1. The White Tower
The White Tower was once a fast food chain that prided itself on serving up “gourmet” hamburgers, but its quirky menu options made it stand out. While it offered the typical fare like burgers and fries, it also introduced items like the “Tower Dog” – a hot dog wrapped in a hamburger patty. In addition, they served dishes such as “grilled cheese with bacon,” a truly wild combination that gave diners a taste of something unique at the time.
Though it was short-lived, White Tower gained a loyal following in its prime, with locations across the U.S. and even some in Canada. Unfortunately, the chain couldn’t compete with larger, more established fast food giants, and by the 1960s, most of the locations had closed. Despite its downfall, the unusual menu offerings continue to be fondly remembered by those who had the chance to try them.
2. Mug ‘n Bun
Mug ‘n Bun may have been known for its drive-in service, but it earned its place on the list for offering truly bizarre fast food combinations. Notably, they served an item called the “Coke Float Burger,” where a cheeseburger was topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of Coca-Cola. It was a strange mix of savory and sweet, pushing the boundaries of what fast food could be.
Beyond the Coke Float Burger, Mug ‘n Bun also boasted a wide array of unexpected options, like their famous onion rings and a variety of unusual milkshake flavors. Though the chain eventually faded away, it left behind a legacy of boundary-pushing menu items that inspired many to think outside the traditional fast food box.
3. Hot Shoppes
Hot Shoppes was an innovative chain known for its wide array of menu items that blurred the lines between fast food and sit-down dining. One of their most infamous dishes was the “Hot Shoppes Sandwich,” which was essentially a fast food club sandwich stacked high with everything from fried chicken to scrambled eggs. They also offered their own take on spaghetti, served with a side of fried chicken.
Known for its variety, Hot Shoppes also introduced the idea of offering breakfast all day, long before it became a norm at modern fast food chains. Although Hot Shoppes faded away in the ’70s, it was an important precursor to the expansive, eclectic menus we now see at many fast food restaurants.
4. Wimpy’s
The British-born Wimpy’s chain made waves in the U.S. for its unconventional approach to fast food. One of its more notable menu items was the “Wimpy Burger,” which came with a slice of cheese and a generous helping of chopped onions, all wrapped up in a toasted bun. But it wasn’t just burgers that made Wimpy’s stand out—it also served dishes like “Wimpy Chops,” a breaded and deep-fried chop that was served with a side of mashed potatoes.
For a time, Wimpy’s enjoyed success in several U.S. states, offering a taste of European fast food culture to Americans. However, as competition in the fast food market grew, Wimpy’s struggled to maintain its appeal and gradually phased out in the ’80s.
5. The A&W Root Beer Stand
Although A&W is still around today, its original fast food chain offerings were far more eccentric. Famous for its root beer floats, A&W took things a step further with their “Famous Big Burger,” which featured a hearty beef patty topped with a fried egg. They also had a variety of root beer-based floats with unique flavors, like cherry and vanilla, served alongside items like the “A&W Chili Cheese Dog.”
While A&W continued to thrive as a root beer brand, its attempt to dominate the fast food industry was short-lived, but not before making an impact with their creative menu options.
6. Red Barn
Red Barn was a chain that prided itself on offering more than just the standard fast food fare. One of its wildest menu items was the “Barn Buster,” which was essentially a massive hamburger featuring multiple patties, bacon, and all the fixings you could imagine. In addition to this towering burger, Red Barn also served the “Chicken Bunker,” a unique dish consisting of fried chicken smothered in gravy and served over mashed potatoes.
Red Barn’s innovative menu items were not enough to stave off competition from more well-known chains. By the ’80s, most of their locations had closed, but the chain remains fondly remembered for its daring approach to fast food.
7. Lums
Lums was a chain that combined the charm of a diner with the speed of fast food. Among its most memorable dishes was the “Steak Sandwich,” which featured thinly sliced beef drenched in a flavorful sauce. But what really set Lums apart was their use of “beer-battered” items, like their beer-battered onion rings and fries, which were a bold departure from the traditional fried offerings.
Though Lums enjoyed a brief period of success, their inability to sustain their eccentric menu in a rapidly changing market caused the chain to lose ground to larger competitors.
8. The Chicken Coop
The Chicken Coop was a short-lived but highly memorable chain that specialized in, you guessed it, chicken. What set it apart was its “Chicken Supreme Sandwich,” which featured a breaded chicken fillet smothered in a rich, tangy sauce, served alongside a pile of fries. They also offered dishes like fried chicken with waffles and a spicy “Cajun Chicken Sandwich” for those who wanted a little heat.
While the menu was beloved by a small group of fans, the Chicken Coop couldn’t expand fast enough to keep up with its competitors, and it faded from the scene in the ’80s. However, its legacy lives on in the many chicken-focused chains that followed in its footsteps.
9. Jolly Ox
Jolly Ox was known for its bizarre take on burgers, including the “Bacon Explosion Burger,” a monstrosity of a sandwich with a bacon-wrapped beef patty, bacon bits, and even bacon-flavored ketchup. They also served up crazy combinations like the “Fried Shrimp Sandwich” and the “Pizza Burger,” which combined the two fast food favorites into one sandwich.
Despite the menu’s wild offerings, Jolly Ox never quite gained the popularity needed to sustain the chain. After a few years, the brand disappeared from the scene, but its bold attempts to revolutionize the fast food market left a lasting impression on those who dared to try its offerings.
10. The Brown Derby
The Brown Derby was a chain with a storied history, known for its unique blend of fast food and sit-down restaurant elements. They offered everything from traditional hamburgers to high-end items like the “Chicken Cacciatore Sandwich.” What truly made the Brown Derby stand out was its high-end “steakburger,” a burger made with ground steak instead of the usual beef patty, offering a richer, more flavorful taste.
Though the chain struggled in a highly competitive market, its creative menu and upscale take on fast food have earned it a spot in fast food history.
11. The Original Chicken Restaurant
The Original Chicken Restaurant was the birthplace of the “Chicken Box,” a meal that combined fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, all packaged in a box for easy eating on the go. Their menu also boasted innovative offerings like “Chicken-N-Fish” sandwiches, pairing crispy fried chicken with fish fillets for a taste unlike anything else in fast food at the time.
While it may not have lasted long, The Original Chicken Restaurant remains a fun footnote in the fast food industry’s evolution, known for its experimentation with unique combinations.
12. Sambo’s
Sambo’s was a chain famous for its playful branding, but it was the food that earned it a place on this list. Among its more bizarre items were the “Mighty Sambo Burger,” which was packed with three beef patties, bacon, cheese, and fried onions. The menu also offered items like “Banana Splits” and the “Sambo Salad,” which was a wild mix of ingredients that tried to elevate the salad into something more substantial.
The controversial name and menu couldn’t sustain the chain, and Sambo’s eventually went out of business in the ’80s. Still, it’s remembered for its strange offerings that were unlike anything else in the fast food world.
13. The Far East Café
Though it never reached national prominence, The Far East Café was a chain known for combining Chinese-inspired fast food with American classics. The menu featured items like the “Chop Suey Burger,” which was a hamburger topped with stir-fried vegetables in a soy sauce-based dressing. They also served dishes like “Fried Rice Hot Dogs,” a quirky fusion of two distinct cuisines.
Despite its attempt at fusing cultures, the chain couldn’t keep up with the changing fast food landscape, and it quietly disappeared in the late ’70s. Still, its adventurous spirit left behind a legacy of culinary experimentation.
14. Superdog
Superdog was a chain that made its mark by offering creative twists on hot dogs. Their most famous creation was the “Superdog,” a massive hot dog loaded with everything from sauerkraut to spicy mustard. They also offered unique items like the “Superdog Burger,” a hybrid of a hot dog and a burger all in one bun.
While the Superdog never grew into a nationwide phenomenon, it earned a dedicated fan base for its bold menu and commitment to providing something different from traditional fast food.
15. Kenny’s Burger Shack
Kenny’s Burger Shack made its name with their wildly innovative approach to the classic hamburger. One of their most talked-about dishes was the “Kenny Burger,” which featured a combination of beef, grilled chicken, and bacon stacked high with an array of unexpected toppings like jalapeños and pineapple. For those seeking even more creativity, they offered the “Crispy Chicken-Fried Burger,” a burger made with a deep-fried chicken breast as the patty.
Unfortunately, the chain couldn’t keep up with its more popular competitors and faded into obscurity in the ’90s. Despite its short life, Kenny’s Burger Shack remains a quirky part of fast food history.