One of the highlights of any U.S. road trip is hitting up fast-food joints along the way.
These grab-and-go restaurants are built around their core communities, founded by people
who are passionate about their product, and staffed by locals who make it all happen.
Regional fast food restaurants make traveling in the U.S. totally delicious.
But chances are, those flavors can only be found in certain parts of the country.
Here are a few of the most uniquely regional fast food restaurants we wish we could dig
into everywhere.
Friendly's
What began as a simple ice cream parlor has become one of the Northeast's favorite family
restaurants.
The Blake Brothers opened Friendly's during the Great Depression, when they were in their
early twenties — and today, you'll find Friendly's all over New England and New York,
with a few locations in Florida and South Carolina.
Menu items can even cost under six bucks, which, according to MassLive, has been a source
of pride for the company, ever since a double-dip cone cost 5 cents.
While their entrees remain a hit, though, the real magic lies in their signature ice
cream desserts, like the Jim Dandy Sundae, the Cone Head Sundae, and the Wattamelon Sherbet
Roll.
"Friendly's.
Come for the food, leave room for the ice cream."
Torchy's Tacos
Travel to Texas and the craving for queso hits hard.
But Torchy's Tacos answers the call, with 11 locations in Texas, and a few in Oklahoma
and Colorado.
Their green chile queso is such a fan favorite that it was specially selected to be sold
at the 2018 NFL Draft Experience.
But would you really expect anything less from a place whose slogan is, "Damn Good Tacos"?
"Alright hold on a minute, smells like Torchy's in here.
Did someone say Torchy's?"
What started out as a food truck in San Antonio has become a beloved staple for Texans and
tourists.
And even President Barack Obama.
Founder and owner Michael Rypka described his winning flavor mashup, telling Hungry
Nation,
"Some southern and some bbq and some Texas and some Mexican and we kinda just put it
all together"
Their menu includes a variety of tacos, but the chip and dip options have everyone coming
back for more.
Even a staff member at Visit Austin said,
"The green chili queso and homemade chips at Torchy's are so good that I sometimes skip
the tacos completely and just order the queso and chips."
Luckily, jet-setters can sample that queso-y goodness on a flight out of Austin; as of
2017, a location is now open at the Austin airport.
Pal's Sudden Service
Driving by this place, you might think you're approaching the Pee Wee's Playhouse of fast
food.
Pal's founder, Fred "Pal" Barger, opened his first location in Kingsport, Tennessee in
1956, influenced by what Ray Kroc was doing with McDonald's.
"Patty melt, patty melt put it in your hand...unwrap one and share it with a friend… grill it
up cheese it up add a patch of onions patty melt, patty melt get em while you can"
You'll have to visit Tennessee or Southwestern Virginia to try some, but it's well worth
the trip.
Pal's is so serious about customer service, that it's developed its own intense web-based
training system for Pal's employees.
This dedication to professional development has resulted in a low-turnover rate, which
keeps Pal's customers happy too.
Shake Shack
Born in 2001 as a hot dog cart, newbie on the fast food block, Shake Shack, is swiftly
becoming the home of America's most coveted burger.
Shake Shack exploded from its flagship Madison Square Park store, to locations in almost
every major city in America — and several big cities around the world.
While it's still not as widely distributed across the map as its competitors, this is
definitely a fast food restaurant worth traveling for.
According to Shake Shack, their burgers are 100 percent all-natural Angus beef, and free
of hormones and antibiotics.
Nevermind the frozen custard, flat-top hot dogs, and the special "doggie dessert."
But if you're bummed there's not a Shake Shack near you, no worries: according to CNBC, more
restaurants are coming by the end of 2018.
...Yeah, we're already waiting in line.
Taco Cabana
This Mexican-inspired Texas chain is an Instagrammer's dream.
Taco Cabana's tacos, burritos and quesadillas consistently rank high with customers, according
to Market Force.
But would you really expect less from a place that serves $3 margaritas?
"It's a real margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice triple sec tequila … now that
is a real margarita"
The hot pink vibes may be inspired by former night club co-owner Felix Stehling's previous
life before he opened the "patio style" taco stand in 1978.
But what really sets this place apart is its high-quality menu.
Taco Cabana's research team travels to Mexico in search of the freshest flavors.
Corporate Chef Walter "Smokey" Waters told the Houston Chronicle,
"When [the research and development] team heads down to Mexico, we often find that the
most progressive areas in terms of food are on the outskirts of places like Mexico City."
In-N-Out Burger
Famous for their not-so-secret menu, In-N-Out Burger has been immortalized in pop culture,
and its cult following spans the world.
But what is it about this West Coast burger joint that makes it so good?
According to USA TODAY, it's because the company emphasizes fresh ingredients, with every burger
made to order, and no microwaves, heat lamps or freezers in any of their locations.
And those fresh ingredients certainly pay off: the restaurant's revenue is estimated
to be about $870 million.
In-N-Out launched in 1948, when Harry and Esther Snyder opened their first location
in Baldwin Park, California.
Today, hungry travelers can get their fix in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas,
and Oregon.
There are no plans for expansion in the eastern U.S., but if you're gonna hit up the West
Coast, In-N-Out's got you covered.
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