Starbucks? McDonald's? Here are local alternatives to chain restaurants

Huntsville has plenty of chain restaurants, but have you ever wondered about which are the most prominent in the Rocket City? We’ve decided to tally up the most popular in the Huntsville city limits.

Let’s get into the top 10:

☕Starbucks, 17 locations
🥪Subway, 16 locations
🍕Domino’s Pizza, 10 locations
🍔McDonald’s, 9 locations
🌮Taco Bell, 9 locations
🍔Burger King, 8 locations
🧇Waffle House, 8 locations
🍗Chic Fil A, 8 locations
🍔Wendy’s, 5 locations
🍗Zaxbys, 5 locations

What is your most surprising takeaway from the list?

Huntsville also has plenty of local places to get delicious bites. If you’re trying to support local businesses or simply want to avoid the big chains, you should check out these spots👇

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Local alternatives to chain restaurants in Huntsville

Where to grab a burger around Huntsville

IMG 7998 scaled.jpg — Find a fantastic burger at Bubby’s Diner. (Hville Blast)

Salt Smokehouse

Salt Smokehouse has a few different burgers on their menu. These include the Original M.A.C. Burger, featuring signature mac sauce, and the K-Pop Burger, which has jalapeño bacon + a fried egg.

📍1300 Meridian St N D-104, Huntsville, AL 35801
📅Mon-Sat 11AM-3PM + 4:30-9:00PM | Sun closed
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bubby’s Diner

Not only does this place have fantastic burgers, but it also offers a cool 1950s atmosphere. They are known for their doughnut burger, which applies a sweet twist to the traditional flavor by replacing the buns with doughnuts.

📍8412 Whitesburg Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
📅 Tue-Sat 7AM-8PM | Sun + Mon closed
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Where to eat some fabulous chicken fingers in Huntsville

Tenders!

This is a local chain unique to Huntsville. They are known for their catchphrase “where the chicken is kickin’,” and offer both chicken tenders + wings. This chicken joint has been servicing the city since 1996.

📍Downtown, Five Points, University, Madison
📅 Mon-Sat 10:30AM-9:00PM | Sun closed
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Melt – Huntsville

This one isn’t technically locally owned, but it was founded in Birmingham, originally as a food truck, and only exists in Alabama. They offer a variety of sandwiches, including a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and Cajun Chicken Sandwich.

📍201 Jefferson St N Ste I, Huntsville, AL 35801
📅 Mon-Thu 10:30AM-9:00PM | Fri + Sat 10:30AM-10PM | Sun 10:30AM-8PM
Website| Facebook | Instagram

Where to find some tasty tacos in Huntsville

Bandito Burrito

Founded in 1990, Bandito Burrito has been a local favorite for decades now. Their menu includes both tacos + burritos, as well as various sides like rice and chips + salsa.

📍3017 Governors Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
📅 Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM | Fri 10AM-10PM | Sat 11AM-10PM | Sun closed
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Taqueria El Cazador

El Cazador is a local Huntsville chain that combines the charm of a food truck with a restaurant setting. There are three locations in Huntsville + a food truck, and they offer a menu of tacos, burritos, nachos and other authentic mexican cuisine.

📍3806 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805
📅 Tue-Sun 11AM-10PM | Mon closed
Website | Facebook

Where to get some delicious pizza in Huntsville

Two guys eating outside of Sam and Greg's — Sam and Greg’s Pizzeria/Gelateria has been a Huntsville staple for years. (Lacey Spear / Hville Blast)

Earth and Stone

Earth and Stone sells signature wood-fired pizza that gives it an incredible taste. Some of our favorite menu items include The Porkalicious, which comes with a trio of pepperoni, bacon and italian sausage, and The Favorite, which has thinly sliced red onion and fresh basil.

📍2620 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805
📅 Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM | Fri + Sat 11AM-11PM | Sun 11Am-8PM
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Sam & Greg’s Pizzeria

Located in Downtown Huntsville, Sam and Greg’s Pizzeria has been serving customers since 2007. Ben Johnson, our videographer, loves their cheese pizza and veggie pizza.

📍 116 Southside Square, Huntsville, AL 35801
📅 Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM | Fri + Sat 11AM-10PM | Sun 11AM-8PM
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Where to grab a great cup of coffee in Huntsville

Dragon's Forge, coffee in Huntsville — Dragon’s Forge is the perfect place to curl up with a good book and hot coffee. (Hville Blast)

Flint River Coffee Company

An old farmhouse transformed into a coffee shop, Flint River Coffee Company feels like a home away from home. Their menu includes specialty drinks like the Crimson Tide Mocha, which combines white choclate + peppermint, and Butter Finger Latte.

📍1443 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville, AL 35811
📅 Mon-Sat 6AM-6PM | Sun Closed
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Dragon’s Forge Cafe

This cafe is located inside Lowe Mill and transports you into a world of fantasy with its uniquely designed interior. Their lattes and house roasts are even made with a special bean blend created from the Huntsville roastery, Kaffeeklatsch.