In-N-Out Burger is popular out west, but there aren’t any around here. Image from Flickr.
Sure we’ve got plenty of fast food choices in Rhode Island, but there are a lot of fast food chains missing from the Ocean State. Here’s a few that can’t be found anywhere between Woonsocket and Westerly:
- Arby’s
Arby’s is famous for their roast beef sandwiches, but they also offer things like Ruebens, roast turkey sandwiches, curly fries and milkshakes. The closest Arby’s is in Worcester, Mass.
- Bojangles’
“It’s Bo Time!” Famous for their “chicken ‘n biscuits” Bojangles’ serves up southern style chicken, biscuits and “fixin’s” like picnic grits, dirty rice and Cajun pinto beans. The closest Bojangles’ is in Reading, Pennsylvania.
- Hardee’s
Hardee’s offers up the traditional fast food fare of charbroiled burgers, fries and milkshakes. The closest Hardee’s is in Maryland.
- Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box has a little bit of everything: chicken, breakfast, burgers, even tacos! They also have some unusual side offerings like stuffed jalapenos, pizza bites and eggrolls. The closest Jack n the Box is more than 650 miles away in Statesville, North Carolina.
- White Castle
White Castle is famous for their sliders: those little burgers or chicken sandwiches on small buns. White Castle steams their burgers and pairs them with sides like french fries, fish nibblers or chicken rings (yes, ring-shaped chicken nuggets). Though there aren’t any White Castles in Rhode Island, they can be found in abundance in New York state.
- Checkers
Checkers’ black-and-white-checked logo definitely puts the “fast” in fast food. They serve classic burgers, sandwiches, hotdogs, chicken wings and sides like french fries and potato skins. The closest Checkers is not too far away in Bristol, Connecticut, and the folks at Checkers tell us they’re looking to come to Rhode Island soon.
- In-N-Out Burger
This California-based drive-thru offers the staples: burgers, fries and milkshakes. No frills or fuss here, just the basic meat-and-potatoes of fast food. The closest In-N-Out Burger is all the way out in Texas, about 1,700 miles from here.
- Sheetz
It’s a gas station, but it’s also a fast food restaurant. Sheetz takes orders through computerized touch screens and in return patrons get fresh salads, sandwiches, pizza, wraps and more. The closest Sheetz is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
- Krispy Kreme
There used to be a Krispy Kreme in Cranston, but sadly it’s a thing of the past. Unlike some other coffee shops, Krispy Kreme is less about the coffee and more about their hot, delicious donuts. They even have a sign that lets you know when a batch is ready! Krispy Kreme can be enjoyed a short drive away at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
10. Whataburger
Whataburger is a Texas-based burger chain that serves up burgers and chicken sandwiches, some of which are layered on thick-cut Texas toast. The closest Whataburger is a 16-hour drive away in Yulee, Florida.
11.Steak ‘n Shake
No you can’t get a t-bone or filet mignon at Steak ‘n Shake, but you can get a variety of “Steakburgers,” patty melts, chili dishes, steak franks and milkshakes. The closest Steak ‘n Shake is in New York City.
