America's best fast food restaurants ranked (2024)

If you are traveling around the US and stuck for somewhere to eat - fear no more.

One seasoned traveler has helpfully compiled a list of what she considers to be the 13 best fast food joints in America.

'I spent 1-year driving around the U.S. on a quest to eat (and experience) the true culture of America,' Geena Truman wrote on travel siteFodors.

'This inevitably meant indulging in A LOT of fast food in between.'

Some on the list are well-known franchises, while others are hidden gems. Interestingly, neither McDonald's or Burger King make the cut.

But where is YOUR favorite ranked?

1. Culver's

Culver's first opened in Wisconsin in 1984 and now has nearly 1,000 locations spread across 26 states.

The fast food restaurant chain has a variety of menu items that you don't see at McDonald's, including soup, butterburgers, and frozen custard.

'Whether we’re cooking the perfect ButterBurger to order or scooping up our freshest batch of the Flavor of the Day, we work hard to ensure you will always leave happy,' saysits website.

The restaurant's menu items have not only impressed consumers, but they've also been praised by the Thrillist's Fasties - an award ceremony that honors fast food.

Culver's took home the 2022 Fasties awards for Best Fast Food Cheeseburger and Best Fast Food Coffee.

2. Shake Shack

New York restaurateur Danny Meyer turned what began as a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park into one of the top five highest-grossing US fast food chains.

There are currently hundreds of US Shake Shack locations - with many understandably in New York - and the company is looking to expand its franchise.

According to Truman, a perfect meal at Shake Shack is 'a coffee custard shake, a simple all-American Angus Beef hot dog with cheese dipping sauce, and a smash burger.'

Customers can also purchase the restaurant's award winning ShackBurger Single.

3. In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger is a cult favorite on the West Coast, and now has over 400 locations across the US in states including Texas and Arizona.

Truman wrote: 'In-N-Out is perhaps the most hotly-debated fast food chain on this list If you want a cheap fast-food burger with fresh toppings, a classic Americana malted milkshake, and cheesy fries with just a dash of salt, this is the place for you.'

She added that the only reason she didn't rank In-N-Out higher was due to its long lines.

A big bonus for the restaurant chain's burgers is that they are made from meat free from fillers, additives, and preservatives.

Unfortunately for foodies on the East Coast, the franchise is still yet to launch locations out that way.

4. Whataburger

This burger joint has been around since 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened its first ever Whataburger in Texas. There are now locations in 16 states.

According the chain's website, Harmon had one goal - 'to serve a burger so big it took two hands to hold and so good that after one bite customers would say, "What a burger!."'

Truman said some of its best menu items include The Green Chile Burger and their taquitos.

She did note however that while the restaurant is good, 'it's not a mind-blowing eating event.'

5. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

This fast food restaurant chain that specializes in chicken fingers with crinkle-cut fries has made its mark on 37 states and now has more than 150 locations in Texas.

Its Cane's Sauce has proven wildly popular and was ratedthe number onemost craveable sauceby Technomic. Fans of the restaurant are even known as 'Caniacs'.

Truman said: 'In most fast-food joints, the chicken strips are a menu staple (or what you order for your kids), but nothing to write home about.

'Raising Cane’s perfected the recipe to fresh-never-frozen chicken fingers and paired them alongside Texas Toast, Crinkle Cut Fries, and most importantly, their signature dipping sauces.'

6. Five Guys

Five Guys has been selling juicy burgers to customers since the opening of its first store in 1986.

Restaurant chain's founder, Jerry Murrell, says he was given a choice by his mother:'Start a business or go to college.'

Five Guys now has almost1,700 locations worldwide and all across the US.

While burgers are what its best known for, Truman said they are not what she loves most about the restaurant.

'While the burgers are tasty and completely customizable, which appeals to the general US customer base, it’s really the fries that shine,' she wrote.

'Freshly cut daily into "boardwalk-style" slivers and fried up in peanut oil (nut-allergists beware) Five Guys also offers them "Cajun-style" for travelers who want a little spice in their life.'

7. Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A was ranked the top fast food chicken chainin the US in 2023.

With more than 3,000 restaurants spread over 48 states, it is one of thebigger restaurant chain's on this writer's list.

Truman highlights its 'juicy' deluxe chicken sandwich and breaded nuggets.

But she warns travelers to remember they are closed on Sundays.

8. Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave's got rave reviews from this traveler, who said 'if you like your chicken spicy, this is your perfect road trip snack'.

There are currently hundreds of locations open across the US, with many more in development.

Indeed, Truman described the joint as 'the fastest-growing fast-food chain in America'.

Popular meals to choose from such include its Chicken Tender Slider and extra large-sized chicken tenders.

9. Kelly's Roast Beef

What began as a Massachusetts hot dog shack has become a growing restaurant chain on the East Coast.

Sandwiches - specifically beef - are its specialty.

And according to Kelly'swebsite, at least one of its restaurants has the potential to sell more than 20,000 sandwiches a month.

Truman wrote: 'You can satisfy your thinly-sliced roast beef craving, with their 25-day aged beef knuckle roast. Kelly’s is the go-to for a classic three-way-roast beef.'

10. White Castle

White Castle is one of the oldest fast food restaurant chains in the US, after being founded back in the 1920s.

The restaurant chain is primarily located in the East Coast, Midwest, and Florida, but has expanded to cities in Arizona and Nevada.

Truman wrote: 'I can assure you that the best part of White Castle isn’t the nostalgia; it’s the sliders.

'With 12 different bite-sized concoctions, including fish, chicken & waffles, faux meat options, and the best-selling classic 1921 slider, there’s a little something for every road-tripper.'

The restaurant was also the first fast food chain to launch the plant-based Impossible Slider in 2018.

11. Dicks Drive-In and Zips Drive-In

The traveler placed Dick's Drive In and Zip's Drive in a two-way tie for the 11th spot on her list.

Both of these establishments are extremely small and based in Washington.

'Dick’s offers greasy, simple, and delicious beef burgers, salty fries, and thick old-school shakes served from walk-up windows,' Truman wrote.

'On the other hand, Zips has an eclectic menu all its own,' she added.

12. Jollibee

Jollibee is small by US standards.

The fast food restaurant chain has over 1,500 stores worldwide, but just 95 in North America.

There are 74 Jollibee locations in the US and the Fodor writer did not clarify what state she was in when she ate at the restaurant.

However, she did write that 'there is no other fast food chain quite like it in America.'

She said: 'Crispy fried chicken, beef patty steaks with gravy, spicy tuna pies, and their trademark sweet-sauce-topped spaghetti meals satisfy a wide range of palates'.

'Maybe this is why it’s fondly known as the “McDonald’s of the Philippines,' she added.