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As much as I love a fancy meal with nicely-dimmed lights and ambiance, there's nothing quite like local fast food. Now, I'm not talking about your local Burger King, but rather the chain-free fast food spots that you visit -- the neighborhood joints that deliver fast food without the wide-spread brand. Maybe there's a couple locations across your city, but these are the sort of places that deal in local crowds -- the establishments where you're more than likely to have a brief chat rather than a minimum wage snarl.
I first discovered my love, George's Chicken, one night after clubbing. My friend had taken me to the late-night Dundas stop, and it was a madhouse -- hordes of people waiting for meats and bbq'd goodies to soak up the alcohol. Many years later, the Bloor location has become my ultimate comfort food and quick meal. Being a sandwich fiend, I can't help myself from either ordering the delicious cheeseburgers (that I hear are homemade) or the chicken sandwich, the latter of which always comes with a bonus chicken wing. More importantly -- in a world where many places offer inferior taters, the fries are always perfectly crispy. Just look up. That's the meal I brought home and ate at my desk tonight.
Since this isn't a chain, the quality never changes. For years I've gone to George's, and I've never had a bad meal. That's what is so great about the neighborhood fast food stops. They're not only local -- they're reliable.
Slashfoodies -- what are your favorite local fast food haunts?
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10-17-2008 @4:55PM R. P. McMurphy said... White Mana
White Rose System
(THE original white castles)
Pork Roll Egg & Cheese - from any diner.
Cluck-U chicken (the original)
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10-17-2008 @4:57PM R. P. McMurphy said... I forgot, if you are under 20, then the Grease Trucks. (fat bitch)
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10-17-2008 @5:51PM Eric Howe said... I used to go to Sarah's Falafel at Bloor and Brunswick in Toronto all the time, I'm not sure if they're still there though. Great non-greasy falafels (wrapped burito style for easy eating) and the best taboulli in the city.
There was also Ghandi's down on Queen (east of Bathurst, north side) for an awesome roti.
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10-17-2008 @6:22PM OneIrishRover said... We have a great BBQ joint here called 12 Bones. When Obama was here to speak two weeks ago, he shocked all the locals when he came there for lunch. Their website is www.12bones.com and their food is excellent. I believe their blueberry ribs won some sort of award as well.
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10-17-2008 @6:24PM Velcrocore said... Burgerville a nice size chain here in Oregon and Washington. It's a little more expensive, but it's all local, sustainable, and delicious. Get a seasonal milkshake and Tillamook cheddar pepper bacon burger. Mmm, mmm.
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10-17-2008 @10:05PM SaraFist said... Why is no one but Velcrocore putting WHERE they're located?
I'm also in the Pacific Northwest, and I flippin' love Burgerville.
When I'm home in Hawai'i, though, it's all about W&M Burger or Zippy's.
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10-17-2008 @10:43PM Maddie said... This will totally show where I am from but I love: Shirl's, a icecream/burger joint; and an old fashioned drive in called The Spot... Also awesome. Now I need a cheeseburger- oooh, or a pizzapuff thing and a butterscotch malt. yum.
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10-17-2008 @10:49PM Monika said... Eric -- It's still there! I haven't been there in ages.. I'll have to check it out again soon and try the taboulli.
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10-18-2008 @12:54AM Elizabeth said... Oh my god, Beef-a-Roo in Rockford, IL - my hometown. I live in Virginia now and pine for Beef-a-Roo's shakes, cheddar fries, and fried chicken.
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10-18-2008 @1:14AM Chris Wilkerson said... James Coney Island in Houston, sort of on the gross level like a jack in the box taco, but good
C&D's in South Houston
Pete's Fish and Chips in Phoenix
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10-18-2008 @5:51AM James said... In-N-Out
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10-18-2008 @8:05AM Paul said... Elizabeth, just when you think you don't miss home at all someone mentions the one good thing about Rockford.
Sarafirst.. Zippy's is great but anyplace with a decent loco-moco will do right?
Well that is two of my past hometowns, I'm in Mass. now, most sub/pizza shops are pretty good but not the chains. Bedford House of Beef makes a great roast beef sandwich. Other than that the food court at Super 88 provides me with a host of Asian fast food choices.
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10-18-2008 @9:04AM donnae63 said... Totally, Park West Diner, Rt 46W, Totowa, NJ - rocks the house! best fried calamari ever, but my fav is the organic salad, vanilla egg cream, and a linzer tart... mmmmm!
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10-18-2008 @1:02PM rahul said... the crepe truck on Temple's Main Campus $5 gets you a massive crepe and a drink
or 5 Guys Burgers
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10-18-2008 @7:03PM KerryLea said... Definitely Runza which is found in NE and KS. An original runza and fries is the best!
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10-19-2008 @1:49PM Laura K said... The Real Deal Deli in JP (Boston, MA) just opened and has become a total favorite. Excellent sandwiches and a pizza with chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing. I crave it. And the best burgers I've had can be found at The James's Gate Pub in JP.
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10-20-2008 @9:55AM Philip said... For anyone else in the central NC area...Cook-out. Delicious at 2am after the bar(s) or when you're up really late studying in college and need a delicious milkshake to power through the last few hours.
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10-21-2008 @1:32PM Rob Lusk said... In-N-Out
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