Regional resturants

[benol]

Every state has them! In Georgia it's Chick-fil-a. What is it where you live?

[Rekarp]

ahhh Chick-fil-a isnt regional to Georgia. We have them all over in Texas.

How about Conan's Pizza? Only in Austin, Texas. Or Dirty Martin's Burgers? Again only in Austin, Texas.

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

Here in Chicagoland, we have a great place called Portillo's. The atmosphere in that place is great. It's very unique. If you're in the area, stop at one.

[Limewater]

Every state has them! In Georgia it's Chick-fil-a. What is it where you live?

Could you clarify what you mean by "regional?"

Chick-fil-a started in Georgia, and stayed in the southeast for many years, but they are constantly expanding.

So, is it regional by perceived ownership (sort of like how Georgia is with Coca-cola), or is it a chain that has not expanded beyond a region?

If it's the second, then I guess I'll mention Dreamland Barbecue in Alabama. It really only became a chain a couple of years ago, but it's regionally pretty famous, and has now expanded with a location in Atlanta.

Jack's is a burger chain in the southeast, and Milo's is still wholly within the state of Alabama.

Krystal is a limited to the southeast (and Texas and West Virginia). It's sort of like White Castle up north. I've never had White Castle, but Krystal is great. Some of their commercials can get kind of annoying, though. There was one good one recently, though, where they suggested going back and trying it sober for the first time. So, it has a similar reputation to White Castle.

Waffle House has expanded all over, but it's mostly concentrated in the southeast, and is another one that sprung out of Georgia.

Ledo Pizza is based in Maryland, and I think only has locations on Atlantic coastal states from Maryland on down. When I lived in Maryland it was particularly popular.

One restaurant I wish we had in Georgia is Jack-in-the-Box. They mostly just have those out west and in Louisiana and South Carolina or something. I love their two tacos for 99 cents, and whenever I have opportunity to travel west I try to eat there.

[bicostp]

You probably know Dunkin Donuts, but they got their start up here in Mass. We've also got a competing, but still regional, donut shop called Honey Dew Donuts that pretty much serves the same stuff. (I like their coffee better than Dunkie's, to be honest.) Between the two of them, Starburnt Coffee can't get much of a foothold anywhere besides the cities.

We also have <a href="http://www.papaginos.com">Papa Gino's</a>, a pizzeria. They're a pretty big regional franchise with some of the best thin crust pizza around.

There's a bunch of great "Mom & Pop" restaurants around, too many to mention. But by far the strangest is Tex Barry's Coney Island, which is <a href="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/3032 ... jpg">built in an old railroad diner car</a> and wedged between an old mill canal and a jewelry store. You'd never dream of going in there to eat, but they have the best hot dogs. (As long as you get them loaded with everything: onions, mustard, ketchup, relish, chili sauce, meat sauce.)

[ganonbanned]

Culvers, ben mentioned it in his newest podcast.

[Rekarp]

Hmm What-A-Burger started in Corpus Cristi, Tx. They have manly stayed in Texas.

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

Culvers, ben mentioned it in his newest podcast.

We have Culver's here too (western Chicago suburbs). They're a great place. They probably have the best non-soft-serve ice cream in the area (Dairy Queen has the best soft-serve, but maybe I'm biased ).

[benol]

I've heard about the Californian In-N'-Out burger chain. Is it any good?

[benheck]

Don't forget WAFFLE HOUSE! The Starbucks of pancake joints.

Also we get besieged by Sonic ads on TV, yet they are nowhere near Wisconsin.

-Ben

[jedi knight]

KFC originated in my state...I bet you'll never guess where I live

[grahamwheat]

Davanni's Pizza and Hot Hoagies - very delicious.

[benol]

KFC originated in my state...I bet you'll never guess where I live

Utah? That's where the original KFC is.

[benol]

Don't forget WAFFLE HOUSE! The Starbucks of pancake joints.

Also we get besieged by Sonic ads on TV, yet they are nowhere near Wisconsin.

-Ben

There are a couple Sonics here. But the food isn't "Sonic fast" like you said in the podcast. Maybe you just ate at a bad Sonic.

Sonic commercial:
TWO GUYS IN A CAR
Guy1: This [Sonic product] is really good!
Guy2: [Something witty, random and nonsensical.]
Guy1: [Questions guy 2.]
Guy2: [Explains.]
Guy1: [Is confused.] OR [Agrees.]

[nightwheel]

nvm