Gems Beyond the Golden Arches
When you think of fast food giants, McDonald's is probably what springs to mind first. It's convenient and arguably the easiest spot to go for a quick in-and-out meal. But if you're looking for a change of scenery and want to scope out better options, here are 20 fast food chains that beat the big yellow 'M.'
1. Culver's
Founded in Wisconsin in 1984, Culver's is best known for its ButterBurgers, which feature fresh beef patties, veggies, and slices of its home-state cheese sandwiched between lighted buttered buns. To pair a treat with your meal, order a cup of Culver's signature frozen custard to end your meal on a sweet note.
2. Swensons
A popular drive-in haunt of the early 1930s, Swensons remains beloved to this day. Galley Boy is the name of their iconic double cheeseburger, which comes with two special sauces (barbecue and tartar) and topped with an olive. But the menu here is diverse, offering anything from fried zucchini to crispy whitefish fillets.
3. Lord of the Fries
South of the hemisphere in Australia, Lord of the Fries began in Melbourne before its expansion to New Zealand. Its name is an ode to how the franchise started—over a shared love of fries. But it's not just the potatoes in the spotlight here: their burgers, stacked with mock-meat patties, are all vegan.
4. Shake Shack
Don't be fooled by the name—there's much more on offer here than shakes. This New York gem is known for the variety of drinks, frozen custard, and mouthwatering burgers. If you're stumped on which to pick, the ShakeBurger with Angus beef and ShackSauce (a blend of mayo, ketchup, mustard, and spices) is a classic.
5. Whataburger
Texas best-kept secret is Whataburger. Whether you're ordering a patty melt or the buffalo WhataWings, everything on the menu is sure to make you drool. If you're craving breakfast food instead, the options here don't disappoint, either. (Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, anyone?)
6. Cook Out
Forty milkshake flavors aside (from vanilla to banana pudding), Cook Out specializes in Southern BBQ, shakes, and burgers. If you're feeling creative, you can customize your own tray with a main entrée, two sides, and a drink.
7. Mister Donut
Have a sweet tooth? Mister Donut was initially founded in America, though it now mainly operates in Asia with over 1000 locations. The sweet, mochi-like donuts here come in a variety of flavors from strawberry glazed to double chocolate, and you might even find specially decorated ones.
8. White Castle
Acclaimed for its mini sliders, White Castle is a Midwest favorite. The original slider here is a must-try—steam-grilled patty topped with onions and a pickle slice—but it'd be waste to not try another two or three. Better yet, order a combo to get the full feast.
10. Jolibee
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely heard of Jolibee. This Filipino chain fries up wickedly delicious crispy drumsticks and juicy chicken burgers. It doesn't stop there: to finish off your meal, the Peach Mango (or Ube, if that's more up your alley) pie is a must-order.
11. Zaxby's
Zaxby's is another chain specializing in all-things chicken. Though its Chicken Fingerz are crowned most famous on the menu, the Signature Sandwich (hand-breaded chicken fillet with pickles and tangy Zax Sauce on a potato bun) is another cult favorite.
12. Lotteria
Hailing from South Korea, Lotteria is sometimes referred to as the "upscaled" McDonald's. At first glance, you'll likely find similarities on the menu; the cheeseburgers and chicken fillet burgers are just a few examples. But take a bite—and you might just taste the difference.
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13. Harvey's
Craving poutine? Harvey's has you covered. This Canadian fast food chain is known for fixing up cheesy, loaded fries, stuffed chicken wraps, and crispy chicken sandwiches. Wash your meal down with a hand-spun shake, made with 100% Canadian dairy.
14. MOS Burger
Founded in Tokyo, MOS Burger (which stands for Mountain, Ocean, and Sun) prides itself on fusing Japanese cuisine with American-style hamburgers. On the menu are your tried-and-true classics, like the MOS Cheeseburger or the Fish Fillet Burger. But you'll also find unique ones like the Natsumi series, where buns are replaced with lettuce wraps.
15. Bojangles
Chicken and biscuits. Need we say more? Established in North Carolina in 1977, Bojangles serves up Southern favorites across 17 states. In fact, its dedication to its customers knows no bounds. When Hurricane Hugo struck in 1989, Bojangles not only stayed open, they introduced a new menu item: Chicken Supremes.
16. Habib's
Brazil's biggest fast food chain, Habib's is Middle Eastern cuisine turned up to the next level. Esfihas are the specialty here, which might look similar to a pizza, but are actually flatbreads topped with spiced minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes cheese.
17. Runza
Named after the German-Russian style sandwich, Runza is popular for these baked burrito, hot pocket-like wraps that are filled with ground beef, cabbage, and onions. If you're looking for a kick of spice, try the Spicy Jack Runza, which features pepper jack cheese and jalapeños.
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18. Portillo's
Chicago-style street food has never been better. Char-boiled burgers, subs, ribs... the list goes on. But the stars of the show, of course, are the hot dogs: poppy-seed buns stuffed with an all-beef frankfurter, layered with mustard, relish, onions, and just about anything else you can imagine.
19. Nordsee
Calling all seafood lovers—this one's for you. This German chain fixes up steaming plates of seafood with a focus on fish. Menu items here range from fancier picks like the smoked salmon fillet on a bed of spinach, to regular hamburgers like the fishcake-loaded Nordsee Burger.
20. Wawa
More than just a convenience store or a gas station stop, Wawa offers freshly baked goods, mouthwatering hoagies, and even 16-inch pies. Most locations are also open 24/7, meaning you can grab a quick fix at any time of day (or night).
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