The fast food concept definitely originated in the United States, but became so loved by visitors to the U.S., that the custom has spread globally — with many interesting fast food restaurant chains popping up in all different countries around the world. We have compiled a list of our favorites, and some that are just too unique to not share with all of our fellow travelers. Enjoy!
Max — Sweden
As you are about to learn from this article, many countries believe the classic fast food hamburger chains are defining as “fast food,” and have their own hamburger chains that look an awful lot like their American Counterparts. The biggest difference is the quality of the food. Max is a very good example of this; while it looks just like the items we get in our fast food restaurants, quality products make a difference you can taste from the first bite.
Menu Highlights:
Friscomål
Nuggetsmål
Chilicheese
Curry Lime crispy kycklingsallad
Check Out Their Website >>
Giraffas — Brazil
Giraffas is a Brazilian Restaurant and Grill. Much more of a chain restaurant than a fast food chain, it can kind of be compared to an outback steakhouse for the Brazilians. Steaks, salads, hamburgers and beer are the staples here.
Menu Highlights:
Grilled Burgers
Check Out Their Website >>
Nordsee — Germany
Check Out Their Website >>
This is much like the European version of Long John Silvers here in the States, but the quality is through the roof! Serving primarily seafood, this is considered the healthy alternative to hamburger chains in Germany.
Menu Highlights:
Fischfilet Champignones
Käse Tortelloni
Wikinger
Check Out Their Website >>
Pechena Kartoplya — Ukraine
With 15 stores around Ukraine, Pechena Kartoplya makes one thing, and they make it well — potatoes! Baked potatoes topped with a wide variety of delicious toppings, the restaurant chain boasts that it goes through 45 tons of potatoes, 35 tons of cheese, 2.3 tons of butter and 35 kilometers of aluminum foil per month.
Restaurant Currently Has No Website! XX
Supermac’s — Ireland
Looking at the food itself, you would barely be able to tell it apart from McDonald’s items. Again, the quality of the products used are much fresher and natural, which makes Supermac’s tastier and healthy than Stateside counterparts.
Menu Highlights:
10oz Burger
Two succulent 5oz 100% Irish beef patties, melted cheese, sliced red onion, crispy lettuce, juicy tomato with burger sauce and ketchup served in a toasted corn grit bun.
Steak Sandwich
A classic American style sandwich with tender 100% Irish steak, diced onions, sliced mushrooms, fresh peppers, melted cheese with a choice of sauce served in a soft French style bread roll
Taco Fries
Supermac’s golden fries covered in a creamy taco sauce with taco mince topped with grated cheddar cheese
Check Out Their Website >>
El Meson Sandwiches — Puerto Rico
El Meson serves incredibly delicious sandwiches! Until recently, you had to set sail for Puerto Rico to get your hands on one of these sandwiches, but the company has began expanding into Florida! Rejoice!
Menu Highlights:
SANDWICHES MAÑANEROS
PAPAS ASADAS
BORICUA AL PLATO
Check Out Their Website >>
Albaik — Saudi Arabia
One of the most popular restaurants in Saudi Arabia, Albaik is basically like a KFC or Popeyes in the United States. Though the restaurant itself is different — there is separate seating for men and women — the chicken is delicious.
Menu Highlights:
Chicken Filet Nugget Snacks
Albaik Chicken Meal
Jumbo Shrimp Meal
Check Out Their Website >>
Steers — South Africa
It is all about man-food at Steers. This South African chain is very unique for taking on American bar food and giving it simple great flavors. You can expect perfectly grilled and cooked items if you get the chance to visit one of their franchises.
Menu Highlights:
Mega Meaty Meal
Prince Burger
Riblet Feast
Check Out Their Website >>
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International Bellhop Travel Magazine 
Fascinating post,the world is changing faster than the fast food.Regards.
That it is!
Reblogged this on The Pretty Canary.
Burgers do travel! I have eaten at Nordsee!
They definitely do travel! Thanks for stopping by!
Nice summary! Time to try them all (got 50 percent already :D)
Let us know what you think of them all!
I’ve had Supermacs a couple of times at home (I’m Irish) and down the country it’s not bad but the Dublin one is awful! Everyone I know who has had the Dublin one and the ones down the country agree with me. The best Supermacs is in Galway by Eyre Square.
Wow! That’s incredible how they change from place to place. Thank you for the information, it will be very helpful to those traveling to Ireland!
I love Steers! It’s my guilty pleasure whenever I go to South Africa…the seasoning on their fries is so tasty and makes such a difference. It’s funny how your tastes in everything foodie change as you get older…a few years ago I loved In’n’Out in the US but having had it a week ago for the first time in 4 years? Not good. Phenomenal shakes still (especially if you order a ‘Neopolitan’ where they blend all 3 flavours together) but the burger was pretty bland and the fries, even ordered animal style were cold, hard and cardboard-like. Did my palate improve or did their products worsen…who knows but definitely not a patch on some of the things you’ve shown above.
Everything in moderation! And it does happen where things change and aren’t what you remember. That’s why getting out and trying new things is so important!
steers is unique with their flame grilled burgers which is awesome! trust me…you won’t be disappointed
Agreed, unique indeed. Looks delicious!
I liked Sanborns in Mexico- reasonably authentic versions of local dishes. Here in South Austraia they love Mexican food http://drdinoz.com/2014/05/01/ole-mole/
I worked in Steers when I was a teenager. They make the best fries!
They are very good!
interesting article, here in Hanoi the local street food is cooked so fast I guess that’s a type of fast food too.
Street food is the original fast food!
also if the fast food craze had not spread beyond the US what on earth would US tourists eat 🙂 -. just jesting although I have had visitors from the US who immediately repair to the local Mc Do and Starbuckss to get a sweet fix of home……another one had her mom send over macaroni cheese pre-packaged as the homemade stuff didnt make her feel as coddled ..
If you travel anywhere and feel homesick, it’s good to get something that you’re used to. Just as long as you get out and try a few new things every so often, you’re set!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I agree – being based in a country with a very solid meat and potato culture all doused liberally in cream and cheese – I cannot remember missing anything when abroad – when I get home I miss abroad food though – Israel – Falafel and lechuach and hummus US: sushi and soft-shelled crabs and Ethiopian food and peruvian food UK: scones and cream tea Russia: shashlik and cold vodka – you get the picture :)! But I agree – it is good to have some staples to tide you over – admittedly when I was in India I couldn’t have faced another day eating coconut and would have given a lot to eat something anything anything else!
AWESOME SITE!!
Thanks for letting me find you!
Thank YOU for stopping by to see what we have here!
We were in Sweden 2 years ago and we LOVED Max. I should have tried more of the local food, but I convinced myself that Max was local enough.
As long as you loved it, it’s definitely enough!
Reblogged this on thetravelcrew and commented:
Do you have a secret fast food fetish? Check out these options from around the globe.
Great selection! As for Pechena Kartoplya, they do have a website, and the English version is available there too: http://www.kartoplya.com.
On a separate note, if someone ever visits Finland, I highly recommend to check out the local fast food chain Hesburger: http://www.hesburger.com. It’s really good, and after eating there once, I’ve never been to McDonald’s or Burger King since 🙂