Speaking of fast food...

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

What are some fast food places that are local to your area/region that you would recommend to a visitor? I mean, we all pretty much have access to the McDonalds/Burger Kings/Wendys/Taco Bell international chains. But what are the chains that are unique to your part of the country (and this goes to all our international posters as well)?

For example, here in Texas, I would recommend these places (that may indeed be in other parts of the US, but not widespread):

  1. Whataburger - hamburgers and such
  2. Taco Bueno - Mexican fast food that, IMO, is better than Taco Bell
  3. Braum’s - Dairy store/ice cream counter/hamburger grill
  4. Sonic - hamburgers and such in a drive-in setting, complete with carhops
2

Ranch One

White Castle
Now I’m hungry.

If your head is wax, don’t walk in the sun.
-Benjamin Franklin

3

Dairy Queen

Sonic

Hardee’s

PD Quix

“Do or do not, there is no try” - Yoda

4

When in Tahoe (North shore), go to The CHAR PIT. The burgers are kinda pricey, but damn good!

When I went to college in San Luis Obispo, I went to Scrubby & Lloyds. But I think I heard they aren’t around anymore. :frowning:

The most rewarding part was when I got my money!
-Dr. Nick Riviera

5

In LA:

Super Mex
Tommy Burger
Krispy Kream(?) Donuts

6

In Cincinnati:

Skyline for authentic, kickass, accept no substitutes chili.

Graeters for ice cream.

7

Well, it’s not really a chain (I think there are two of them), but I’d suggest Tito’s Tacos on the corner of Sepulveda and Washington Blvds. The food’s cheap and it’s good, though somewhat limited. Tacos, enchiladas, burritos, refried beans, fried rice, chili (meat in a red sauce – the same stuff they use in the burritos), tostadas, chips, and that’s about it.

Beeps, near the Van Nuys airport (about 20 minutes nort of West L.A.) is good too; but again, not a chain. Burgers, tacos, pancakes… generally typical American food.

And don’t miss Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica (Santa Monica Blvd. at 2nd Street). The BEST fish’n’chips you can have! Get the small (1 fish) portion. They also have good bangers’n’mash, but the “English Breakfast” has WAY too much carcass for my taste.

Del Taco is much better than Taco Hell.

Felafel King (sp.?) is good for falafel and shawerma, and so is Zancou Chicken. They’re small So. Cal. chains. But my favourite place that sort of thing is across the street from Santa Monica College on Pico. I don’t remember the name.

Everybody likes In’n’Out Burger. Good burgers, but the fries don’t do much for me. Lots of them around.

Johnny Rockets and Ruby’s (both found in malls and “upscale” places like Santa Monica and Westwood) have good 50’s-style burgers and malts. I like Johnny Rockets’ chili dogs.

Tommy’s (Tomy’s, Tommie’s, etc. Probably not related, but they have the same food) and Fatburger are good places for messy chili-burgers, but Carney’s on Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood near La Cienega (can’t miss it; it’s in a silver train car) gets my vote for chili dogs.

If you happen to be in Lancaster (in the Antelope Valley in the extreme western edge of the Mojave Desert)… why would you be there? Anyway, Crazy Otto’s is the best place in town for breakfast. Two locations: Avenue K and 20th St. West, and Avenue I west of 10th Street West. (The late Otto built the original place next to the train tracks. People said he was crazy to do so – hence the name. That closed down to make way for the Metrolink.)

El Pollo Loco is pretty good, but I burned out on it long ago.

That’s enough for now…

8

we’ve got taco time.

and might i add, it kicks some serious taco bell ass.

:cool:

“human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust; we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” - albert einstein

9

If you need a real hamburger (not the flat as paper stuff from McDonald’s) I’d suggested Five Guys.

10

I’m pretty sure Krispy Kremes are everywhere.
I could eat a dozen of those in one sitting, no problem.
In Phoenix: Stay Away from Jack in the Box. But, Sonic is good. Carl’s Jr. is decent, especially the fries, and it’s the same as Rally’s in other parts of the country.

In Detroit/Michigan: White Castle. You have to try it at least once. Mmmmmm, now I have a craving for a White Castle. Big Boy is not quite “fast food,” but it’s a cheap sit down restaurant. They have good burgers, at a good price.

Adam

“Life is hard…but God is good”

11

Krispy Kremes are hitting BIGTIME here in So. Cal. Personally, I don’t find them all that great. I’d rather have a chocolate devil’s food doughnut with chocolate icing and chocolate sprinkles from Winchel’s. shrug

I first went to Rally’s in the South. There’s one near me here now. Not at all like Carl’s Jr., which I find superior.

What IS it about Jack-in-the-Box tacos? They’re CRAP! But I love them.

12

Krispy Kreme only recently made it to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. There’s only one location right now that I know of. However, a second should be opening soon near me. I can’t wait!

I want to be placed on the conveyer belt so that I can pass under that stream of glaze that flows like a Niagra Falls of gooey sugar ecstasy. Damn, I hope that “Hot Donuts” sign is lit up when I get there!

13

White Castle.

Here in Raleigh, go to CharGrill. Awesome burgers!

Yer pal,
Satan

14

Damn you, Satan! I forgot about Char Grill. Now I’m salivating. I miss Raleigh {sigh}.

Everything sucks in Albany. I don’t recommend anything. Don’t come here.

15

Funny you should mention Taco Time Roo, I used to go there as a kid all the time and they disappeared (in Colorado Springs) Then about 17 or so years later I ran into one in Delta, Colorado. Yes, it’s much better than Taco Bell and for me brings back some happy memories of hanging out with my best friend after hanging out at the mall :slight_smile:

We have La Casita (which isn’t really fast food, but close) They are good.

Boston Chicken (headquartered in Denver Metro area – go figure, but never really had their food.

The latest to the fast food mix is Carl’s Jr.

I don’t eat much fast food so I spose I am not the best one to answer this question.

16

If you’re ever in my neck of the woods (Louisiana) and God help you if you are, you may want to check out :

Whattaburger - open 24 hours, but it seems to be an ultra-Christian business, so I avoid them between the hours of 6AM and 11PM. They do have a great slogan, though : “You could buy a cheaper burger … but then you’d have to eat it.”

[b}Sonic** - If you’ve never been to one, it’s just like one of those old drive-in’s you see on Happy Days. Every parking space has a little speaker that you give your order to, then a girl (sometimes on roller skates) brings it out to you.

Chick-Fil-A - Expensive, but the nuggets are amazing.

Popeye’s - A lot of spicy chicken-related items. A good source of psuedo-Cajun flavors. Their gravy rocks.

BurgerTime - The only fast food place I’ve ever seen that sells ribs. For $7 even.
Good deal.

17

puffington,
Speaking of Louisiana, I like the burgers at Checkpoint Charlie’s in the Quarter. Pretty good for bar food.

18

What, they tore down Otto’s !!!
Now I have ABSOLUTELY no reason to ever move back to Lancaster.

19

Hey everyone… I live in Tallahassee, Florida, and these are some of the good ones here:

  1. Guthries: They sell nothing but chicken finger dinners, with special dipping sauce that will take the grime off pennies. It’s the BEST fried chicken around!

  2. Chick Fila: It’s a chicken filet restaurant, famous for it’s delicious chicken and sparkling clean facilities. A little expensive though (comparitively)

  3. Tropical Smoothie: Delicious smoothies, with unbelieveable barbeque chicken quesadillas

  4. Fazolli’s: Don’t know how widespread it is, but they serve excellent Itallian food at low prices and quickly. You sit there thinking “This is fast food?” Breadsticks are to die for.

  5. DId I mention Guthries? Even better stoned!

20

Fuddrucker’s– Homemade buns and four sizes of burgers: 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 and a full pound. Fixin’s bar. And homemade desserts.
Best burgers in the country.

In the Philly area we used to have Gino’s. Sold the usual fare along with Kentucky Fried Chicken. They introduced me to America’s work force. The Gino Giant (a better knock-off than the original Big Mac) was my favorite.

“Gino’s gives you freedom of choice!
Gino’s gives you freedom of choice!
So come on everybody and let’s rejoice,
'Cause Gino’s gives you freedom of choice!”

And the ever popular…

“I’m Gino the Genie.
I make your dream come true.
With my luscious big burgers,
And thick shakes, too!”

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