The top independent fast food spots in every US state

Let's hear it for the little guys

Whatever your opinion of the giant chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King, one thing's for sure: there's more to fast food than the big guys. From nostalgic old-school drive-ins to innovative burger joints serving bold flavors, these hidden gems offer something special you won’t find under a golden arch. Here's our pick of the best independent fast food spot in every state – where local flavor truly shines.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best independent fast food restaurant near you for bucket-list fast food.

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.

Alabama: Chris’ Famous Hotdogs, Montgomery

Famous by name and famous by nature, this hot dog restaurant in Alabama's capital has been going strong since 1917, and it's now nothing short of a local institution. It was opened by Greek immigrant Christopher Katechis all those years ago, and today it still turns out those tried-and-tested dogs, topped with everything from sauerkraut to house chili sauce. You can get top-notch burgers and a slice of sweet pie here, too. 

Alaska: Lucky Wishbone, Anchorage

This Anchorage hot spot was established back in 1955, and it's still the number one place for a fried chicken fix in Alaska's most populous city. Wings and drumsticks are doused in buttermilk, battered, and fried until deliciously golden. Get them with sides like chili cheese fries or mashed potatoes and country gravy, and don't miss an old-fashioned ice cream soda. 

Arizona: The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe, Phoenix

There's a wonderfully retro vibe at this Phoenix stop, which keeps things simple with a small menu of burgers and milkshakes. The bacon cheeseburger is always a winner, and sweet-toothed diners will love the cookies and cream shake. The classic French fries are cooked to perfection, too. 

Arkansas: David's Burgers, various locations

Popular David's Burgers has a small smattering of central Arkansas locations, from Little Rock to Hot Springs and, as its name suggests, burgers rule the menu. The joint is serious about the quality of its meat too, using only the finest chuck, and grinding the beef daily. You can't go wrong with the classic beef burger, layered up with pickles, lettuce, and tomato, but chicken burgers and grilled cheese are on offer as well. 

California: HiHo Cheeseburger, Los Angeles

The USP of this City of Angels burger joint is that it deals only in 100% grass-fed wagyu beef. The fine patties are fed into imaginative burgers such as the Pastrami Heat, which comprises spicy jam and wagyu pastrami, served alongside scratch-made, hand-cut fries. You'll find four locations across LA. 

California: Original Tommy’s, various locations

Colorado: Crown Burgers, Denver

The Mile High City has plenty of amazing eating spots, but you still can't beat a tried-and-true burger joint. Crown Burgers has been running for around three decades, with a menu of belt-busting burgers, grilled sandwiches, and quick breakfasts. Come by for a Royal Burger layered up with pastrami and served with a heap of onion rings (pictured).

Connecticut: Tomlinson's Restaurant, Bridgeport

This beloved Bridgeport spot has a whole lot of history. It began life as a little hot dog stand, started by its namesake Harry Tomlinson in the 1930s, and it's been in its present location since the 1940s (though now it's a bricks-and-mortar restaurant). Order 'the works': a dog layered up with sauerkraut, onions, mustard, and relish, or swap your McDonald's breakfast for a Tomlinson's egg platter or pancakes. 

Delaware: Johnnies Dog House, Wilmington

You don't need to guess twice what this down-home fast food spot's specialty might be. This place is all about hot dogs, which either come smothered in spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut, heaving under baked beans and onions, Boston-style, or kicking with sport peppers, jalapeños, and hot sauce. There's also an impressive roster of sandwiches and burgers, and there are some comforting breakfast staples on offer, too. 

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Florida: Ms. Cheezious, Miami

Gooey grilled cheese sandwiches are the star attraction at this cheerful quick-service Floridian joint. Here, you can accessorize your classic grilled cheese with everything from crab salad and braised short rib to barbecue tempeh and orange marmalade. If you've got a sweet tooth, try the S'mores Melt: marshmallows, crumbled graham crackers, and chocolate-hazelnut spread parceled up between slices of sourdough. 

Florida: JAM Hot Chicken, Winter Park

Georgia: The Varsity, various locations

This mini-chain has eight locations around Atlanta and Athens, and its menu – which deals in comforting fast food classics – should be enough to tempt any visitor to the Peach State. Feast on hot dogs heaving under warming chili, burgers served in pillowy steamed buns, and tender, golden chicken nuggets. The Frosted Orange Shake wins high praise from customers, too.

Hawaii: Rainbow Drive-in, Honolulu

Those searching for a quick lunch in Hawaii should look no further than the Rainbow Drive-in. It's an Aloha State classic, having been running since 1961, and it now has a trio of locations in Honolulu and Aiea. Comforting Hawaiian staples are doled out onto paper plates – think hamburger patties with rice and special house gravy, SPAM and eggs, and griddled mahi mahi with tartar sauce. Happily, it's still family owned and run, too. 

Idaho: Hit List, Garden City

This no-frills Boise area burger stop has a small menu, which means everything on it is executed to perfection. Try the pulled pork burger, which is finished with barbecue sauce, American cheese, and onions, or plump for the meatball sandwich with rich marinara sauce and Parmesan. Vegetarians are looked after with the Green and Beans Burger, made with fresh beans and veggies, and topped with pickles, salad, and onions. 

Illinois: Windy City Grill, Romeoville

A family-run spot in Illinois' biggest city, the Windy City Grill focuses on American and Greek fast food staples, served in simple surrounds. Here, you can sink your teeth into rib-sticking Chicago-style hot dogs, classic Italian beef sandwiches, and bulging gyros. There's a generous kids' menu and a selection of milkshakes on offer, too. 

Indiana: California Burger, Indianapolis

Taking inspiration from the Golden State, this Indy spot promises 'fresh never frozen' fast food, with a menu dominated by tempting burgers. The standard options are joined by creations such as the California Melt, which sees two patties, salad, avocado, and secret sauce slotted into slices of grilled sourdough. Beyond the burgers, you can get baskets of hot chicken wings and fried shrimp, plus corn dogs and taquitos. 

Iowa: Ted's Coney Island, Des Moines

Renowned for its stellar portions, this classic Des Moines joint features burgers, gyros, and tenderloin sandwiches on its sizable menu. However, the real fail-safe option is the classic Coney dog, which comes slathered in Ted's signature house-made chili, and finished with mustard, onions, and pickles. Loosen your belt and enjoy it with a giant handful of French fries, homemade onion rings, and coleslaw.

Kansas: Spangles, various locations

This much-loved Kansas mini-chain was started by brothers Dale and Craig Steven in 1978, and it's grown from one Wichita restaurant to 27 charmingly retro locations across the state. It's still a family-owned business today, and is famed for its signature chromed-up interiors and drool-inducing range of Steakburgers, all made with premium Black Angus beef. Be sure to order some fries on the side – with a range of tasty seasonings to try, they really are something special.

Kentucky: Chicken King, Louisville

No prizes for guessing which fast food staple reigns supreme at this pared-back Louisville spot. Here, chicken is indeed king, with wings smothered in Buffalo, honey mustard, and golden barbecue sauce, and fried chicken dinners heaving with home-style sides like potato salad, green beans, and sweet potato casserole. Leave room for dessert – the pecan pie and peach cobbler will leave you wanting a second helping.

Louisiana: Dat Dog, New Orleans

Nearly every topping you could imagine is piled onto the hot dogs at the ever-colorful Dat Dog, with a trio of locations in the Big Easy. Get yours under lashings of Andouille sauce, with sauerkraut and Creole mustard, or with jalapeños and barbecue sauce. You can choose between a vegan bratwurst, a crawfish sausage, an alligator sausage, and a Vienna all-beef sausage, too.

Maine: Rapid Ray's, Saco

It's no wonder the steamed cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and seafood staples at Rapid Ray's are so good – it's had 70 years of practice doling out fast food favorites to the folks of southern Maine. The well-loved joint first opened in Saco in 1953 and, seven decades later, it's still as popular as ever. The offerings are relatively small, but perfectly formed, with Maine classics like clam cakes and lobster rolls (lobster meat delicately mixed with mayo and layered on a buttery hot dog roll) taking pride of place on the menu.

Maryland: Thrasher's French Fries, various locations

Fries are a side act at most fast food venues – but that's not the case at Thrasher's French Fries, which purports to make 'the best French fries on the planet.' The concept was born in 1929, dreamed up by the eponymous businessman J.T. Thrasher, who wanted to elevate the humble French fry. He did so by placing a keen focus on the quality of the potatoes he sourced – fast-forward almost 100 years, and the processes and recipes remain the same. Mr. Thrasher would be proud. 

Massachusetts: Clover Food Lab, various locations

This Massachusetts mini-chain now has a string of locations in the Boston area, but its ethos hasn't changed: it's all about providing Beantown residents with fast, high-quality vegetarian food that's seasonally sourced, and mostly made from scratch. Clover Food Lab is 'obsessed' with speed, regularly timing how long it takes to dole out orders (and it's currently only a fraction slower than McDonald's average). This isn't your average fast food, either: choose from delights such as falafel sandwiches with crunchy slaw, Baja mushroom pitas, and 'fish' and chips made with banana blossom.

Michigan: Lafeyette Coney Island/American Coney Island, Detroit

It's not for us to choose which of these veteran Detroit fast food joints is the best in the state. Lafayette and American – both original purveyors of Motor City's classic Coney Island hot dog – have a decades-long rivalry, and every Detroiter you meet will have their favorite. Try both and make your choice: each of the venues' Coney dogs start with a Frankfurter, which is then layered up with chili (no beans), onions, and mustard. American's offering is known to be slightly spicier. 

Minnesota: My Burger, Minneapolis

You can't go wrong with the signature offering at this down-to-earth Minneapolis spot – a beef patty is topped with ketchup, mustard, fried onions, and sweet pickles, with mouthwatering results. My Burger is also known for its monthly specials: imaginative offerings include creations like the spicy Campfire Burger, which sees a beef patty paired with peppered bacon, hot pepper cheese, salad, and barbecue-garlic mayo. Whatever your burger pick, pair it with a heap of Cajun or jerk fries. 

Mississippi: Johnnie's Drive In, Tupelo

Tupelo is best known as the birthplace of Elvis, but the little city is home to some mighty fine food joints as well. Among them is Johnnie's Drive In, which focuses on fast American comfort food. Swing by and tuck into burgers, barbecue sandwiches, or breakfast plates piled up with meat and eggs. You'll dine surrounded by Elvis memorabilia, too. 

Missouri: Humdinger Drive-In and Food Truck, Kansas City

A whole roster of classic fast food is on offer at this nostalgic Kansas City mainstay. The joint has been running since 1962 – and the fact that it remains a local favorite is telling indeed. Customers keep coming back for the shrimp dinner, spicy taco burger, and deep-fried burritos. Tasty shakes come in creative flavors like cherry and chocolate, and bubblegum. 

Montana: RB Drive-in, Helena

You'll see all the tried-and-tested American fast food classics on the menu at this old-school drive-in – think juicy burgers, hot sammies, fish and chips, and corn dogs. However, customers especially keep pouring in for the selection of sweet treats. Get your sugar fix with old-fashioned malts finished with a dollop of whipped cream, handmade shakes in flavors from banana and peach to peanut butter and butterscotch, and classic ice cream cones and floats. 

Nebraska: Best Burger, Omaha

This casual Omaha restaurant does exactly what its name suggests: it focuses on well-made burgers, created with top-notch ingredients and paired with fuss-free sides. Build your own, choosing between a beef, turkey, or Thai black bean patty, and layering it up with extras like Swiss cheese, avocado, Thai slaw, and garlic aioli.

Nevada: Burger Me!, Reno

New Hampshire: Lexie's Joint, various locations

There's now a small handful of locations of this cheerful joint, started by Portsmouth couple KC and Lexie back in 2010. Tempting menus are served in simple but colorful surroundings across venues, and the imaginative specials often pull in the crowds. Graze on concoctions such as the Atomic Bomb Wedgie Burger, which sees your patty of choice (beef, chicken, or bean) finished with blue cheese, salad, sriracha aioli, and fried jalapeños. Pair it with a side of fries smothered in ketchup, mayo, and blue cheese.

New Jersey: White Manna, Hackensack

White Manna needs no introduction, as far as locals are concerned; the nostalgic hamburger joint is a Hackensack legend, and it's also featured on TV shows like Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It was actually established in 1939 at the World's Fair in New York City, and it was eventually transported to New Jersey in 1946. Today, things remain gloriously unchanged – stop by the tiny venue for a classic, fuss-free burger with pickles and oozing American cheese. 

New Mexico: Burger Nook, Las Cruces

This simple Las Cruces joint promises 'the best burgers in town, since 1983.' It's not just lip service, either – customers say Burger Nook dishes up some of the finest burgers in southern New Mexico, with a straight-shooting menu that does the classics just right. Opt for a simple beef burger layered up with pickles, salad, and American cheese, a hot dog in a soft white bun, or a crunchy taco or fried burrito. 

New York: Burger World, New York City

You could spend months eating your way around New York City and still not sample all of its stellar fast food eats – from towering burgers to rib-sticking pizza – but the aptly named Burger World should definitely be on your hit list. The garlic potato fries win the menu, and you can pair them with everything from a grilled chicken burger to crispy fried shrimp or hot wings with a blue cheese dip.

New York: Ted’s Hot Dogs, Buffalo

Set up in 1927, Ted’s Hot Dogs has been a Buffalo hotspot for almost a century. Now a small chain, the spot remains loved for its smoky dogs packed with flavor. Choose from your hot dog of choice (think regular, bratwurst, footlong, Italian, Polish, veggie, and all-beef) and load it with your favorite toppings, from sweet relish and ketchup to diced onions, cheese sauce, and pickle spears. Pair yours with a side of chili cheese fries or house-made onion rings.

North Carolina: South 21 Drive In, Charlotte

A convivial, family-orientated drive-in with a menu of fast food classics, South 21 has been serving the folks of Charlotte since 1955. Its most famous menu item is the Super Boy – a mammoth burger featuring two beef patties, mustard, onions, salad, and a pickle, plus a heap of French fries. The homemade onion rings also come with high praise.

North Dakota: Scotty's Drive-in, Bismarck

A vintage drive-in that dates back to the 1960s, Scotty's has become a Bismarck landmark over the years. It's best known for the Rebel Burger: a giant, belly-busting creation that features three (yes, three) beef patties along with gooey American cheese, pickles and onions, ketchup, and mustard. The seasonally available Hot Hamburger – a patty on sourdough, with mashed potatoes and beef gravy – is another Scotty's classic.

Ohio: Loops, Columbus

'Eat it, Love it, Get out.' That's the motto at this down-to-earth fast food spot in Ohio's capital. There's absolutely no fuss here, with a menu built on tried-and-true items such as grilled pitas stuffed with meat, veggies, and tzatziki, plus Italian beef sandwiches and beef hot dogs. Fast food fiend Guy Fieri has even paid this joint a visit. 

Oklahoma: Tucker’s Onion Burgers, Oklahoma City

The name of this well-loved Oklahoma City joint gives the game away: it's hailed for its onion burgers, an Oklahoma staple born in small-town cafés in the 1920s. Fast-forward more than a century and they're cooked to perfection here, finished with crunchy salad, jalapeños, and ketchup, mayo, or mustard. Hand-breaded chicken and an Impossible Burger are also on the menu. 

Oregon: Mike’s Drive-in, Oregon City

Who doesn't love a down-home drive-in? This old-school stop is one of the finest fast food places in the Pacific Northwest, with a nostalgic vibe and a menu fit to burst with comforting classics. Opt for tried-and-tested burger combos such as the Mushroom and Swiss, or seafood delights like the clam strips basket with French fries. Sweet-toothed diners can opt for a classic shake, sundae, or float, too. 

Pennsylvania: Pat’s King of Steaks, Philadelphia

Philly cheesesteak stands and restaurants are now ubiquitous across the City of Brotherly Love – but it all began with Pat's King of Steaks. This long-running restaurant is tipped as the place where the classic Philly sandwich was invented in the 1930s. Fast-forward nigh on a century, and you can still come by to get the Philly staple in its truest form, served hot in a white hoagie roll with onions and Cheez Whiz.

Rhode Island: Olneyville New York System Restaurant, Cranston and Providence

Touting itself as the purveyor of 'Rhode Island's best hot wieners,' Olneyville now has two locations (one in Providence, and the other in Cranston). The signature hot dog is the star choice, but the menu is also filled up with burgers and hot sandwiches, plus loaded fries and chicken wings.

South Carolina: Rush’s, various locations

This South Carolina mini-chain began back in the 1940s, when the Rush family opened a drive-in on the border of their own farm. Now more than 80 years have passed – but, as the restaurant's motto goes, 'times change, traditions remain.' Its fast food–filled menu has stood the test of time, with a selection of fuss-free burgers, hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, and fried chicken on offer.

South Dakota: Nick’s Hamburger Shop, Brookings

Another long-running spot, Nick's Hamburger Shop has been operating since the 1920s, when Harold and Gladys Nikalson first started flipping burgers. Back then, the burgers were just 5 cents each – but while prices have gone up over the years, little else has changed. The diminutive menu features hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chips, homemade pies, and shakes. It's old-school fast food, done right.

Tennessee: Plant Based Heat, Memphis

Things are done a little differently at Bluff City's Plant Based Heat. This modern fast food shop is entirely vegan, with plant-based burgers, wings, and sandwiches on the menu. The 'vings' are the star attraction, made from soy and pea protein, and doused in the sauce of your choice, from lemon pepper to agave gold. The hickory smoked Beyond Meat burger is a winner, too. 

Texas: Burger Boy, San Antonio

San Antonio is one of only two certified UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in the US (the other being Tucson), and fantastic fast food is just one of the many feathers in the city's culinary cap. The best place to get your fix is Burger Boy, which, as the name suggests, focuses on first-rate burgers. They're straightforward, with classic garnishes and sauces – and you can also try a hot dog, corn dog, or fish sandwich.

Texas: Jucys Hamburgers, various locations

Utah: Crown Burgers, various locations

Another burger spot worth writing home about, Utah's Crown Burgers was established in 1978, and it now has several locations across Salt Lake City and Layton. There's a sizable menu, and all the fast food bases are covered; here, you can try everything from a French dip sandwich to a chicken gyro, chili hamburger, or veggie burrito. 

Vermont: Bliss Bee, various locations

'Real food, real easy' – that's what diners are promised at this contemporary fast food spot, with a few locations in Vermont. The menu centers on the house burgers, whose toppings include ingredients like spicy scallion slaw, chili-lime crema, and tzatziki sauce, and there are also chicken sandwiches, grain bowls, and chicken nuggets on offer.

Virginia: The Burger Shack, various locations

This Virginia joint takes quality seriously, promising 'always fresh and never frozen' food. You can taste the difference in its tempting menu, which allows you to build your own burger. Begin with your choice of bread (we love the brioche bun or Texas toast), then layer up with a beef, chicken, or turkey patty, your favorite cheese, and toppings such as salsa, sliced pineapple, sauerkraut, and egg.

Washington: Matt’s Hot Dogs, Seattle

The people of Seattle have been enjoying Matt's Hot Dogs for around 30 years, and the joint's popularity shows no sign of waning. It keeps its fans satisfied with its selection of 100% pure beef hot dogs – finished with toppings like onions, chili, and coleslaw – and a solid roster of burgers. Top tip: 'spike' your fries with jalapeños for a spice fix.

West Virginia: Suzi's Hamburgers, South Charleston

You'll find all your fast food favorites at this easygoing joint in South Charleston. There are zero frills, with a pared-back dining room and a simple menu, but that's part of the charm. Swing by for a meat and egg platter at breakfast, or a cheeseburger, fish fillet, or ham and Swiss cheese sandwich for lunch. 

Wisconsin: Kopp's Frozen Custard, Milwaukee

Wyoming: Red Baron Drive-In, Afton

It was 1968 when Red Baron first began serving its menu of satisfying comfort food – and, more than half a century later, the place still has legions of fans. Regulars keep coming back for the thoughtful menu, which is relatively small, but packs a punch – think signature cheese and bacon burgers, footlong hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, plus more unusual offerings such as the Pizza Burger with rich pizza sauce.

Now discover the most historic fast food restaurant in every state

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Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.