Americans Must Try These European Fast Food Chains
If you're planning a trip to Europe soon, take the time to experience the rich culinary history of the continent. Whilst nobody likes to dine on fast food exclusively while on a trip, you may find yourself in a rush on the way to the airport or train station and want to grab a quick bite. Rather than going for the same American fast food you're used to, try these European fast food chains instead.
Love Pretzels? Try Ditsch In Germany
Ditsch is a German pretzel-making chain established in 1919. Making all manner of pretzels (and some pizza snacks) for more than a century, you can expect to find Ditsch pretzels more dense than their American counterparts, but nevertheless delicious. When you return, visit Reading, PA—the pretzel capital of America and see how they compare!
Get Yourself A Quick Burger In France
Seriously, the fast food burger joint is called "Quick"—that French humor shining through. While they've been compared to McDonald's, Quick's signature is a "giant sandwich", similar to a Big Mac. Food critics seem to prefer the burger's smoky-style sauce to the Big Mac, but preferred McDonald's fries to Quick's pomme de terre.
Supermac's Of Ireland
First opening in 1978 in Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland, Supermac's are considered the "McDonald's of Ireland", although I'm sure the Irish would take offense at the comparison. They serve hamburgers, chicken burgers, and a healthy serving of fries with each. Their signature dish is curry-covered fries—if you like curried sauce, give it a try.
Ennis, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
O'Brien's Sandwiches
O'Brien's Sandwiches is a sandwich chain famous for its stacked sandwiches. From its "Triple Decker" that contains roasted chicken, onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes to its vegan "Powerhouse Wrap" option, think of it like Subway or Harvey's but in (generally) healthier sandwich form.
Kenneth Allen, Wikimedia Commons
Fast Food Fish At Nordsee
Nordsee is a German fast food chain specializing in getting fresh fish from the ocean to your plate ASAP. Fish are cooked and your choices are prepared in front of you, tuna flatbreads, pollock and haddock filets served with a side of fries, Nordsee is Germany's "McDonald's of Fish". And a must-try for the pescatarians among you.
Telepizza
Telepizza, founded as "Pizza Phone" in 1995 in Madrid, is the largest pizza chain not originating in North America. They have stores across South America, Europe, and the UAE. They're known for their homemade pizza dough and rather unique flavors such as "Wok", "Carnivora Gourmet," and a pizza base-bowl filled with salad known as "Pizzalada."
Abrakebabra
A play-on "Abracadabra", Abrakebaba is an Irish chain that mainly serves kebabs, falafel, baguettes, and pitas stuffed with delicious meat and veggies. The sides are delightful: cocktail sausages, hummus and pita, or beer-battered onion rings.
Adbeere, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Diary Of A Wimpy Restaurant
This restaurant surprisingly originally opened in the United States in Indiana in the 1930s. Unfortunately, when its pioneer Edward Gold died in the 1970s, all of Wimpy's locations across the US folded, moving instead to the UK. If you find yourself in the UK and wanting to try Wimpy, you'll find chicken and beef burgers, along with a traditional English all-day breakfast and fish and chips.
Max Burgers
If you're looking for a delicious burger in Sweden, go no further than the oldest fast food chain in Europe: Max Burgers. Their quick and delicious beef burgers continuously outperform sales made by giants like McDonald's and Burger King (in Sweden).
Like Peri-Peri Chicken? Check Out Nando's
You might have heard the phrase "cheeky Nando's" on the Internet—its name derives from the South African/British brand Nando's, founded in 1987 by Robert Brozin, who sought to perfect the Portuguese recipe for peri-peri chicken. While peri-peri chicken remains Nando's most famous (and best) dish, their menu is a fantastic assortment of chicken-based dishes not to be missed.
YO! Sushi!
You needn't travel all the way to Japan for sushi—you can also find it authentically in Europe. While there are many different sushi brands, Yo! Sushi! is one of the best experiences you'll have for a sushi restaurant. Chefs prepare the sushi right in front of you in an open kitchen, before sending it your way on a conveyor belt. If you don't like sushi, they also have curries and furikake fries.
Orderinchaos, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gregg's Pasties
Perhaps one of England's best-known foods is the iconic pasty: a Cornish dish whereby meat, potatoes, and other fillings are wrapped in a clamshell-style pastry and baked. Gregg's is a long-established pasty-making chain in the UK that you simply must try when you're visiting, you can find one almost anywhere in the country.
Chicken Cottage
Another UK brand that's famous for fried chicken (outside of the usual suspect of KFC) is Chicken Cottage, serving all manner of fried chicken and grilled chicken dishes. If you love chicken, but want to try something that's not KFC—then Chicken Cottage is the place to go!
Edwardx, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Potatomania At SpudULike!
If you like your potatoes baked, then SpudULike of England is the place to go! Created by chef James Martin, SpudULike features a unique menu filled with potato concoctions of all kinds, with a focus on the humble baked potato, usually covered in some sort of delicious sauce or topping, like butter chicken sauce, chickpea Daal, prawn cocktail, or Britain's national dish—chicken tikka masala over a baked potato.
Burger King UK's Whopping Blunder
I don't know how a British Burger King whopper tastes, but I do know that it might taste a little more sour after Burger King UK's 2021 whopping blunder. While trying to do a good thing in 2021 for International Women's Day, Burger King UK tweeted "Women belong in the kitchen" (with a straight face, and everything), and then proceeded to point out in subsequent tweets how there were far fewer female chefs than male chefs.
It followed that up with an announcement of its scholarship program for female employees to pursue culinary careers. Unfortunately, the damage was already done.
