You have your fast food chains--icons like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's--that operate all over the globe. Then you have REGIONAL fast food chains that have carved out a niche in a particular area of the country or maybe just one state.

And listen, those are places to seek out when you're traveling. I always look for restaurants I won't find at home, and that's where regional fast food chains come in. In Indiana, a chain founded by an Amish couple serves up delectable baked goods like these:

In Tennessee, Hattie B's Hot Chicken--a Nashville specialty--has quickly taken on icon status:

And in Kentucky, we have a regional fast food chain that I just learned WAS regional. I see them everywhere I go, but in Kentucky. It doesn't occur to me that I don't see them when I leave the Commonwealth.

I'm serious. I did not know Fazoli's--named the best regional fast food chain in Kentucky by Food & Wine--was not a national chain. That endears me to the popular Italian eatery even more. I mean, they already had me at "breadsticks," several of which I can put a way in one sitting, so I have to pace myself. Yes, I love Fazoli's breadsticks and the chain knows what it has on its hands with these amazing pieces of baked dough:

I like that. Of course, there are times when I do not just eat two breadsticks, but I get it. And I also now get that Fazoli's is one of ours here in Kentucky. Hey, sometimes I get sudden cravings for Italian food, and they have a  drive-through window.

Two + two = BREADSTICKS.

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