California Burrito Company
Countries: Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay
Why it's great: California Burrito Company claims that its Tex-Mex style food does not contain added sugar, oils, artificial colors, or flavors. It promotes its fresh ingredients.
Signature item: The Surfer Burrito.
Pasquale Sanguchería
Country: Peru
Why it's great: Pasquale's serves a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and meat plates. It's known for its Peruvian sauces such as ajillo, huancaina, and carretillera.
Signature item: A grilled chicken sandwich loaded with fried plantains, fried egg, lettuce and tomato.
Doggis
Country: Chile
Why it's great: Doggis is a hot dog chain in Chile that tops its dogs with wild combinations such as mayonnaise, salsa, ranch, guacamole or queso.
Signature item: The Crispy Dog, which is Doggis' version of the chili dog.
Juan Maestro
Country: Chile
Why it's great: Juan Maestro's is Doggis' sister restaurant. It's a sandwich shop that uses buttered burger buns, as opposed to regular rolls.
Signature item: Pollo Granjero — a grilled chicken sandwich.
Pollos Frisby
Country: Colombia
Why it's great: Pollos Frisby is South America's version of KFC. It sells buckets of fried chicken for sharing. It also serves arepas, potatoes, and burritos.
Signature item: The Frispecial, which is a breaded steak with mushroom sauce and potato wedges.
Mini Kalzone
Country: Brazil
Why it's great: Mini Kalzone is a Brazilian fast food chain that primarily serves calzones. Some are filled with beef and cheddar or pepperoni and cream cheese. It even serves chocolate filled calzones.
Signature item: The Maxi Beef, which is a calzone stuffed with beef, mozzarella, parmesan, provolone and cream cheese.
Bembos
Country: Peru
Why it's great: Bembos is a burger joint that adds spices to its meats. Some of its burger toppings include pineapple, Doritos, guacamole, potatoes, and gravy.
Signature item: La Pobre or "Poor Man's" burger. It's topped with a fried egg and plantains.
Tipicas Empanadas
Country: Colombia
Why it's great: Tipicas Empanadas serves chorizos, arepas, and fried cheese. The chain claims that its products are 100% natural and that they're sourced from Colombian farms.
Signature item: The Typical Hawaiian, which is a nugget with fried cheese, ham, and dried fruit.
Koni Store
Country: Brazil
Why it's great: Koni Store is a popular Brazilian fast food chain that serves Japanese cuisine.
Signature item: The Croc, which is breaded salmon with a cream cheese filling.
Hamburguesas El Corral
Country: Colombia
Why it's great: Hamburguesas El Corral is a typical burger joint in Colombia. It serves burgers, hot dogs, wraps, and salads. It tops its food with fried eggs, sour cream, plantains, and more.
Signature item: Corralisima Suv, which is a burger with bacon, mozzarella cheese, vegetables, pickles and barbecue sauce.
Spoleto
Country: Brazil
Why it's great: Spoleto's is a fast food chain in Brazil that serves customizable Italian dishes. It's primarily known for its pastas.
Signature item: Gnocchi.
Ceviche Express
Country: Nicaragua
Why it's great: Ceviche Express is a seafood chain that serves items such as shrimp, octopus, and conch.
Signature item: Ceviche De Pescado — raw fish with citrus juices and spices.
Habib's
Country: Brazil
Why it's great: Habib's is a Brazilian fast food chain that serves Middle Eastern cuisine. Its menu features meat plates, stuffed pizzas, burgers, salads, and desserts.
Signature item: Meat Bib'sfhia — a Lebanese pizza stuffed with meat with lemon, tomato, tahini, onion, and seasoning.