American Burger Chains Ranked From Worst To Highest – The Takeout

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There are few issues extra American than a hamburger. For round a century now, American citizens had been tucking into this meaty deal with and its reputation turns out in no threat of waning. In line with IBIS Global, there have been over 83,700 burger eating places working in the USA throughout 2023, and astonishingly, round 25% of those eating places have been operated by way of one of the vital nation’s two dominant chains: McDonald’s and Burger King. Those chains, and others find it irresistible, are thriving due to the general public’s insatiable urge for food for burgers. Alternatively, this improbable call for additionally implies that some American burger chains keep growing in spite of serving subpar meals — so how are you aware which burger joint to widespread? 
On this article, we purpose to split mediocre burger chains from the superb, offering the data you wish to have to keep away from consuming subpar patties. To place this newsletter in combination, we referred to each beginner {and professional} critiques from a number of resources. A complete method detailing how we ranked the chains is to be had on the backside of the item. Till then, let’s be told extra about The united states’s absolute best and worst burger chains.

13. White Citadel

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White Citadel sells sliders that are necessarily small burgers. The chain does be offering heartier choices together with the 1921 slider, which critics have deemed dramatically underseasoned, on the other hand even this slider is significantly smaller than the burgers bought by way of different chains. Predictably, small burgers don’t seem to be one thing numerous consumers recognize. Some have even joked that pieces served by way of White Citadel are slightly meals.
The diminutive measurement of White Citadel’s burgers isn’t the one explanation why the chain languishes on the backside of this score; many purchasers additionally dislike how the burgers are cooked. As an alternative of grilling them, White Citadel puts the patties on a mattress of onions which can be steaming at the grill. The steam travels via pre-made holes within the patty, cooking the burger by way of oblique warmth. No longer handiest does this cooking methodology utterly fail to expand any more or less sear at the meat, it additionally guarantees that the completed burger finally ends up being extremely soggy. As one buyer famous on Reddit: “The burgers from the eating place are slightly any higher than the ones [bought from the grocery store], they’re each soggy.”
Whilst White Citadel handiest makes use of home red meat providers who observe the North American Meat Institute and Pork High quality Assurance animal welfare and dealing with tips, it is without doubt one of the many chains that use frozen patties. That is every other issue that critically affects the standard of the chain’s burgers.

12. Sonic Power-In

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Sonic Power-In is a sequence recognized for its rollerskate-wearing carhops and unfashionable branding. Sadly, the chain could also be recognized for inconsistency, particularly in the case of burgers. Regardless of being made with frozen patties, that are used for his or her consistency, the standard of Sonic burgers varies from restaurant-to-restaurant with some generating outstanding burgers whilst others makes ones which can be slightly suitable for eating. In a publish on Reddit, one buyer wrote: “I am initially from Shawnee OK, the place Sonic began, and there are nonetheless like 3 or 4 of them on the town. They all are vastly other in high quality, such a lot in order that we all know which one is the great Sonic.”
Sadly for Sonic fans, places that get the burgers fallacious generally tend to get them truly fallacious. Previously, workers have described cooked burgers sitting at the heat aspect of the grill for half-hour sooner than being served. Such practices all however be sure that dry, overcooked burgers can be served to the general public. 
Consumers talk over with speedy meals chains as a result of they’re reasonable and dependable. Sonic’s incapability to be the latter implies that, regardless of how just right the burgers are at some places, it needs to be positioned in opposition to the ground of our score.

11. McDonald’s

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McDonald’s is essentially the most a success speedy meals corporate on the planet and burgers have performed an integral position within the corporate’s enlargement. Highest recognized of all McDonald’s burgers is the Large Mac which includes a double red meat patty, Large Mac sauce, pickles, lettuce, and a sesame seed bun. Round 550 million of those burgers are bought yearly in the USA by myself, whilst a staggering 75 McDonald’s burgers are bought each 2nd around the globe.
Whilst immensely fashionable, the Large Mac isn’t precisely what you may name a just right burger. It, like every different McDonald’s burgers, is made the use of frozen patties that have been shaped between 14 and 21 days previous to being cooked. Burgers made this way back won’t ever be as intensely flavored as contemporary burgers and McDonald’s burgers proves this. Whilst they do have a novel taste of their very own, those burgers lack any intense beefy notes.
Consumers settle for that McDonald’s burgers are some distance from the most efficient available in the market. Alternatively, their worth and comfort does cause them to at hand. As one buyer famous on Reddit: “They have got an excellent reasonable burger for the cost. It is not wonderful however I would not name it horrible.”

10. Burger King

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As with all of the different burgers discussed to this point, Burger King’s burgers are made with frozen red meat patties which can be dropped at the eating places from a central location. In contrast to different chains on the other hand, Burger King exposes its burgers to a are living flame. This imparts an intense smoky odor that many Burger King consumers love.
Alternatively, this smokiness does little to masks how rubbery and unsightly Burger King’s burgers get after sitting underneath warmth lamps. Sadly for the ones frequenting the chain’s eating places, leaving burgers to take a seat previous to serving them is a not unusual follow. Some Burger King workers have even mentioned that they have got noticed burgers take a seat in heated packing containers for as much as two hours sooner than being served to consumers.
Whilst there are surely some issues of how Burger King resources and serves its burgers, consumers regularly rank the chain’s burgers as higher than the ones served by way of its competition. As an example, critics have ranked Burger King’s Whopper above McDonald’s Large Mac. This is able to counsel that, whilst some distance from best, Burger King’s burgers don’t seem to be the worst round.

9. Whataburger

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Whataburger made a reputation for itself by way of promoting exceptionally huge burgers. The chain continues this practice to this present day, serving patties which can be an excellent 5 inches in diameter. Many purchasers are inspired by way of this measurement and the great price for cash that it signifies.
The chain’s burgers are made with contemporary red meat that is by no means been frozen and are handiest positioned at the grill as soon as a buyer has ordered. This interprets right into a completed burger that tastes contemporary, wealthy, and gratifying. Consumers and critics additionally indicate that Whataburger could be very beneficiant with its toppings. Those upload a pleasant pop of taste and texture to the burger.
Sadly for the chain, Whataburger’s burgers don’t seem to be best. Some folks have reported that the patties are regularly cooked inconsistently, which means some sections are drier than others. Different consumers additionally counsel that a number of facets of the chain have got worse since a controlling stake within the industry used to be bought in 2019. Those consumers say the wait instances are longer, the costs upper, and the meals particularly worse. If this pattern continues, the chain might drop even decrease in long run ratings, a disgrace making an allowance for the corporate used to serve one of the vital absolute best burgers in all of speedy meals.

8. 5 Guys

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The burgers served at 5 Guys are made in-house on a regular basis the use of contemporary red meat mince that comes with meat from each chuck and sirloin cuts. Those hand shaped patties are by no means frozen and are handiest served at the day they’re made.
With the exception of studying to shape the patties themself, 5 Guys workers also are taught easy methods to prepare dinner them correctly, flipping and smashing the burger in some way that leaves them juicy and flavorful. The burgers also are by no means cooked prematurely, handiest to reserve. As soon as cooked, the burgers are positioned inside of proprietary buns which many purchasers love due to their fluffy texture. The chain additionally gives a beneficiant number of 15 toppings, they all at no cost.
Many purchasers love 5 Guys burgers and with reference to everybody concurs that they stand head and shoulders above the burgers bought by way of the likes of McDonald’s and Burger King. Alternatively, every other factor all 5 Guys consumers agree is that the chain is amazingly pricey. As one pissed off particular person famous on Reddit: “In my opinion I believe it is the most efficient speedy meals burger you’ll get. It is not a connoisseur burger, and on account of the cost folks suppose it’s connoisseur […] When you manner it realistically, as a quick meals burger, it is not over rated however it’s exceptionally overestimated.”

7. In-N-Out Burger

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In-N-Out Burger is an American burger chain that used to be adored by way of none rather than Julia Kid. Through the years, In-N-Out has maintained this outstanding popularity. A survey by way of Marketplace Drive Data named it The united states’s favourite burger chain in 2022 and its Double Double burger used to be named the second one absolute best burger in the USA by way of USA Nowadays throughout 2024. This popularity is constructed upon a tradition of excellence and consistency that starts lengthy sooner than the burgers hit the grill.
All In-N-Out burgers are made with contemporary sections of 100% entire chuck red meat this is inspected, deboned, and floor by way of In-N-Out workers on the corporate’s patty-making amenities. The burgers are then chilled and transported to In-N-Out eating places each day the place they’re cooked to reserve.
Whilst many American burger chains battle to get the cheese to soften, In-N-Out is famed for the glorious, gooey melted cheese that tops its burgers. Hand-leafed lettuce and different splendidly contemporary toppings additionally make certain that In-N-Out burgers are a standout of their box, particularly when worth is taken under consideration. As one particular person famous on Reddit: “There are higher burgers, however they value much more. I will be able to get a burger, fries, and a drink for not up to 6 dollars. 5 Guys (the chain In N Out all the time turns out to get in comparison to) would value greater than that only for the burger.”

6. Elevation Burger

Whilst many American burger chains declare to make use of top quality substances, Elevation Burger takes element sourcing to an entire new degree. The chain handiest makes use of patties which can be constituted of contemporary, 100% grass-fed, natural red meat. It additionally chefs its french fries in olive oil in an try to cause them to more fit.
Those steps are well-received by way of consumers, considered one of whom wrote on Reddit: “My unpopular opinion is that Elevation Burger is the most efficient of all. When you ever find a way to check out one, I extremely counsel each their burgers (100% grass-fed natural red meat) and their fries (fried in olive oil, which provides them an awesomely distinctive taste).” Elevation Burger additionally makes some degree of cooking all meals, burgers incorporated, to reserve.
With the exception of being ethically-sourced and stress-free to devour, the chain’s burgers also are somewhat priced. A Unmarried 100% Grass-Fed Natural Pork Burger prices just below $7.50, significantly inexpensive than identical burgers bought by way of competition corresponding to 5 Guys.

5. Culver’s

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Culver’s, an underrated burger chain that many of us imagine is healthier than highly-touted chains like In-N-Out, is understood for its ButterBurgers, a spread of hamburgers which can be all served on a toasted, buttered bun or sourdough bread. The patties inside of Culver’s burgers are made with a proprietary mix of unpolluted sirloin, chuck, and plate red meat. No fillers are added. The ensuing patty is rarely frozen and is handiest ever cooked to reserve. Culver’s grill masters are those accountable for cooking the patties and intensive coaching guarantees they know the way to press and sear the meat to provide it a deep, steak-like taste.
The eye to element Culver’s can pay to all steps of its burger-making procedure is instantly obvious to someone who has eaten one. An individual wrote on Reddit: “Culver’s is most probably the most efficient throughout speedy meals there may be. Prime quality substances, constant, all the time scorching and the eating places are all the time blank. Quite a lot of just right stuff there along with the burgers.” With buyer critiques like that, it is no marvel this American burger chain ranks the higher part of our checklist.

4. Shake Shack

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For plenty of burger fans, it does now not get any higher than a Shake Shack burger. That is for just right reason why: Each and every step of the burger-making procedure has been designed to verify consumers benefit from the most quantity of taste. Take, for instance, the patty itself. Shake Shack makes use of a mix of unpolluted, entire muscle sirloin, brisket, and brief rib; all extremely flavorful cuts. What is extra, the chain works with the easiest providers, together with Pat LaFrieda, a celebrated corporate that provides the chain’s New York-based eating places. Shake Shack additionally makes use of Martin’s potato rolls, a highly-touted bun which the chain toasts with butter for additonal taste.
In relation to cooking, Shake Shack continues to tug out all of the stops. The patties are browned intensely due to the usage of extremely prime warmth grills and specialist, patented apparatus that is helping the chefs weigh down the burgers into extremely skinny patties. What is extra, the burgers are handiest cooked within the red meat fats left at the back of by way of different burgers. All of this creates a burger that meals creator J. Kenji López-Alt described as, “a surprise of beefy engineering.” Naturally, many purchasers agree.

3. Schoop’s Hamburgers

Schoop’s Hamburgers is a regional burger chain founded in Indiana. Whilst small, Schoop’s Hamburgers boasts an oversized popularity, constructed in large part upon the standard of its burgers. Those smashburgers, that are made day-to-day with contemporary red meat, are celebrated by way of critics and consumers alike for his or her crisp edges. They’re cooked to reserve and feature gained The Instances of Northwest Indiana’s absolute best burger of the area of the award yearly because the award started.
There are various kinds of burger to be had at Schoop’s. Those fluctuate from a Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger, which comes with a unmarried red meat patty, to a Triple Cheeseburger. It is very important be mindful that the extra decadent pieces can get very pricey; the Triple Cheeseburger clocks in at a hefty $19.99. Alternatively, many purchasers imagine Schoop’s burgers are well worth the cash with one buyer posting on Reddit: “Schoop’s floor red meat is best notch. Burgers are nice. The whole lot else is same old diner fare IMO however in case you are all concerning the burger, that is it.”

2. Fatburger

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Fatburger is a sequence that we expect merits slightly bit extra love, if handiest as it lives up its title. The chain’s smallest burger, the Medium (Authentic), incorporates a red meat patty that weighs one 3rd of a pound. Different choices such because the Massive (Kingburger) comprise a part pound patty whilst the XXL (Double Kingburger) and XXXL (Triple Kingburger) comprise more than one part pound patties. Some of these hand-pressed red meat patties are by no means frozen.
Due to the scale and high quality of its burgers, Fatburger has a devoted buyer base. One particular person summarized how those folks really feel, writing on Reddit: “I have by no means been dissatisfied by way of Fatburger. Their fries are all the time too scorching to devour straight away (which is superior) and their burgers are large, messy, and style so so just right.”
Consumers without a doubt recognize the care and a focus that is going into the burgers however what attracts even higher approval are the joys taste combos the chain comes up with. Previously, those limited-edition releases have incorporated a well-reviewed burger that noticed jalapeño poppers crammed in along the patty. It is burgers like this that turn out Fatburger is without doubt one of the absolute best burger chains round.

1. BurgerFi

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BurgerFi takes the standard of its substances extraordinarily importantly with free-range, hormone loose, black Angus red meat being utilized in all its burgers. Recognized for outstanding marbling, black Angus red meat makes for an excellent burger and BurgerFi places the patties to just right use, making showstoppers just like the Sure, Chef Burger. This burger contains two black Angus patties paired with caramelized onions and American cheese and, like every BurgerFi burgers, has been celebrated for its intense beefy taste. Consumers who’ve attempted different BurgerFi choices, together with The CEO, which incorporates two wagyu patties, have additionally reported an intense taste. Even the vegetarian burgers pack a punch. It is because of this that many purchasers dangle BurgerFi in very prime regard.
Sadly, BurgerFi’s long run is in jeopardy after the corporate filed for bankruptcy 11 chapter within the fall of 2024. On the time of writing, operations proceed as commonplace on the chain’s eating places, on the other hand there’s no ensure this may stay the case because the months roll by way of. Given this monetary force, we would not be shocked to look a drop within the chain’s requirements within the close to long run.

Method

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To ensure that chains to be thought to be for this newsletter, they needed to specialise in burgers and perform in more than one states. When settling on the place every chain would rank, we took under consideration how contemporary the burger substances have been, how the burger used to be cooked, and if it used to be frozen at any time throughout the manufacturing procedure. If it used to be, it ranked decrease on our checklist. We additionally took under consideration critiques left by way of each consumers {and professional} critics. The extra certain critiques a sequence had, the upper it ranked. After all, the ones chains that have been perceived as providing just right price for cash have been most often liked above those who weren’t.

Author: OpenAI