Regional Fast Food Restaurants

[El Elvis Rojo]

Well, here in Texas, we've got Jack in the Box which has some of the greatest advertising known to man. But, I know there aren't any Jacks in Louisiana, nor in Atlanta, GA, but I'm curious...who else out there has a Jack in the Box in their nieghborhood?

And what other fast food restaurants are native to your local? (just in case I'm ever traveling your way, so I know where to eat )

[honkytonkwillie]

Southern California has the In And Out Burger chain.

Best hamburgers in the world. Sorry, no cite. I'm sure others will back me up though.

[Motog]

Originally posted by honkytonkwillie
Southern California has the In And Out Burger chain.

Please tell me you're kidding about that name

[derTintenfisch]

I'll agree on In and Out hamburgers (or at least, best fast food hamburgers).

I've only seen Wendy's and Arby's in the Northeast, and I've only seen Jack in the Box, In and Out, Carl's Junior (or whatever it's called) out here in CA. Taco Bell, McDonald's and Burger King are everywhere, as far as I can tell.


Now if only I could trade Safeway for Wegmans...

[derTintenfisch]

Originally posted by Motog
Please tell me you're kidding about that name

Nope

[Happy Lendervedder]

Boom's is only in South Dakota (only has two or three locations the last I knew) has the fantastic Boom Burger. Man I haven't had one of those in years. Mmmmmmmm....

Anyone else know about Boom's? Please?!?

Mr. Burger in west Michigan has a pretty mean Olive Burger. And I can't get enough of their chilidogs with everything.
I used to like Mr. Fables, also only in w-Mich, but alas...

stv


stv

[Mephisto]

derTintenfisch, I've seen both Wendy's and Arby's restaurants in Arkansas and Illinois. In fact, I think I got a case of food poisoning from the Wedy's in Little Rock (across the street from the Dept. of Health, ironically enough).

About ten years ago, in Texas, I fell in love with What-A-Burger (or is it just Whataburger?). At the time I was told this chain only existed in the Lone Star State, but I've since learned that they are also in Louisiana and at least one city in Arkansas. I wish that franchise would expand to the north and east a little--I'd go out and grab a few burgers.

A year or two ago I ate at a place called--forgive the spelling--Wienerschnitzel's (did I get it right?) in San Diego. The place sure looked like a chain restaurant, although I don't think I've seen one anywhere else.

What about Sonic? I grew up in Illinois, and never saw one; here in Arkansas, they're everywhere--they seem to be more popular even than McDonalds and Burger King. Has Sonic started colonizing the north yet?

[even sven]

The thing that people miss most when they move away from Sacramento CA, is Jimboy's Tacos.

There are quite a few locations in Sacramento, enough to qualify it as a chain, but I don't think there are any out of the Sacramento area. I know a guy who makes a three hour drive from Santa Cruz at least once a week to eat there.

[Sysop]

I live in Texas, grew up in Corpus Christi for the most part...home of Whataburger, the place it was founded over 50 years ago. I must say, Whataburger does have some decent burgers, good shakes, very salty fries...but GAWD, you have to wait at the drive-thru FOREVER and a DAY! I now live in Austin...and I'm 5 blocks west of the Capitol Building as I sit here and type (at my secret job). Anyway, when I'm hungreh fer summ grub, this is what I have to choose from:

Jack In The Box (Jack In The Crack)--decent food, good curly-fries
Wendy's--spent over $200 there in one month
Arby's--been there maybe twice in 15 years
Taco Bell (Taco Hell)--can't beat the price, food mostly lukewarm
McDonald's--okay for breakfast, funny-smelling hamburger meat
Burger King--seems like a great value, overall good fast food
Whataburger--only if you've got the time (but it's 24/7)
Wienerschnitzel--did *I* spell it right? had a soda there once
Sonic--nice, juicy hamburgers, good variety of food/desserts, fair price
Schlotzsky's--FANTASTIC sandwiches on sour dough
Taco Cabana--more food, less dinero...I think NOT! fajita meat rocks
Church's Chicken--cheap cheap, okay value
Popeye's Chicken--expensive expensive, good and SPICY!
Kentucky Fried Chicken--don't visit often, but damned good food
Short Stop--GREAT juicy hamburgers, cheap deals, nice slushees
Dairy Queen--dipped cones, chicken strips, hamburgers, other desserts
Dan's/Fran's Hamburgers--GREAT GREAT hamburgers/breakfast tacos
Long John Silvers--I'd rather eat "seafood" here than at Red Lobster
Mr Gatti's Pizza--I worked for their regional call center, decent pizza

I'm sure there are a bazillion other places, but I've covered the main fast food joints...don't EVEN get me started on the regular dine-in locations. With my busy schedule, I don't ever cook, I just go out to eat all the time, fast food or dine-in restaurants. I consider myself an expert on the average dining places, don't care much for the fancy schmancy, hoity toity places that are too expensive (even though I can afford them). Well, these places can be found in Austin (but I think the Wiener-place was actually in Cedar Park, to the northwest), so now you know where to go.

[Cisco]

We have several Jack-in-the-Boxes here in NC, thought none of them are more than 2 or 3 years old.
We have a What-a-Burger that has been here since the 1950's but I'm not sure if it's related to the ones out west.
And I'll just echo that In-n-Out has the best burgers

[dead0man]

Originally posted by Motog


Please tell me you're kidding about that name

In and Out Burger aint bad. In Omaha we have Cum and Go gas stations. Yes its spelled that way.
As for the OP, we had/have Jack in the Cracks in the St.Louis metro area. Checkers and Rallys seem to be a midwest/east/south thing. White Castle is also a midwest thing with the Krystal being its clone in the south. Sonic's seem to be spreading everywhere. Didn't we just do this a couple of weeks ago?
dead0man

[Lure]

Never got the In'N Out thing.Just like Wendy's IMO,except it's cooked to order.Not enough depth to it.the fries are terribly overrated,too.Sure they're fresh,but they're still served just a little past the blanching stage.French fries should be CRISP outside.Ditto the milkshakes.Yes it's mixed in shaker w/milk,but that's what a milkshake is.The stuff at the other joints is just ice milk given a shot in the blender,if that.

The best chain burgers I've encountered are Fatburger.True to it's name it is semi-fat (thick) and cooked to order like In 'N Out,but because of the thickness it retains some juice, therefore, some meat flavor.

Mickey D's has ruined this country's perception of what a burger (or palatable food quality) should be.

[Second Echo]

I live near Seattle, WA. We have Jack-in-the-Boxes all over here. I love them and think they're the best fast-food restaurant going. I have, however talked to friends in Iowa and Minnesota who had never heard of Jack, so I guess it isn't around in that part of the country. We also have Wendy's here, which is very good too. We've got Skippers...not sure how widespread that is. Taco Bell and Taco Time...Taco Time is much better. We have Arby's, but no Hardee's that I know of.

As far as sub shops go, we have Subway, Blimpie, and Quiznos.

[Lsura]

On my trip to the Nashville area last week (ok, Murfreesboro and Lebanon, TN) I noticed that Jack in the Box has moved into that area in a big way - I don't remember them being there when I lived there in 1997/1998.

Here in Atlanta we have the Varsity. I can eat there about twice a year without feeling that I'm going to have an immediate heart attack. Like the other Southern states, we also have Krystal. Another grease haven.

[jjimm]

If you're in Ireland, don't forget to visit Supermacs (a disastrous local version of McDonald's), and the famous Abrakebabra.

[ShibbOleth]

Where they come from (originally, as best as I can find)




Jack In The Box (Jack In The Crack)--San Diego, CA(?)
Wendy's--Dublin, Ohio
Arby's--Boardman, Ohio
Taco Bell (Taco Hell)--San Bernadino, CA
McDonald's--San Bernadino, Ca
Burger King--Miami, FL
Whataburger--Corpus Christi, TX
Wienerschnitzel-- Newport Beach, CA
Sonic--Shawnee, OK
Schlotzsky's--Austin Texas
Taco Cabana--San Antonio, TX (never heard of them)
Taco Time -- Eugene, OR
Church's Chicken--San Antonio, TX
Popeye's Chicken--New Orleans, LA
Kentucky Fried Chicken--Louisville, KY
Short Stop--(never heard of them and no web presence that I can find)
Dairy Queen--Minneapolis, MN (?)
Dan's/Fran's Hamburgers--(Austin, TX(?): never heard of them and no web presence that I can find)
Long John Silvers--(No idea, but HQ is in Lexington, KY)
Mr Gatti's Pizza--Austin, TX

[Phlosphr]

Well in AZ there's Filiberto's / In and Out Burger, Crystal Burger,

anyone heard of Subway?

[Johnny L.A.]

The best chain burgers I've encountered are Fatburger.True to it's name it is semi-fat (thick) and cooked to order like In 'N Out,but because of the thickness it retains some juice, therefore, some meat flavor.

Fatburger is definitely better than In-N-Out. For one thing, they put salt and pepper on thier beef patties. You gotta cook 'em with salt and pepper, not give the customer little packets afterwards. Also Fatburger's fried (you have your choice of skinny or fat) are much, much better. "Fat", according to the tray liners, was the '50s version of "Phat". So "Fatburger" not only means that the burgers are big, but also that they're very good.

I don't like mustard or relish on my burgers, and at Fatburger you have to tell them not to put them on.

There is a Fatburger in Redmond, WA, one in Nevada, and one in Arizona, but they're basically a California chain.

There is a Fatburger/In-N-Out thread in Café Society. (BTW: In-N-Out burgers are very good. I just like Fatburger better.)

Re: Wienerschnitzel. They used to be Der Wienderschnitzel, but I guess enough people informed them it should have been "Das". Oddly, you can't get Wienerschnitzel at Wienerschnitzel; but what you can get are some of the best fast-food chili-cheese dogs on the planet. Yeah, Johnny Rocket's and Jodi Maroni have dogs that actually snap when you bite them; but there's just... "something"... about Wienerschnitzel's chili-dogs.

[Kamino Neko]

I've never seen Wimpie's outside Ontario, though I've got a vague feeling I'd heard something about them elsewhere, but it's very, very vague...::Shrug::

[Johnny L.A.]

ShibbOleth: Re: your "where they came from" list.

In Barstow, CA there was a guy named Bell who had a hamburger and taco stand. He sold it, and the guy who bought it named it Del Taco ("of the taco"? ) and focused on "Mexican" food. Bell moved to (San Bernardino? I thought it was Glendale) and opened Taco Bell. This according to Huell Howzer's Visiting series on PBS.

The original Hot Dog on a Stick in still on Venice Beach, I believe.

anyone heard of Subway?

South Park did an episode on the guy who lost weight eating Subway sandwiches.

[epolo]

I haven't eaten there but I recently read this article in the Economist about the expansion of a Filipino fast food franchise called Jollibee.

In case the article is subscription only:

A busy bee in the hamburger hive

Feb 28th 2002
From The Economist print edition

If McDonald's is the Goliath of fast food, Tony Tan's Jollibee is its Filipino David

THE Philippines is a huge embarrassment to McDonald's. Filipinos are as mad about American culture as they are about fast food, and in 1981, when the golden arches first went up in Manila, everybody assumed that McDonald's would rule the Filipino market, as so many others. At the time, Tony Tan was a local entrepreneur who, with his siblings, had just turned a few ice-cream parlours into burger kitchens. He was soon getting friendly advice that he was still young enough to do something else for a living. At best, said his friends, he could buy the McDonald's franchise.

[Yossarian]

I'm pretty sure there's a Taco Hut Pizza in Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Monahans.

[Turbo Dog]

We have just about everything here including Rally's and Steak-n-Shake, except for In-N-Out. Nothing tastier than a fresh double double. We had a Checkers in our CA town for a while but it sold to McDonalds after a few years.

We also have Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. Across the street from KFC and absolutely incredible. It's like a mix of the best qualities of KFC and Popeyes. Amazing chicken, regular or spicy, and in addition to standard mashed taters, corn on the cob and mac-n-cheese, the rest of the sides are southern type: cajun rice (real cajun rice that will light you up), collard greens with ham, green beans with onions and bacon, chicken livers, chicken gizzards, and occasionally they have sweet potatoes.

[tramp]

Originally posted by Pantellerite
I'm pretty sure there's a Taco Hut Pizza in Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Monahans.

Oh god, Fort Stockton and Alpine, TX. I had a radiator break there once. It was a horrible experience.

In Florida we have Steak N' Shakes. Mmmmm... good stuff. And here in Virginia we have a Boston Marketesque chain called Chicken Out.

[scout1222]

Yes, Shibb, you're right. Jack in the Box is here in San Diego. Their headquarters are probably 5 miles from my house.

Here in San Diego we also have Rubio's, home of the fish taco, which is slowly expanding to other areas in Southern California.

I believe a Busy Bee just opened here as well, down in National City or Chula Vista, I think, where there's a pretty diverse ethnic population.

[CurtC]

Jack in the Box moved into Texas in the late 1970s. They were out of California, and at the time, their commercials featured the irresistably cute Rodney Allan Ripey (spelling?). They opened a restaurant then in San Angelo, TX, and its food was godawful - the only reason any of us would ever go there was because it stayed open past 10pm. McDonald's and Burger King closed at 10, and Whataburger closed at 8.

Sonics have staged quite a comeback around here over the past few years. Ten years ago, Sonics were old and run-down, now they're updated, and new ones are in good locations. The great thing about Sonic is their shakes - real shakes, not partially gelatinated non-dairy gum-based beverages. Are Sonics in other parts of the country as well?

[Morgainelf]

In Columbia, SC there is a local chain called Rush's. They make really good sloppy burgers, decent fried chicken, and excellent milk shakes! There's also a local barbeque chain called Maurice's, that is pretty popular. I don't go there for political reasons (do a google search and you'll quickly see why). Besides, they serve mustard based barbeque sauce, which is just an abomination.

Here in eastern Massachusetts there is a very small chain called Kelly's Roast Beef, that makes the best onion rings and lobster rolls ever!

[Morgainelf]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...ight=fatburger

Here's a good discussion on the Fatburger/In 'n Out Burger controversy.

[elmwood]

There's some of the big international chains that have either left the U.S. Market wimpering, or never entered our borders to being with.

Canada - Harvey's Hamburgers, Mr. Submarine, Pizza Pizza, 241 Pizza (one location in Buffalo, I believe)

United Kingdom - Wimpy's

South Africa - Steer's, Nando's, St. Elmo's

Europe - Quick (supposedly awful!)

[Payne N. Diaz]

Here in the El Paso-Las Cruces corridor we got Whataburger, Jack in the Box, Sonic, Wendy's, etc. We also have Blake's Lotaburger, only in NM, and Chico's Tacos, scattered around El Paso. There's acouple of Blimpies, tons of Subway, but Taco Bells are few and far between (Saints be praised!). Of course, I still prefer a green chile cheeseburger from the Owl Bar in San Antonio, NM!

[zoid]

I can't believe no one mentioned WHITE CASTLE. I live in Chicago and these things are pretty much everywhere around here.
They're quite tasty (and greasy) - traditionally eaten in the wee hours after too much beer and booze

[erislover]

In 'n' Out burger is incredible. I was not impressed with Del Taco, but they aren't bad or anything. Just like Taco Bell better.

Here in MA you find Burger King, McDonalds, the odd Wendy's (not enough, I love Wendy's), I've seen a subway or two. Also we've got Taco Bell/KFC. Not enough Taco Bells, either! mmm...

I have seen NO chain diners like Denny's, Shoney's, etc. Shame. Nothing like a 24 hour diner that serves breakfast all day. But this area friggin' shuts down at midnight or so. Even bars seem to close at 1AM. Stupid town.

[fluiddruid]

Originally posted by dead0man


In and Out Burger aint bad. In Omaha we have Cum and Go gas stations. Yes its spelled that way.

Actually, it's "Kum 'n' Go".

[Drum God]

Originally posted by Sysop

I'm sure there are a bazillion other places, but I've covered the main fast food joints...don't EVEN get me started on the regular dine-in locations. With my busy schedule, I don't ever cook, I just go out to eat all the time, fast food or dine-in restaurants. I consider myself an expert on the average dining places, don't care much for the fancy schmancy, hoity toity places that are too expensive (even though I can afford them). Well, these places can be found in Austin (but I think the Wiener-place was actually in Cedar Park, to the northwest), so now you know where to go.

Hey, Sysop, my father in law runs the cafeteria in the LBJ State Office Building (a few blocks north of the Capitol). Duck in there sometime. His cook, Joe, fixes a burger that'll really stick with you.

Ever been to Chuy's? Famous for busting W's daughter for under-age drinking. Their chicken enchiladas are great.

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled discussion. Out here in a town between Austin and Houston, we've got Taco Bell (inside a gas station!), McDonald's, Whataburger (not too good), Subway (rumored to have caused far too many food poisonings), Sonic, Dairy Queen (every town in Texas has a DQ, or it's just not a town), Pizza Hut, and several local burger joints.

[SmackFu]

Check out this map of Sonic distribution: http://www.sonicdrivein.com/franchise/marketmap.shtml

There's 686 locations in Texas. And zero in the entire Northeast. Talk about regional.

[glilly]

Japan has a burger chain called "Mosburger". Mmmmm, moss.

In addition to the Kum 'n' Go, in Des Moines there is a Pump 'n' Munch gas station/convienience store.

I want to buy a gas station and call it Fuck 'n Suck.

[Demise]

Originally posted by ShibbOleth
Schlotzsky's--Austin Texas

Awesome sandwiches. Been eating them since the late 70's. Round sourdough buns that are split and have cheese melted on each side. The original toasted sandwiches, at least here.

[quote[Taco Cabana--San Antonio, TX (never heard of them)[/quote]

That's a shame. They are the best fast-food tex-mex that I've ever had, and I've had a lot. About half of them stay open 24 hours, so they are usually crowded after 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Dan's/Fran's Hamburgers--(Austin, TX(?): never heard of them and no web presence that I can find)

They all used to be Dan's Hamburgers, but when Dan and his wife, Fran, got a divorce... Good burgers though.

[Tuckerfan]

LSURA Jack in the Box moved into this area about three years ago, and they've been a welcome addition. As of last November, they hadn't made it past the northern Tennessee state line.

There used to be a Whataburger here until about 10 years ago. Its now a florist shop, I think.

For regional fast food places we've got: Fat Mo's Burgers, Mrs. Winner's chicken, and Maggie Moos.

Growing up in Ohio we had Arthur Treatchers and Borden's. Both of which I think are completely gone by now.

[Hugh Jass]

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask for a moment of silence for the greatest regional chain that ever existed.

I speak, of course, of:

ROY ROGERS.

Located in the Northeast. Big fat burgers. Fried chicken. Strawberry shakes with big fat pieces of strawberry. The Fix'n's Bar. The Double R-Bar Burger.

They were bought out by Hardee's in the late 80s, I believe, and converted to Hardee's. And no one went to the Hardee's. After it was too late, they changed them back to Roy's but the magic had been lost. There were a few independent Roy's along the New Jersey turnpike that made visiting my sister extra sweet. Are they still around? God, I miss the Double R Bar. FIe on you Mr. Hardee.

Also, in the Washington area, we had the White Castle knockoff: Little Tavern. We called the burgers "Deathballs." When my Dad was dating my mom, on his way home from her house, he'd buy a bag (6 of 'em) to eat on the long drive home.

[Hugh Jass]

Oh, and now that I live in Texas, I have the benefit of Taco Cabana. I can never eat Taco Bell ever again. The Cabana is simply fantastic. They sell beer. They have breakfasts. They make their own tortillas. Magnificent chow. Magnificent.

I happened to be outside Joshua Tree National Park a few years back. I can't remember if I was in 29 Palms or the city of Joshua Tree, but as we drove along the main road, every block had a Del Taco. I counted 7 over the span of a few miles. Never seen anything like that before.

Haven't seen anyone mention Quizno's subs. Oven toasted. Good subs if you get tired of Subway.

[Mr. Green Fool]

Burger Master of MONTANA. Yes there are other Burgermaster's around the country bu they are not affiliated.

Burger Master's in Montana have tow amazing menu items.
The Ramp Burger- a mushroom burger unlike any other. Two thin patties literally smothered in this cream of mushroom soup melted with cheese sauce. So messy they serve it in a coffee filter so you can hold it.
The Root Beer Cooler- the best root beer milkshake/float you will ever have.


I moved away from Montana when I was 12 but damn the memories still keep me full
(BTW they have one of the coolest mascots as well. A Muppet's Swedish Chef looking character)

[Opengrave]

Originally posted by Drum God
Dairy Queen (every town in Texas has a DQ, or it's just not a town)

True! I went down to College Station this past weekend for graduation / final review and was so glad to see all the Dairy Queens. I wanted to stop at each and every one on my trip!
3 in Texarkana Texas (1 in Texarkana Arkansas)
2 in Atlanta
1 in Linden
1 in Jefferson
1 in Tatum
1 in Henderson
2 in Jacksonville
1 in Rusk
2 in Alto
1 in Madisonville
5 in Bryan / College Station

[fluiddruid]

Originally posted by glilly
In addition to the Kum 'n' Go, in Des Moines there is a Pump 'n' Munch gas station/convienience store.
. [/b]

glilly, do you know where this store is located? I work in West Des Moines and have been in central Iowa for quite a while, and I've never seen it. (If there's only one, that's not surprising -- the Des Moines metro area is pretty durn big.)

I know it lacks the innuendo, but I visited Colorado last summer and was surprised to see many "Loaf 'n' Jug" stations -- doesn't exactly sound poetic to me.

[Shark]

Here in central Indiana we have a great 50's style drive-up burger/chilidog joint called Dog-n-Suds. They were much more prevalent back in the 60's when I was a wee Shark pup, but most didn't last. I know of at least two that survived the lean times, and recently they have started to open new locations.

The original stores ususally didn't have indoor dining, only drive-up service. The one in the town I live in now is one of the old style, where you drive up, place your order, and they bring it out to you on a tray that they hang on your rolled-down window. No rollerskating waitresses though.

Besides having great footlong chili-cheese dogs, they serve the best rootbeer in an honest-to God chilled glass mug.

They are only open from spring until fall because who wants to sit in their car with the window open in the winter. The lines of cars waiting for a spot are a sight to behold when they open each spring. They actually have off-duty cops directing traffic in the parking lot.

I think I just decided what I'm going to have for dinner.

[Big Kahuna Burger]

Manhattan Bagel doesn't have much of an operation outside the East Coast, which is a shame because bagels are so cheap that unemployed high school students like myself can practically live off them, and I like them more than any of the local places. California Pizza Kitchen seems to have a similar presence, with the exception of California of course.

[bibliophage]

epolo, I have deleted most of the article you quoted. It is best not to quote more than a paragraph or two of a copyrighted work. The rest can be read by following the link.

The only General Question here is the locations of Jack in the Box outlets. That is answered here: http://www.jackinthebox.com/site-cgi/jackbit.pl

The rest is MPSIMS material, so I'll move this over there.

[Ringo]

Actually, Jack-in-the-Box made it to Texas in the '60s. And a local non-chain I can recommend if you make it to Houston is the Ragin' Cajun. A small chain (I know they've got a few in Austin and Houston) that's good for a greasy burger and a longneck is Dirty's. And for those of us who miss the now absent (Der) Weinerschnitzel, James' Coney Island does a fine chili dog.

We've had quite a few of the chains mentioned appear and subsequently retreat from the local market. Hugh Jass, thanks for mentioning Roy Rogers, as I was going to ask - that's where I held my first "real" job, in 1967, and I'd wondered about 'em, as they disappeared from Texas within a few years.

And New Orleans' Takee Outee (they may be elsewhere, I just don't know) is great for a quick fix of Chinese cholesterol.

[whiterabbit]

Augusta, Georgia has a local fried chicken chain called Wife Saver. Really. The food is good, but egad, that NAME...!!!!

You can tell the people who've been here a while because the name doesn't bother them, while the rest of us almost had heart attacks and wondered what planet we'd moved to anyway?

[Narile]

Originally posted by Sysop
Schlotzsky's--FANTASTIC sandwiches on sour dough

I prefer Quizznos, but they are good.

Long John Silvers--I'd rather eat "seafood" here than at Red Lobster
Mr Gatti's Pizza--I worked for their regional call center, decent pizza

Two things here...I kind of agree on the LJS or Capt'n D's, I just get these cravings for them.

As for the other...Mr. Gatti's still exists!!!! We used to have one here in Dayton, but they got bought out by a Noble Romans (Long since gone as well) and do I ever miss the Gatti's crust.

[Daowajan]

I can't believe there are 40-some responses and no one's mentioned Culver's.

This is mostly a Wisconsin thing, although in the last few years they've started bleeding into neighboring states. My parents used to drive for an hour to go to a Culver's (yes, my parents' jobs are boring.)

It's tagline is "Home of the Butterburger." It has a billboard near Chicago that just says "THE BUTTERBURGER. What a country." Doesn't that just have Wisconsin written all over it?

I kind of like Culver's, though. I never thought I'd eat a whole bag of something called "cheese curds."