Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the new list of restaurants not in Colorado.
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is home to countless restaurants, from adored hole-in-the-wall spots and local restaurants to nostalgic chains and popular fast food stops — but there are a few favorites that people are still craving.
Some regional and national chains have yet to set up shop in the Centennial State. While Colorado still has the popular places like Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, there are a few chains that haven’t made their way to Colorado.
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Whether you’re a transplant missing Portillo’s hot dogs or you’ve spent time out of the state and tried those sliders at White Castle, there are many that you may be missing.
These beloved chain restaurants aren’t in Colorado
Here are just some restaurants that aren’t in Colorado:
- White Castle
- Hardee’s
- Jollibee
- Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
- Cookout
- Braum’s
- Portillo’s
- Blake’s Lotaburger
- TGI Fridays
- Tim Hortons
- Pita Pit
- Pizza Inn
- Taco Casa
- Tudor’s Biscuit World
- Velvet Taco
- Pollo Campero
- Peter Piper Pizza
- Sweet Frog
- Zaxby’s
- Biscuitville
- D’Angelo
- Checkers & Rally’s
- Bruegger’s Bagels
- Swig Drinks
- IceBerg Drive Inn
- J. Dawgs
- Arctic Circle
- Chicken Express
- Big Chicken
- Original Tommy’s
- Shakey’s Pizza
FOX31 took to Facebook to ask viewers, “What chains do you wish were in Colorado?” The majority of the more than 400 responses answered with one slider chain: White Castle. Several other people mentioned Portillo’s, Braum’s and Blake’s Lotaburger. Others said they wanted an Aldi’s, which is an affordable grocery store, and Wawa, a convenience store and gas station.
This southern burger joint is opening its first Colorado location
While many regional chain restaurants aren’t in the state, some chains are bringing their first locations to Colorado. California chain Starbird is opening its first national location in Denver, and Smalls Sliders is getting its first location in Northglenn this fall…