What fast-food chain does Milwaukee need most? There’s a runaway winner, readers say

From much-loved chains to acclaimed local spots, Milwaukee is home to many great places to eat.

However, like any city, some popular restaurants are missing. This may ring especially true if you’re a newcomer looking for a taste of home ― or a Milwaukeean who’s discovered a new favorite while traveling.

We asked our readers which fast-food brand they think Milwaukee needs and why. Our survey, which was open from Feb. 27 to March 2, received 199 responses. One restaurant won decisively, with more than six times the votes of any other.

Here’s which restaurants Milwaukeeans are hungry for:

In-N-Out Burger is Milwaukee’s most-desired fast-food restaurant

California-based burger and shake spot In-N-Out Burger claimed the title of Milwaukee’s most-wanted fast-food joint with 62 votes, nearly one-third of survey responses.

Founded in 1948, In-N-Out is known for its limited but celebrated menu featuring hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. The majority of its about 400 locations are in the brand’s home of California, with others across the western U.S. in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Texas and Utah. Many Journal Sentinel readers praised In-N-Out’s “great-tasting” and “juicy” burgers, affordable menu and “excellent service.”

“Taste, prices, service. Everything about this place is top-notch quality,” one reader, Jason, said.

“Burgers taste terrific. Still remember them after being in California 10 years ago,” reader Connie said.

Which restaurants do people wish were in Milwaukee?

Another burger chain, Texas-based Whataburger, finished in a somewhat-distant second with 10 votes. With locations mainly focused in southern and southwestern states, Whataburger offers a more varied menu that includes burgers, chicken, breakfast, melts and desserts.

Burger, chicken and fish spot White Castle and Mediterranean bowl-based restaurant Cava tied for third, each with eight votes. You don’t have to travel far to go to the nearest White Castle. It’s in Kenosha at 11730 75th St. Cava has locations in the Chicago area.

Fourth place was also a tie. Illinois-founded burger and milkshake joint Steak ‘n Shake and 24/7 Southern breakfast favorite Waffle House each got seven votes. Steak ‘n Shake has restaurants just over the Wisconsin-Illinois border, in Gurnee and McHenry, according to the company’s online store locator. Waffle House has restaurants in the southern Midwest, South and Southwest, with its closest locations to Milwaukee being in the St. Louis and Indianapolis areas.

Finally, San Diego-based Jack in the Box came in fifth with six votes. Jack in the Box is known for its extensive menu, which offers everything from burgers and chicken to tacos, egg rolls and cheese-stuffed jalapeños. The brand’s nearest locations to Milwaukee are in Chicago.

Here are the top finishers in our survey:

1. In-N-Out Burger: 62 votes

2. Whataburger: 10 votes

3 (tie). Cava: 8 votes

3 (tie). White Castle: 8 votes

5 (tie). Steak ‘n Shake: 7 votes

5 (tie). Waffle House: 7 votes

7 (tie). Jack in the Box: 6 votes

8 (tie). Bojangles: 4 votes

8 (tie). Jollibee: 4 votes

10 (tie). Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips: 3 votes

10 (tie). El Pollo Loco: 3 votes

10 (tie). Torchy’s Tacos: 3 votes

10 (tie). Zaxby’s: 3 votes

Restaurants readers wish Milwaukee had: Honorable mentions

The other restaurants mentioned by survey respondents are listed below. Each received less than three votes. Four readers also said they didn’t want any fast-food chains coming to Milwaukee; two said they would instead prefer new local restaurants.

• &pizza
• 85C Bakery Cafe
• Anime Cafe
• Applebee’s IHOP
• Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
• Birdcall
• Blake’s Lotaburger
• Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken
• Boston Market
• BurgerFi
• Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
• Chicken Salad Chick
• Church’s Texas Chicken
• Cook Out
• CosMc’s
• Del Taco
• Der Weiner Dog
• Duck Donuts
• Dutch Bros Coffee
• Earl’s Kitchen + Bar
• Fatburger
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
• Friendly’s
• Fuddruckers
• Godfather’s Pizza
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
• Hello Kitty Cafe
• Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders
• Hungry Hobo
• Johnny Rockets
• King of Donair
• Krystal
• Long John Silver’s
• McAlister’s Deli
• Mel’s Diner
• Nando’s Peri-Peri
• Next Level Burger
• PDQ Chicken
• Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
• Piada Italian Street Food
• PLNT Burger
• PrimoHoagies
• Protein Bar & Kitchen
• Ruby Tuesday
• Saucy by KFC
• Skyline Chili
• Slim Chickens
• Smashburger
• The Earl of Sandwich
• The Peach Cobbler Factory
• Tim Hortons
• Veggie Grill
• Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
• Yogurtland