Ranked: 20 Fantastic Fast Food Joints In Florida Worth Trying
Florida’s fast food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors that goes way beyond the usual national chains.
From Cuban-inspired sandwiches to fresh seafood tacos, the Sunshine State offers some truly unique quick-service restaurants.
I’ve spent years exploring Florida’s food landscape, trying everything from beachside shacks to mall food courts.
Here’s my personal ranking of the 20 most fantastic fast food spots that deserve your attention when visiting Florida.
1. Pollo Tropical – Miami’s Caribbean Flavor Champion
My first bite of Pollo Tropical’s citrus-marinated chicken transported me straight to the Caribbean without leaving Florida soil. The flame-grilled perfection and that signature tangy-sweet flavor is something I crave weekly.
Their tropical bowls loaded with rice, beans, and plantains make for a filling meal that won’t break the bank. Plus, the salsa bar lets you customize your heat level from mild to ‘why-is-my-mouth-on-fire.’
What really sets this place apart is how they’ve captured authentic island flavors in a fast-food format. Whether you’re grabbing their TropiChop bowls or a family meal with all the fixings, you’re getting a taste of Miami’s Caribbean influence that chain restaurants simply can’t replicate.
2. Whataburger – Texas Pride With Florida Roots
Orange and white stripes beckon like a lighthouse for hungry travelers along Florida’s highways. Whataburger might have Texas origins, but Floridians have claimed it as their own guilty pleasure.
The patties are thick enough to be substantial but not so thick they lose that perfect fast-food texture. Their spicy ketchup has me contemplating whether it would be weird to ask for extra packets to take home (I always do anyway).
Late-night cravings meet their match with Whataburger’s 24-hour service. Nothing beats pulling up at 2 AM for a Patty Melt that tastes like it was made with actual care, not just assembled. The A-frame buildings have become landmarks in their own right across the Sunshine State.
3. Firehouse Subs – The Hometown Hero From Jacksonville
Founded by firefighter brothers in Jacksonville, Firehouse Subs brings the heat in more ways than one. Their steamed subs have this magical quality where the cheese melts perfectly into the warm meat.
The Hook & Ladder loaded with smoked turkey breast and Virginia honey ham remains my go-to order. Each location features a custom mural celebrating local firefighters, giving each restaurant a community connection that chain restaurants often lack.
Their commitment to giving back through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation makes every bite feel a little more meaningful. I’ve watched this Florida-born chain expand nationwide while maintaining the quality that made them famous. The hot sauce bar is the cherry on top for spice lovers like me.
4. Tijuana Flats – Tex-Mex With Florida Flair
Walking into Tijuana Flats feels like stumbling into a party where tacos are the guests of honor. This Winter Park-born chain captures Florida’s fun-loving spirit with psychedelic murals and a hot sauce bar that will make your taste buds both thank and curse you.
Their Taco Tuesday deals have saved my wallet countless times. The ‘Flats’ (as locals affectionately call it) perfected the art of crispy-yet-soft flour tortillas that somehow hold together despite being stuffed to capacity.
What keeps me coming back is their ‘little hotter than most’ queso that hits that perfect middle ground between mild and face-melting. Their Megajuana burritos live up to the name – I’ve never finished one in a single sitting, which means bonus Tijuana Flats for breakfast the next day!
5. Habit Burger & Grill – California Cool Meets Florida Heat
The first time I bit into a Habit Burger, I understood why Californians have been keeping this chain to themselves for so long. Their Charburgers have this smoky-sweet flavor that comes from actual flame grilling – not just marketing hype.
Florida locations maintain the laid-back West Coast vibe while adapting to local tastes. The tempura green beans might sound weird as a fast food side, but trust me, they’re addictively crunchy and a welcome alternative to fries.
What really won me over was their Santa Barbara-style burger with avocado on grilled sourdough instead of a bun. It’s the kind of innovation that makes you wonder why more places don’t think outside the burger box. Their milkshakes are also legitimately made with ice cream, not some mysterious frozen dairy product.
6. Burger 21 – Tampa’s Gourmet Patty Paradise
Tampa’s own Burger 21 ruined regular fast food burgers for me forever. Their Black & Bleu burger with cajun seasoning and creamy bleu cheese haunts my dreams in the best possible way.
The restaurant’s sleek, modern interior feels more like a casual dining spot than fast food, but the speed of service puts them squarely in quick-service territory. Their hand-spun shakes come topped with a signature toasted marshmallow – a small touch that shows their attention to detail.
Beyond beef, they offer turkey, chicken, veggie, and even seafood options. The sweet potato fries with apple cider aioli create a flavor combination I’ve tried (and failed) to recreate at home numerous times. Their sauce bar with 10+ options means you’ll never have the same burger experience twice.
7. Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Beach Vibes In A Cup
Born in the Florida Panhandle, Tropical Smoothie Cafe captures the essence of beach life in drinkable form. My Saturday morning routine inevitably includes their Island Green smoothie – a surprisingly delicious blend of spinach, kale, mango, and pineapple that somehow tastes like vacation.
What started as just smoothies has evolved into a full menu of wraps, flatbreads, and bowls that maintain the tropical theme. Their Bahama Mama wrap with lean turkey and tropical fruit salsa makes even workday lunches feel like mini-getaways.
The bright, airy spaces with surfboards and palm tree motifs reinforce the laid-back Florida aesthetic. I appreciate how they’ve managed to create fast food that doesn’t leave you with regret – their menu offers plenty of options under 500 calories that still satisfy cravings for something flavorful.
8. Culver’s – Midwest Meets Sunshine State
Culver’s arrival in Florida sparked a butter burger revolution that’s converted even the most loyal fast food fans. The first time I watched the staff deliver food to my table instead of shouting my number, I knew this wasn’t typical quick service.
Their frozen custard deserves its own fan club – richer than ice cream but somehow lighter on the palate. The concrete mixers with mix-ins blended throughout (not just on top) demonstrate their commitment to doing things right, not just quickly.
Wisconsin cheese curds have no business being this good in Florida, but Culver’s defies geography with these little fried pieces of heaven. Their butter burgers feature buns toasted with real butter that creates this incredible crispy-soft texture you can’t find anywhere else. Even their drive-thru manages to feel somehow more civilized than competitors.
9. Fatburger – Hollywood Glamour With Florida Sunshine
Fatburger’s arrival in Florida brought a taste of Hollywood to the Sunshine State. Their made-to-order burgers have this perfect char that reminds you what hamburgers tasted like before fast food became synonymous with assembly lines.
The onion rings – oh my goodness – are hand-breaded monsters that put other fast food sides to shame. I’ve watched in awe as they crack actual eggs on the grill for their burgers, a sight so rare in fast food it almost feels like performance art.
Their milkshakes mixed with real ice cream get topped with a dollop of whipped cream that somehow survives the Florida heat. The wall of fame featuring celebrities who’ve conquered the XXXL burger adds a touch of LA glamour to their Florida locations. Fat fries – their crinkle-cut signature side – maintain their crispness even during the inevitable traffic jam drive home.
10. Chick-fil-A – Southern Hospitality Perfected
Florida’s Chick-fil-A locations seem to have mastered the art of the drive-thru. Even with lines wrapped around the building, I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes – a miracle in fast food timing.
Their chicken sandwich remains the gold standard against which all others are judged. The simple combination of pressure-cooked chicken breast, pickle chips, and buttered bun creates this perfect harmony that doesn’t need fancy sauces to shine (though their sauce selection is legendary).
What truly sets them apart is the consistent cheerfulness of their staff. That “my pleasure” response isn’t corporate theater – it reflects a service philosophy that’s refreshingly sincere. The lemonade, made fresh daily with actual lemons you can see being squeezed in the morning, tastes especially perfect during Florida’s endless summer days.
11. Wendy’s – Chef-Approved Fast Food Staple
Florida chefs have a secret – after long kitchen shifts, many head straight to Wendy’s. The square patties that hang over the bun edges create these perfectly caramelized corners that elevate their burgers above the competition.
Their Frosty might be the ideal dessert for Florida’s climate – not quite ice cream, not quite milkshake, but perfectly refreshing. Dipping their sea salt fries into a chocolate Frosty creates a sweet-salty combination that sounds bizarre but tastes like genius.
Wendy’s commitment to fresh, never-frozen beef makes a noticeable difference in taste and texture. The Baconator has saved me from hunger-induced crankiness more times than I care to admit. Their spicy chicken sandwich brings actual heat, not just the suggestion of spice that most fast food places offer.
12. Taco Bell – Chefs’ Guilty Pleasure Pick
Professional chefs in Florida have confessed their late-night love affair with Taco Bell to me after a few drinks. The Crunchwrap Supreme – that hexagonal miracle of textures – represents fast food engineering at its finest.
Florida’s Taco Bell locations seem particularly adept at the art of the cheese pull. Their nacho cheese has this silky consistency that defies the laws of processed food physics. The Baja Blast – that electric blue-green mountain dew variant – has become the unofficial state beverage of 2 AM Florida.
Their dollar menu has saved countless Florida college students from ramen fatigue. The customization options through their app turn ordering into a creative exercise – I once added potatoes to everything on my order just because I could. Their limited-time offerings create genuine FOMO that has me checking their app with embarrassing frequency.
13. Arby’s – Curly Fry Royalty
Florida road trips aren’t complete without an Arby’s stop for those legendary curly fries. The seasoning blend – paprika, onion, garlic, and who knows what else – creates this addictive quality that has me ordering a large even when I’m alone.
Their roast beef has this melt-in-your-mouth quality that defies fast food expectations. The Beef ‘n Cheddar on an onion roll with that mysterious red sauce creates a flavor combination that’s stood the test of time for good reason.
Arby’s Jamocha shake – that coffee-chocolate hybrid – provides the perfect caffeine-sugar boost during long drives across the state. Their Market Fresh sandwiches on thick honey wheat bread offer a surprisingly fresh alternative when you’re craving something different. The Horsey sauce and Arby’s sauce packets always end up in my glove compartment “just in case.”
14. Bojangles – Southern Comfort Creeps South
Bojangles has been steadily expanding into Florida, bringing their distinctive Cajun-spiced fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits to grateful Sunshine State residents. Their chicken has this perfectly seasoned crust that somehow stays crispy longer than physics should allow.
The biscuits deserve their legendary status – buttery, flaky, and substantial enough to build a sandwich on without falling apart. Their Bo-berry biscuits with sweet glaze and blueberries blur the line between breakfast and dessert in the most delightful way.
Bojangles’ sweet tea comes pre-sweetened to Southern specifications – which means it contains approximately the same sugar content as a candy bar. Their cajun filet biscuit sandwich has rescued me from many a morning meeting where I forgot to eat breakfast. The dirty rice side dish with its seasoned meat bits elevates the entire fast food experience.
15. Portillo’s – Chicago Flavor, Florida Sunshine
Professional chefs have tipped me off to Portillo’s as Florida’s must-visit fast food import. Their Chicago-style hot dogs – loaded with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun – create a flavor explosion that makes regular hot dogs seem naked by comparison.
The Italian beef sandwich, dripping with jus and loaded with giardiniera, requires a strategic eating approach to avoid wearing it. Their chocolate cake shake – yes, actual chocolate cake blended into a milkshake – defies all logic but satisfies every dessert craving simultaneously.
Portillo’s Florida locations maintain the nostalgic Chicago atmosphere with vintage decor and memorabilia. The cheese fries come with that perfect stadium-style cheese sauce that stretches when you pull a fry away. Their crinkle-cut fries have the ideal crisp-outside, fluffy-inside texture that puts them in elite fast food territory.
16. Potbelly – Orlando’s Sandwich Secret
Orlando locals whispered about Potbelly long before I discovered this sandwich haven. Their toasted subs have this perfect ratio of crispy exterior to soft interior that maintains structural integrity to the last bite.
The A Wreck – loaded with salami, roast beef, turkey, ham and Swiss cheese – lives up to its name in the best possible way. Their signature hot peppers add a vinegary heat that cuts through the richness of the meats and cheeses perfectly.
Potbelly’s hand-dipped shakes come with a tiny butter cookie on the straw – a small touch that always makes me smile. The oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are legitimately bakery-quality, not the mass-produced hockey pucks other chains offer. Their live music performances during lunch hours at select locations create an atmosphere that feels more neighborhood hangout than fast food joint.
17. Aloha Hawaiian Kitchen – Orlando’s Tropical Hidden Gem
Yelp’s top-rated Orlando fast food spot deserves every star it’s earned. Aloha Hawaiian Kitchen’s plate lunches transport you straight to the islands with perfectly marinated meats and that signature scoop of macaroni salad.
Their Kalua pork – slow-roasted to tender perfection – has this subtle smokiness that makes it impossible to stop eating. The spam musubi (think sushi roll with spam instead of fish) converts even the most processed-meat-averse diners into believers.
Family-owned and operated, the staff remembers regulars’ orders and often throws in extra mac salad “just because.” The teriyaki chicken has this perfect glaze that caramelizes on the grill edges. Their Hawaiian-style breakfast platters featuring eggs, rice, and Portuguese sausage make for a hearty morning meal that puts pancake houses to shame.
18. MooYah Burgers – Orlando’s Custom Patty Perfection
MooYah earned its spot on Orlando’s top fast food list by perfecting the art of customization. Their build-your-own burger concept features Angus beef that’s never frozen and actually tastes like beef should.
The toasted potato buns have this buttery exterior that adds another layer of flavor. Their hand-cut fries come in generous portions – the sweet potato version with maple bacon sauce creates a sweet-savory combination that’s borderline addictive.
MooYah’s milkshakes feature mix-ins that are actually distributed throughout, not just dumped on top for show. The Turkey Diablo burger with pepper jack, jalapeños, and chipotle mayo hits that perfect spice level that adds flavor without overwhelming. Their veggie burger doesn’t try to imitate meat – instead, it celebrates its plant-based ingredients with actual vegetable flavors and textures.
19. Guthrie’s – Tampa’s Golden Chicken Finger Champion
Tampa residents guard Guthrie’s like a precious secret, and for good reason. This chicken finger specialist does one thing and does it perfectly – golden-fried tenders with a distinctive seasoned breading that needs no embellishment.
Their signature sauce – a tangy, slightly spicy concoction – complements the chicken without overwhelming it. The crinkle-cut fries maintain their crispness even during humid Florida afternoons, a feat of fast food engineering that shouldn’t go unappreciated.
Guthrie’s Texas toast comes buttered and grilled to a perfect golden brown, ideal for sopping up any remaining sauce. The coleslaw provides a crisp, cool counterpoint to the warm chicken and fries. Their sweet tea strikes that perfect balance between refreshing and sweet that Southern tea lovers demand.
20. McDonald’s – Reinvented Florida-Style
Florida’s McDonald’s locations deserve special mention for embracing local flavors and architectural styles. The world’s most famous golden arches take on distinctive Florida personalities – from Art Deco in Miami Beach to Mediterranean Revival in St. Augustine.
The fries maintain their status as the industry gold standard. That perfect combination of salt, crispness, and potato flavor creates an almost Pavlovian response when that distinctive smell hits your nose. Florida locations often feature limited regional items that you won’t find elsewhere.
The Miami-area stores sometimes offer guava pastries alongside apple pies. Their breakfast menu has saved me countless times during early morning road trips across the state. The consistency of their coffee – better than many specialty shops – makes them a reliable morning stop. Even their ice cream machines seem to work more reliably in Florida (though that might just be my imagination).