19 fast food chains that aren't in Detroit, but should be

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 11:27 pm

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Admit it, you love fast food. Every region has their favorite spot, but these brands have yet to infiltrate Detroit — or at least within driving distance for lunch breaks. Here's to hoping it's only a matter of time.

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In-N-Out
This California-based burger shack is known as a celebrity favorite — Hilary Swank famously celebrated an Oscar win by smashing one of their sandwiches. Like all great fast food joints, you can get a burger, fries, and a milkshake — you just can't get them in Michigan.
Photo via Shutterstock.com.

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Chick-fil-A
This poultry-focused fast-food chain has a corporate agenda to “glorify God,” and a strict Sunday closure policy. The Atlanta-based, family-owned chain is heavily rooted in the South, but has expanded aggressively into new areas. The closest one to us is located in the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Religious agenda aside, we want those carnival-like waffle fries, that hotel-like hospitality, the fresh-squeezed lemonade with soft-serve ice cream, and that admirably bare-bones fried-chicken sandwich.
Photo via Instagram user@Chickfila

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Fatburger
This burger chain goes for the biggest, juiciest burgers that the human jawbone will allow. Now, if only we didn’t have to go to Los Angeles — or Panama, Shanghai, or Cairo — to get one.
Photo via Instagram user @lady_s.hwi

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Jack in the Box
This California-based chain has sweet and gooey ribeye sandwiches, burgers piled high with curly fries, and even purple Coca-Colas. They've got franchises around the country, but we're yet to see Jack anywhere in Michigan.
Photo via Jackinthebox.com

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Whataburger
This place specializes in hamburgers — you're shocked, I know — but, they also serve eggs for breakfast and chicken sandwiches for lunch. The fare may seem standard, but Whataburger succeeds because of its intriguing spicy cheeses. The chain is based in San Antonio, Texas and the closest location to us is in Alabama.
Photo via Instagram use @whataburger

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Stewart's Shops
This convenience store's catchphrase, “We are closer to you,” is both creepy and untrue for Detroiters. But, the Northeast chain shouldn’t stay confined to icy New England. With subs, ice cream, and coffee, everyone can find something satisfying at Stewart’s Shops.
Photo via Facebook user @Stewart'sShops

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Skyline Chili
Chili is more than just a bowl of spicy beans. It’s also a comfort food best enjoyed during the colder months. Nothing compares to the soul-warming qualities of Skyline’s 3-way noodle, cheese, and chili combo. The chili chain is based in southern Ohio and has a couple stores in Kentucky too.
Photo via @Wikipedia
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Lion's Choice
Doesn't the name sound like a perfect fit for Ford Field? Their menu is made up of sandwiches filled with top-round roast beef that's slow-roasted daily and sliced thin. Sure, we have Arby’s, but Lion's Choice has a nice ring to it.
Photo via Facebook user @Lion'sChoice
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Biscuitville
Looking for a quick bite of soul food — Biscuitville's got it. The only problem? You'll have to travel all the way to North Carolina or Virginia to get it. It's possible their fried chicken, flaky biscuits, and filling grits could be worth the trip.
Photo via Instragram user @agentpheeb
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Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Baker Cafe began as a little Italian bakery in Chicago, but has grown into a fast casual sandwich shop of nearly 200 locations worldwide. Does Detroit need their Uptown Turkey Avocado melts? Why, yes, we do. Sadly, the closest location is in Wisconsin.
Photo via @Wikipedia
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Arctic Circle
Black Angus burgers and real, crispy halibut are just two reasons why we’d love to see this Utah-based franchise make its way to Detroit. A third reason? Their top-secret FrySauce.
Photo via Wikipedia
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Flying Biscuit Cafe
First opened "around 7 a.m." in the year 1993, this Atlanta-based chain quickly became know for their delicious biscuits and Southern-inspired menu. They have locations all around the South, including Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.
Photo via Facebook user @Flyingbiscuitcafe
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Harold's Chicken Shack
In "Fredo Santana’s Jealous," rapper Kendrick Lamar sings that he flew his private jet straight from Rome to Chicago, all for some sweet, sweet Harold’s chicken. We don’t know if that’s true, but we do know we want that chicken too.
Photo via Instagram user @logan__harris23
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Big John Steak and Onion
Perhaps no other franchise we’ve listed has managed to retain its original spirit quite like Big John Steak and Onion. Their oldest sandwich, the Steak and Onion, still dominates the restaurant’s banners and menus. We suggest giving their red sauce a try, if you've ever get the chance. If Big John doesn't choose to open a metro Detroit location soon, at least Flint has six spots. You won't regret the drive.
Photo via Instagram user @great.laker
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Portillo's Hot Dogs
Portillo's specializes in serving Chicago-style food such as hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polish, and Italian Beef. Fun fact: The company, founded by Dick Portillo, opened in Illinois in 1963 under the name "The Dog House." The closest one to Detroit is located in Indiana.
Photo via Instagram user @portilloshotdogs
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YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken
Healthier than its fried counterparts, YaYa’s chicken comes on plates, in wraps, or atop a delicious flatbread and the chicken salad and dressing is a favorite. This Michigan-based chain is headquartered in Flint, but you won't find any shops in metro Detroit.
Photo via yayas.com
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Cafe Rio
Forget Taco Bell, this Utah-based chain serves up fresh salmon tacos, massive nachos, and chicken tostadas you will want to inhale. The chain has locations in 12 states, but none of them are in the Midwest.
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Bonchon Chicken
This South Korea-based chain has 63 operating locations in the U.S., but only one in Michigan. You'll have to travel to Grand Rapids if you want to nosh these notoriously delicious chicken wings. The good news, franchises of this chicken shack are for sale.
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Pizza Ranch
There are a few Pizza Ranch locations in Michigan, but they're closer to Chicago than Detroit. Still, it seems we have a better chance of seeing this fast casual pizza place open 'round these parts than some of the other spots on this list. If you're really into Pizza Ranch, you can take a day trip to Hudsonville or Muskegon.
Photo via Instagram user @Pizzaranchrestaurants
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