9 Southern fast-food chains we wish would come to every state

While the endless barrage of fried chicken, barbecue, and Cook Out milkshakes didn't help my health, I certainly enjoyed all of the delicious fast-food options that are available in North Carolina.Kate Taylor

• Growing up in Connecticut, access to fast food was usually limited to chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.
• When I moved down south to North Carolina for college, I loved discovering the numerous regional restaurant chains and fast-food establishments — and how delicious they all were.
• Cook Out gives you incredible value for money, while you can get your breakfast fix any hour of the day at Waffle House.

If there's one thing, above all else, that I miss about living south of the Mason-Dixon line, it's the glorious Southern fast-food and chain restaurants.

After leaving my small town in northeast Connecticut to attend Elon University in North Carolina, I was instantly struck by how many fast-food establishments and chain restaurants were located within a five-mile radius of the school's campus. There was never a shortage of options when it came to a quick, cheap, and delicious meal.

Here are the best Southern fast-food and restaurant chains you won't find everywhere else, according to a current Northerner and former North Carolinian.