We sure do love our fast food. Whether we opt for the classic McDonald's cheeseburger or a local favorite, fast food is definitely a staple in American culture. The people at Thrillist came up with a ranking of each state based on its fast food offerings. The criteria included national chains that began there, regional chains that began there, the cool, little chains just in that state, the variety of choices, presence of enviable franchises and the deliciousness and uniqueness of their options in general. Is your home state on the list of the best 25? Thank you Thrillist for this useful information!
25. Oregon
Oregon starts off the list in last place. Although Burgerville was established in Oregon, most of its locations are actually in Washington. One thing Oregon is known for is its extremely slow service. On a slow day, you might have to wait 15 minutes for a McDonald's cheeseburger. No wonder Oregon has no clue what fast food really is.
24. Wyoming
The only good thing Wyoming gave the fast food industry is Taco John's, and even that is a little bit of a stretch in some aspects. Taco John's loose take on Mexican food can only be eaten so many times before you start craving real Mexican food, like Taco Bell. Okay, we're kidding about that one. All jokes aside, Taco John's did invent the term "West-Mex" which is like Tex-Mex but with more meat and potatoes. Their hash browns do sound pretty good right about now.
23. Massachusetts
Without Massachusetts, our country surely wouldn't be running on Dunkin'. Dunkin' Donuts made Quincy its home in 1950 and is actually not the only donut shop to be born in Massachusetts. Honey Dew Donuts also has its roots there when it opened in 1973 in Mansfield. Apparently those Massachusetts people sure love to eat their donuts. Hey, we don't blame them!
22. Idaho
While Idaho does contain some of the popular fast food chains, like Chick-Fil-A, we'd like to recognize Idaho for a different reason. Without Idaho you see, we'd have no potatoes or processed cheese. You know what that means? No cheese fries. Ever. Not only does Idaho produce the majority of potatoes, but it is also home to the largest barrel-cheese factory, which makes processed cheese.
21. Minnesota
If you love gyros you should definitely make a trip to Minnesota, because, well, that's about all their fast food is good for. Dino's Gyros is a popular fast food restaurant in Minnesota and that's about all Minnesota has to say for themselves.
20. Hawaii
While Hawaii is packed full of many popular fast food restaurants, it's also home to two originals. Zippy's is the most iconic with 24 locations and a menu that's so extensive it's often seen as very random. From pastries to chili, they seem to have it all. Hawaii is also known for L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. It has nearly 200 locations all over the United States, New Zealand and Japan.
19. Missouri
Although Winstead's has more locations in Kansas and the first one was founded in Illinois, it became popular in Missouri. Missouri also popularized the drive-in, Skyscraper Sodas and good burgers. It also has some of Kansas' best fast food restaurants including Planet Sub and Freddy's. But Missourians sure do love their Lion's Choice, Lee's Chicken and Crazy Bowls and Wraps.
18. Kansas
You know those delicious sliders White Castle blessed us with? They were born in Wichita, Kansas. However, while Kansas has burger joints such as Spangles and Freddy's, it doesn't have any White Castles. And although Pizza Hut isn't considered fast food, it was also born in Kansas.
17. Wisconsin
We have Wisconsin to thank for all of our cheesy favorites, especially fried cheese curds. It is also the home of Culver's and those delicious butter burgers. They also have many small chains like Flippy's and an array of hot dog stands.
16. North Carolina
If you crave fresh buttermilk biscuits, you need to head over to Biscuitville in North Carolina. Its fried pork chop biscuit is something like you've never had before. It is also where Bojangles and Cook-Out were founded.
15. Florida
We have Florida to thank for Burger King. Founded in 1950 as Insta-Burger King, Burger King is now in all 50 states. Florida is also contains many other fast food favorites like Pollo Tropical, Tijuana Flats, Whataburger and Krystal.
14. Tennessee
Although Krystal moved to Atlanta, it was born and spent 81 years in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1932, the very first order at Krystal was six burgers and a cup of coffee for 35 cents. Talk about cheap food!
13. Virginia
With over 1,000 locations, Five Guys sure has done America some good with its delicious burgers and fries. However, Five Guys started with a single restaurant in Arlington, Virginia. Virginia is also littered with Jack Brown's, Raising Cane's and Bojangles.
12. Arizona
It's no secret that Arizona has some great Mexican food, which is probably why their Mexican fast food restaurants shine. While they are home to favorites like Whataburger and In-And-Out, Arizona's Mexican food outshines them all. Federico's and El Pollo Loco are just two of the numerous Mexican fast food places to choose from in Arizona.
11. Oklahoma
Oklahoma gave us the drive-in chain Sonic and we haven't looked back from its greasy tots and sweet shakes since. Other Oklahoma originals include Braum's and Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler. It also has a variety of other fast food restaurants, so there's no doubt you'll be able to find something on your next trip through Oklahoma.
10. Michigan
There's no doubt you will find a coney everywhere, and we mean everywhere, in Michigan. Not only are Michigan's hot dogs amazing, but they also have a ton of other fast food chains from burgers, to fried chicken, to grab-and-go pastries. Michigan has it all.
9. Illinois
From deep dish pizza to delicious hot dogs, Illinois is known for a lot of things. Potbelly's Sandwich Shop was created in Illinois and you absolutely can't forget Portillo's, which has the best hot dogs hands down. Illinois seems to have a lot of small, original fast food places as opposed to big chains, but they do have Shake Shack.
8. Colorado
Have you ever heard of Chipotle? Okay, we know that's a silly question, but that's probably what the founders of the burrito joint wanted when they opened the restaurant in Colorado. Along with Chipotle, Colorado is also known for Quiznos, Qdoba and Noodles and Company.
7. Kentucky
Now we're not sure if you knew this or not, but Kentucky Fried Chicken was actually started in Kentucky. Surprising isn't it?! Kentucky also has smaller shops like Wingstop and Wingzone and bigger chains like Bojangles, Krystal and Raising Cane's.
6. Georgia
Georgia is the original home to many favorites including Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's and the drive-in legend, The Varsity. It also has quite a few Waffle Houses, which, although not a fast food restaurant, is still worth mentioning. The largest drive-in fast food chain in America actually goes to Georgia's own The Varsity.
5. Ohio
People in Ohio sure love their fast food. So much so that in the 1830s, Cincinnati was known as "Porkopolis" because it was where a majority of America's hot dog production took place. It's the original home of Wendy's, Arby's and delicious chili-topped dogs and spaghetti.
4. Louisiana
If you love a big bucket of fried chicken, Louisiana is the place to go. It is the birth place of not one, but two fried chicken spots. Raising Cane's and Popeyes will surely satisfy your fried chicken craving every time you make your way to the state of Louisiana.
3. Alabama
Alabama seems to have it all when it comes to fast food restaurants. From hometown favorites like Milo's, Taco Casa and Jack's to national chains like Whataburger, Five Guys and Church's Chicken, the variety of Alabama's fast food is astonishing.
2. California
California seems to dominate any list it's in and it is no doubt they're included in the top of this fast food restaurant list. Many national fast food chains made their starts in California, from McDonald's Taco Bell, Jack in the Box and In-And-Out to Del Taco, Freebirds and many more. Big chains also test menu items in California regularly!
1. Texas
Rounding out the list at number one is none other than Texas. Everything really is bigger in Texas, including its fast food restaurant makeup. From Whataburger, Taco Bueno and Frenchy's Chicken to In-And-Out, Culver's and Raising Cane's, Texas literally has it all.
