Nu-Way Weiners has operated in Macon longer than any national fast food chain has existed in America. Greek immigrant James Mallis opened the first stand on Cotton Avenue in 1916, and the company now runs eight locations across Central Georgia, with five inside Bibb County. That kind of deeply rooted local presence gives Macon a fast food landscape where homegrown counter-service spots hold real market share against national brands. The city’s position at the I-75 and I-16 interchange also makes it a natural refueling stop, and the chain clusters along Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard, Riverside Drive, and Zebulon Road reflect that pass-through traffic alongside everyday local demand.
South and east Macon corridors tell a different story than the chain-heavy north side. Rocky Creek Road, Emery Highway, and Mercer University Drive support independently run fish-and-chicken shops that draw on Chicago-style frying traditions and cater to neighborhoods where quick-service seafood outsells burgers. Shark’s Fish & Chicken operates three separate Macon locations in this format. The late-night picture is thin by comparison: Cook Out on Tom Hill Boulevard and Brookhaven Road stays open past 3:00 a.m., but most Macon fast food closes by 10 or 11 p.m. on weeknights. Georgia’s North Central Health District inspects all Bibb County food service establishments on a 100-point scale at least twice per year, with scores posted publicly through the state Department of Public Health portal at ga.healthinspections.us.
Top-Rated Fast Food Restaurants in Macon, Georgia
Nu-Way Weiners
Address: 148 Emery Hwy, Macon, GA 31217
Website: nu-wayweiners.com
Nu-Way built its reputation on private-label red hot dogs topped with an original-recipe chili sauce that has not changed in over a century. The slaw dog and the chili cheese dog are the core orders, and the MegaBurger rounds out the menu for customers who want beef. Breakfast service starts at 6:30 a.m. with egg platters, spicy dog biscuits, and pancakes. The New York Times named Nu-Way the king of the slaw dog, and the restaurant has appeared on PBS, CNN, the Today Show, and in Southern Living and Gourmet magazines. All drinks come over Nu-Way’s signature flaky ice.
Shark’s Fish & Chicken Chicago Style
Address: 1413 Rocky Creek Rd, Macon, GA 31206
Website: sharksfishandchickenchicagostyle.com
Shark’s fries all fish and chicken fresh to order at its Rocky Creek Road location, which scored a perfect 100 on its most recent Bibb County health inspection. The menu covers whiting sandwiches, catfish nuggets, grouper platters, chicken gizzards, buffalo wings, and perch, with combo plates that include fries and a drink. A second Macon location on Mercer University Drive and a third nearby serve the same format. Online ordering through the restaurant’s website supports both carryout and delivery.
Cook Out
Address: 155 Tom Hill Sr Blvd, Macon, GA 31210
Website: cookout.com
(Regional chain with Macon locations) Cook Out runs two Bibb County drive-throughs on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard and Brookhaven Road. The value tray format bundles a char-grilled burger, hot dog, or BBQ plate with two sides and a drink, and most trays ring up under $8. The milkshake menu lists over 40 flavors, including Snickers, Oreo, and peach cobbler. The Tom Hill location holds a 96/100 health score and the Brookhaven spot has a perfect 100. Both locations stay open until 3:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Fast Food Restaurants in Macon: Common Questions
What permits does a fast food restaurant need to operate in Macon-Bibb County?
Every food service business in Macon-Bibb must obtain a food service permit from the North Central Health District, an Occupation Tax Certificate (business license) from Macon-Bibb County, a fire inspection clearance, and a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from Planning and Zoning. New restaurants and ownership changes require approval from both the Department of Public Health and the Macon Water Authority before zoning compliance is issued.
How are Macon fast food restaurants graded on health inspections?
The Georgia Department of Public Health inspects Bibb County restaurants at least twice annually using a 100-point scoring system. Points are deducted for violations like improper cold-holding temperatures, missing certified food safety managers, or inadequate handwashing stations. Each establishment must designate at least one certified food safety manager on staff. Scores are searchable by name, ZIP code, or county at ga.healthinspections.us.
What should I expect to pay for a fast food meal in Macon, GA?
A chili dog combo at Nu-Way runs roughly $7 to $9. Cook Out value trays typically land between $6 and $8, well below the $10 to $12 range that national chain combo meals now command in the Macon market. Fish combo plates at Shark’s start around $8 to $10 depending on the protein. Contact individual restaurants for current menu pricing, as costs shift frequently.
Which Macon, GA fast food restaurants are open after midnight?
Cook Out’s two Macon locations keep their drive-throughs running until 3:00 a.m. most nights and 4:00 a.m. on weekends, making them the primary fast food option after midnight in Bibb County. Waffle House locations along the I-75 corridor operate around the clock but function more as diners than traditional fast food. Most chain and independent fast food spots in Macon close between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m.
How does Macon’s position on I-75 shape its fast food options?
The I-75 and I-16 interchange funnels through-traffic directly past Macon’s densest fast food corridors on Riverside Drive, Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard, and Arkwright Road. Travelers heading between Atlanta and the Georgia coast or Florida account for consistent drive-through volume beyond the local customer base. That traffic pattern helps explain why north Macon supports multiple locations of the same chain within a few miles of each other, a density unusual for a metro area of roughly 157,000 people.