25 fast-food chains that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but need to be

Wienerschnitzel

Wienerschnitzel serves burgers, sandwiches and breakfast, but the real draw is the dogs. Smothered in chili, battered and fried or just stuck in a bun, Wienerschnitzel is the largest hot dog chain in the world. In the words of Wienerschnitzel itself, “Nobody should have to live without Wienerschnitzel.” Well here we are, living without a Wienerschnitzel.

Photo via Wienerschnitzel/Facebook

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out is a cult classic, plain and simple. The So-Cal native burger chain has been referenced in verses from Childish Gambino and received the stamp of approval from Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri. Supposedly, the chain even contributed to Tupac and Biggie’s East Coast/West Coast rivalry, by pitting In-N-Out against Shake Shack. Some say that keeping close to the Golden State adds to In-N-Out’s novelty appeal, but isn’t it high time to settle the feud once and for all?

Photo via In-N-Out Burger/Facebook

Bonchon

This Korean-fried chicken chain is arguably the best Korean-fried chicken chain, and we're not the only ones who agree, it has a massive cult following. Unfortunately, the only Florida locations are in Orlando and Jacksonville. Hurry up and give us that Bibibmbap!

Photo via Biggby Coffee/Facebook

Bojangles’ Famous Chicken and Biscuits

Bojangles’ never-frozen chicken is delivered daily and it’s culinary wizards crank out a batch of biscuits every 20 minutes on average. Needless to say, it’s good stuff. Unfortunately, this southern staple of chicken frying and fresh biscuit baking is woefully absent in the Bay. There are three Bojangles’ in Jacksonville. Three! Get it together Bojangles’!

Photo via Bojangles’/Facebook

Fatburger

Fatburger’s name may sound like the brainchild of some early aughts Nickelodeon sitcom, but we can assure you that this burger chain is very real. Speaking of real, Fatburger uses never frozen, 100% USDA lean beef, and its massive patties don’t hit the grill until you place your order. With locations in every continent except Australia and Antarctica, Fatburger has to come to the Bay at some point, right?

Photo via Fatburger/Facebook

Del Taco

If you’re really craving Del Taco, you aren’t totally shit-out-of-luck. This Mexican/Americana fast food haven has a location in Orlando. Del Taco’s fresh ingredients, vegan options and low prices might even make it worth the drive. Honestly, though, we want to try some secret menu hacks over here in the Bay. Supposedly, if you say “go bold” at the end of your order, they put crinkle-cut fries on your taco, or burrito, or burger or whatever. Intriguing.

Photo via Del Taco/Facebook

Jack In The Box

Ever struggle to decide between picking up tacos or going out for burgers? Well, Jack In The Box could solve this, and a variety of other snack-related problems, if it would grace us with its presence. Unfortunately, if you you want to try Jack In The Box’s famous purple Coca-Colas and sourdough bacon burgers, you’ll need to start heading west. The chain’s closest location is in Houston… for now.

Photo via Jack In The Box/Facebook

Cafe Rio

From refreshing mint limeade to succellent sweet pork enchiladas, Cafe Rio pays homage to the flavors of Northern Mexico, Southern Texas, and New Mexico by focusing on their Mani“fresh”to. According to the Manifreshto, Cafe Rio makes its tortillas in-store and uses farm-to-table ingredients for its salsas which are handmade each morning. Unfortunately, it may not be so fresh anymore once you make it home from their closest location: Winter Park. Let’ go Cafe Rio, there’s prime real estate over here in the Bay!

Photo via Cafe Rio/Facebook

Shake Shack

Born out of a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, Shake Shack has become a raving success thanks to its silky, custard-based shakes and decked-out burgers. In an era where consumers are asking more of their fast food, Shake Shack gets a thumbs up for high quality ingredients (for fast food, that is). Plus, they serve beer, major bonus.

Photo via Shake Shack/Facebook

Schlotzsky's

Schlotzsky’s traditions fit right into the slogan of its home city, “Keep Austin weird.” Over the years, Schlotzsky's has expanded from serving a single sandwich option on a frisbee, to offering a variety of sandwiches, unique salads, pizzas and now sliders. From fresh-baked bread to unconventional flavors, it’s high time for the Bay to get a Schlotzsky's.

Photo via Schlotzsky's/Facebook

Yoshinoya

Yoshinoya takes a modern spin on Japanese-inspired cuisine with a menu full of flavorful rice bowls. You may not have heard of Yoshinoya, but it is nothing new. The chain launched its first restaurant over a century ago in Tokyo, and the chain arrived in the U.S. West Coast back in ‘79. Today, Yoshinoya has over 2000 locations worldwide. With that kind of success, we’re bound to see a Yoshinoya in the Bay one of these days.

Photo via Yoshinoya/Facebook

Lion’s Choice

Lion’s Choice’s menu of top-round roast beef, slow-roasted daily and thin-sliced for roast beef sandwiches could is enough to satisfy any hungry predator, or say a Tampa native who’s sick of Arby’s. For now, this carnivore’s delight can only be found in and around St. Louis. If everything the light touched was your kingdom, wouldn’t you think about setting up shop in the Sunshine State? Take a hint Lion’s Choice.

Photo via Lion’s Choice/Facebook

The Varsity

This family Atlanta institution has been owned and operated by the Gordy family for over 90 years. Over those 90-odd years, The Varsity has created its own dictionary for the menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and onion rings. For example, “Heavy Weight” = Hot dog with extra chili, “Glorified Steak” = Hamburger with mayo, lettuce and tomato and “Please” = bring The Varsity to Florida. Okay, so we made that last one up, but can you blame us?

Photo via The Varsity/Facebook

El Pollo Loco

Not to be confused with Pollo Tropical, El Pollo Loco is what happens when the SoCal lifestyle meets Sinaloa, Mexico flavor. Salsas are made from scratch, avocados are sliced fresh, fire-grilled chicken is never frozen and, true to L.A. fashion, vegetarian options are available. Now let’s get those L.A. Mex flavors over here in the Bay.

Photo via El Pollo Loco/Facebook

Milo’s Hamburgers

Milo’s claim to fame? Its fan-favorite secret sauce, handspun milkshakes and burgers with “a little something extra.” Milo’s started by slinging patties for the toughest-of-the-tough in Birmingham — steel workers. In order to fill these macho-men’s ravenous appetites and thank them for their loyal business, the growing chain started slapping extra chunks of patty onto its saucy burgers. Now with nearly 20 locations in Alabama, we’re asking for “a little something extra” to come our way.

Photo via Milo's Original Burger Shop/Facebook

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Raising Cane’s simple mission boils down to this: make the best chicken fingers and make them everywhere. The Louisiana-based chain doesn’t fool around with food fads or extravagant creations. The menu is simple, but anything but plain with top-notch chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast and coleslaw. With Raising Cane’s locations in every state bordering Florida but none in Florida itself, we just have one question: Are you mad at us?

Photo via Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers/Facebook

White Castle

The nearest branch of this iconic burger joint resides in Nashville, Tennessee — a short 11 hour drive from the Bay or 1 hour 40 minute flight (but who’s counting?). If your travels have been limited to our fair state, you may still be familiar with White Castle from the franchise’s freezer section sliders. Of course, any true connoisseur of fast food will tell you that this tasty little patty’s are best served straight off the flat-top.

Photo via Shake Shack/Facebook

Harold’s Chicken Shack

Born and bred in 1950s South Side Chicago, Harold’s Chicken has become a cultural icon in the community for its specially prepared fried chicken and historic black ownership. Harold’s success has allowed the chain to expand to at least 17 locations and has garnered praise from stars like Kanye West, Common, Rhymefest, J.U.I.C.E., G Herbo, Chance the Rapper, Freddie Gibbs, Lupe Fiasco and Dreezy. Kendrick Lamar even claims to have flown to Harold’s all the way from Rome just for dinner. Want to buy us a ticket Kendrick?

Photo via Harold's Chicken Shack Downtown/Facebook

Big John Steak & Onion

Big John Steak and Onion has the kind of straightforward and longstanding business plan that deserves a tip of the hat. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This Flint Michigan-based sub shop chain has the same specialty that “Big” John Klobucar started back in 1972, the steak and onion sandwich of course. With some 47 years of thin-slicing ribeye already, go ahead and take Big John’s word for it.

Photo via Google Maps

Arctic Circle

You might not have heard of Arctic Circle, but the Utah-based burger chain lays claim to some of the staples of fast food that we know today. For example, Arctic Circle claims to have invented fry sauce, chocolate-dipped ice cream cones and kid’s meals back in the ‘50s (though others say the now defunct Burger Chef franchise actually invented the kid’s meal). In more recent years, the chain added halibut, taco salads and Black Angus burgers to their menu. What hasn’t changed? No Florida locations.

Photo via Arctic Circle/Facebook