Recipes How To Reviews Chefs News Inspiration Sign In

The oldest fast food restaurants in every US state, ranked

Vintage vibes and classic cuisine
44. Wyoming: Red Baron Drive-In, Afton
43. Georgia: Chick-fil-A, Atlanta
42. Alaska: Arctic Roadrunner, Anchorage
41. Hawaii: Rainbow Drive-in, Honolulu
40. Alaska: Lucky Wishbone, Anchorage
39. North Dakota: Sammy’s Pizza, Minot
38. Nevada: Gold ‘n’ Silver Inn, Reno
37. Arizona: Lucky Wishbone, Tucson
36. New Mexico: Blake’s Lotaburger, Albuquerque
35. Washington: Frisko Freeze, Tacoma
=34. Montana: RB Drive-In, Helena
=34. California: McDonald's, San Bernardino
33. Vermont: Al’s French Frys, South Burlington
=32. New Jersey: White Manna Hamburgers, Hackensack
=32. South Carolina: Beacon Drive-In, Spartanburg
=32. Illinois: Cozy Dog Drive-In, Springfield
=31. Nebraska: Lee’s Chicken, Lincoln
=31. Colorado: Cherry Cricket, Denver
30. New Hampshire: Gilley's Diner, Portsmouth
29. Florida: Jerry's Drive In, Pensacola
28. Rhode Island: Olneyville New York System, Providence
=27. Maine: Red’s Eats, Wiscasset
=27. Texas: Lankford Grocery, Houston
=27. Minnesota: Lakeview Drive Inn, Winona
26. Oregon: Roake’s, Milwaukie
25. Wisconsin: Gilles Frozen Custard, Milwaukee
=24. Delaware: Deerhead Hot Dogs, Newark
=24. Massachusetts: Friendly’s, Springfield
23. Tennessee: Krystal, Chattanooga
22. Pennsylvania: Pat's King of Steaks, Philadelphia
=21. Missouri: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis
=21. Louisiana: Parkway Bakery and Tavern, New Orleans
=21. South Dakota: Nick's Hamburger Shop, Brookings
=21. Maryland: Thrasher’s French Fries, Ocean City
=20. Iowa: Taylor’s Maid-Rite, Marshalltown
=20. Ohio: Kewpee Hamburgers, Lima
=20. Georgia: The Varsity, Atlanta
19. Oklahoma: Hamburger King, Shawnee
18. Kentucky: Mike Linnig’s Restaurant, Louisville
17. Kansas: The Cozy Inn, Salina
16. Kansas: White Castle, Wichita
15. California: A&W, Lodi
14. Utah: Hi-Mountain, Kamas
13. Alabama: Chris’ Famous Hotdogs, Montgomery
=12. North Carolina: Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs, Wake Forest
=12. New York: Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, New York City
=12. Georgia: Nu-Way Weiners, Macon
11. Michigan: Coney Island Hot Dogs, Kalamazoo
10. West Virginia: Coleman’s Fish Market, Wheeling
9. Indiana: Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island, Fort Wayne
8. Tennessee: Dyer’s Burgers, Memphis
7. Arkansas: Jones Bar-B-Que Diner, Marianna
6. Idaho: Hudson's Hamburgers, Coeur d’Alene
5. Virginia: Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue, Norfolk
4. Connecticut: Louis’ Lunch, New Haven
3. Alabama: Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain, Scottsboro
2. Massachusetts: Casey’s Diner, Natick
1. Mississippi: Borroum’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain, Corinth
1 of 59
Krystal/Facebook

Vintage vibes and classic cuisine

Whether your fast food order of choice is a burger and fries, a hot dog, fried chicken, or a pizza, you're spoilt for choice in America. But forget the big chains – across the US you'll find plenty of longstanding fast food joints that stay true to age-old original recipes, as well as diners that have served fries and fried chicken for generations. Here's our pick of the best spots still operating today.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most historic fast food spot in every state, counting down to the oldest of all.

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. In some cases, the oldest fast food restaurant in a state may not come highly recommended – here, we have selected another historic spot.

Gallery view |
List View

Luke Paton

28 April 2025

Inspiration

See more on this topic

Share the love