As college students, life is pretty much ballin’ on a budget, and with budgets like ours, fast food chains are high on our lists as prime locations for a quick and inexpensive bite to eat. As a result, we’ve experienced it all. From the late night drunchies, to the early morning meal before heading off of a road trip, we know the places that are always on point, the place with the best French fries, and the place that’ll give you the extra honey mustard.
Even better, we’re all quite familiar with which regional fast food chains in the U.S. we desperately wish would go national. Because, let’s be real, keeping something so magical away from the rest of the nation is something of a crime.
1. Cookout.
Founded in 1989 in Greensboro, N.C., Cookout is a fast food chain that has spread to Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland, but unfortunately no farther. Very much like the fast food version of a food court, from pork BBQ to char-grill and every flavor of milkshake on the planet, Cookout has it all.
Go-to order: The Cookout Tray -- your choice of one main entrée, two side items, and a large fountain drink or milkshake. If you really want to spice it up, go ahead and pay the extra $1.99 for a Cookout T-shirt!
2. Zaxby’s.
Established in Statesboro, Ga., near the Georgia Southern University, Zaxby’s is kind of like a fusion of the food of Chick-fil-A and the dine-in experience of Waffle House. Zaxby’s is there for all your chicken needs, from chicken salad to chicken wings, they’ve got it all.
Go-to order: Chicken finger plate with three “fingerz”, Texas toast, coleslaw, and a tub of Zax sauce.
3. Bojangles’ Chicken and Biscuits.
Based in Charlotte, N.C., Bojangles’ is God’s gift to Southerners. There’s nothing like Bojangles’ in the morning to hype you up for the upcoming day (especially if it’s game day), and trust me when I say that you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who disagrees.
Go-to order: Cajun filet biscuit combo.
4. Waffle House.
First opened on Labor Day 1955 in Avondale Estates, Ga., Waffle House maintains its reputation for comfortable, diner-style breakfast food all day, every day. Known for their low prices and perfect golden brown hash browns and waffles.
Go-to order: All-star special (waffles, eggs, toast, bacon, sausage).
5. Jimmy John’s.
Founded in Champaign, Ill. in 1983, Jimmy John’s started its long lasting and highly successful career as a delivery oriented subs restaurant. Since then, it’s obvious that the franchise has blossomed into what it’s become today, with restaurants in over 40 of the 50 states nationwide.
Go-to order: The J.J. Gargantuan. This sandwich was invented by Jimmy John’s brother, Huey. It has tons of genoa salami, sliced smoked ham, capicola, roast beef, turkey & provolone, in their homemade French buns topped with onions, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and homemade Italian dressing.
