I don't know about the US, but here, taverns (not part of chains) are much more common. Fast food I only eat when everything else is closed or when I'm drunk.
Pizza Hut has good pizza, but ordinary pizzerias are way better. And I wouldn't call Pizza Hut fast food, it's not fast, and they're clearly aiming to be a more serious restaurant chain (higher prices, waiters etc.)
McDonald's and BK's burgers are total crap, it's like chewing on a piece of wet bread. Gatukök (literally street kitchen) serve equally greasy, but more juicy burgers, better sauce and better fries.
KFC I only tried while in London, it was barely any different from the fried chicken they serve in chinese restaurants, except the latter has better sauce.
Apart from those I've only heard about Taco Bar, and while they at least have their own niche (not a lot of mexican restaurants around here), their sauces are weak, you get portions made for 11-year old girls and the prices aren't worth it (in relation to other fast food.)
Local taverns and bars have much better food usually, since it's homemade, and they don't make you feel like you're in a factory when you visit them.
My 2 cents.
On a side note, don't you have kebab and falafel places in the US?