These Are The Best Fast Food Chains In America You’ve Never Heard Of

One of the best things about America is that it’s really, really big—and its grandiose scale yields some really fun regional cuisine. Having eaten my way from sea to shining sea, I can tell you with certainty that every state has its own culture and culinary identity. That being said, when I go to a new place, one of the first things I try to do is check out the area’s quirky fast food joints. I always say “you can tell a lot about a place by its local fast food restaurant.” Okay, I don’t always say that, but maybe I’ll start.

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These regional fast food chains are some of the best in the U.S. and unless you live in their limited spheres of influence you’ve probably never heard of them. So the next time you embark on an epic road trip, skip the big names off the interstate, and venture into town for a taste of what really makes fast food an American icon.

Pal’s Sudden Service

Pal’s Sudden Service calls the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee home, where they make a name for themselves by keeping things simple and downright delightful. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly sure where to locate your nearest Pal’s—just look for the giant food effigies stacked on top of a bright blue building. Really, if you miss this place, that’s a you problem. You can get some classic Southern biscuit sandwiches here, but I say go for an unbelievably juicy burger and side of fries at this drive-thru only joint that warps you back to the ’50s.

Ted’s Hot Dogs

Who would have thought that Buffalo, New York, is a hot dog town? In fact, the upstate city has its own signature weenie style thanks in part to Ted’s Hot Dogs. The tiny chain has been around for nearly 100 years, earning their place in the hearts of Buffalonians by grilling the city’s famous Sahlen’s brand dogs using lump charcoal for a signature char and smoky flavor. You can get the ultimate dog dressed to the nines here, and don’t forget to top it with Ted’s signature hot chili sauce. Southwesterners need not make the 2,000-mile trek for a taste of Ted’s; there are two located way out in Arizona for some reason.

Blake’s Lotaburger

Breaking Bad fans might recognize this New Mexican chain, which garnered nationwide recognition as one of few real-life food institutions on the show. You’ll find Blake’s Lotaburgers all over The Land of Enchantment, where the thing to order is a green chile cheeseburger—an iconic regional dish—made with Hatch chiles only found in New Mexico’s Hatch Valley. The chain even claims to have invented the dish, although that claim is widely contested by food historians. Nice try though, Blake’s.

Filiberto’s

One of the first things I noticed when I visited Arizona for the first time was the mysterious, ubiquitous place known as Filiberto’s. I’m not joking—these restaurants are found on almost every single block in the greater Phoenix metro area. Every day of the week features a different deal, so abide by the Filiberto’s calendar, and you’ll leave full of delicious Mexican food and plenty of money leftover to do whatever weird stuff you like to do in the desert. Watch out for copycats with names like Umberto’s or other -berto’s monikers. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, they say.

Mamoun’s Falafel

Mamoun’s Falafel was born in New York City, but they’ve since stretched outward to North Jersey and Connecticut. Normally I scoff at chain Middle Eastern food because I’m an uptight falafel purist, but Moumon’s has been doing the Levant’s food right since the ’70s. The falafel sandwich covered in tahini isn’t the one and only thing to get here. I’m a huge fan of the shawarma—it even rivals NYC’s famous halal street food. In 1976, New Yorkers were so smitten with Mamoun and his restaurant that the Village Voice wrote: “Kissinger could take a lesson in diplomacy here—he’s got Arabs and Jews eating at the same table …”