The minute one of these Best of lists drops, I’m instantly suspicious. I always question the validity of how the winners were chosen. Yet, this Best Regional Fast Food Chains list caught my eye.
Recently, USA Today has been pumping out a bunch of these types of lists with everything from the Best Supermarket to the Best Gas Station Brand to the Best Free Museum. In defense of their listicle legitimacy, they did post a small explanation.
A panel of experts partnered with 10 Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
USA Today
It may be short, but at least it’s straight and to the point. The Best Regional Fast Food Chains is a good-looking list. I am familiar with and have eaten from six of these chains.
I’ve never even heard of or seen Biscuitville and Sheetz mentioned anywhere. The other two, Pal’s Sudden Service and Schoop’s, I drove by on my 2019 Road Trip through Tennessee and Indiana. Now, I really regret not making those stops.
USA Today’s 2021 Best Regional Fast-Food Chains
Biscuitville
Biscuitville
Current States: North Carolina & Virginia
Locations
Cook Out
Cook Out
Current States: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, & West Virginia
Locations
Culver’s
Culver’s
Current States: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin & Wyoming
Locations
Habit Grill
Habit Grill
Current States: Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia & Washington
Locations
In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger
Current States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho (Soon), Nevada, Oregon, Texas & Utah
Locations
Pal’s Sudden Service
Pal’s Sudden Service
Current States: Tennessee & Virginia
Locations
Schoop’s Hamburgers
Schoop’s Hamburgers
Current States: Illinois & Indiana
Locations
Sheetz
Sheetz
Current States: Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, & West Virginia
Locations
Skyline Chili
Skyline Chili
Current States: Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, & Ohio
Locations
Whataburger
Whataburger
Current States: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, & Texas
Locations
What Do You Think?
Is there a regional fast-food chain in your area that should be on this list?
Leave a comment below, and let’s discuss.
Flipping burgers at Schoop’s was my first job in high school and kicked off my life-long love affair with the hamburger! The smashiest of the smash burgers, we got super thin lacy edges using masonry trowels to flatten the 1/3 lb meatball on the flattop. If you ever find yourself passing through Northwest Indiana on your way to or from Chicago, I highly recommend stopping in at one of the several locations in the area.
I literally just started “All About the Burger” tonight and Googled “burger beast schoops” to see if you’ve ever tried our Region’s little claim to burger fame. Cheers!
I would say with Culver’s in 26 states is way beyond being considered regional.
Cuban guys.
I’ve had In-N-Out and recently tried Culvers. Both great burgers. I feel like Shake Shack should be in this list, especially now that the new Orlando location will have a drive-thru. I’ve been meaning to try Habit, just haven’t gotten around to it.
I’m not sure what denotes a Regional Fast Food Restaurant for USA Today. Habit Grill is located in 15 states which seems kind of excessive for being “Regional.”