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I think I see more fast-food chains in Texas (Dallas/ Houston) than any other place in the US.
Besides the nationals, it has a blend of Western US and Southern chains as well as state-grown ones.
Any other states that have as wide a variety?
I can list as many as I can remember, but it is definitely more than what is available in other states.
Talking about "Fast food chains" (drive-thru & all) not "restaurant chains" in general.
Seems like nobody is jumping in to claim that one!
I love my city for not having chains as much as some places. It has a flipside of course...sometimes you have to walk a ways to find a pizza slice or a takeout hamburger or whatever. Even with coffee, in the home of Starbucks, there seem to be more independents by a wide margin.
Houston actually has a very strong and competitive local food scene resists establishment of national chains. The chains that are present in the city tend to either be local (Frenchy's), or regional across a few states at most (i.e. Whataburger): Meet the First Families of Houston Food | Houston Press
I've pretty much found most of my favorite chains in Texas (West Texas and DFW so far).. except:
- Leomonade (only in California)
- JJ Bakery & Cafe (only in California)
- Blue Star Doughnuts (only in California and Oregon)
- Rallys/Checkers (heard they have them in Houston)
- The Counter (might be in Austin or Houston)
- Pieology (Austin or Houston)
- Skippers (only in the PNW)
I've pretty much found most of my favorite chains in Texas (West Texas and DFW so far).. except:
- Leomonade (only in California)
- JJ Bakery & Cafe (only in California)
- Blue Star Doughnuts (only in California and Oregon)
- Rallys/Checkers (heard they have them in Houston)
- The Counter (might be in Austin or Houston)
- Pieology (Austin or Houston)
- Skippers (only in the PNW)
Rallys Checkers seem to be southern centric but definitely offer a unique flavor but my perception is they are very non healthy. Skippers in the nw is a skeleton of what it once was. Today if you can even find one, is overpriced and average imo.
I will say Texas does offer a good variety of fast food that you can't find everywhere. In-n-Out has definitely laid a claim in Texas, (mostly larger metros), and the hometown brand, "Whataburger" is everywhere. I'm sure both are great, but as I have aged, I don't care for either anymore. They are definitely "younger" demo type places.
Texas also offers Jack in the Box, Carl's Jr, and other brands that are somewhat regional.
Texas is obviously large in size, and at a crossroads of sorts between east and west, as well as containing elements of the south. And it has a diverse population. So all of that goes together to have a variety of fast-food joints, but also other food places as well. Lots of companies and one-off's want to put in stores there, of all types.
Krystal used to be in Texas, but I think they closed all of them. I wish there was a Krystal or White Castle type place around for a nice snack.
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