Top 10 Fast Food Items Only Available In America

Of course, Louisiana has some of the best food in the entire United States, but the delicacies don’t stop at gumbo and beignets. At local chain Dat Dog, customers can order a wide range of unusual hot dogs, from crawfish sausage to duck sausage. Their most iconic menu item, however, is the alligator sausage, which, in typical Louisiana fashion, is described as slightly spicy. Although the alligator dog can be customized with toppings ranging from blackberry sauce to crawfish etouffee, the chain offers several house specials featuring the reptiles. While alligator sausage can be found outside of the Pelican State, this particular dog can only be found at locations in New Orleans.

No, we’re not talking about pairing brown gravy with sweet cookies. A southern United States staple, biscuits and gravy is usually eaten at breakfast. The biscuits are flaky, buttery, fluffy bread made with buttermilk while the creamy gravy is inundated with black pepper and bits of pork sausage. This savory dish can be found at breakfast time at many McDonald’s locations around the southeastern United States and even some other US restaurants outside of that particular region. If you’re lucky enough to get to the drive-thru early enough and find this menu item, just be prepared to use a fork and extra napkins.

Sometimes beverages are stars all on their own. Sonic, a retro-style chain found throughout the United States, has an extensive beverage menu, featuring everything from fruit slushes to sodas with flavor add-ins. They even make their own special ice, perfect for chewing on hot summer days. Their most iconic item, however, is the cherry limeade. The drink features tart lime juice and cherry flavor, creating a perfect balance of sweet and sour. The delicious beverage is topped off with a maraschino cherry and a fresh slice of lime, adding even more dimension to the flavors. The next time you’re craving a perfect refreshment for a toasty day and are lucky enough to be near a Sonic, be sure to order a cherry limeade!

Considering this chain’s Wisconsin roots, of course their menu features a large array of dairy-based items, including frozen custard. Naturally, though, their star item features world-famous cheese curds from La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin. The unaged fresh cheese curds are delicious on their own, but Culver’s steps up the game by deep-frying the cheese, creating a crispy, gooey delicacy. The cheese curds can be ordered as a side to one of the chain’s butterburgers or fish sandwiches or can be eaten a la carte. Most Culver’s locations can be found in its home state, but they can be found elsewhere across the United States.

American fast food is known for its extraordinary excess, and that is incredibly apparent at this regional chain. The restaurant’s menu features a wide range of items, including an impressive and almost overwhelming milkshake list, but its star attraction is the tray meal. While the entrees, which include chicken sandwiches and burgers, aren’t that outlandish, the sides really set the chain apart. In addition to your main sandwich, you can also order a corn dog, bacon wrap or chicken nuggets as an accompaniment. Additionally, you can order a thick milkshake or Coke float as your beverage. We, however, recommend ordering Cheerwine, a cherry soda native to North Carolina, as your drink when you visit this chain only found in the eastern United States.

The Tex-Mex chain is a favorite for quick food after a night of drinking, but at some locations, you can skip the bar-hopping altogether. Taco Bell’s Cantina concept is found in some parts of the United States, and in addition to the polished aesthetic, the locations also offer mixed drinks. They have Twisted Freezes in margarita form, as well as a frosty, boozy version of Taco Bell’s Mountain Dew Baja Blast, which is a sugary tropical lime treat all its own. Unfortunately, Twisted Freezes can only be found in a few locations across the continental United States and one location in Puerto Rico.

We’ve already featured biscuits once on this list, but these buttery sandwiches are a totally different game than their gravy-coated counterparts. A North Carolina based chain, Bojangles can primarily be found in the southeastern United States, and its menu’s focus on fried chicken and biscuits reflects its southern roots. The cajun filet is a deep-fried piece of marinated chicken breast, with just enough spice to perfectly complement a cup of sweet iced tea. Paired with a split buttermilk biscuit, the cajun filet makes an excellent handheld southern food that can be enjoyed at breakfast or really any time of day.

While other burger chains have spread beyond the United States, Krystal and its tiny menu items can only be found within its borders. The burger joint is known for its sliders, small beef burgers with soft steamed buns and chopped onions. The burgers are only a few bites apiece, and they can be topped with mustard, cheese and other accouterments. Because of their size and affordability, diners can enjoy an entire tray full of sliders for a low price. If you want to get adventurous, you can throw in a corn pup or a chicken soldier for variety, but Krystal’s sliders are in a class of their own.

As its name implies, Whataburger specializes in extravagant burgers, but the Texas-based chain’s menu also features chocolate malts and honey chicken biscuits. However, the restaurant’s star attraction is its sweet and spicy bacon burger, which is even featured on its all-time favorites menu. As the name implies, this burger is stacked high with a beef patty, bacon, sweet and spicy sauce, mustard, grilled onions and both American and Monterey Jack cheeses. We recommend pairing this burger with fries on the side and the restaurant’s famous spicy ketchup for some dipping action. Unfortunately, since Whataburger is only found in fourteen states, you might have a hard time tracking down this particular meal.

#1: Animal Style Fries From In-N-Out

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Many fast food chains have secret menu items, but In-N-Out’s secret menu is perhaps better known than its actual one. In fact, the chain’s official website calls it their “Not So Secret Menu.” The restaurant’s simple main menu features burgers, milkshakes and fries, but the savory dishes can be paired with a variety of toppings. When you order In-N-Out’s fries animal-style, they are topped with cheese, grilled onions and the chain’s mayonnaise-based secret spread. The fries make a solid meal on their own, but they can of course be paired with a burger and milkshake. In-N-Out can only be found in a few states in the western US, so if you get the chance, make sure you order this delectable dish.