Sorry McDonald's: The 10 Worst Fast-Food Burgers & The 10 Best
How Does Your Favorite Burger Stack Up?
Since fast food was first conceptualized, the humble burger was the star of the scene, favored for its quick cooking time and hand-held ability. However, not all fast-food burgers are created equal. Some are juicy, flavorful, and crave-worthy masterpieces while others are limp, bland, and barely worth the paper they’re wrapped in. While McDonald's may have been the OG fast burger joint, it's a far cry from the best, with more modern players leaps and bounds ahead in quality and taste. To save you from a disappointing burger experience, here are the 10 worst fast-food burgers and the 10 best.
1. McDonald's
McDonald's was built around the idea of serving consistent food as fast as possible. It never promised to serve the most delicious food. While there may have been a time when McDonald's burgers were actually good, that's not today.
2. Burger King
With a name like Burger King, you'd think they'd know how to make a nice burger. They pride themselves on serving "char-broiled" burgers, but so often they are just charred.
3. Sonic
The reason everyone just orders milkshakes and tater tots at Sonic is that their burgers are pretty terrible. They never seem fresh and are bland and dry.
4. Wendy's
There's something off-putting about a square patty of meat. While their slogan is "fresh, never frozen," they almost always taste a little freezer-y and are so often dry and overcooked with sad toppings. Stick to the Frosty, Wendy's.
5. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is infamously hit-and-miss, but mostly miss. Patrons call their burgers odd-tasting, with a processed flavor and texture.
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6. White Castle
White Castle sliders are just not everyone's cup of tea. They have a distinct oniony flavor and the steamed buns usually end up squishy or even mushy. The whole package is just generally unappetizing.
7. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is more of an ice cream place than anything. As so often happens when a fast food chain tries to branch out, the result is unremarkable. Stick to what you know, Dairy Queen.
8. Hardee's
Hardee's is known for their charbroiled burgers, or should we say, charbroiled pieces of rubber. Our eyes squint when they claim "100 percent Black Angus beef."
9. Carl's Jr.
Carl's Jr. is owned by the same parent company as Hardee's, so it's no wonder that their burgers are also bad. They offer a wide variety of burger flavorings, but sadly, you can't hide a bad burger under delicious toppings.
10. Arby's
We know Arby's is primarily known for its roast beef sandwiches, but if you're going to put a burger on your menu, you might as well make it good! Burgers here definitely seem like an afterthought.
Now that we've covered the worst of them, let's talk about the fast-food burgers that slap.
1. In-N-Out
We can see why the guys in The Big Lebowski were so keen to stop at that In-N-Out. The California institution has a well-earned reputation for its juicy, succulent burgers which you can customize. They prime themselves on using real, fresh ingredients, and you can taste the difference.
2. Five Guys
Remember that viral YouTube video of that guy eating Five Guys in his car and singing a song? We all wanted to be that guy. Five Guys are renowned for their made-to-order burgers that are as satisfying, thick, and greasy as a burger should be.
3. Shake Shack
Shake Shack was created by renowned restauranteur Danny Meyer who owned and operated a high-end, award-winning restaurant called Union Square Cafe before pivoting to fast food. Anyone with that sort of repertoire is bound to be motivated to keep his reputation intact and Shake Shack's high-quality burgers certainly keep his good name alive in the restaurant world.
4. Whataburger
Whataburger is a regional fast-food chain with locations in Texas and other Southern states. If the South knows how to do one thing right, it's cooking beef. Whataburger proves it with their thick and meaty burgers that are served "Just like you like it."
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5. Smashburger
Smashburger was founded in Denver, Colorado in 2007, just as the burger-smashing trend was starting to take hold, popular because it results in more caramelization of the meat and a better beef-to-cheese ratio. If smash burgers are your thing, this restaurant chain has certainly perfected them.
6, Jollibee
Jollibee is the only Filipino chain on this list and the only non-American fast-food restaurant that gives American burgers a run for their money. Their Yumburger is a satisfyingly classic burger experience that's kicked up a notch thanks to their famous secret sauce that gives it a Southeast Asian flair.
7. Freddy's
This Wichita-based fast-food restaurant named after a WWII veteran is as American as it gets. It's known for its made-to-order steakburger which is like a hamburger but made with higher-quality cuts of beef, giving it a deeper flavor and meatier texture.
8. Culver's
Culver's is a fast-food chain found primarily in the Midwest. The restaurant is best known for its ButterBurgers which are made-to-order, cooked on a flat-top grill for a slightly crispy edge, and served on a buttered bun.
9. Fatburger
The name doesn't lie. Fatburger's burgers are big, thick, and juicy with patty options ranging from Baby Fat to the massive XXXL Double Kingburger. Their burgers are always fresh, intensely satisfying, and customizable.
10. Habit Burger & Grill
Habit Burger & Grill was named the best burger in America by Consumer Report in 2014 and it's easy to see why. Their famous Charburger is everything you want from a burger cooked over an open flame: smoky with a slightly crispy exterior and a juicy inside.
