You can search high and low, but it’s hard to find a Southerner who doesn’t love a road trip. Maybe it’s our knack for turning everything into a celebration, or our deep-rooted appreciation for the simple joys in life—but give us a good stretch of highway, and we’ll keep ourselves entertained for hours. It usually starts with great company, then a strong playlist, but perhaps most important of all: something good to eat.
Road trips are the perfect excuse to give in to cravings, and more often than not, that means pulling over for a bite at a beloved fast food chain. We wanted to know which iconic signs make Southerners veer off course and head straight for the drive-thru—so we asked, and y’all delivered. Here are eight fast food stops our readers say are always worth the detour.
Buc-ees
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“If I see a Buc-ees sign, I’m stopping,” says one reader, and that pretty much sums up how most of our readers feel about this beaver-themed convenience store. You could argue Buc-ees isn’t a fast food joint, but we would say it’s part food stop, part paradise, and everything in between. There are seemingly endless treats to choose from, but our readers said they’re stopping for the famous brisket sandwich, the shrimp basket, and the chocolate parfait.
Chick-fil-A
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One of our readers describes this Georgia-based company as a place that’s “consistently good and has healthy options,” and we’ll happily toast a frosted lemonade to that. No matter what you order from Chick-fil-A’s menu, the service is reliable and the food always hits the spot. According to our readers, classics like the Chicken Sandwich Meal (extra pickles, please) and seasonal treats like the Peach Milkshake are always worth stopping for.
Braum’s
Since it first opened in 1968, this iconic Southern chain has been a roadside hotspot for hamburgers, frozen yogurt, and—most importantly—old-fashioned ice cream. Braum’s ice cream selection consists of over 100 flavors, all made with milk from the company’s private herd. You’ll find nostalgic fan favorites like the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake or the Premium Amaretto Peach Charlotte. So, the next time you see a giant ice cream cone sign, go ahead and pull off.
What-A-Burger
The big orange “W” sign might as well be a magnet, because many of our readers can’t pass one without pulling in. For over 75 years, this Texas-born burger chain has been keeping travelers fueled and content for miles. And who wouldn’t want to shake up a long drive with a full menu of hearty burgers, all-day breakfast, and fries with spicy ketchup? One reader recommended, “What-A-Burger in the morning for taquitos! I love their salsa too.”
Culver’s
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This Midwestern fast food chain has moseyed its way through the South and into the hearts of our readers. Culver’s signature ButterBurger is reason enough for a pit stop, but pair it with a frozen custard and the iconic Wisconsin cheese curds, and you’ve got a combo our readers swear by.
Bojangles
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Founded in North Carolina in 1977, this fried chicken joint is practically a rite of passage for Southern road trips. A Bojangles spot can be harder to come by depending on where you live, but our readers don’t waste an opportunity to stop whenever it’s en route. As for what they’re ordering, our readers keep it simple: fried chicken and biscuits will get you where you need to go.
Chicken Salad Chick
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Ever since this Georgia-based company hit the scene in 2008, their chicken salad has been a drive-thru dream come true. Chicken Salad Chick offers over a dozen flavors of their signature dish, which you can enjoy on sandwiches, leafy greens, or in large shareable “Quick Chick” containers. And that’s really just the beginning—egg salad, grape salad, pasta salad, and pimento cheese are all along for the ride too.
Raising Cane’s
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When you’ve got a car full of hungry people and time for only one stop, you can’t go wrong with chicken fingers—especially when they’re from Raising Cane’s. Our readers swear by the crispy chicken tenders, the crinkle cut fries, and of course, the iconic Cane’s Sauce that seems to make everything taste better. Add in some Texas toast and a big iced tea, and you are golden.
