Are You Lovin’ It?
When it comes to the world of burgers, quality isn’t always guaranteed. Despite many of these chains going on to make billions of dollars and becoming giants of American industry, their low prices have jumped while their flavor has fallen. To help you itch that burger craving without buyer's remorse, here are 20 joints ranked from best to worst.
1. Five Guys
Originally founded in Virginia in 1986, Five Guys has redefined the burger chain industry by showing consumers that fast-food burgers can, in fact, taste good. Despite the higher price point, Five Guys sticks to a bunch of standards that ensure quality. For instance, they never freeze their patties and offer unlimited toppings.
2. In-N-Out
In-N-Out was established in 1948 in California and now boasts over 380 locations across the United States West Coast. Even those who haven’t been lucky enough to try the chain are familiar with their famous Animal-Style burger and fries.
3. Culver's
Despite having over 900 locations in the Midwest, Culver's might be a new name for those outside of the United States. It is considered one of the most comforting burger joints out there and offers up cheese curds, custard, and the famous ButterBurger, which has earned it some regional popularity.
4. Wendy’s
Most people are familiar with Wendy’s; after all, the chain has over 6,900 locations across the globe and has made quite the name for itself due to some social media antics. Their most famous burger, the Baconator, continues to resonate and has kept up in terms of consistency.
5. Steak ‘n Shake
Steak ‘n Shake got its start in Illinois in 1934 and has since innovated on diner-style services and steakburgers. You can expect classics like cheeseburgers, shoestring fries, and, of course, over-indulgent milkshakes. It’s the perfect choice for those who like a side of nostalgia with their steak.
6. Whataburger
With a name like that, you probably expect the burger to leave you raving, and many will agree that it does. After starting up in Texas in 1950, Whataburger has dominated the Southern United States market and merges southern comforts with burger joint basics, offering up items like the honey butter chicken biscuit.
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7. Red Robin
Red Robin only serves North America, with roughly 500 locations to choose from. Despite the smaller numbers, they have some stand-out menu items, including bottomless fries and the Whiskey River BBQ burger.
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8. Burger Factory
Burger Factory is a recent chain that got its start in the early 2000s. For those who have had the opportunity to try the Juicy Lucy or the tornado fries, Burger Factory is worth every penny for its premium burgers and generous offerings.
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9. Shake Shack
Shake Shack is a more accessible brand, with over 400 locations across the world. It also got its start recently in 2001 in New York and has since garnered appreciation for its ShackBurger and crinkle-cut fries.
10. Fuddruckers
Few have heard of Fuddruckers, but it is considered a go-to for burger purists. This is because they keep things real simple, offering up fresh-baked buns and letting customers figure out the toppings themselves at self-serve bars.
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11. A&W
A&W has always been rocking along with a retro feel that just feels nostalgic. It also has many interesting options to choose from, including delicious vegan burgers and the classic root beer float.
12. McDonald’s
Everyone knows McDonald’s, but like a lot of chains on the bottom half of this list, things have gone awry. Despite being credited with pioneering the fast-food model, McDonald’s has received criticism for raising prices while letting quality and portion sizes stagger. For instance, in Los Angeles in 2019, a McDonald’s cheeseburger was $1 and is now $3.15 – that’s a 215% increase!
13. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is another chain originating from California, and now it has over 2,000 locations sprinkled across the United States. To those who aren’t familiar with it, it might be surprising to hear you can pick up some tacos alongside an Ultimate Cheeseburger and call it a day.
14. Harvey’s
Harvey’s is a Canadian staple and has over 300 locations up in the great North, which is why there’s no surprise that you can get a poutine on the side of your flame-grilled burger. The only reason it isn’t higher on the list is because it does, unfortunately, have that fast-food taste.
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15. Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets tries to cash in on nostalgia, offering up a retro diner-style vibe to go along with their original burger and chili cheese fries. But when you compare the outrageous prices to the lackluster quality, it doesn’t seem to be worth it.
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16. Sonic
Sonic has over 3,500 locations and is best known for their always-accessible drive-thrus, making it easier than ever to get your hands on a cheeseburger and slush. However, for many people, the burgers are low-quality and lack taste.
17. Burger King
Has Burger King ever been good? Despite the popularity of the Whopper, the quality and scandal surrounding Burger King have made it difficult to like. They advertise flame-grilled burgers, but many people report a chewy and bland experience.
18. White Castle
White Castle was briefly made famous due to the success of a movie by a similar name, but nowadays, it’s clear the glory days are behind them. Recent eaters have reported tiny burgers and a huge dip in quality that make it an easy skip.
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19. Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. also got its start in California and now has over 1,000 locations in the United States. While some people love the burgers and branding, the issue with Carl’s Jr. is its inconsistency. There are so many mixed reviews, you never know what you’re going to get.
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20. Dairy Queen
Everyone knows Dairy Queen offers burgers and fries, but you’d have to be pretty silly to order it. With most locations focusing on the ice cream, you don’t know how long those patties have been sitting around. This could be why most people report boring taste and chalky burgers.
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