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5 Fast Food Restaurants We Wish Would Come To North Carolina

It’s no secret we have some fantastic fast food options here in North Carolina. But there are also some fast food chains missing in North Carolina. While I don’t eat…

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 23: An exterior view of an In-N-Out Burger restaurant on January 23, 2024 in Oakland, California. Fast food chain In-N-Out Burger is closing one of its profitable restaurants due to high crime in the area, like car break-ins and armed robbery, which is making it unsafe for customers and workers. Fast Food chains missing in North Carolina
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It's no secret we have some fantastic fast food options here in North Carolina. But there are also some fast food chains missing in North Carolina. While I don't eat a lot of it I don't think I would be able to survive without Chick-fil-A. We have some great North Carolina-born fast food restaurants as well like Bojangles, Cookout, and Biscuitville. Of course, we have all the heavy hitter chains like Mcdonalds', Burger King, Wendy's, etc.

Just as Bojangles, Biscuitville, and Cookout are North Carolina institutions there are chains local to other parts of the country that we (unfortunately) don't have here. If you've traveled outside of the state chances are you've had the chance to dine at a fast food restaurant that we don't have in North Carolina. And some of them leave you begging for them to open one up here.

I distinctly remember when Shake Shack opened its first Charlotte location and the line was wrapped around the building for weeks with people desperate to try it. (I mean it's a decent burger but I am under no circumstances waiting in a line that long for fast food). South Carolina is finally getting a Whataburger and I bet we see a similar response when the Texas-based chain opens its doors.

Below you will find 5 of the fast food chains missing in North Carolina that I and others would love to see make their way to us. And I bet we will see some of them in the coming years. Chains are going more national now, with Chick-fil-A reaching California. Though a few on this list only have locations in southern California making a North Carolina expansion highly unlikely.

5 Fast Food Chains Missing In North Carolina

  • Del Taco- I have mixed feelings about fast food Mexican (unpopular opinion I cannot eat Taco Bell, but I love fast causal options like Chipotle, Moe's, etc.) I'd certainly be down to try Del Taco as I have heard wonderful things about it!
  • In N' Out- Easily the biggest one. I heard about In N' Out for YEARS. I finally tried it last spring in Arizona, and I would certainly go back and welcome it to the Carolinas. And I know many others feel the same way.
  • Wienerschnitzel- This one makes the list solely for its name. I'm not even a hotdog fan (luckily they also serve burgers, fries, and a meatball sub in addition to hotdogs and corndogs). But I live for the day I can say "I'm going to Wienerschnitzel do you want anything?"
  • Roscoe's House Of Chicken & Waffles- I'm not holding out for this Los Angeles chain to make its way east anytime soon. But with a menu featuring fried chicken, homestyle sides, waffles, sandwiches, and even chicken liver (I'll skip that one) a girl can dream.
  • Fatburger- Another incredible name, that obviously makes me want a burger. Fatburger meals are cooked to order and many locations also have a "fat bar". Yes please.

What fast food chains missing in North Carolina do you wish would make their way here? Let us know!

5 Fast-Food Items That Need To Make A Comeback

What do you think are some fast-food items that need to make a comeback? Some of our favorite menu items are missing from our go-to restaurants, and it's time they make their return.

Menus are constantly changing, and that's understandable. You need to adjust with the times and keep up with what the customers want. However, sometimes you just need to listen. The people are asking for these fast-food items to make a comeback. Can you think of any you'd like to see make a return to the menu? We've thought of 5 (once) popular fast-food items that need to make a comeback!

Right now, the popular craze in fast-food is Bargain Bundle Meals. It seems like every restaurant is coming out with a new menu bundle aimed at saving you money. McDonald's has a $5 meal deal, as does Burger King. Taco Bell has a new $7 combo bundle, and even Sonic recently debuted a $1.99 Value Menu. That's great that they're thinking about our wallets during this time, where even fast food seems to cost a ridiculous amount of money. However, is it enough? There's still a lot more these restaurants can do for us. All they need to do is pay attention. I'm sure you've seen people calling for certain items to come back on social media. Chances are you even have a couple of examples in mind yourself.

Admittedly, some fast-food items leave the menu for a good reason. If people aren't buying the product, then you should probably remove it from the menu. That makes sense financially. Also, I think these restaurants should stay in their lane. I don't need a burger from Taco Bell and I don't need a taco from McDonald's. Focus on what you do best and execute. What doesn't make financial sense is when you know people are clambering for one of your delicious items to return to the menu, but you don't make it happen. Seriously, fast-food chains would make so much more money than they already do if they re-introduced these five items to the public.

We've been asking... nay, we've been demanding and yet our voices have gone unheard. So, I'm trying again. Here are five once-popular fast-food items that need to make a comeback! If you can think of any that didn't make the list, make sure to let us know!

Snack Wraps - McDonald's

https://youtu.be/wy9lMmxNh-o?si=e9WXL-ksKNEXOm4i You probably expected to see this on the list and I can't not include it. Seriously, people don't talk about fast-food items that need to make a comeback without talking about McDonald's Snack Wraps. They were a COVID casualty and the restaurant chain has blamed supply chain issues for it not making its return to menus across the country. People keep asking and asking but it hasn't happened yet. They'll create a new value bundle but won't give us our Snack Wraps. It's going to happen one day, I just hope it's soon.

Twister - KFC

https://youtu.be/1oNf6NOQCFU?si=J1_VPlwNYiv56sUT The Twister at KFC might have been one of my favorite fast-food menu items of all-time and sadly you can't get them anymore. They were different than your ordinary Chicken Wraps and even better than the previously mentioned Snack Wraps, if I do say so myself. The chicken was crispy and delicious, the lettuce was also crispy and delicious, but it was that spice that got your attention. It wasn't overwhelming but you knew it was there. It was the perfect flavor. I miss it every day.

Big Montana - Arby's

https://youtu.be/_oT3VHK0X2w?si=Zix2uBa5G56-WNn7 Saving Silverman is one of my favorite movies and every time I watch it I'm reminded of the monster roast beef sandwich that was Arby's Big Montana. It always looks so tasty when Amanda Peet's character Judith eats one. Sure, Amanda adds to why it looks so good, but you can't help but to want a bite. This thing was huge! It was a half-pound of Roast Beef! That's probably why they ended up having to pull it off menus. They still have the meats, but back then they REALLY had the meats.

Double Chalupa - Taco Bell

https://youtu.be/eQkFvfiWNpI?si=eVEoQlnRYPwm0XMU It wasn't very long ago that we were enjoying Double Chalupas at Taco Bell. They were seemingly double the size of an ordinary Chalupa and resembled a boat. Yes, a taco boat! How tasty is that? It also had Nacho Cheese on it, which makes me miss their Nacho Cheese Chalupa. I loved the big version of the popular taco. It wasn't long ago that they had it on menus, and it always could make a comeback. I wouldn't be surprised. Taco Bell seems to understand the assignment and give people what they want.

Szechuan Sauce - McDonald's

Of course Szechuan Sauce makes the list! The people need it to come back! It's one of the best sauces not only that McDonald's has ever released but in all of fast-food! The sauce made its debut in 1998 as a promotion for Disney's Mulan and then took a nearly 20-year hiatus before coming back thanks to a Rick and Morty promotion. People again went crazy for it during its limited release and would horde the sauce. Hopefully it will return for good one day because it's that good. Mmm how I miss that garlicky spicy goodness. It's truly one-of-a-kind.

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.