We should be talking about burgers at this point. I’ve invested a lot of time attempting to determine what the public enjoys reading on the internet, and one thing is clear: individuals have a strong passion for fast food.
When it comes to burgers, though, those interests are intensified. Rankings, taste tests, and ardent arguments are commonplace as to which chain really serves up the best. So we thought we’d go in and give it a try ourselves.
We tried to take in the universe of fast-food burgers from all angles. From simple cheeseburgers to fancy-schmancy varieties, we considered it all from classic chains to newer, gourmet-minded entries. The challenge? To sift through all the noise and give you an unvarnished sense of where to get a killer burger. This is not your typical list it’s a journey of buns, patties, and sauce.
We’re sharing our experiences the highs and the lows that led to this final ranking of 14 fast-food burgers. Get ready to start from the bottom.
Arby’s Deluxe Burger
Trying Arby’s Deluxe Burger was a mixed experience. Arby’s is known for its roast beef sandwiches, not burgers. Their brisket sandwich usually hits the mark, but the burger didn’t carry the same appeal.
In appearance, the Deluxe Burger was promising: a thick patty, shredded lettuce, red onion, tomato, melted American cheese, and signature sauce, all on a brioche bun. But the first bite was a letdown. The patty was dry and lacked any taste. The cheese was artificial-tasting, and sweetened bun with the sauce tasted strangely dessert-like. Even the lettuce tasted like cabbage. At over $6, this was an easy call to the worst. If you’re at Arby’s, you’re there for what they’re known for.
Sonic Cheeseburger
Sonic’s drive-in vibe promises fun and nostalgia. Their menu is full of unique offerings like slushes and tater tots. Expectations were thus high for their cheeseburger. But what they received was not so great.
The burger contained tops that were scattered randomly: thin strands of lettuce, diced onions, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, and cheese. The patty itself was flavorless on par with Dairy Queen’s. With the cost (nearly a buck less than a Whopper), the lack of taste and value placed it at the bottom of our list. Sonic’s strengths are found somewhere else on the menu.
Dairy Queen Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill restaurants offer good-tasting food, but that is secondary to them. Hopes were low, and yet the burger was missing.
It’s one of the most affordable burgers here and pairs well with dessert. But the flavor lacked impact. The patties were bland, and the toppings mostly ketchup, mustard, pickles, and lots of cheese couldn’t make up for it. It’s serviceable and cheap, especially if you’re also craving ice cream, but it doesn’t deliver a strong burger experience.
Burger King Whopper
The Whopper is legendary in name but disappointing in reality. On a few lists, it ranked last. We even had to double-check the list to be certain.
The 4-ounce patty lacked beefy flavor and was like a veggie burger to us. The bun and toppings were all standard issue but could not save it. For nearly $7, one of the most expensive burgers with nothing of quality to back it up. A disappointing performance by a brand that touts burger royalty.
Smashburger Classic Smash Burger
Smashburger’s Angus beef and good appearance brought some hope. The toppings were comfortable, akin to a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder but with better ingredients.
The patty was juicy and the vegetables were crisp. Other choices were not as good especially the BBQ Bacon Smash Burger, which was dry and overcooked. The crispy onions functioned as a sponge and soaked up juices, making it all worse. Smashburger burgers appear great but are hit-or-miss.
Wendy’s Dave’s Single
Wendy’s square burgers are what most are accustomed to, and expectations were pretty high. But Dave’s Single didn’t quite meet expectations.
The patty lacked sear or beefy taste. Not bad, but also not memorable. Toppings were plentiful and fresh, and ketchup was heavy-handed. Wendy’s does chicken and breakfast very well, but the burger fell short of what it could have been. A good option, but not impressive.
Steak ‘n Shake The Original Double With Cheese
Steak ‘n Shake takes one step closer to sit-down fare, complete with paper hats and everything. Their burger had a good crisp edge a hallmark of smash patties.
But the cloying pickle taste and greasy feel prevented it from rising up further. While the crunchy edge of the patty added interest, the greasy feel and cloying pickles barred it from the top level. It’s best recalled for atmosphere and presentation instead of taste.
Checker’s Rally’s All American Cheeseburger
This burger was the surprise winner. Humbled expectations, however, thanks to its low price tag and unprepossessing appearance. But flavor and texture were another story completely.
It was freshly tasted and thicker than it had to be. At under $2, it was remarkably good. A rare fast-food gem at a breathtakingly low price.
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder With Cheese
Some might be shocked at this rating, but McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is well-deserving. The thicker patty, sesame seed bun, and consistent flavor set it apart.
While the patty itself is still a factory-round disc, the marriage of pickle flavor, onions, and ketchup is impossible to replicate. It’s built to please and does the trick. A beacon of fast-food consistency.
Wahlburgers The Our Burger
Wahlburgers puts fast-casual ambiance together with sit-down style. The burger was homemade flavor with high, meaty patty and crunchy, fresh ingredients sprinkled under the meat in order to maintain texture.
Its most egregious flaw is price typically double that of any other burger. But if you want something up-scale tasting, this is it. Just perhaps not as a default.
Five Guys Hamburger
It is deceptive to order Five Guys. When you order a “hamburger,” you receive two patties, and there are no standard toppings you must ask for them yourself.”.
Even unadorned, the patty was so robust it could be eaten on its own. It was beefy to taste and possessed genuine char, served wrapped in plain foil and a paper bag for no-frills presentation. Albeit pricey and with a learning curve, this burger is worth its weight.
The Habit Burger Grill Charburger With Cheese
The Habit uses never-frozen, no-filler beef and it pays dividends. The char-grilled flavor was rich and smoky, and the toppings caramelized onions, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese improved each bite.
Although the burger did get sloppy, the flavor was far from forgotten. The juicy, flavorful beef and thoughtful topping choices made this a high-rated favorite.
Shake Shack ShackBurger
Shake Shack stands out with its hormone-free Angus beef, ShackSauce, and soft potato bun. Patties are smashed thin for a caramelized exterior and juicy interior.
Everything is in proper balance: lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sauce all succeed. For all its notoriety as pricey, it’s often competitively priced. A superb burger that just missed the number one ranking.
Culver’s Butterburger
The word “butter” in Butterburger promises something, and Culver’s delivers. The buttered buns, beefy beef, and fair price all combine to create the best fast-food burger.
It’s juicy, lightly seasoned, and highly satisfying. For under $5, it’s the perfect mix of value, taste, and quality. Culver’s Butterburger is at the top for good reason.
