What iconic American fast food chains could come to Australia?

Taco Bell is about to land here, but what are the chances of other American food giants trying their luck in Australia? These are the US fast food joints we’d love to have in Melbourne.

Taco Bell want 100 Australian stores by 2024, in its third attempt to conquer the southern hemisphere.

American Tex Mex chain Taco Bell has ambitious plans in Australia.

Two Melbourne stores, Hawthorn and South Yarra, are expected to open before the end of the year, with management aiming for more than 100 restaurants within five years.

Despite two failed attempts to crack the Australian market in the 1980s and mid-1990s, Taco Bell is hoping it’s a case of third time lucky.

It’s got us thinking, what are other US fast food giants we would love to have in Melbourne?

There’s been a mixed bag of hits and misses over the years.

IN-N-OUT BURGER

An In-N-Out pop-up in Sydney. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Even the health conscious Arnold Schwarzenegger loves an In-N-Out burger. Photo: AP

This one is pure fantasy for Australians.

Despite several pop-up shops in Melbourne and Sydney in recent years, it would have to take a dramatic U-turn for California management to consider anything permanent down under.

An In-N-Out spokeswoman said in 2016: “We do these pop-ups in various countries to get our name out there and familiarise people with the brand so they know about us when they visit the US. This pop-up is no indication that we are going to open a store in Australia.”

You can’t even get In-N-Out on America’s east coast, as they operate in just seven states, so it’s ultimate wishful thinking that they would ever start cooking on the other side of the world.

As someone who’s chomped down on one of the deliciously famous burgers, it’s a grim outlook knowing it’s never going to happen in Melbourne.

CHIPOTLE

Chipotle holds a grip on Mexican fast food in the US. Picture: Getty

This Mexican fast food chain has more than 2000 stores, and has expanded into Canada, Germany, France and the UK.

Making up burritos, tacos and burrito bowls, it’s much like Zambrero here in Australia – except, in my humble opinion, far superior.

There’s plenty of Australians who are dead keen on Chipotle coming down.

So much so there is a Facebook page dedicated to the cause.

It has almost 2000 likes, but there have been no posts for seven years.

CHICK-FIL-A

Much like Chipotle fans, Chick-Fil-A’s are passionate.

There’s a defunct Change. Org petition to bring the “home of the original chicken sandwich” to Australia.

Chick-Fil-A is all about tasty poultry. Think a slightly healthier, less greasy KFC, with more varied options on the menu.

Despite being one of America’s most popular chains, Chick-Fil-A never opens on Sunday due to founder Truett Cathy’s religious beliefs.

WHITE CASTLE

All Harold and Kumar wanted was bulk White Castle sliders.

Founded almost 100 years ago, their burgers are famous the world over, despite being confined to the US.

Time magazine even hailed the White Castle slider as the most influential burger of all time.

The burger restaurant went into cult status after it featured in the 2004 stoner comedy Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle.

FLOPS

For every McDonald’s, KFC, Subway and Domino’s, there’s American food failures galore in Australia.

As mentioned earlier, Taco Bell has already crashed and burned here twice.

Classic American diner Denny’s tried to crack the southern market in the 1980s, with the Australian franchise owned by airline Ansett.

Americans love it, but Starbucks coffee has never gone down well in Australia. Picture: AP

MORE: MASSIVE FOOD PARK COMING TO MELBOURNE

CHICKEN DISH NOT FOR FAINT-HEARTED

Food isn’t its speciality, but coffee giant Starbucks is currently having a second go at converting Australians to their blend.

After shutting down the majority of their Australian stores in 2008, Starbucks is back up to about 40 again.

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@ollycaffrey