In-n-Out Burger in Irvine, Calif.
After my colleague Sandy shared her Sonic Drive-In experience with Fun With Carbs yesterday, she and I got to talking about chains she’d like to visit in the near future. On her list: In-n-Out, White Castle, Chick-Fil-A, Pinkberry, Qdoba, Chipotle and A&W.
I’m sure at this point, my South-dwelling friends are scratching their heads. But none of these chains are in Connecticut. A few of them haven’t even entered New England.
It’s been kind of a mystery to fast-food lovers in New England. Why are these seemingly successful and popular chains skipping their hometowns? Why, for example, would Chipotle set up 10 restaurants within a 35-mile radius of Boston, but zero in Connecticut? Similarly, Chick-Fil-A has a two-restaurant presence in the North Shore area of Massachusetts, and one more at a mall in Nashua, N.H. But again, zero in the rest of New England.
I’m guessing the distribution of restaurants has much to do with area demographics, sales forecasts, real estate availability and proximity to other chain restaurants, which I’m sure can cause some drama. Three years ago, in Shrewsbury, Mass., Panera had a fit when the casual Mexican chain Qdoba moved into its shopping plaza. Panera argued that the shopping plaza’s owners violated a 2001 lease agreement that restricted the mall from renting to another sandwich restaurant. Their argument? They thought burritos were considered sandwiches. Logic prevailed, thankfully, and a Worcester judge ruled against Panera’s claim.
Perhaps restaurateurs could claim that New England isn’t as fast-food crazy as the South and Midwest, where big burgers, fried chicken and sides sopped in butter, cream and gravy seem to dominate. But let’s look at the facts. In the town where I live, with a mid-size population of about 45,000, there are four McDonald’s, seven (SEVEN. SE-VEN. WHAT?) Dunkin’ Donuts, a Burger King, a Wendy’s, a Taco Bell, a KFC/A&W, an Arby’s, a Quizno’s, two Starbucks if you count the one in Barnes and Noble, a D’Angelo’s, countless Subways and a soon-to-open Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Not to mention Red Robin, Friendly’s, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Friday’s, 99 Restaurant, Olive Garden and Outback Steakhouse. It’s a wonder any local restaurants garner any business here.
I suppose for now, our lusted-after chains may have to remain road-trip stops. Since I know In-n-Out Burger will remain West Coast-bound, due to its commitment to using fresh produce and meat (no freezers), I’ll stop dreaming that the big empty field near my street will light up with a big red-and-yellow neon sign. And judging from the dismal White Castle lunch we had while visiting a friend on Long Island four years ago, it can stay in the mid-Atlantic states for all I care. (Sorry, Don S.)
But I wouldn’t mind seeing a Chick-Fil-A, Jamba Juice or Fatburger around here anytime soon, if only to break up the Golden Arches.
If you’re a fast-food fan, which chains do you dream of visiting? which chains do you wish would open in your hometown?
ETA: I’m a recent fan of Eating The Road, mainly because of this blogger’s hilarious restaurant flow charts. The latest one “Where Should I Eat? Chain Restaurant Edition” fits in perfectly with this post. Answer questions like “Are you obese? Do you like seafood? Are you high? Can you stand Guy Fieri? Do you mind flair?” and figure out where to eat…
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.
Well, I would have said Sonic, but we just got the one in Peabody. I do miss Arby’s. The rest of them (In-n-Out, Fatburger, etc), I have heard delicious things about but have yet to try.
If I left this area again, I would be mourning the loss of Kelly’s, for sure.
As for donuts, I would wither and die if I moved somewhere without Dunkin Donuts so I can’t comment much there.
When I moved to Charleston I moved away from Chipotle and I miss that place! Qdoba is about as close as it gets but it is not as good at Chipotle! But for fast food Chik-fil-a is by far my favorite! Espcially when you say “Thank you” and they always have to say “My Pleasure!”
On one hand, I’d love to have an In-n-Out and a Chik-fil-a nearby. On the other hand, the fact that I have to travel for them makes them fun and exotic. It might also keep a few pounds off me … though I usually find something to substitute.
That’s true Jeanne. Sonic was awesome in part because we got to take a fun road trip. I wonder if we’ll be in such a hurry to go there once we’re passing it twice each day going to and from work? We thought we’d be at Cheesecake Factory once a week when they opened, and we’ve only eaten there once. Same with P.F. Chang’s. Removing the adventure ruins some of the fun.
Chick fil A is delish! Peabody is clearly an entrepreneur of fast food in New England
… I think Five Guys has been my favorite discovery down here .. it was definitely interesting to see fast food chains in FL that I had never even heard of before …. i.e. Zaxby’s!
“Dismal”???? Harsh, Leeanne, harsh. White Castle is a welcome addition in any community – ya must’ve just hit a weak franchise on a bad day.
Of course, Connecticut has made progress in the past few years: Most notably Johnny Rocket’s and Krispy Kreme. We’d be a lot better with the Chic-Fil-A you mentioned … and with Carl’s Jr., the West Coast chain that’s way, way better than McDonald’s.
Could have been an off-day or a bad franchise, but still, first impressions. The burgers were so greasy, in the worst way possible. We were clutching our stomachs before we even exited the restaurant. And my friend tipped over his full 32-oz soda halfway through the meal. (Unrelated, but icing on the cake.)
I do like the frozen ones you can buy at the grocery store, though. We put them in the toaster oven briefly so the bun doesn’t get soggy.
We hit Carl’s Jr. during a Southern California trip three summers ago. it’s no In-n-Out but it was very good! I preferred Fatburger though.
Am I crazy for thinking we’re doing just fine without all these fast food chains here? Call me a snob, call me whatever, but all that food is garbage.
Not that I don’t indulge now and again, but really – would you life be more complete with another chain burger joint in town?
Go eat somewhere locally owned and at least partially locally sourced. You’re much the better for it.
And as far as Dunkin Donuts is concerned, go have a donut (or three) at Neil’s in Yalesville, Dotties Diner in Woodbury, Coffee ‘An in Westport or Tastease in Hartford and you’ll never go back. (Not to mention the fresh cider donuts at various cider mills and orchards in the fall.)
You’ve got a good point, Steve, Connecticut is certainly home to some of the best food in the country. But there’s something fun and whimsical about visiting new chains when you’re traveling.
I’m with you on the Tastease donuts. When I was at the Courant, columnist Rick Green used to bring those in every once in a while. We got so excited when we saw him coming with the big white ‘pizza box.’ Not only are they delicious, they’re just adorable. Little works of art.
I’m a CT resident that’s been in CA for the past 3 years. I’ve had many of the chains you mention above simply because there is a lack of “Mom & Pop” type restaurants out here. I can’t wait for my return to CT for the food alone, not to mention the NY style pizza. I will miss Chipotle because I like that I can get a burrito bowl (without the burrito wrap) and the food is quite tasty for fast food Mexican. And of course, the Mexican food in CA has got nothing on CT. But in my humble opinion, CT is where my heart and belly loyalties lie. lol