They’re reasonably common at non-chain restaurants I frequent in the Boston metro area.
I haven’t been there in a while, but we may be in the Decatur area soon. Not a bad suggestion…
I remember seeing them often enough growing up in upstate NY as a kid. The local sub place had them as a side.
Somewhat related-Hash browns.
Sometimes they are just potato cubes and sometimes they are ‘patties’
I’ve never encountered them in a sit down restaurant anywhere, but in the Nashville area, several fast food places serve them. I could take or leave french fries, but about once a month, I have to go to Sonic for my tot fix.
For those of you that get them from Sonic, they’ll also make “Extreme Tator Tots” for you. They’re not on the menu anymore but they will still serve them if you ask. They add chili, cheese, onions, Ranch dressing and jalapeños.
In Virginia I’ve never seen them in a restaurant, but they are almost always in grocery store frozen sections, and we ate plenty with school lunches.
It’s amusing to learn that Tater Tots and Chicken Nuggets both date from the 1950’s! Fun Wiki articles on each “parts is parts” concoction.
Heh. I live about a 5 minute walk from there. When I first moved over there and discovered they had tots it was a Bad Thing. I don’t allow myself to go too often anymore. 
They can be found at most of the mom-and-pop drive-up burger places here in the northwest (though oddly enough, not at Dick’s), usually served with the regional dipping sauce of choice - tartar sauce mixed with yellow mustard.
Nonexistent, AFAIK.
They seem to be quite popular at the Preston, Idaho high school.
At Fox Brothers, you can have them smothered in cheese and either Brunswick stew of chili. Zesto has them, as well.
Not that uncommon in the DC area; I wouldn’t say they’re hip, but they’re getting there.
Outside of cafeterias or small-town diners here in Minnesota, I can’t say I’ve seen tater tots in a restaurant. I think the closest thing is Taco Johns Potato Oles
Quite interesting at lunch today with several coworkers. A restaurant in the Chicago Loop, popular lunch place with $12-$15 entrees, mainly sandwiches. 4 of the 9 people ordered tater tots with their meal.