There are loads of are popular fast food chains; what are the best from the Midwest?
Culver’s is my personal pick
My vote is also for Culver’s.
Which I guess the upvote button covers so I probably didn’t need to make this comment. But I’m thrilled to be commenting somewhere that isn’t Reddit. 😅
Culvers
All these posts about Kwik Trip was making me question what I’m missing by not eating gas station food.
But to be fair, I do love a Casey’s pizza. Best gas station pizza I’ve had.
A l posted a few years ago on /r/iowa:
I’ve had better pizza than Casey’s, but it didn’t come from the gas station down the street.
deleted by creator
Best gas station pizza I’ve had.
I mean… I guess I can’t disagree with you there.
In all seriousness it’s probably at least on par with the big chain type pizzas like the Pizza Hut and Dominos.
I’d agree that Casey’s pizza by the slice is on par with Dominos or Pizza Hut, but ordered fresh I’d pick it over the two every time.
Quik Trip is pretty great. I think I actually like their pizza more than Casey’s; their crust is a little more crisp on the outside with just the right amount of chew on the inside.
Kwik Shop kinda sucks. Though, at least in my area, they’ve started integrating Sbarro’s into their locations, so at least the pizza is getting better.
My preference is usually Chicago style, but this Detroit stuff will do.
Not necessarily the best, but I have a special place in my heart for Rax Roast Beef:
Culver’s is definitely my top contender.
Taco John’s is a good one. I loved their chicken avacado bacon taco. $2 and half a dozen later never had a regret. Until it went away.
A&W is hit or miss as long as they still have their root beer tapped in store.
Kwik Trip is popular too because it’s literally grab and go or call ahead and it’s made for you. You can customize it without extra cost is a big win. Burgers. Pizza. Grab some donuts and breakfast sausage and the ultimate diabtus sandwhich is made for breakfast.
Potato Ole’s are one of the best sides of any fast food!
I guess Runza is too niche
Nobody knows what that is.
(I do, but I’ve been to Omaha)
I like Culver’s, Taco John’s, and Kwik Trip, all mentioned before here.
My addition will be B-Bops. Last I checked, they are only in the Des Moines metro. Also, Tasty Tacos, but they are more fast casual rather than fast food.
I’m partial to Culver’s and Wendy’s. Portillo’s seems to be rising in popularity across the country these days, too.
I’m a +1 on Culvers. Seems to be the most popular with my crowd.
Portillos is good, but honestly it’s always insanely busy which usually swings me towards an alternative.
What’s the criteria? Simply originating in the Midwest? Or not available in all contiguous 48 states? Or ones that embrace their Midwest roots? Do gas stations count?
What?! Nobody’s mentioned Steak ‘n Shake? They were my favorite before Culvers migrated south.
Removed by mod
I think White Castle, the original slider, mighty whitey one bite, also deserves a shout out, even though they’re kind of awful IMO.
I guess it doesn’t matter anymore since nothing is open overnight these days, but back in the day I have been served some truly foul Steak ‘n’ Shake in the drive thru after midnight, bad enough to make you never wanna go back.
steak n shake’s gone downhill. they were my favorite like 10+ years back, but the last few times ive gone, even at different locations, it’s been low quality meat even by fast food standards and nothing is assembled right. i swear even the fries are less salty. it’s so bad there used to be one over by a nearby highschool that managed to go out of business somehow
Midwest here, had a number of Steak n Shakes go downhill then close around me. Turns out if you lower the quality of your overpriced extremely slow ‘fast’ food people stop coming. Weird.
deleted by creator
Pancheros Mexican Grill. It’s like Chipotle but better. Moe’s is close competition though.
Removed by mod
Removed by mod
