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. 

Cossetta Alimentari is a sprawling Italian marketplace, consisting of not just an 'eatery and pizzeria' and a restaurant and bar, but also a pasticceria selling pastries and gelato, and an Italian grocery. The eatery and pizzeria has been in business since 1911, slinging salads, sandwiches, pizza, soup, and classic Italian American entrées – think lasagna, Marsala chicken, and sausage and peppers. For a quick snack, get your pizza by the slice, grab some arancini rice balls, or opt for folded bread panzerotti filled with gooey mozzarella and tomato sauce.

You can guarantee the fried chicken will be spilling out of your sandwich when you order from the counter at Pretty Bird. A huge piece of boneless chicken thigh is barely contained by a buttered bun, and the struggle is only enhanced by cider slaw, pickles, and Pretty Bird sauce. Aside from the generous sandwiches, you can dig into a chicken tender roll, nuggets with dipping sauce, or perhaps a Mexican street corn salad.

Old-school Frontier Restaurant has been serving hungry students and Albuquerque residents from its home near the University of New Mexico since 1971. Across five dining rooms, it seats more than 300 people – so if there’s a line at the counter, you can expect it to move quickly. Breakfast, burgers, and New Mexican classics (crunchy tostadas, red and green chile enchiladas, and chicken nachos) are all on the menu at this down-home restaurant with affordable eats.

When you're fresh from surfing some choice waves, head to Kono's for some ono grindz (delicious food) in the form of traditional Hawaiian plate lunches and award-winning breakfasts. This small chain – which also has an outpost in Las Vegas – focuses on beautiful kalua pork, which comes in bombers (a type of burrito), bagels, and sandwiches. Kono's locations are a big hit with the breakfast crowd, and the staff get props for their friendly service, too.

Mythical Pizza isn’t afraid to be different. The colorful look of its pizzas is just as unusual as the names – try a 7-inch Baby Mothman with a Chimera Cool Ranch–flavored crust edge, topped with Bunyip Blue Taki crumbles. The fun pies (and the chance to build your own) are what customers love about the restaurant, together with the high-quality ingredients and house-prepared dough. Don’t miss the Cryptid Club bottled sodas, which come in a range of tasty flavors.

At its two Missoula locations, Brazilian street food mini-chain Five on Black makes it easy to build a bowl of deliciousness. Start with a base of rice or salad (or a mix of the two), pick something from the grill, a side, and a sauce, then crown the whole lot with mouth-watering Brazilian toppings. Our pick? A big helping of feijoada – a traditional stew of black beans with smoked pork and beef – over fluffy white rice, paired with steamed collard greens, and topped with cilantro.

Street-style tacos with soft corn tortillas get mouths watering at El Pique, which has three well-respected Delaware locations. Multiple meat options make these tacos endlessly customizable; choose from chicken, pork, chorizo, steak, potato, or beans (with big flavors no matter what you pick). If you happen to be in the mood for something other than tacos, the traditional Mexican stew consomé – with chickpeas, rice, and lamb – is guaranteed to hit the spot.

There's a lot going on at Royale with Cheese, a burger joint set in a restored 1913 building. The menu (and name) is inspired by Pulp Fiction – and it's definitely not short on flavor. Start your day with a Havana breakfast burger: a beef patty topped with turkey bacon, a fried egg, signature Royale fries, cheese fondue, chipotle ketchup, and Royale sauce. Or, if you're really hungry, take a bite out of the fully loaded Mia Wallace burger, featuring a beef patty, mesquite barbecue chips, fire-roasted poblano peppers and corn, house-smoked candied turkey bacon, honey-ancho barbecue aioli, and a blend of American and Swiss cheeses.

Grilled cheese lovers shouldn't miss this Miami joint, which is all about the ooey-gooeyness of a good grilled cheese sandwich. The business started out as a food truck, but soon grew into an award-winning bricks-and-mortar location. There’s nothing simple about the sammies on this menu – sink your teeth into goats’ cheese and prosciutto on marble rye bread, or taste the tang of sharp Cheddar in your crab salad on sourdough. You can build your own sandwich too, with a choice of cheeses and add-ons.

Pollo a la brasa – Peruvian rotisserie chicken – comes fresh off the spit at El Pollo Rico. Juicy chicken meat with crispy skin is served alongside creamy coleslaw, earthy red beans, and sweet and savory plantain, plus chunky steak-cut fries. Customers praise the fast service at the counter and say the chicken is unfailingly moist and flavorful. The flan gets regular shout-outs, too.

ArtsRiot is a restaurant, distillery, and music venue rolled into one. The menu currently focuses on pizza and appetizers, but it's set to grow with the business. For now, the small selection has already done enough to impress locals and out-of-town visitors, with creative ideas like zingy kimchi pizza (featuring house-made kimchi) and Moroccan barbecue wings – perfect for pairing with a draft beer, cocktail, or glass of wine before or after a show.

There’s tough competition, but many say that Mike’s Chicken serves the best fried chicken in Dallas. Whether that’s true or not, it’s certainly a popular spot for convenient fast casual eating. A full plate, with two sides, a biscuit, and a dipping sauce, comes complete with your choice of chicken (pick from tenders, wings, breasts, or even a half bird). But if you’re all about the meat, skip the sides and dip to your heart’s content into Buffalo, ranch, white gravy, or Mike’s signature tangy, peppery, salty sauce.

With two Chicago restaurants (in River North and the Loop), Bright Wok has built a reputation for affordable Asian eats in modern digs since it opened back in 2015. The bright and fresh stir-fry dishes are all free from gluten, dairy, fish, shellfish, and peanuts, making the entire menu allergy friendly as well as tasty. Expect colorful veggie bowls like The Crunchy Crave (featuring creamy cashews, brown rice, carrots, sprouts, and kale), and munchable appetizers like banana chips with Korean barbecue spice.

Small chain Taco Nazo has been cooking up fresh fish tacos since 1978. What began as a taco truck has bloomed into five locations – with a recipe that the owners have happily shared with other Latino restaurateurs to help them launch their own businesses. Taco Nazo's famous fish tacos recipe takes lightly battered fish and fries it to perfection before slotting it into a soft tortilla and topping it with cabbage, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and a signature sauce.

Basic Bird really does keep things basic, making crispy and crunchy fried chicken the star of the show. Your choice of boneless chicken, wings, or a sandwich is served with tantalizing sauces – dry rub, sweet honey butter, spicy gochujang, or sweet and spicy Double Dunk – and cold Korean-inspired sides, such as cucumber kimchi and pickled daikon radish. Cauliflower offers the perfect flavor-sponge vegetarian alternative. This gluten-free friendly joint also offers bountiful bowls of ramen salad and cheesy tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes).

Korean and Mexican cuisines come together in harmony at Seoul Casa. This fusion restaurant gets diners’ taste buds tingling with its lineup of spicy pork tacos, Korean barbecue fried rice, and Kimchiritos – Korean burritos with kimchi fried rice, a choice of meat or tofu, sour cream, pico de gallo, lettuce, and melted Cheddar and mozzarella. Customers rave about the chicken wings and say the service is excellent.

Healthy, hearty food is on the menu at Vital Root, a fast casual restaurant that encourages you to take time to appreciate your plant-based meal. There are no limp salads or uninspiring sandwiches here! Exciting dishes such as Korean barbecue veggie ‘wings’ (cleverly prepared smoked broccoli and cauliflower – reviewers say they’re a must-try), lemongrass tofu bánh mì tacos, and root vegetable Reubens are here to prove that following a plant-based diet is far from boring.

2 Doors Down brings gourmet burgers to Cheyenne. A fixture in the city since 2009, the joint is located a couple of doors down from the owners’ other popular restaurant, Pizzeria Venti (hence the name). Perfect for family dining, this casual spot has a homey feel and menu. Pasta is available, too – but, considering that all the burgers come with bottomless fries, it would be foolish not to pick a towering mushroom Swiss, teriyaki, or tuna burger.

Fast casual farm-to-table restaurant The Root Cafe sources as much of its produce as possible from small farms in Arkansas (all of which are meticulously listed next to each menu item). All that local produce goes into creating delicious dishes like biscuit sandwiches with house-made sausage, burgers (featuring patties made by hand), and state fair–style brats in locally baked buns. After featuring on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the café has become a real hotspot that pulls in a crowd.

Mac ‘n’ cheese lovers will never get bored at Mr. Mac’s, where the menu features countless takes on the nostalgic American dish. Whether you stick with a classic mac, go wild with a Philly cheesesteak version, or turn the cheese all the way up with a five-cheese bowlful, there’s no end to the joy you can get from perfectly cooked pasta and hot, stretchy, creamy sauce. You can even build your own with sauces, seasonings, veggies, meat, and up to two cheeses – and if you can't stay, you can take it home to bake.

Just the sight of the craft sandwiches at Bread & Circus is enough to get your stomach rumbling. The locally owned and operated chillout spot puts all kinds of drool-worthy fillings between chunky slices of toasted bread. Meat lovers will adore the Pork Milanesa, a fried pork tenderloin sandwich with Oaxaca and mozzarella, pickled pineapple salsa, and chipotle aioli, and the Heirloom Burger, featuring Angus beef patties, aged Cheddar and American cheeses, pickles, and onions, with a house burger sauce. Meanwhile, fish fans can't go wrong with the tuna melt: Texas toast filled with tuna salad, locally sourced Gouda and arugula, dill pickles, and salt and vinegar chips.

Go back to basics at Gabby’s Burgers & Fries, where the grass-fed beef burgers eschew any fancy gimmicks. You can go straight down the line with a simple Seamus burger, featuring a single patty and your choice of cheese (American, Swiss, pepper Jack, Cheddar, or blue). If you feel like something different, top your burger with house-made chili, barbecue sauce, or a couple of hearty pieces of bacon with Swiss cheese. Need more excitement? Regular diners can access a secret menu with a special password.

Mac's Local Eats is a casual burger restaurant with a serious approach to food. The restaurant sources whole animals from small local farms, and it makes every effort to use all the parts. Dry-aged beef smash burgers, boudin sausages, chili, pork patties, bacon, and burger buns toasted in beef tallow are all born from this philosophy. The patties here are thin, but come doubled up (at least), with options ranging from a classic cheeseburger to the belly-busting Sleeper, featuring up to four pork patties, garlic aioli, onions, house pickles, and house coleslaw.

Street food goes farm-to-table at friendly Block 16 in Omaha. Sloppy pulled pork rolls, crispy fried chicken thighs, and gooey bacon and Brie grilled sandwiches are all on the menu (along with free high fives from the friendly team). Here, things have the potential to get messy in the most delicious way possible – just take the unmissable Duck Duck Goose Fries for proof. This take on poutine muddles duck confit, crispy skin, cheese curds, mayo, gravy, and sweet-and-sour gooseberry gastrique sauce over a basket of fresh-from-the-fryer fries.

Mordi’s began as a schnitzel truck in 2014, growing from chef Mordechai Chichportiche's love of both Israeli street food and Jersey City itself. The truck is still going, but the business has also expanded to include a cute bricks-and-mortar restaurant with quick service and casual seating. Subs, American classics, burgers, and breakfast sandwiches – including one with a succulent breaded chicken schnitzel, Cheddar, bacon, a fried egg, and tomatoes on a challah bun – are all up for grabs.

Situated inside a bustling food hall, J’s Lobster & Fish Market is surrounded by other tempting fast casual options. But it’s the lobster rolls from this vendor, overflowing with sweet and juicy pieces of lobster meat, that many patrons find they can’t resist. The lobster can be swapped out for crab or shrimp, or you can trade in the bun for a rich and silky mac ‘n’ cheese. Whatever you get, pair it with a serving of hush puppies for the full experience.

Wow Tikka has only been open since the end of 2022, but the fast casual Indian restaurant has quickly gained some loyal fans. The restaurant's healthy take on Indian food sees rice bowls, salad bowls, and whole wheat wraps (or 'desi burritos') filled with the likes of lamb koftas and soft paneer cheese. The selection of Indian street food is tempting, too – think aloo tikki chaat (soft potato patties with chickpeas, herbs, yogurt, and chutneys) and tandoori chicken.

Archie’s is proudly old school, going for that sweet nostalgia factor – and if the reviews are anything to go by, it’s working well. Diners love the back-to-basics burgers, which come in potato rolls with cheese and onions, plus pickles on the side, as well as the beefed-up options, which are served with salad and sauce. Hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and The Boomer (featuring two slices of fried bologna, American cheese, and house sauce in a potato bun) cap off the menu, along with classic onion rings and crinkle-cut fries.

Named for the owner's grandmother (and with a menu inspired by her, too), Elsie's Plate & Pie is all about home comforts. From all-American apple options to creations featuring Louisiana blue crab in a rich cheese blend, the sweet and savory pies here are full of nostalgia. Beyond the pies, Cajun crawfish queso is dished up with crunchy fried pork skins – and local flavors come through in the boudin burger (featuring liver sausage, pepper Jack and smoked Gouda cheeses, and Arlington House peach pepper jelly).

Load up on vegan comfort food at The Loaded Bowl, a food-truck-turned-restaurant with a vibrant menu. You’re not limited to salad here, thanks to the mac, nacho, and mashed potato bowls – which come in flavors from Buffalo ‘chicken’ (made from a soy-based protein) to creamy cashew queso. On top of the bowls, you can bag yourself a vegan chicken sandwich with fries, or check out the rotating specials menu for hearty seasonal dishes.

It would be easy to walk right past East Side Pockets, but this eatery's unassuming exterior doesn’t tell you about the thousands of positive reviews it's received. With only a small amount of space to sit inside, this falafel and kebab joint does a fast trade from the counter. If you’re not tempted by the veggie or meat wraps (filled with everything from stuffed grape leaves to tender gyro meat), the grilled flatbread pizzas might just awaken your taste buds.

All the 11-ounce burgers at Stamps are seasoned, mixed, and shaped in house for the freshest results. This no-frills counter-service restaurant may not be fancy, but that's what diners love about it. Alongside its signature burgers, you'll find sandwiches (grilled chicken, smoked beef sausage, and turkey bologna), and golden fried chicken wings – accompanied by lemon pepper, sweet and spicy, old fashioned, or Buffalo sauce. Can't get enough? Take a jar of the joint's house fry seasoning home.

Reviewers say that Goldie does the best falafel in town. With five Philly locations, the Israeli-style falafel shop is making fast and healthy (or, at least, healthier) lunches convenient for the whole city. Of course, falafel is at the top of the menu here. You can get the crispy fried balls of spiced chickpeas in sandwiches, salads, or platters – or buy a big ‘bag of balls’ if you prefer them naked, with just a dipping sauce of tahini, harissa, or schug (a fragrant blend of Middle Eastern herbs and spices).

Combining Southern classics and East Asian flair, bar and restaurant The Mayor is a jewel in Birmingham’s fast casual dining scene. This welcoming joint comes from the brains behind Mr. West’s Asian Chow Hall, so it’s no surprise that the menu features the likes of spicy Korean beef bánh mì and Thai chicken nachos. Meanwhile, the crispy fried wings come in hot lemon pepper or Parmesan garlic flavors, and the fried catfish strips are accompanied by fries, coleslaw, lemon, and cocktail and tartar sauces.

Revel in the satisfying crunch of freshly fried chicken and the soft bite of the bun wrapped around it at Boxcar Betty’s. The chain's three South Carolina restaurants (there are also outposts in Chicago, Illinois and Charlotte, North Carolina) craft gourmet fried chicken sandwiches that pull in a large lunchtime crowd. Try the signature Boxcar, which sees fried or grilled chicken (or a cheese-stuffed portobello mushroom) topped with pimento cheese, peach slaw, house pickles, and spicy mayo.

Both a restaurant and a market, Tangiers International gives you the chance to sample its amazing produce before you take it home. As a purveyor of food from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and beyond, the eatery’s menu features salads, sandwiches, falafel, and kebabs, as well as a range of small plates (think hummus with pita and baba ghanoush). Diners say the gyro sandwiches here are the real deal, too.

Great attention to detail is paid to the sandwiches and salads at CERA. The Italian sandwiches are made with Scali rolls (a type of bread native to Boston) fresh from a bakery in Somerville, Massachusetts, the artisan charcuterie is sourced from local Olympia Provisions, and the cobia fish is sustainably caught for the Black Pearl tuna salad–style sandwich (which comes on sourdough or multigrain bread). Plus, every purchase helps save the bees at this sophisticated spot in downtown Portland.

Get your healthy eating on with the sandwiches, salads, and hummus bowls at Brassica. The chain's multiple locations around Columbus and Cleveland serve as an ‘ode to brassicas,’ the family of highly nutritious vegetables that includes broccoli, cabbage, and bok choy. The restaurants follow a build-your-own concept, offering a choice of bases (sandwich, salad, or hummus with pita), spreads, crunchy toppings, and either falafel, veggies, chicken or brisket. Finish it off with tangy pickles, creamy sauces, and even more vegetables.

At Seoul Street Cafe in the heart of Boise, authentic Korean street food pulls in hungry locals and travelers alike. Beloved Korean dishes such as tteokbokki (super chewy rice cakes in a spicy, slightly sweet chili sauce) and bulgogi (thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce) are offered alongside milk teas and smoothies – which come in flavors like strawberry, taro (a sweet, nutty root vegetable), and matcha. The modern restaurant even pipes in K-pop music for the full Korea experience.

Fresh Korean cuisine makes for a quick, casual, and unforgettable meal at Krave. Here, the meats are all marinated for 24 hours, ready to imbue rich flavors into an array of dishes. Traditional Korean ingredients and preparations – including bulgogi and gochujang (fermented red chili paste) – ensure that the platters, bowls, and small plates (banchan) really stand out. Reviewers love the portion sizes too, as well as the small restaurant's clean, relaxed atmosphere.

Burmese cuisine, influenced by Myanmar’s neighboring countries, India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, and Laos, excites at Rangoon Bistro. The chefs draw on techniques and flavors from near and far, with delicious results. Diners go on a journey through tantalizing dishes like lahpet salad (green tea leaves, peanuts, fried fava beans, chana dal, and shredded cabbage) and chewy noodles with melt-in-your-mouth slow-roasted pork shoulder – flavored with crispy garlic, black pepper, scallions, and tamari (similar to soy sauce).

Service at Meat & Bite might be fast, but you’ll want to take your time once your order arrives. Fast food staples like smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and fried chicken wings all come out hot and inviting. Mediterranean, American, and Tex-Mex cuisines inform the menu, resulting in a beautiful fusion of flavors. The fresh ingredients and friendly owners keep customers coming back for more.

You could grab a bite across the street at Culver’s or Chipotle, but why bother when you can get fast, fresh food at GP’s Greek Kitchen? Diners are sure to leave satisfied, with heaping portions of traditional Greek food piled into their bowls and onto their plates. Think gyro sandwiches, keftedes (Greek meatballs), and chicken souvlaki, with a dash of American fare (including Philly cheesesteaks) for variety. Everything is made fresh, from scratch.

A unique fusion of Asian and Ethiopian cuisine makes Ekiben's three locations stand out in Baltimore. Having grown from a farmers' market spot (which first opened in 2014), the small chain now does a hot trade in buns and bowls bursting with flavor – think Taiwanese curry fried chicken, spicy peanut tofu with mango, papaya, and carrot slaw, and tender braised pork in an ancho chili sauce, flavored with 10 different herbs and spices.

Heaping plates of hummus, shawarma, falafel, and grilled veggies greet diners at Hummus and Pita, a casual and inviting Overland Park restaurant serving authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The gyro sandwich is a firm favorite here, stuffing flavorful gyro meat and salad into a pita with creamy, herby tzatziki sauce. Customers say you really must add the baklava to your order – it comes with sweet and crunchy pistachio or walnut and almond fillings.

Golden, crispy falafel on a pillowy pita is a stand-out lunch choice in a city where getting a burger or pizza is as easy as stepping out your front door. Everything at Tamam is vegan, offering a healthier alternative to fast food on the Upper East Side. The falafel is complemented by two other tasty options: sabich (crispy eggplant slices with warm chickpeas) and cauliflower shawarma, made with warming spices. Go for a hummus bowl if you want to nix the bread.

Since 2015, Un Bien has been feeding hungry Seattleites deliciously flavorful Caribbean cuisine. There are now three colorful locations across the city, and the restaurants’ toasted Giuseppe baguettes – made by the local Macrina Bakery – have a fantastic reputation. Filling choices include marinated, slow-roasted pork shoulder, top-sirloin beef, and fire-grilled chicken breast drenched in the joint's signature marinade. Sautéed shrimp, fish, scallops, and tofu (all of which come with a deliciously garlicky tapenade) are delightful alternatives.

Kentucky has its own style of barbecue, so it may come as a surprise that one of Lexington's most popular spots is Hawaiian. You'll find all the Hawaiian classics at Big Kahuna, from Spam and kalua pork to blackened mahi-mahi. All these big flavors can be piled into a convenient hand-held meal too, with sandwiches served alongside macaroni salad. Try the Big Kahuna Burger – half a pound of beef topped with charred pineapple, Swiss cheese, bacon, and Hawaiian barbecue sauce, served on a toasted bun.

Rated one of the 50 best restaurants in America by The New York Times, Kabob Grill N’ Go is not to be missed. At this warm and welcoming joint, every combo comes with a whole pound of fresh meat, fluffy white basmati rice, Iranian Shirazi salad (with cucumber, tomatoes, and onions), grilled vegetables, and a choice of dip – and it’s all made completely fresh. If that sounds like a little too much, you can choose from pork ribs or single skewers of beef or chicken, all of which are tender and gorgeously spiced.

You'll want to bring a hankering for meat, meat, and more meat to this artsy Vegas restaurant. Habanero carne asada tacos, flavor bomb bacon-truffle smash burgers, and flatbread sandwiches bulging with grilled beef, portobello mushrooms, and Swiss cheese are all exciting options. If you're not in the mood for meat, veggie dishes like truffle garlic mushroom tacos and crispy Brussels sprouts mean you won’t be left out.

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