If you want quick but quality food, fast casual is the way to go. Order at the counter and seat yourself for speed, then enjoy a meal that’s made fresh, arrives swiftly, and tastes just as good as (or better than) any fast food you could buy. The fast casual sector is booming in the US, with both chains and independent eateries serving up tasty meals and laid-back vibes from coast to coast. Here's our pick of the best in every state.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the very best fast casual restaurants across the USA – counting down to the most unmissable of all.

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each fast casual restaurant in its home state and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.