Hidden delights


Sure you’re familiar with Burger King and the likes, but do you ever think about the small name joints you’re missing out on? There are thousands of them, from regional chains taking over the other side of the country to cult brands that slipped under your radar. Here we look at the names you probably haven’t tried, but now wish you could.




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Wawa

Lucky residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington DC get to enjoy the culinary offering at this convenience store chain whenever they fancy. Meanwhile, the rest of us miss out. What’s on the menu? Freshly made meatball hoagies and a huge selection of coffees, which are restaurant-quality but sold at gas station prices.




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Burgerville

Washington and Oregon’s answer to Five Guys, Burgerville has been serving local beef since 1961, when its burgers were just 19 cents. Today they’re still good value, with an original hamburger costing $2.09. If you’re hungry the Walla Walla Wonder Burger is the one to get, containing caramelized Walla Walla sweet onions (Washington’s official vegetable), Cheddar and barbecue sauce.




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Cook Out

Loyal Cook Out customers know that it’s by far one of the best places to get a milkshake in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. There are more than 40 fresh and fruity flavors including banana pudding, peach cobbler and, in summer, watermelon, made with real chunks of the dessert and fruit. Other popular menu items include the barbecue plates and hushpuppies (deep-fried dough balls).




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Runza

Around since 1949, residents of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska have been heading to Runza for its beloved German-Russian-style sandwich for decades. Somewhere between a hot-pocket and a sloppy joe, ground beef, onions and cabbage are wrapped in bread dough and baked. If you decide to make a pilgrimage, don’t miss out on the crinkle-cut fries either.




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Raising Cane’s

One of the fastest growing chains in the US, Raising Cane’s has Chick-Fil-A and KFC worried. Its cult following flock for one thing: hot, crisp chicken fingers. Because that and Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, Cane’s sauce, coleslaw and soft drinks are the only things it serves. Having opened in 1996, it now has around 500 restaurants in 27 states and is only set to expand further.




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Pollo Tropical

Unless you’re from Florida, you won’t know about the citrus-marinated, grilled chicken at Pollo Tropical. It comes with a choice of complimentary sauces including guava barbecue and pineapple rum. Some people love the Caribbean-inspired chain so much they even get married there. It opened in 1988 and experienced rapid expansion, however, attempts to branch outside of the Sunshine State have been unsuccessful.




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Burgerlords

The new kid in California, Burgerlords is a super-cool, vegan burger joint with two outposts in Los Angeles. Star items include the Buffalo Ranch Tofu Burger (a crispy tofu patty with slaw, ranch and Buffalo sauce in a bun) and the Sourdough Garlic Melt (a veggie burger with vegan cheese, grilled onions and garlic oil on sourdough). However, with only 11 items on the menu, you can probably try everything.




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Eegee’s

A Tucson staple, Eegee’s can only be found here and at one other location in Casa Grande. The locals love it for the crinkle-cut fries covered in its house-recipe ranch dressing, the huge cookies and the slushies. In flavors such as strawberry, piña colada and lemon, they provide much-needed refreshment in the sweltering Arizona heat.




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Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store

This Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas gem has been around since 1933 and is known for its fresh ice cream milkshakes. While loyal fans wish it would expand further, all its stores must stay situated near to the dairy. Favorite choices include the orange sherbet, pecan praline and cream, and mint chocolate chip, as well as the giant burgers.

Love ice cream? These are the best parlors in every state




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First Watch

This daytime café with locations in 29 states is unique in that it’s only open for breakfast and lunch. Which is why it’s called First Watch, a sailor’s term for the first shift of the day. It specializes in wholesome dishes such as vegetable omelets, smashed avocado on toast and French toast, and its customers love it. 




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Pizza Pit

If you want pizza delivery in Iowa or Wisconsin, Pizza Pit is your go-to, not Pizza Hut. It has been serving its much-loved pizzas topped with fresh ingredients since 1969. You create your own by choosing a size and toppings or select a specialty pizza such as the Bacon Onion Cheeseburger Pizza with ground beef, bacon, onions and Cheddar.




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Sheetz

At this 24-hour convenience store, the sandwiches and salads are made fresh to order making it a popular choice for those needing to fill up their cars and their stomachs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. So much more than a gas station, the menu is huge and many items are customizable on its touch screens.




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Habit Burger

Voted America’s best regional fast food chain in 2019, Habit Burger has locations in California, plus a smattering of other states. It’s known for its Charburgers made with fresh beef and chargrilled on an open flame. The menu also has adventurous options such as the Teriyaki Charburger with grilled pineapple and the ahi tuna sandwich (pictured).




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Biscuitville

In North Carolina and Virginia, as far as locals are concerned, Biscuitville is the only breakfast place worth knowing. In operation since 1966, it gained a loyal following as its biscuits are baked fresh every 15 minutes. They’re used to make sandwiches such as the bacon, egg and cheese, with bacon that’s meaty and cooked on the griddle, and the sweet and spicy fried chicken and honey.




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Pal’s Sudden Service

This small-scale drive-thru chain’s restaurants, located in Tennessee and Virginia, are easily spottable as they’re bright blue and have a giant hot dog, burger, box of fries and drink sitting on the roof. It previously won a prestigious award for excellent management, which shines through in the quality of its food. From its breakfast menu of sausage and country ham biscuits to its Big Pal burger and Frenchie Fries.

Now find out the incredible history of the drive-thru




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Iceberg Drive Inn

What might be the thickest shakes in all of America are served at Iceberg Drive Inn in Utah, California and Arizona. This chain was opened in 1960 in Salt Lake City by an ice cream salesman and has been a local mainstay ever since. Look out for crazy flavors such as pineapple, mini marshmallow and bubble-gum. In the mood for something more substantial? It has burgers, hot dogs, and pastrami and chicken sandwiches too.




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Teriyaki Madness

This fast-casual restaurant serving chicken, tofu and beef teriyaki rice and noodle bowls was founded in Las Vegas in 2004. It’s currently in 20 states following a period of rapid expansion earlier this year. So if you haven’t heard people talking about it yet, you probably will soon.




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Melt Shop

When Five Guys franchisees John Rigos and Andy Stern decided it was time to branch off, grilled cheese sandwich chain Melt Shop was the result. Its menu is dangerously irresistible with items such as the fried chicken melt with pepper jack, red cabbage slaw and melt sauce. Try it for yourself at one of its 17 locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Minnesota.

Feeling hungry? These are the best sandwiches in every state




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Great Alaska Pizza Co.

Those wanting a slice in Alaska go to Great Alaska Pizza Co., with 11 locations throughout Anchorage, Fairbanks (including North Pole), Eagle River, Palmer and Wasilla. It serves thick Domino’s-style pizza and the toppings are always fresh not frozen, with cheese shredded daily.




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Waffle House

A southern institution, those in America’s northern states may be unfamiliar with the menu at this regional favorite. It opened 65 years ago in Decateur, Georgia, and has been serving fresh waffles alongside egg dishes and hash browns (smothered in grilled onions, covered in melted cheese or peppered with jalapeños) in neighboring states since.




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Blake’s Lotaburger

A regional fast food joint with a retro twist, Blake’s Lotaburger was founded in New Mexico in 1952. Now with locations throughout the state plus three in Texas and three in Arizona, it’s a firmly established favorite with locals in the Land of Enchantment. On the menu you’ll find the LOTA Burger with green chilies and cheese, burritos smothered in green or red sauce, chili con carne bowls and chili hot dogs.

Liked this? Check out the best burger and fries joint in every state




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Texadelphia

In Texas they do cheesesteaks their own way, served on soft grilled rolls, topped with a whole array of unconventional toppings including jalapeños, queso, chipotle and ranch, and a side of tortilla chips. Try one of these beauties at Texadelphia, a chain with 11 locations in Texas and one in Oklahoma. It was established in Austin in 1980 and is a lifeline for students.




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Krystal

For those in the south, Krystal is the place to get sliders. It has been ever since it was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1932 – it’s one of the country’s oldest fast food chains. It calls beef sliders Krystals, chicken sliders Chiks, hot dog sliders Pups and sausage patty and egg sliders Sunrisers, and you can even buy Krystals by the sackful.

Now read how America’s fast food has changed over the decades




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Portillo’s

Chicago is known for its all-beef hot dogs served with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, tomato slices, pickled peppers and dill pickle spears, in a poppy seed bun. And while plenty of vendors sell them, Portillo’s is the place to go. The chain has been running since 1963 in Illinois and more recently expanded to California, Indiana, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Take a look at the best spot for a hot dog in every state




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