not even Nebraska anymore. Locals bleed Runza sauce.

28. Roberto’s Taco Shop (Nevada)

Vegas needs late-night fuel, and Roberto’s delivers authentic Mexican fast food 24/7. Their carne asada fries are legendary – crispy fries buried under meat, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.

California burritos here are bigger than your head and worth every calorie. After a night out, nothing hits like Roberto’s at 3 AM. It’s not just food; it’s a Nevada institution.

29. T-BONES Great American Eatery (New Hampshire)

New Hampshire’s answer to family-friendly dining, T-BONES combines fast service with quality food. Their burgers are thick, juicy, and cooked exactly how you want them.

Steaks, ribs, and seafood round out a menu that pleases everyone. The portions are generous – New England generous, which means you’re leaving with leftovers. It’s the kind of place that makes everyone feel welcome and well-fed.

30. White Manna (New Jersey)

Jersey’s legendary slider spot since 1946, White Manna is basically a burger shrine. Their tiny building produces massive flavor from sliders cooked on a well-seasoned flat-top grill.

Caramelized onions, melted cheese, and those paper-thin patties create burger perfection. Cash only, no frills, just incredible sliders that taste like history. Lines form early because greatness waits for no one.

31. Blake’s Lotaburger (New Mexico)

New Mexico’s burger empire runs on green chile, and Blake’s has perfected the formula since 1952. Their green chile cheeseburger is the state’s unofficial official food.

Fresh-roasted Hatch chiles make all the difference – accept no substitutes. The Christmas-style option gives you both red and green chile, because choosing is overrated. It’s flame-grilled perfection with a Southwestern kick.

32. Nathan’s Famous (New York)

Coney Island’s hot dog headquarters since 1916, Nathan’s basically invented the American hot dog experience. Their all-beef franks have that perfect snap when you bite down.

Crinkle-cut fries and that famous annual eating contest make this legendary. You haven’t truly experienced New York until you’ve eaten a Nathan’s dog at the original location. It’s salty, snappy, and absolutely iconic.

33. Cook Out (North Carolina)

North Carolina’s late-night savior serves ridiculous portions at even more ridiculous prices. Their tray system lets you customize meals with sides that include corn dogs and quesadillas – yes, really.

Milkshakes come in forty-plus flavors, including Cheerwine and Oreo mint. It’s open late when nothing else is, feeding college students and night owls statewide. Affordable, filling, and perfectly Southern.

34. Kroll’s Diner (North Dakota)

North Dakota’s diner destination since the ’70s, Kroll’s serves comfort food that warms you through those brutal winters. Their knoephla soup is a creamy, dumpling-filled hug in a bowl.

Burgers are solid, but the German-inspired dishes make this special. Fleischkuekle – fried meat pockets – are dangerously addictive. It’s hearty, honest food that reflects the state’s hardworking, no-nonsense personality perfectly.

35. Swensons Drive-In (Ohio)

Ohio’s drive-in treasure brings carhop service straight to your window. Since 1934, they’ve been delivering Galley Boy burgers – double cheeseburgers with special sauce – directly to your car.

Potato Teasers are crispy, seasoned tots that should be illegal. Milkshakes are hand-dipped perfection. It’s nostalgic dining with food that’s genuinely excellent, not just cute. Push the button, and happiness arrives.

36. Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store (Oklahoma)

Oklahoma’s dairy empire controls everything from cow to cone. Braum’s produces their own milk, ice cream, and beef within a 300-mile radius for ultimate freshness.

Their burgers are surprisingly excellent, but ice cream remains the star. With countless flavors and a small grocery section, it’s part restaurant, part convenience store, all delicious. Fresh really does make a difference.

37. Burgerville (Oregon)

Oregon’s sustainable burger chain uses local ingredients and changes menus seasonally. Their Walla Walla onion rings appear only when onions are in season – that’s commitment.

Hazelnuts, berries, and other Pacific Northwest ingredients make appearances in shakes and dishes. It’s fast food with a conscience and a farmer’s market mentality. Environmentally friendly never tasted this good or this Oregon.

38. Wawa (Pennsylvania)

Pennsylvania’s convenience store-restaurant hybrid inspires cult-like devotion. Their made-to-order hoagies are customizable masterpieces built on touchscreen kiosks.

Coffee is excellent and cheap, breakfast is available 24/7, and the mac and cheese is surprisingly legit. It’s more than a store – it’s a lifestyle. Pennsylvanians don’t just like Wawa; they emotionally depend on it.

39. Newport Creamery (Rhode Island)

Rhode Island’s ice cream and comfort food headquarters since 1928. Their Awful Awful is neither awful – it’s a massive milkshake that’s thick, rich, and completely addictive.

Burgers and sandwiches are solid, but people really come for frozen treats. The name’s ironic; everything here is actually wonderful wonderful. It’s a Rhode Island tradition spanning generations, one scoop at a time.

40. Rush’s (South Carolina)

South Carolina’s fast food secret serves fried chicken that rivals grandma’s. Since the ’70s, Rush’s has been perfecting that crispy coating and juicy interior combination.

Their sweet tea is properly Southern – sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. Biscuits are flaky, sides are authentic, and service is friendly. It’s Lowcountry hospitality served fast, hot, and with plenty of napkins.

41. Nick’s Hamburger Shop (South Dakota)

Brookings’ burger institution since 1929, Nick’s keeps it incredibly simple. Their sliders are small, cheap, and served by the half-dozen because one is never enough.

Onions grilled right into the patties create that signature flavor. No seating, no frills, just perfectly executed sliders that have satisfied South Dakotans for nearly a century. Sometimes simple is exactly right.

42. Pal’s Sudden Service (Tennessee)

Tennessee’s weirdly wonderful burger chain looks like a cartoon and operates with military precision. Their drive-thru times are legendary – you’ll have food before finishing your order.

The Big Pal burger and Frenchie Fries with special seasoning are regional treasures. Employees are almost suspiciously cheerful and efficient. It’s fast food taken seriously, wrapped in whimsical architecture that makes you smile.

43. Whataburger (Texas)

Texas doesn’t do anything small, including burgers. Whataburger’s been serving massive, customizable burgers since 1950, and Texans take their loyalty seriously.

Open 24/7 because breakfast taquitos at 3 AM are a constitutional right. That fancy ketchup is bottled and sold because people demanded it. The orange and white stripes mean you’re home, whether you’re in Houston or El Paso.

44. Arctic Circle (Utah)

Utah’s burger and shake destination since 1950 serves fry sauce before you even ask. Their Black Angus burgers are flame-grilled perfection topped with fresh ingredients.

Halibut fish and chips are surprisingly excellent for a landlocked state. The lime rickey drink is a Utah specialty you won’t find elsewhere. It’s Rocky Mountain comfort food with a side of regional pride.

45. Al’s French Frys (Vermont)

Vermont’s legendary fry stand has been serving hand-cut fries since 1946. Their fries are thick, crispy outside, fluffy inside, and worth the inevitable line.

Burgers and hot dogs are excellent too, but honestly? You came for the fries. It’s cash-only, seasonal, and completely worth planning your summer around. Simple food done exceptionally well never needs explanation or apology.

46. Roy Rogers (Virginia)

Virginia’s cowboy-themed chain serves roast beef sandwiches and fried chicken with a side of nostalgia. Their Fixins Bar lets you customize with endless toppings.

Gold Rush chicken is crispy, juicy, and better than it has any right to be. It’s classic American fast food with a Western twist. Fewer locations now make finding one feel like discovering treasure.

47. Dick’s Drive-In (Washington)

Seattle’s burger institution since 1954 operates with barely-changed recipes and prices that seem time-warped. Their Deluxe burger is simple, messy, and absolutely perfect.

Hand-cut fries and thick shakes complete the experience. No customization allowed – they’ve perfected the formula, so trust it. Late-night Dick’s is a Seattle rite of passage. Cash only, no complaints, just burgers.

48. Tudor’s Biscuit World (West Virginia)

West Virginia runs on Tudor’s biscuits. Since 1980, they’ve been serving massive, fluffy biscuits stuffed with everything imaginable.

The Miner is legendary – biscuit, egg, sausage, bacon, cheese, and hash browns all together. Breakfast here isn’t a meal; it’s a commitment. You’ll need a nap afterward, but your taste buds will thank you first. Mountain-sized portions for mountain-sized appetites.

49. Culver’s (Wisconsin)

Wisconsin’s butter burger empire started in 1984 and conquered the Midwest with Midwestern niceness. Their ButterBurgers feature a pat of butter on top – because Wisconsin.

Fresh frozen custard changes flavors daily, making every visit an adventure. Cheese curds are mandatory – this is Wisconsin, after all. It’s comfort food executed with precision and served with genuine Midwestern hospitality.

50. Taco John’s (Wyoming)

Wyoming’s Mexican fast food champion started in Cheyenne in 1969. Their Potato Olés – seasoned tater tots – are criminally addictive and definitely trademarked.

Tacos and burritos are solid, but those Olés steal the show every time. It’s Mexican food with a Western twist that somehow works perfectly. Breakfast burritos here fuel ranch hands and road trippers across the Cowboy State daily.