/ck/ - Food & Cooking

>>19311125
Where are you specifically going through? There's a few that are specific to certain cities that I know of

>>19311131
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota

Well, does anybody have anything? I have no idea what is and isn't good and I guess it doesn't necessarily have to be a "chain" but it definitely has a to be fast food. I don't have the time to waste on fine dining

>>19311146
Taco John's (potato olés, mmm)
Jimmy John's
Panchero's
Happy Joe's
Rocky Rococo

>>19311125
Culver's

>>19311182
Culver's
Maid-Rite (might be an acquired taste)
White Castle
Steak & Shake
Runza

>>19311182
>Rocky Rococo
legitimately good if you can find it. mostly in Wisconsin. good quick pizza

>>19311146
>Ohio
at the risk of stating the obvious...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili

Krispy Krunchy chicken is to die for OP

>>19311125
Portillo's for fucking sure. All around Illinois

>>19311125
Beef-A-Roo - Rockford, IL

>>19311182
>Happy Joe's
Taco pizza from there is definitive.

Breakfast pizza from Casey's. I moved out east and I still miss this shit

>>19311146
frisch's their big boy sandwiches are like big macs but 10X better. and they have decent dining

Breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches are huge in both Indiana and Iowa, you can find them everywhere. Kind of a meme sandwich but probably worth doing at least once

>>19311235
Genuinely miss Casey's all the time. Even the shitty(read: delicious) taco pizza.

As for OP, a lot of the good stuff in the west involves stopping and sitting, not too many fast food places I can think of that you can't just get anywhere else, >>19311190 has an ok list.

>>19311215
was better before it got sold

>>19311240
That shit is so fucking stupid.

>>19311383
What changed, other than ownership?

>>19311423
Oh when Czechs in America do it it's stupid but when Czechs in the Czech Republic do it's baller
I get it

>>19311182
We just got a Jimmy John’s here in southern Connecticut and fuck if I know why. We have plenty of far better sandwiches around here

>>19311125

>>19311186
>>19311190

Culvers is THE answer to this thread, its the midwest's regional burger chain and an absolute must try, alongside whataburger and in-n-out (overrated) if you happen to be in their territories. Its priced higher than its competitors and the food takes longer to come out (their drive throughs all have you pull forward and park and the food is run to your car) but its worth it. Last time I went the boomer manager was mentoring the downtard they had running food to the tables, the whole presentation is indescribably midwestern wholesome.

Taco Johns in another one but I have never had it, although its on my list. It looks good and the whole 'mexican food by and for white people' thing generates a satisfying amount of seethe.

Dairy Queen is a midwestern chain although its pretty close to national so most people don't think of it that way. Very comfy to ride your bike to in the summer.

White Castle is unique enough that I'd recommend trying it, though most people would find it disappointing. I like it though.

>>19311125
OP, where are you visiting from? International or from another part of the US

>>19311870
I like JJ although I've never actually gone there to eat out of choice. Their in house delivery and group order system makes it great for businesses ordering meals for meetings (Everyone gets a link and can customize their orders, everything charged to one card). That alone is enough for me to default to them whenever i need to expense a group delivery meal. The food is good too, though I'd leave it off any 'must try' regional fast food list.

but if you do want a sub, Cosetta's in downtown St. Paul is great. Not a chain and arguably not fast food but if you're in the area...

East of the Rockies? Hardees.
West of the Rockies? Checkers.
Wild card? Krystal

>>19312023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpW3C_k0WMY

>>19311987
lmao you are a fucking loser

>>19311235
The bacon breakfast pizza is so fucking good. I go get a mega slice for breakfast at least once a week. Their new 3x pepperoni pizza is also very good.

>>19312023
Hey Art, just calling in to say you're a dumb stupid nigger penispenispenispenisniggerniggerpenis.

>>19311230
My man! The best burger and fries around! Shame they're only around the Rockford/Love Park/Machesney area.

Not a chain, but while we're discussing pizza, Quad City style is good if you find yourself in davenport for some reason. QC pizza in north metro twin cities also has it.

https://discord.gg/rrXHz2bq

Midwest r9k server for anyone that wants to join, food is a popular topic.

Didn’t fucking ask incel.

Runza if you happen to be in Nebraska.

>>19312032
https://youtu.be/Iss9xKyqAeA

>>19312079
No one asked.

>>19312235
Runza is fucking gross but im always glad i go to one when i visit.

>>19311125
Look for gas stations that are not corporate.
Some of the best meals are cooked in a mom'n'pop gas station.
Homemade biscuits, homemade gravy, eggs, sausages...
Fukken catfish, fries, breaded fried okra.

>>19311125
hoosierbro here, I would say steak and shake but all the locations have gone seriously downhill over the last ten years. Freddy’s fills the hole left by it but it’s more expensive

Overall I’ll say Freddy’s, Culver’s, Skyline, and if you want to shit yourself, White Castle. I don’t know what it is about their sliders but they tear me up

>>19311423
no, it’s really not. Tenderloin sandwiches rock but it’s usually only found in local diners/pubs instead of any fast food joints

>>19312455
I never tried steak and shake, but a decade ago it was up there with culvers, whataburger, and cookout as a gotta try regional chain. I've heard they've all gone to shit.

>>19312471
I have good memories from high school going in and eating with friends. Only place with table service that you could eat and pay tip and your total money spent could be less than $6. I went back a few weeks ago for the first time in years and they’ve done away with table service, you stand at the counter and order from the touchscreen now and they sit it on the counter and call out your name on it come get it. Quality has gone way downhill too. Real shame honestly

>>19311235
I have no idea what they put on their breakfast pizza but it's unbelievably delicious. It's this eggy, savory flavor that I cant find anywhere else. I cannot state how much I love Caseys in general and their breakfast pizza especially.

>>19312597
I heard somewhere that the sausage slices have white sausage gravy for the sauce and the bacon ones have that nacho cheese sauce. I keep forgetting to check whenever I get it because I’m too focused on cramming it into my fat Iowan face.

>>19312079
I grew up in the QC and it’s funny, no one ever called this “Quad-City style” back then. We all knew it was just the traditional style that you’d find at Harris, Frank’s, Fat Boy’s, etc. Not everyone liked it, but I thought the flavor of that finely-ground sausage was incredible

>>19312457
I will say that when I was a kid you could get tenderloin sandwiches at one of our local DQs in Davenport. Dunno if that’s still the case though

>>19311233
anyone who actually enjoys this should be euthanized

>>19312441
>Midwest
>okra and catfish
What tf are you talking about

>>19311565
I can't tell exactly, but it IS getting worse.
4 years from now we'll all know for sure.

>>19311125
For Wisconsin

>Culver's butter burgers and cheese curds
>Kwik Trip fried chicken and breakfast sandwiches
>Friday Fish Fry at any dive bar
>Charity Fish Boils if you can find one
>Bratwursts from anywhere
>Brandy Old Fashioneds from any bar (there are a lot of them)
>Prime Rib or a good steak from any supper club (also a lot of these)
>Mac and Cheese pizza from Ian's in Madison, Wisconsin

>>19313779
don't forget Solly's Grille in Milwaukee

>>19313538
Once you start getting toward the more southern parts of the midwest, there's a little overlap. I've had great southern food in Iowa and KC. But Missouri may or may not be "the midwest"

>>19312023
>Hardees
I mean, they're fast food and they're technically what OP's looking for... but they're not really distinctive in any way. Average / below-average fast food. Even Taco John's has those Potato Ole's.

Hardee's did have good fried chicken way back in the day though

Spaghetti pizza at Angelo's, Rock Falls, IL

>>19313779
If we're talking Madison specifically then I have to mention Paul's Pel'meni, that place is amazing. Not exactly "Midwestern" but when the fuck else are you gonna find Russian dumplings? Only other place I've seen them is in NYC (although I'm sure they're out there)

>>19314212
I would have sex with a dog then eat this

>>19314263
what a fun afternoon you’ll have in milwaukee

>>19311146
>Minnesota
They have this burger there (minneapolis area at least, but maybe it's elsewhere in the state too?) called a Jucy Lucy whose whole claim to fame is having the cheese inside the patty. Whatever, I'd try it once.

Buona Beef

>>19311146
>all the gay states
Missouri/Arkansas/Oklahoma RISE UP

>>19314419
Those aren't the Midwest.

>>19314245
what the fuck

>>19311182
>Pancheros
Wrong, do not go there it's shit. OP if you're passing through either Fargo or Bismarck then try out burger time, it's not a great burgah but it's the closest thing I've found to the og whopper before BK became a parody of themselves.

>>19314461
No, their tortillas are great and they use a cheese blend that’s tastier than chipotle or qdoba

>>19314572
Back when I went to college, Pancheros cheese quesadillas were only $2 each and salsa was free. I ate a lot of cheap lunches like that

>>19311998
Seconding Culver’s and White Castle, as well as the Taco John’s potato oles

Culver’s is legitimately good, White Castle is embracing your white trash side. Also WC shits are worse than Taco Bell btw

Is Marco's worth a stop? I've heard of it but never been there.

>>19311125
I want to fuck that anime girl

>>19314280
Juicy Lucys are pretty memeish. Ive had two- Matts Bar in Minneapolis and Lucy's Burgers in White Bear Lake. Matts was good, Lucy's was too much and they take forever to come out. I'd try it but there is a reason the cheese goes on top of the meat. Pic is from Lucy's

What isn't a meme is fried cheese curds. I had never even heard of these things before visiting a friend in chicago and they are a midwestern staple sidedish.

>>19315883
>fried cheese curds
I've seen these in New England. But the cold, packaged ones, fresh enough that they squeak when you eat them... I've only ever seen those in the Midwest

>>19311125
culvers is a bit pricey but probably the best traditional fast food there is it
if you wanna save a buck rally's is a great budget option and potentially the least healthy thing ever, at least unintentionally

>>19315773
Nah it's barely a step above Domino's.

>>19315894
Amanda is Iowa-only I’m pretty sure but I’ve seen the Shullsburg brand in neighboring states

>>19315984
*Amana

>>19314215
>But Missouri may or may not be "the midwest"
It isn’t. I don’t care what any official map says. Neither are fucking Oklahoma or Arkansas and even Ohio is questionable.

>>19311125
I thought HyVee was really good and really cheap.
It's a grocery store but they have a restaurant.

>>19316419
Hy-Vee Chinese is almost, almost worth dedicating a meal to. It’s weird but good but not good but good.

>>19311125
I don't know how far they reach but Lee's famous recipe chicken is a good one

They don't do anything special. They just nail the basics for good fried chicken.

>>19311203
If you're doing this, go to dixie chili. Better yet, just stop at montgomery inn and get some ribs.

>>19311870
Man, fuck Jimmy Johns. They act like when you order condiments/sandwich fillings from one of their stores, you're requesting it from their like personal stash that they've scraped together 2 weeks into a nuclear winter. They are so stingy as FUCK with that shit and so they only can offer tiny little dry ass sandwiches. Meanwhile Jersey Mikes is straight up slathering mayo/mustard/cherry pepper relish/oil and vinegar/onions on you bun and the sub costs 1/2 dollars more if not for the same damn price. What a fucking sham, they're barely above subway and that's only because subway uses gutter-oil tier shit and hires meth-heads. And I live in fucking Montana of all places and have access to Jersey Mikes, and they're creaming the 2 poor shitty ass Jimmy Johns here and it's hilarious.

>>19315894
You can find them in Oregon, too. I'm sure elsewhere. I think I need to visit the coast...

MCDonalds gives lots of fries compared to other places.

More fries = Last longer

>>19311235
>>19311363

Casey's is a good answer for a road trip because they're only located out away from the cities. You'll never see one if you fly into a city but you'll see plenty driving between them.

>>19318024
their inhouse brand of chips isn't bad either, the new orleans kettle chip they make is a decent stand in for all-dressed desu