Wendy's

The popular fast-food palace, founded by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio in 1969, has long positioned itself as the fresh alternative to burger chains content to slap frozen meat on the grill. Having made its name with fresh beef patties, chocolate Frosty's, and Thomas's proudly wholesome image (a tradition carried on by his daughter in the firm's television advertisements), the chain was also among the first to place an emphasis on healthy choices, which in its case include an expanded menu of wraps and four different Garden Sensation Salads. That's not to say you can't still order a cheeseburger, however, and no less an authority than Zagat's claims that Wendy's makes the third-best burger of any chain restaurant in the country. Lately Wendy's has been remodeling its 6,550-plus nationwide locations. Find Wendy's in St. Louis on Voice Places.