10 Regional Fast Food Spots to Try on Your Next Road Trip (and One to Avoid)

This Southern favorite serves up chicken tenders, sandwiches, wings, and everyone’s favorite Texas toast. The fries are crinkled and the Zax sauce is to die for (think Raising Cane’s–another regional joint with locations in 28 states–but better). With locations throughout the Southeast, the highest concentration being in Georgia, this casual chicken stop is a must-add for your trip down South.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with a Subway footlong, there are arguably better options when the sub-craving hits. Penn Station, a fast-casual sandwich shop that started in Ohio, prides itself on its East Coast subs. From Philly cheesesteaks to the chicken teriyaki sub, there’s really no going wrong here. And while the hot sandwiches are sure to satisfy just about any eater, it might be the fresh-cut French fries that make this sub shop a necessary pit-stop.

When in Texas, a stop to the regional favorite Whataburger is a must. This fast-food chain doesn’t just serve up perfectly greasy burgers, but the honey butter chicken biscuit, a Texas breakfast favorite. No matter what time of day you find yourself in the Lone Star state craving a little more than your bag of snacks can offer, Whataburger has you covered.

While Del Taco might have locations in ten states, this Taco Bell alternative is incredibly popular on the West Coast. A wallet-friendly pit-stop, this taco chain serves everything from your traditional chain tacos to fried chicken tacos to Beyond Meat tacos. For the vegans and vegetarians looking to get away from eating only Impossible Whoppers, this West Coast staple might just become your new favorite (or at least for the duration of your road trip).

If you’re craving southern comfort while on the road, look no further than this biscuit chain, which can be found throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Florida. Let’s be honest, we’re all a little tired of fast food pancakes that are near impossible to eat on the road—a driving meal should not include a knife and fork. Luckily, this comfort food staple serves up hot biscuit sandwiches for those wanting a little bit of home on the road.

We’d be remiss to not include this iconic California burger joint. Though it’s likely you’ve heard of this chain–either because of their L.A.-cool reputation or because of their not-so-secret secret menu—if you haven’t tried one of their famous cheeseburgers, you’re missing out. This is a place where the stardom is well deserved. Maybe it’s the secret sauce, maybe it’s the prices, or perhaps it’s the sheer excitement of finally getting your hands on this classic. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy.

We all know Harold and Kumar went to White Castle, but have you been? If you find yourself in the Midwest, it might just be worth trying. The burgers are far from what we’re used to from other fast food establishments: they’re small, they’re square, and they’re simple, with just grilled onions and pickles. While it might not be the best place you’ll ever grab a burger, their patties are unique and, believe it or not, a part of fast-food history, being the first known fast-food chain, opened in 1921 in Witchita, Kansas.

When it comes to the great debate of whether or not chili should have noodles, this Ohio staple falls hard on the side of spaghetti. And while many of us might not be familiar with the concept of fast-food chili, those in the Buckeye state swear by it. At Skyline you can get spaghetti with chili (or as they simply call it, chili), hot dogs with chili, fries with chili, and just about anything else you can imagine smothering with the fall-favorite. Leave your preconceived notions of chili behind as you travel, and eat your way through Ohio.

This isn’t what you might typically think of when someone says fast food, but it’s an East Coast classic. Part convenience store, part gas station, part shockingly good restaurant, Wawa serves up coffees and hoagies, and East Coasters go crazy for it. It’s a quick in and out that’s sure to leave you full and ready to take on the rest of your drive.

Bojangles started as a small, Southern, chicken and biscuits restaurant in North Carolina and slowly began to spread, with locations now throughout the East Coast, as well as Tennessee and Kentucky (so there’s a good chance you might stumble upon one on your trip). This Cajun-seasoned chicken is popular for a reason: it’s good! Serving breakfast all day as well as classics, like their Cajun chicken biscuit sandwiches, and a few oddballs, like the inclusion of pimento cheese (a Southern favorite), this stop will add a little Southern comfort to your trip.

I fell into the Runza trap. Being at every exit in Nebraska you start to think, “OK, I mean, the people here must love it. Maybe I should try it?” For starters, I’m not convinced the people do love it. The Hot Pocket-esque establishment I went to was empty at prime hours (but the Wendy’s across the street wasn’t) and was horrible. I hate to be the one to bring it to your attention (and to shame the good people of Nebraska), but this one has stayed regional for a reason.

Source: https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-regional-fast-food-spots-to-try-on-your-next-road-trip-and-one-to-avoid