Rally’s vs. Checkers: Double-Fried Fries & Drive-Thru Stories
Discover the Best Fast Food Secrets at Rally’s and Checkers Near You
If you want the best fried potato served double fried via a batter that coats the fries before they’re dropped into sizzling oil and then poured into a box, served almost at your convenience. These fries can be found at two places that are the same but have different names! Do you have Rally’s or Checkers in your area? Let’s find out together!
Rally’s Versus Checkers:
These two places are both the same restaurant. They weren’t always though, the journey began with Rally's, which was launched in 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee, and Checkers, founded in 1986 in Pensacola, Florida. The two chains carved out distinct identities, with Rally's boasting a Midwestern charm and Checkers bringing Southern flair to the table. Both brands became known for their bold flavors, competitive pricing, and drive-thru convenience, winning over fast-foodies who craved something beyond the regular fast-food at the time.
In the late 90s, right before the start of Y2K, a fast-food merger took place that surprised a lot of people. This merger was not just a consolidation of names but a joining of culinary philosophies. With nearly 900 locations across the nation, the newly formed super chain offered a menu that combined the best of both worlds: Checkers’ deliciously seasoned fries and Rally's burgers.
Even as they embrace the future, both chains remain committed to the flavors and experiences that made them popular in the first place. The charm of the drive-thru, the satisfaction of hearty burgers, and those double-fried fries will always be at their core.
There aren’t locations in every state; some southwest and west coast states have them but Checkers and Rally’s are usually seen on the eastern side of things.
Location lookup here!
Menu Items To Try:
Earlier we talked about the fries.
Famous Seasoned Fries (From the website)
Secretly seasoned. Famously good. And made just for you.
Fry Lover's XL
Large
Medium
Small
What is unique about these fries, and why you may want to try them, is their double-fried taste and feel. It is not a common fry style. A rarity in the fry kingdom. They also come in an XL size, which… is worth it if you aren’t trying to watch what you eat.
Classic Milkshakes
We all have to make choices. Choose to sip on something a little more indulgent. Our rich, thick, creamy milkshakes come in four flavors, each more delicious than the next.
Vanilla
Chocolate
Banana
Strawberry
While it may be artificial banana flavor with no real bananas, I think the banana milkshake from Rally’s or Checkers is a delicious treat. If you dip fries in shakes like me, we are family.
5 Piece Classic Wings
Medium Buffalo
Angry Buffalo
Garlic Parmesan
Sweet & Smoky BBQ
No Sauce
Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
Ranch Dipping Sauce
Something that surprised me on their menu, was the addition of wings. Which come in a 5, 10, or 20 piece classic style and various flavors. For drive-thru wings, these aren’t bad. They don’t replace the drive-thru ribs from Portillo’s that are no longer available, but they do beat having to walk into a Wingstop and pay crazy prices for wings. Be warned though, like all food places, and everyone’s kitchen, they can have off days, and that is okay.
Double Bacon Philly Burger Combo
A taste of Philly in the drive-thru! Checkers’ & Rally’s new Double Bacon Philly Burger is made with two 100% beef hamburger patties topped with tender slices of Philly steak, two strips of crispy bacon, two slices of Swiss cheese, grilled onions and mayonnaise all served on a toasted, bakery style bun.
For a limited time at the time of writing this, Rally’s will be featuring a Philly Burger, a massive burger from the looks of it, one I will not be biting into.
Final Thoughts:
Below are some images in a gallery, of other unique menu items. They feature Mr. Pibb as a soda instead of Dr. Pepper, and I just have to say, even if my opinion is wrong, Mr. Pibb will outdrink Dr. Pepper ANY day, and I’m willing to do a blind taste test live on camera to prove it. There are fried fish sandwiches, chicken, bacon burgers, shakes, cheesecake sundaes, wings, and all sorts of things at any Checkers or Rally’s location.
If you’ve ever had Rally’s or Checkers, which one was it? What was your favorite menu item? In order to comment here on Substack with your thoughts please become a supporting member either for $30 a year or $5 per month. I personally recommend the latter. $30 every 365 (sometimes 366) is a better deal, especially with the other stuff you get.
Rally’s was a neat little find to me. As some of my friends have put it, I am passionate about food and fast food. The culture around Fast Food is such a weird little curiosity to me. We’ve created, as a species, something that can feed people, and also create waste, and also create jobs, and also do a lot of things. Fast food isn’t just bringing people together, it's also about feeding them. It’s almost a specialized form of entertainment. Rally’s fits into the bill of weird curiosity, because of their story, how long they’ve been around in this market, the menu items they serve, and the quality that almost hits every mark in fried fast food. (The fries are seriously the best, try them. Get an XL fries and Mr. Pibb on me – when I start earning a usable and shareable income from writing, haha.)
Some additional links at the bottom for further reading, ordering, and more!
Links:
- The Real Reason Why Checkers And Rally’s Have Two Different Names
- Is There A Difference Between Checkers And Rally’s?
