USA TODAY 10Best
Local flavors: 10 regional fast food restaurants you need to try
Best Regional Fast Food (2024)
One of our favorite parts of traveling is discovering local fast food spots — restaurants that can only be found in a particular state or region. Whether it's a longtime local favorite or a must-visit to dine at whenever we're in town, USA TODAY 10Best's travel editors and a panel of fast food enthusiasts nominated their top picks for regional fast food chains in the United States. Then, readers voted for their favorites.
Here are the 10 best regional fast food restaurants.
- Schoop's Hamburgers
- Whataburger
- In-N-Out Burger
- Taco Cabana
- Hattie B's Hot Chicken
- Lion's Choice
- Z-Burger
- Dick's Drive-In
- Biscuitville
- Skyline Chili
Photo courtesy of Sharp Family
No. 10:
Residents of Indiana’s Calumet Region southeast of Chicago have been enjoying Schoop’s Hamburgers since 1948. Their menu includes fresh, never frozen patties cooked to order on a grill and served on a toasted bun alongside fries, onion rings, and classic soda shop beverages.
No. 9:
A trip to Texas wouldn’t be complete without a late-night trip through the Whataburger drive-thru. This quick-service concept, now operating in 16 states, has earned a loyal following for its patty melts, saucy burgers, and breakfast taquitos (available throughout the night).
Photo courtesy of In-N-Out Burger
No. 8:
Don't leave the West Coast without paying a visit to In-N-Out Burger, a longtime cult favorite fast-food staple for residents of the region. They come for Double-Double cheeseburgers, perhaps ordered “Animal Style” from the not-so-secret menu.
No. 7:
The Texas-based Taco Cabana features a wide variety of menu items you're probably familiar with: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. But they set themselves apart by offering much more than that, including flautas, Cabana bowls, and chalupas. With a number of breakfast options and a larger dessert menu than most taco-based fast-food spots (think churros, sopapillas, and more), it's no wonder it's become a beloved eatery for many.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Woodley
No. 6:
Hattie B’s has a loyal following of hot chicken lovers who come for the sandwiches and plates. Heat levels vary from no-heat Southern to "Shut the Cluck Up!!!" with a serious burn factor. Cool off with one of their delectable desserts that include banana pudding and root beer or coke floats.
Photo courtesy of Lion's Choice
No. 5:
Established in 1967 just outside of St. Louis, Lion's Choice has developed into a particularly popular restaurant chain for Missouri residents. Guests can snag hot dogs, Italian beef, and chili, but the venue is best known for their hearty roast beef sandwiches, a menu item that's been offered from the very beginning.
Photo courtesy of filadendron / E+ Getty Images
No. 4:
A popular spot for D.C. residents, Z-Burger draws visitors in droves thanks to its wide array of hearty sandwiches. On the savory side, diners can snag a bacon cheeseburger or spicy chicken sandwich, while those with a sweet tooth should be sure to spring for a shake, with 75 different flavor options that range from frozen hot chocolate to strawberry banana.
Photo courtesy of Dick's Drive-In Restaurants
No. 3:
Dick's Drive-In serves burgers with the finest fresh beef available, fries made from Pacific Northwest potatoes cut daily by hand, and hand-dipped shakes that are individually whipped for an old-fashioned creamy texture. Enjoy locations throughout Seattle and the surrounding area.
Photo courtesy of Biscuitville
No. 2:
Headquartered in North Carolina with over 70 locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, Biscuitville is a family-owned chain of restaurants specializing in Southern food. Biscuits are baked fresh every 15 minutes for their menu of breakfast sandwiches and platters.
Photo courtesy of Skyline Chili
No. 1:
This chain of Cincinnati-style chili eateries started up in Ohio 75 years ago but has spread over time to a few neighboring areas (and the not-so-neighboring Florida). While you'll certainly find its namesake on the menu — a meat-based sauce served over a plate of spaghetti topped with tons of cheddar cheese — they also serve hot dogs, salads, wraps, burritos, and chili bowls. They even have a few vegetarian-specific menu items.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate,... Read More
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at [email protected].
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at [email protected].
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
