The annual USA Today rankings of best fast food burger are out: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-fast-food-burger/
Mostly regional. #1 is not available in my market.
10. Whataburger - had these when I lived in Texas, liked 'em
9. Burger King's Whopper - got sick off one of these once and can't eat them now
8. Freddy's Double - they're OK
7. Shake Shack - never had
6. Five Guys - these are good, super-high calories though.
5. Culvers - had this once, thought it was good but I haven't gone back
4. In-N-Out Burger - liked these when I lived in Vegas
3. Jack-N-the-Box - I might have had this? I found Jack-N-the-Box forgettable
2. A&W - never had it
1. Habit Burger - not in my market
For burgers I prefer sit down rather than fast food. There is a local place here called Home Run burger--if I want an "elevated" fast food burger, I'll patronize them. A lot like Five Guys but a local chain.
Not sure if you are familiar with Joshua Weissman. He's a chef and popular YouTuber. He tried every fast food burger in America, and this is his ranking:
Highest score:
1. Steak and Shake
2. In N Out
3. Shake Shack
Average:
4. Wendy's
Below Average/Bad:
5. Burger King
6. Culver's
7. Five Guys
8. Jack In The Box
9. Habit Burger
9. Sonic
11. Jollibee
12. Whataburger
13. Carl's Jr
14. McDonald's
15. Rally's
16. Arby's
17. Dairy Queen
18. White Castle
Steers, Spur and Wimpy here do some nice burgers 🍔
Quote from: claws on July 30, 2025, 09:46:22 AMNot sure if you are familiar with Joshua Weissman. He's a chef and popular YouTuber. He tried every fast food burger in America, and this is his ranking:
Highest score:
1. Steak and Shake
2. In N Out
3. Shake Shack
Average:
4. Wendy's
Below Average/Bad:
5. Burger King
6. Culver's
7. Five Guys
8. Jack In The Box
9. Habit Burger
9. Sonic
11. Jollibee
12. Whataburger
13. Carl's Jr
14. McDonald's
15. Rally's
16. Arby's
17. Dairy Queen
18. White Castle
Anyone who ranks White Castle dead last is not to be trusted. (Although admittedly the quality can vary wildly, when they're fresh cooked they're great, if they've been sitting around a while they're terrible).
Ever look at your burger though and wonder how many different dead cows lie entombed in there, ground up together? I can't get past that.
Here in Texas, Whataburger has near-sacred status. They're not bad.
An ice cream chain called Braum's has the best burgers of any fast food joint.
But a little independent joint called Lulu's has burgers that leave all the competition behind!
They're my go-to stop on the way home from the river!
Place here has a decent burger. Small, only 3oz or so, but I usually get a double, topped off with an onion rings on top with spicy petal sauce.
They grind chuck there and make patties every day. Hand-breaded onion rings made daily.
Quote from: HappyGilmore on August 02, 2025, 09:54:12 AMPlace here has a decent burger. Small, only 3oz or so, but I usually get a double, topped off with an onion rings on top with spicy petal sauce.
They grind chuck there and make patties every day. Hand-breaded onion rings made daily.
Sounds good, but what is "spicy petal sauce"?
Quote from: Rev. Powell on August 02, 2025, 09:57:34 AMQuote from: HappyGilmore on August 02, 2025, 09:54:12 AMPlace here has a decent burger. Small, only 3oz or so, but I usually get a double, topped off with an onion rings on top with spicy petal sauce.
They grind chuck there and make patties every day. Hand-breaded onion rings made daily.
Sounds good, but what is "spicy petal sauce"?
Kinda similar to the sauce they use at Outback for their blooming onion. It's a bit of mayo mixed with some horseradish, ketchup, papikra, oregano, salt and pepper. It's got a kick to it, but not overly spicy.
ChatGPT claims these are the 10 best burgers available in the U.S.
1. Double-Double – In-N-Out Burger
Why it's #1: Fresh ingredients, iconic "not-so-secret" sauce, grilled onions, and perfect balance.
Downside: Only available on the West Coast and select states.
2. Baconator – Wendy's
Why it's awesome: Two quarter-pound beef patties, six strips of bacon, and melty cheese. Big, bold, and indulgent.
Consistency: Available nationwide and reliably satisfying.
3. Cheeseburger – Five Guys
Why it stands out: Juicy, customizable with free toppings, always fresh.
Pro tip: Ask for grilled mushrooms, jalapeños, and A1 sauce.
4. SmokeShack – Shake Shack
What makes it unique: Applewood smoked bacon, cherry pepper, and ShackSauce on a potato bun.
Downside: Pricier and less widely available.
5. Whopper – Burger King
Classic appeal: Flame-grilled taste, large size, and long history.
Best version: Try the Whopper Melt for a toasted twist.
6. Double Cheeseburger – McDonald's
Why it holds up: Simplicity, nostalgia, and that perfect balance of salt, sauce, and tangy pickles.
Best bang for your buck.
7. The Original Whataburger – Whataburger
Texas classic: Big, beefy, and built to order.
Strong regional following, expanding slowly nationwide.
8. Mushroom & Swiss – Culver's
Why it's here: ButterBurger patties with rich mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese on a toasted bun.
Culver's is underrated but high-quality.
9. Western Bacon Cheeseburger – Carl's Jr. / Hardee's
Flavor bomb: Onion rings, BBQ sauce, bacon, cheese—bold and messy in the best way.
Best when fresh off the grill.
10. JBC (Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger) – Wendy's
Sleeper hit: Cheap, consistent, flavorful despite its small size.
Perfect snack burger.
Honorable Mentions
Slamburger – Jack in the Box
Steakburger – Freddy's Frozen Custard
Impossible Whopper – Burger King (for plant-based eaters)
Big Mac – McDonald's (iconic, but not everyone loves the middle bun)
Whataburger is best if you find a good restaurant. If you don't, they're bad. They can put fajita vegetables on the burgers as an option, which is amazing.
McDonald's is most consistent. Good on a road trip if you don't know where to go.
Brahms' burgers actually look like their pictures. And you can get 5 small ones for 6 or 7 bucks.
Quote from: pacman000 on August 08, 2025, 01:24:31 PMWhataburger is best if you find a good restaurant. If you don't, they're bad. They can put fajita vegetables on the burgers as an option, which is amazing.
McDonald's is most consistent. Good on a road trip if you don't know where to go.
Brahms' burgers actually look like their pictures. And you can get 5 small ones for 6 or 7 bucks.
Can agree on McDonald's. I mean, not my first choice, but a few around here are open 24 hours and they've been a go-to on some late nights with friends or when going upstate to the mountains or down the shore. Anytime I do cave in and grab something...it's as good as I remember as a kid.