Whether you’re craving a juicy burger stacked with melted cheese and crispy bacon, the freshest fish tacos, or the most decadent loaded fries, you'll find what you're looking for in America’s amazing fast food spots. From no-frills food trucks to hole-in-the-wall gems and mom-and-pop eateries, these joints may not be fancy but, when it comes to delivering mouthwatering food in minutes, they’re unbeatable.
Feeling hungry? Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best fast food restaurant in every state, including some brilliant independent spots – and a few surprises.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
The food at Meat Boss, a word-of-mouth gem loved by locals in coastal Mobile, is prepared slowly and served fast. This family-owned smoke pit is known for its simple low and slow meats, served in grab-and-go brown paper bags. It started out in 2012 as a tiny hole-in-the-wall takeout spot and has grown to be a packed-out favorite. Diners rave about the tender pulled beef brisket and irresistible sides (think green beans, potato salad, and coleslaw).
Specializing in Cajun-influenced burgers, po' boys, and Philly cheesesteaks, this lively diner has won plenty of awards in its time. The inside is tiny, and there’s usually a line out the door, but it's there for a reason. The burger menu is massive; keep it simple with the Burger Stop Cheeseburger (a juicy patty seasoned with Cajun spices that fans say is the best they’ve ever had) or go for one of the weekly specials like the Sicilian Mobster, which comes loaded with mozzarella, balsamic onions, and house-made bacon jam.
Arizona is said to be the birthplace of the chimichanga, so for this state our pick had to be Carolina's Mexican Food, a no-frills eatery that's been serving up exceptional quality fast food since 1968. The menu is short and sweet: the shredded chicken tacos and beef tamales are top notch, but it's the chimichangas that people really talk about. The deep-fried tortilla is perfectly crisp without being greasy, and the fillings (shredded machaca beef or chicken) are packed with flavor.
Head to Flying Fish to feast on some of the best fried seafood around. Arkansas staples like fried catfish, barbecue shrimp, deep-fried oysters, and hush puppies are all popular here, as well as house specialties such as Hula Poppers – jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese and shrimp, and wrapped in bacon. You can eat in the cafeteria-style restaurant or get your food to go. The eatery also has eight branches across Texas, and one in Tennessee.
Choosing the finest fast food place in a state as diverse as California is a tall order. So, considering LA is famous for both tacos and Korean food, our pick is a mix of the two. Kogi Korean BBQ, co-founded by chef Roy Choi, has a fleet of wildly popular food trucks that stop at various locations depending on the day. Fans love the kimchi quesadillas, Kogi hot dogs, and the signature tacos, which come filled with tender gochujang-infused pork belly, butt, and shoulder.
Little known outside of California, Original Tommy’s was founded in 1946, and it continues to be loved by locals. The regional chain has become renowned for its thick, saucy chili – and you can get it slathered on just about everything. Customers say you can’t go wrong with the Chili Cheeseburger or Chili Cheese Fries, but if you want something a little different, it’s worth ordering the Chili Tamale: a chili-stuffed tamale topped with extra chili, cheese, pickles, onion, and tomato.
Founded in Idaho Springs in 1973, Beau Jo's pioneered what's known today as Colorado-style ‘mountain pizza,' a type of pizza with a thick, honey-sweetened crust that creates the perfect barrier to hold in an abundance of toppings. These huge pizzas are sold by the pound, and one could easily feed a family. Piled high with house-made pizza sauce, salami, meatballs, bacon, Italian sausage, and mozzarella, The Motherlode is one of the most popular choices. There are seven Beau Jo's branches around Colorado.
Dogtown is loved by Milford locals thanks to its speedy service, top-quality ingredients, and wide range of dogs and toppings. Diners can either get a ‘freestyle’ hot dog and customize it with their choice of extras, or leave it to the pros and grab a ‘tricked out’ dog from the specialty menu, which features hearty options such as the chili, bacon, and coleslaw–topped Mongo. On the side, go for crispy tater tots loaded with blue cheese, Buffalo sauce, and scallions.
Founded way back in 1895, and regarded as America’s first hamburger joint, Louis’ Lunch is a Connecticut institution, renowned for its classic hamburger sandwiches that customers travel across the country to get their hands on. The menu has barely changed since the beginning, with The Original Burger still the spot’s bestseller. All burgers are cooked to order on the original cast-iron grills and served with just cheese, onion, and tomato as garnishes.
Customers flock to this homey restaurant for its perfectly cooked ‘broasted’ chicken, which offers the ideal combination of crispy batter and tender, juicy meat. On the side you can order mouthwatering house-made coleslaw and mac ’n’ cheese by the pint. Lettie’s Kitchen was opened by mother-and-son team Susan and Tom Alexander in 2011 – and just three years later, they received the 'Best Fried Chicken' accolade in the Best of Delaware awards.
If you’re in Miami and in need of a quick food fix, a Cubano is the way to go. Sanguich de Miami is the only joint on our list that has a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, but there’s nothing overly fancy or pretentious about this sandwich shop in Little Havana. There's usually a line of diners at the walk-up window, and almost everyone is after the same thing: a hearty Cuban sandwich filled with pork butt that's been marinated for a week in garlic and spices. That said, the chicharrones and plantain fries are also incredible.
Boasting a bricks-and-mortar spot and food trucks across the city, Ms. Cheezious has garnered a loyal following since its inception in 2010. The joint is renowned for its giant sandwiches; popular options include the Frito Pie Melt, which comes packed out with house chili, American cheese, jalapeños, onions, and Fritos, and the Croqueta Monsieur, complete with ham croquettes, ham, Swiss cheese, and béchamel sauce. Pair your choice with a side of tomato bisque or cheese fries, and you really can’t go wrong.
Those looking for seriously delicious, sauce-slathered chicken need to bookmark How Crispy Express, an Atlanta joint famed for its fried chicken. The menu is small, but the team has perfected every dish on it. The crowd favorite is the Honey Boi, a sandwich that comes packed with garlic-honey butter, smoky lime mayonnaise, sesame slaw, sweet pickles, and crispy chicken. They make a mean Atlanta-style lemon pepper chicken sandwich here, too.
Diners say this small Hawaiian chain, with three branches across Honolulu, makes the greatest poke they’ve ever tasted. Fresh Catch is rated for its fresh fish and house-made sauces, as well as its colorful interior and casual atmosphere. The friendly staff will happily let you try lots of different samples so that you can build your perfect poke bowl. Our advice? Don’t miss the salmon shoyu poke or the deep-fried ahi belly covered with creamy garlic butter.
When it comes to burgers, Effies Tavern in Lewiston doesn't mess around. At this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, you'll find some of the biggest burgers you've ever seen, including a gargantuan eight-inch, one-pound patty that even those with the biggest appetites will struggle to finish. If that sounds like too much, the wickedly tasty burgers are also available in more manageable half portions (pictured). Be sure to order some crispy finger steaks on the side.
If you want to get your hands on the finest deep-dish pizza, any Chicagoan worth their salt will send you straight to Pequod's. This local institution has been crafting sensational pies since 1970 and is famous for its fluffy, airy, pan-style pizzas with a caramelized cheese crust (achieved by coating the edge of the pan with mozzarella before cooking). Topping options are kept simple, and Pequod's recommends diners add no more than five for the best end result.
Fast food doesn’t get much better than the sensational hot dogs served up at this much-loved cart-turned-food truck located at 16th and Emerson in Indianapolis. These one-of-a-kind wieners are steamed to perfection and served Chicago-style with all the classic fixings: yellow mustard, sweet relish, freshly chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, and pickles. A full meal with chips and a drink typically comes in at under $10, too.
No trip to the Hawkeye State would be complete without a visit to the first ever Maid-Rite to try one of the Mid-Western chain’s iconic loose meat sandwiches. The Original Maid-Rite was invented at this joint in Muscatine in 1926, and it was an instant hit. You only need to taste the sandwich, with its mounds of perfectly seasoned ground beef topped with onions and pickles, to see why.
Born out of a gas station in Kansas City, this relaxed barbecue pit stop is world-famous for its extra smoky ribs and burnt ends, winning numerous awards since opening in 1996. The joint's Z-Man Sandwich is also legendary, consisting of slow-smoked beef brisket, smoked provolone cheese, and two crispy onion rings inside a toasted Kaiser roll. There are four branches of Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que in the state.
Don’t let the humble appearance of this no-fuss drive through spot deceive you – Chicken King consistently gets great reviews. Customers praise the quality of the food, especially the perfectly cooked Southern-style fried chicken, spicy wings (with loads of flavor options), and home-style sides such as corn bread, potato salad, and fried okra. A hearty three-piece chicken dinner with two sides costs under $10, so it’s great value, too.
Few items are more celebrated in Louisiana food culture than the po’ boy, and this straightforward neighborhood deli serves up some of the best you’ll ever taste. It's hard to go wrong with any of the sandwiches on offer at Radosta's; the roast beef and fried shrimp po’ boys are both exceptional, while the customer favorite is the Wayne’s Special – hot veal Parmesan topped with red gravy and oozy provolone.
Devoted fans of Taco the Town say it gives LA’s best taco trucks a run for their money. Founder Tai takes his inspiration from family recipes and the Mexican food of his childhood in Northern California to create tacos and burritos that always impress. Come early for the breakfast tortas (fried egg, cheese, and chorizo inside a fresh bolillo roll) or stop for lunch and feast on Al Pastor tacos filled with tender pineapple-marinated pork. There are also four types of house-made salsa to choose from.
When visiting Ocean City’s Boardwalk, tucking into a tub of Thrasher's perfectly crisp and golden French fries doused with apple cider vinegar is basically mandatory. J.T. Thrasher opened this acclaimed spot in 1929 with a single ambition: to produce the perfect French fry. Fans would say he succeeded, and the original recipe has been used for around a century. There are three locations in Ocean City, but the original (near the pier) continues to be the most popular, so expect lines throughout the day.
As is the case with all the best hole-in-the-wall spots, this sandwich shop looks unassuming, but the food is something to really shout about. Bedford House of Roast Beef has been run by the Barounis family since 1985 and is loved for its classic New England–style roast beef sandwiches, which are served groaning with juicy, thinly sliced roast meat, mayo, cheese, and barbecue sauce. Customers praise the fast service, affordable prices, and generous portions, as well as the seafood rolls and enormous onion rings.
Detroit-style pizza occupies the perfect middle ground between a crispy, New York–style slice and a gooey, Chicago-style deep dish, and Buddy's Pizza has been perfecting its recipe since 1946. This award-winning chain has more than 20 branches across Michigan and is known for crafting hearty rectangular pizzas with crunchy, cheesy corner slices. What really makes them stand out is the unique layering process: pepperoni goes on first, followed by Wisconsin brick cheese, and finally, a thick tomato sauce.
Since debuting in Minneapolis in 2004, this family-run joint has become a real favorite, loved for its speedily served, customizable burgers of all descriptions, from classic beef to veggie, fish, and turkey. The winning formula here is to let diners create their own perfect burger (as well as all the usual toppings, you can opt to add a fried egg, Cajun spices, or teriyaki sauce). The fries and shakes are also worth the hype, and people love the kitschy décor in all 10 branches.
Mom-and-pop restaurants don’t get much more welcoming than Bettina's Soulfood Kitchen, with countless reviews praising the warm and efficient service from owner Bettina and her family. The menu is packed with home-style classics; think buttery biscuits and crackling cornbread baked fresh each morning, fried catfish and chicken every way, plus a mac ’n’ cheese dish that’s said to be beyond compare.
Hickory smoked all-beef hot dogs are the major draw at this relaxed counter-serve eatery, where every sausage is grilled to perfection and finished with regionally sourced toppings. It all began in 2011, when musician Steve Ewing opened his first cart to satisfy concertgoers' late-night cravings. Nowadays, Steve’s Hot Dogs is famed for its limited-run collaborations with local restaurants, and for its signature St. Louis Dog, resplendent with grilled onions, peppers, bacon, provolone, and smoked mustard.
Customers flock to this pizza haunt in the Rocky Mountains intent on sampling the signature thin and crispy pizzas. Made using a traditional Italian technique called biga, which involves the dough being fermented slowly for a richer and deeper flavor, the results speak for themselves, with diners saying it’s the best pizza they’ve ever tasted. Stuck for what to order? The calzones are large enough to feed three, and gourmet toppings such as maple-chipotle drizzle set them firmly apart.
This laid-back fast food joint has been around since 1980. While famous for offering some of the best burgers and hot sandwiches in the area, it’s the dangerously addictive green pork chili that locals keep coming back for. For the best of both worlds, order the Italian Burger (seasoned beef topped with mozzarella and Parmesan), or opt for the signature Omaha Ruben, with a bowl of green pork chili on the side.
This small Tijuana-style taco chain has four outposts in Las Vegas and is a go-to spot for food lovers in need of a late-night spice fix. Diners love the Tacos de Adobada – spicy pork shaved to order from a revolving column of juicy marinated meat. Handmade corn tortillas, guacamole, and salsas prepared from scratch on a daily basis make Tacos El Gordo a cut above, and adventurous diners can even fill their tacos with beef tongue.
Serving up a menu of hearty gyros, salads, and loaded rice bowls, The Gyro Spot has been bringing a slice of Greek sunshine to the streets of Manchester since opening in 2012. There's also an outpost in Massachusetts, and reviewers praise the speedy service, creative menu, and consistently fresh food. The chicken gyro – a grilled pita crammed with juicy rotisserie chicken, tangy house-made tzatziki, and hand-cut fries – is described as perfection, while the loaded feta fries are also great.
Make sure you're feeling properly hungry before visiting this rustic hole-in-the-wall hot dog spot – the portions are epic! The historic eatery opened in 1969, and its famed Italian dogs consist of a hot dog, grilled peppers, onions, and a dizzying amount of deep-fried, crunchy potatoes, all packed into a huge wedge of soft pizza bread. Fans say you’ll be hooked after one bite, and the potatoes are so good that they’re also sold by the cup.
If you’re in the mood to feast, Taqueria El Paisa has you covered with its hearty quesadillas, loaded burritos, and flavor-filled tacos. This rustic cash-only restaurant is usually packed, but the line moves quickly, and service is swift. You can order to go from the walk-up window out front or eat your meal on the covered patio. It’s a particularly popular stop for lunch (be sure to order the juicy pork and potato gorditas), and the horchata and aguas frescas drinks are sensational, too.
A fast food lover’s paradise, New York City has countless iconic specialties to feast on, but for us it just has to be a classic slice from Joe’s Pizza. Big, foldable, and oozing with cheese, this is the pizza people dream of when they think of a New York slice. Established in 1975 by Naples native Joe Pozzuoli, the joint is just as popular with New Yorkers as it is with visitors. As well as the original location in Greenwich Village, Joe's Pizza has several branches across the city.
The words ‘affordable food’ and ‘New York City’ rarely go together, but that’s exactly what makes Gray’s Papaya, a popular fast food joint renowned for its delicious hot dogs, so remarkable. The menu is simple but effective, with the classic frank – loaded up with ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, onions, and relish – continuing to attract crowds. The breakfast options come highly rated, too.
If you’re in need of comfort food fast, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen serves country-style fried chicken biscuits and delicious Southern breakfasts from a drive-thru window. The famed biscuits are the kind you need both hands to eat, and customers say they’re perfectly buttery and flaky, with generous fillings of fried chicken, egg, bacon, sausage, and cheese. If you’re seriously hungry, order a hash brown and slip it inside your biscuit for even more indulgence.
This award-winning restaurant is renowned for its buzzing atmosphere and epic menu, with 50 different burgers on offer, plus crispy fried mac ’n’ cheese wedges, and chicken wings with more than 20 sauces to choose from. The Glazed Doughnut Burger gets lots of attention, but it's the simply served Kobe beef burgers that the connoisseurs come back for. Sickies has a few locations in North Dakota, as well as several outside the state.
Thinner than Texas-style and flavored with ingredients like chocolate and cinnamon, Cincinnati’s famous chili is one of those love-or-hate dishes. If you’re a devotee, head down to Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant, where fans say you’ll taste the city’s finest. This old-timey diner has been run by the Sideris family since 1964, and the signature Cincinnati-style chili is served the classic way: on top of spaghetti, fries, or hot dogs, with a mound of cheese.
Oklahoma City is a hub for global cuisines, but when you need comfort food in a hurry, your go-to order has to be a hefty burger from Nic's Grill. This homey diner featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and customers praise the warm atmosphere, speedy service, and fantastic quality of the beef used in owner Nic's prized patties. Toppings are kept to a minimum to really let that flavor shine; opt for The Classic, simply served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, French mustard, and sharp Cheddar.
Portland is awash with high-end Korean food options, but if you want something quick and tasty, it has to be this trendy food cart, where the authentic street food more than lives up to the internet hype. Ko Sisters Seoul Food is part of Cartside Food Carts, a pod of food trucks in Portland, and it has a following for its gochujang-glazed rice cakes, spicy fried chicken, and Korean-style corn dogs, which are half sausage, half mozzarella on a stick, drizzled with ketchup and mustard.
Both the hoagie and the Philly cheesesteak were invented in this state, so it's fair to say Pennsylvanians know their sandwiches. Loved local landmark Steve & Irene's Hoagies has been running for more than 40 years and has won countless awards in that time. As well as serving classic cheesesteaks, it offers a huge range of creative versions, from The Krakow – topped with pierogies, Cheese Whiz, and gravy – to the massive Quad Bypass, a heady mix of capicola ham, bacon, Texas sauce, fries, and ketchup.
If you’re looking for a taste of Rhode Island’s famous hot wieners, this historic spot is the place to pick up the finest. After all, the Stavrianakos family have been running the restaurant in the same location since 1946. So, what makes them so special? The sausages are a unique blend of beef, pork, veal, and spices, which makes them snappy, tangy, and very meaty. When you order, ask for your wiener 'all the way' – that means served in a steamed bun with mustard, meat sauce, celery salt, and onions.
A truly rustic South Carolinian barbecue joint located in an old farmhouse in rural Orangeburg County, Sweatman's BBQ uses oak, hickory, and pecan to smoke its whole hogs for 12-14 hours, continuously basting the meat with a secret mustard-based sauce for maximum deliciousness. Locals travel from miles around to feast on the likes of chopped pork ribs, pulled pork, and barbecue pork sandwiches. Don’t leave without grabbing a bag of crispy pork skins to go.
Operating two taco trucks around Rapid City, family-run Eddie’s Tacos has a dedicated regional following, attracting lines of hungry customers wherever it goes. Fans rave about the generous portions, reasonable prices, and delicious house-made hot sauces. Order the all-meat combo burrito filled with beef, chicken and pork, and finished with salsa, cheese, cabbage, and onion.
Both branches of this popular Nashville pizza joint are regularly packed with locals and tourists alike, all hoping to get their hands on the restaurant’s exceptional New York–style pizza. The simple cheese slices are pretty unbeatable, and the ever-changing daily specials (there’s always a veggie and meat option available) are always worth a look, too. Few can resist ordering a side of cheesy garlic knots, served with a pot of marinara sauce for dipping.
With its significant Vietnamese population, it's no surprise that Houston has some of the country’s best bánh mì spots. Roostar Vietnamese Grill is the brainchild of Linda Nguyen, who used recipes adapted from her grandmother’s sandwich shop in Vietnam to launch a legacy of her own; she now has three award-winning branches across the city. Soft baguettes are piled with an array of delicious fillings, from chopped rib-eye to sous vide pork belly, and all are garnished with pickles and sauces made fresh in-house.
This small San Antonio chain has become known for its affordability, giant portions, and friendly staff. With nine locations across the city, Burger Boy serves up a mountain of meaty options. Fans consistently rave about the classic Burger Boy burger, which can be pimped up with bacon, jalapeños, and cheese, as well as the chain's corn dogs, crinkle fries, and grilled cheese.
Chef Viet Pham (a previous Iron Chef America winner) brings a taste of Nashville-style hot fried chicken to Salt Lake City with Pretty Bird, a buzzy spot with multiple locations in the city. The small menu features fried chicken sandwiches made with crisp thigh or white meat tenders, plus crinkle-cut fries and Mexican street corn. The spice level of the chicken ranges from mild to ‘hot behind,’ so proceed with caution; some customers say even the mild version has a real kick.
It’s always a sign that spring has arrived when this food truck opens up for the season in Vermont's Battery Park. Beansie's Bus launched in 1944 in a retrofitted school bus, and it still serves fast food classics from April to September every year. On the menu you’ll find Michigan-style hot dogs, simple but perfectly executed cheeseburgers, and freshly cut, double-cooked fries that diners rave about. For a real taste of summer, try a vanilla creemee (Vermont-style soft serve ice cream) to finish things off.
Garnett's Cafe, a picture-perfect sandwich shop on an idyllic-looking corner in the heart of Richmond's Fan neighborhood, offers classic salads, daily soups, and tempting slices of cake and pie. Despite the quaint look of this café, the hefty sandwiches are a serious affair, with a huge number of hot and cold options available, ranging from the loaded California club to an indulgent croque monsieur filled with Black Forest ham and Gruyère, and smothered with a gooey cheese sauce.
If you’re going to mess with a fast food classic, there had better be a pretty good reason. Katsu Burger, with three restaurants in Seattle and several others in the surrounding areas, has found one: a marriage of the classic American burger with katsu, the Japanese technique involving coating food in panko breadcrumbs and frying it. The burgers come with a range of fusion toppings, and customers say they’re delicious, perfectly cooked, and huge.
Giant hot dogs come with a variety of toppings at this rustic roadside stand, which has become a global destination. Owners Sonny and Knight even opened a wedding chapel a few years ago! The rough and ready vibe is a draw, but for fast food pilgrims, the main attraction is the food itself – particularly dishes like the Ala Cheesy Beefy Weenie, a deep-fried sausage with nacho cheese, bacon, a mac wedge, and chili sauce. Finish the gargantuan 15-inch Homewrecker in under 12 minutes, and you’ll win a T-shirt.
Recently named one of Yelp’s top 50 pizza places in the US and Canada, this Neapolitan spot is the place for light, puffy-crusted pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. The menu has plenty of classic options, or you can build your own. A favorite is the Italian beef giardiniera, which comes topped with thinly sliced Italian roast beef, hot or mild giardiniera sauce, and mozzarella. Customers adore the perfectly chewy, charred crusts and the really fresh-tasting toppings.
This quirky horror movie–themed restaurant claims to make food ‘so good it’s scary,’ and Wyoming locals certainly agree, traveling from all over the state to taste its delicious creations. The Parmesan cheese and garlic–soaked Munster Fries and The Sticky Icky hamburger, topped with chunky peanut butter, peach jelly, and Cheddar cheese, are particularly popular. Reviewers also love the gothic design (Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven poem is even written on the bathroom wall), as well as the friendly service and affordable prices.
Now discover the most historic fast food joint in every state
Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.