While I'm most passionate about telling the stories of local restaurants and the culinary space they occupy in our culture, it's always fascinating to learn about local chains or other restaurants not found all across the state, too.

There are a couple chains I've noticed in the Kanawha Valley that I haven't seen elsewhere.

First, Schlotzsky's. There's one in South Charleston and another in Huntington.

It specializes in sandwiches, specifically "The Original." It's lean smoked ham, Genoa and cotto salamis, and melted cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses layered with black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard and a signature dressing on our toasted Sourdough bun.

Another one you don't see in the rest of the state is Rally's or Checkers.

There are two Rally's: One in Charleston and one in Huntington. And, there is one Checkers in Nitro.

And while I haven't been yet, it appears there are just a handful of Donut Connections in the southern part of the state.

What other chains you can't find everywhere?