Any travellers to the U.S. might just think the only fast food places are McDonald’s & Burger King—but honestly, there are so many more interesting places here. We have plenty of chains that never made it overseas and some that never even left a few states. Here are thirteen American fast-food chains that the rest of the world doesn’t get to enjoy. Whether they’re old-school or new, all of them only exist in the U.S.
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Pal’s Sudden Service
Pull up to a Pal’s and you’ll see a giant hot dog on the roof, although you won’t be able to go inside—it’s drive-thru only and somehow your food is ready before you’ve even finished ordering. They’ve been around since the ’50s, yet they’ve never left their small Tennessee-Virginia bubble and they have a reputation for making new hires go through over 100 hours of training. The menu is relatively short, too, since it only includes burgers, hot dogs, fries & a peach tea that regulars rave about.
Cook Out
Cook Out is one of those places where you’re able to get a burger, a corn dog, a quesadilla & a milkshake in one tray—best of all, they have more than 40 milkshake flavors, like peach cobbler and banana fudge. Unfortunately, they only exist in the South in states such as North Carolina and Georgia, but they are open late. They also have combo trays that make no sense in the best way, like hush puppies and a chicken wrap as sides.
Burgerville
Burgerville is a local icon in Oregon & southwest Washington and what makes them different is their seasonal ingredients, including wild mushrooms and marionberries. The chain started in the ’60s and has stayed true to the Pacific Northwest vibe, including all the food being sustainable and locally sourced. Their beef is antibiotic-free and they even have a limited-run Walla Walla onion ring menu when those onions are in season—people in Portland swear by the spicy Ancho Chile Burger.
Biscuitville
Anyone outside of North Carolina or southern Virginia can’t get a Biscuitville biscuit, which is a real shame because they make them every 15 minutes from scratch, right where you can see it. The menu is a perfect Southern breakfast—grits, country ham, fried pork chop sandwiches—served until lunch, then they shut down for the day. They only use flour milled in North Carolina and you’ll also find plenty of local honey & sausage gravy on offer.
Milo’s Hamburgers
Milo’s Hamburgers is an Alabama exclusive that was started by a vet in 1946 and, to this day, they keep it classic—burgers with a tangy, messy sauce & sweet tea so popular that it’s in grocery stores. Don’t expect fancy, but rather, expect tasty, as the sauce is one of the main reasons people keep coming back. Some locals even use the sauce as a dip for their fries and chicken tenders because it’s just that darn good.
Runza
Unless you’ve spent time in Nebraska, you’ve probably never heard of Runza—it’s essentially a warm, baked sandwich stuffed with ground beef, cabbage & onions. That’s not all, though, because you’ll also find crinkle-cut fries and a few unexpected extras like chili & cinnamon rolls on the menu. The store has a few extra locations in Iowa and Kansas, but Nebraska is the chain’s base, with the store even running promotions during Nebraska football games, like giving out free food if the Cornhuskers win with certain scores.
Krystal
Krystal is White Castle’s Southern cousin and if you’re lucky enough to visit it, you’ll get tiny, square burgers (known as sliders) wrapped in little paper sleeves—after one bite, you’ll understand why people down South are so loyal to the brand. It’s been around since 1932 and still keeps its roots in places like Georgia & Mississippi, especially since they serve breakfast all day. Some locations also have “Chiks,” which are little chicken sandwiches that are just as addictive.
Culver’s
Culver’s is a Midwest favorite that somehow still feels like a secret if you’re not from around there and their big thing is “ButterBurgers”—burgers cooked with a buttered bun—as well as frozen custard that’s creamier than regular ice cream. The custard comes in a different flavor every day and some people check the calendar before deciding when to go. The cheese curds are made with Wisconsin dairy, and if you go on the right day, you could get a seasonal walleye fish sandwich.
Whataburger
People in Texas don’t mess around about Whataburger and rightly so. It started in Corpus Christi back in 1950, and the menu has only gotten bigger since, so you can get breakfast at 11 p.m., or a honey butter chicken biscuit at 7 a.m. Their spicy ketchup has its own fanbase, and they even sell it in bottles—you may also see some limited-time menu items that locals wait for every year, like the Monterey Melt or the Dr. Pepper shake.
Dick’s Drive-In
Dick’s keeps it super simple because you get what’s on the menu, no custom orders, no swapping things around—but why would you want anything other than their classic burger, fries, & shake combo? There are just a handful of locations and they’re all in Seattle, although this chain is also so much more than fast food. Dick’s also does regular donation drives and has a huge following among locals.
Swensons Drive-In
Swensons began in Akron in 1934 and even all these years later, it’s still just in Ohio, with the main attraction being the Galley Boy. It’s a double cheeseburger with two mystery sauces that people grow up on, move away, then beg friends to bring them one in a cooler. They also have plenty of delicious milkshakes with many flavors, including peanut butter and grape—they’re truly something else.
Wawa
Wawa is huge in Pennsylvania & New Jersey and there are a few locations in Florida, too, where you can order hoagies and breakfast bowls on a touchscreen while pumping gas. It’s open 24/7 and people swear by the coffee too, as well as the seasonal drinks like pumpkin spice lattes. It doesn’t matter how early you get there—the staff is always quick.
Taco John’s
Forget Taco Bell because Taco John’s is where people go in the Midwest for fast Mexican-style food, as it’s the home of “West-Mex”—their Potato Olés are the star of the show. These are crispy, coin-shaped hash browns dusted with seasoning, although that’s not all they have, as their tacos & grilled burritos are delicious, too. They even do a “Six-Pack And A Pound” deal, which is six tacos and a pound of Potato Olés in one bag.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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