I agree with all of this except local because that ain't in my locale.
For me, local would go to Tasty Burger in Boston, when I lived there.
This is the first sane answer I've seen. Shake Shack has a drive thru where I live, and puts all other drive thru burgers to shame. Also Whataburger is very mid. Texans need to get out more.
Going to go with Five Guys. That pressed burger style gets you really great flavor.
Is Five Guys actually fast food?
It's not fast, no drive through, no combo meals.
Delicious food though.
Fast casual, I think it's called. Basically not a food mill like McDonald's, BK, or Wendy's, but not a sit down restaurant either.
Yeah, that's probably fair.
Expensive too
How was this not the top comment! Their fries with malt vinegar is just 🤌🤤
Cheeseburger with all the regular toppings is my pick for best burger. Some people don't like the fries, but I do.
Only problem is it's expensive, and they used to give you too many fries, but not any more sadly.
I don't really think there is a best one. They all have pros and cons. Maybe if I was to compare just a basic hamburger (bun, burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, mustard, ketchup), then I would have to say In-n-Out. But everyone has one thing either only that place has, or does better than anyone else with a similar burger.
Basic: In-n-Out's classic Double Double.
Bacon: Wendy's Baconator.
Western Style: Carl's Jr's double bacon western burger.
Steakhouse Style: Carl's Jr's Bourbon Steakhouse Burger (I wish this fucker was a regular item because it is so, so good)
Smoke Meat: Arby's Meat Mountain.
Chicken: Burger King's original chicken sandwich.
But I would still take my own home cooked burger to any of these, if I was going to mimic one of them.
Are you serious about the chicken? Not wanting to argue.
You don't want to argue because you know that the BK Original is the best chicken Sammy in existence. 😤
Double steakburger with cheese from steak n' shake.
Smash burgers are the best burgers and steak n' shake makes a decent one at a decent price.
Some of y'all have never had Culver's and it shows.
I've had it and it gave me the shots for almost 2 days. Never again.
You ate probably 300 calories of butter flavored corn oil. Culver's is gross.
I 100% agree. I will never eat their again unless I am constipated I guess.
Must be regional? Never heard of it.
Mainly Wisconsin and other states across the east coast
There's some out west, there's one in my town in CO, and I agree, it's pretty good lol
Oh wow! I hadn't seen any outside of the east coast haha. Would love to see more out west
No thanks. I don't like my burgers drenched in butter flavored corn oil.
It's clear to me that many people have never had a burger made from high quality ground beef with 20% fat and something other than Velveeta for cheese.
Probably, but are there any fast food places that have a burger that’s “good” by that standard?
5 Guys are as good as fat food gets.
Among the big three, the whopper by a whopper.
Otherwise yeah, my local is better than your local nah nah nah boo boo
Five Guys, best ingredients by far, especially the veggies. Lettuce and tomato are always perfect. Quite a bit more expensive than most of the competitors though.
Whataburger is my favorite place if I'm only counting large chains with drive through windows and other fast food restaurant features.
The food is almost always fresh, plenty of customization options like grilled onions and jalapeños. Almost everything on the menu is good quality for fast food. Being open 24 hours is a nice bonus.
If small regional chains count Burger Street is the best, really good burgers, great curly fries and delicious frozen lemonade.
Yes, Burger Street! Spouse LOVED their olive burger!
+1. Best bang for buck chain drive-thru burgers. When I want a fastfood burger to actually make me feel full, that’s my go-to.
Burgerville, the Oregon/Washington chain. My favorite is the half pound colossal cheeseburger.
Burgerville is sooooo good.
Dip N Burger, McAllen TX. #4. Burger patty, cheddar, swiss, pickles, chorizo, spicy mayo on Texas toast. No lie, best burger I've ever received through a window.
As for what makes it so great, weren't you reading? I said chorizo.
If you're talking about chain fast food, then:
Whataburger. #5 (regular burger plus cheese and bacon.) You can add an egg to this between 11pm and 11am. And should.
You had me at chorizo.
I see your local option and support it. Also shout out to whataburger (patty melt). But I will raise you the Braum’s #6 (if it’s in your area). Also Rosa’s Cafe for drive through Tex mex
Braums ain't what it used to be. It's really hit or miss these days.
Culver's is amazing, just so delicious.
In-N-Out is consistently good
Wendy's baconator, when made properly, can be pretty awesome too. Burgers in general are awesome
Haven't tried any of these local places, but of the big burger joints, I'm going with the Whopper because mayonnaise.
I didn't realize there was anyone who actually enjoyed burger king
I’ve always thought burger king’s basic burgers are superior to McD’s. McD’s is better in every other category.
Honestly I don't really do beef burgers at either one. They're both okay, but I generally do the deluxe crispy chicken from McD's
I don't really go to either one unless I'm with a group that agrees on it, I prefer the "higher quality" places. (Culver's, & Freddy's are great if you've heard of them) even though they can be a good bit more expensive.
I like Arby's, but again I just do a chicken sandwich
I only like McDonald's for breakfast. Been years since I've been there after 10:00.
Heavy Mayo makes me a happy Whopper lover!
They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm personally very partial to white castle. Those onions just do it for me.
Out of the big players, in general I like Wendy's, but they almost fall into an uncanny valley sort of thing where they're so close to being a real (not fast food) burger, but not quite there, so I kind of have to be in the mood.
IMO burger king has the best veggie option in the impossible Whopper.
If we're going to count it as fast food, 5 guys is top notch. Similarly for shake shack, they also get bonus points for their shrooms burgers for the best veggie option overall, it doesn't try to be a regular burger, and is probably actually more unhealthy than one too.
Getting into weirder local chains, Cook Out is pretty great if you find yourself in the parts of the south that have them.
If we want to talk chicken sandwiches, Popeyes is the undisputed king and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. McDonald's crispy chicken gets honorable mention for being a solid alternative for people like me who refuse to eat at chick fil a, and the McChicken for being cheap and satisfying if not technically good.
True story, when I was young my family stopped at a White Castle on a cross country road trip and got some food that was so bad our dog wouldn’t eat it. This dog loved to eat garbage and cat crap at every opportunity but drew the line at White Castle burgers.
Local joint down the street. Very simple burgers, no salad, tomatoes or fucking avocados. Only good toasted bread, excellent burger and home made sauces. Some have pickles or onions in different forms (grilled, glazed,...). And excellent homemade fries too.
You're not even going to name the place?
C'mon man!
Nota Burger
As a life long Texan, I have to say it's not Whataburger anymore. They've slipped in recent years.
Jack's Ultimate Cheeseburger. I just prefer their patties over anyone elses. It kinda has a sausage taste that I like.
See a lot of five guys but no wayback burger and I'm sad. Killer burgers and excellent fries for way cheaper.
Whataburger, no contest. It's pricier than other fast food, but the taste and quality are unmatched.
I've found this is only true if you eat at the restaurant, there is a very short timer that starts as soon as your food comes out, any longer than that and the cheese starts to coagulate and the fries get cold and tough.
Yeah, the only one of these near me is Five Guys, and that really doesn’t survive the drive home. Definitely best eaten immediately
The double Lotaburger with cheese, bacon and green chile. Nothing will ever come close.
Agreed. Shout out new Mexico and El Paso. I always have one while there
Laguna Burger has Blake's heat by a mile. I grew up in New Mexico and would always get a lotaburger when I went back home but now it is a visit to Laguna Burger near the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Blakes' quality fell when they expanded out of NM.
Oh there are certainly better burgers to be had in NM and the world beyond, but the question was what was the best fast food burger, thus I answered the truth. No better burger than Blake’s on Guadalupe St. in the summer heat or the winter cold while the drunk guy asks for money so he can get some seasoned fries with his [sic] “Wataburger.”
The whopper is the best. :)
Impossible Whopper :)
Absolutely not, because it replaced the aloo tikki/potato option
Still mad about that. Fucking love veggie burgers but can't stand fake meat nonsense.
In N Out! And before visitors that only tried it once jump down my throat, claiming it's overrated and whatnot, let me make my case.
First of all, the menu you see when you walk in is just the first step. You have to know all the little nooks and crannies to really get the true In N Out experience. Grilled onions, chopped chilies, animal style, etc. Freedom of choice abounds!
Secondly, value wise, it can't be beat. Quality ingredients for an entire meal for around $10! Their shakes are also bomb (Neapolitan, not listed on the menu), and while their fries are a controversial opinion, I enjoy them enough with black pepper and their spread (animal style is fantastic too).
I don’t have time to guess what the secrets are. I just want to know what’s available and order it. In my experience, In N Out is on par with McDonald’s. At least McDonald’s tells you what is available. In any case, I avoid both.
Definitely burger fuel. Limited to NZ unfortunately :(
Locally biased, but I'll die defending a burger from Runza as the best burger you can get in a drive through. I think it's the bun that really sets it apart; it's so soft.
Heyyy a local man of culture.
Runza really is the best. Best fries too
Tough choice
Five Guys has what I would argue are the best burgers, but they are expensive and a heartattack on a bun. You get what you pay for, healthy food is not on their menu.
In-&-Out is also up there but more how they run their resturants. They are still unimpressive but above average fast food, but I feel that is how a fast food joint should be managed.
Pal's Sudden Service in east TN/NC also is a notable mention as the food travels best. No other fast food place has a burger that is reheatable, truely a rare thing to find. Also their old buildings are the old style of fast food, drive through only with silly colors to get your attention from the road, A+ in my book.
Best mom&pop / non-chain shops is a toss up.
Melt - Leesburg VA
Pops Kitchen & Diner - Easton PA
The McDouble.
It's cheap, nutrient dense, simple.
I may not be able to agree with you that it is the best burger you can get in fast food, but I will agree that it is way better than it has any excuse to be, doubly so for the price.
Get a McDouble and a junior chicken. Remove junior chicken’s bun and place the chicken in the McDouble.
You have yourself a McGangbang, best bang for your buck.
Free medium fry from the app and a mcdouble means I get lunch for less than 4 bucks. It's decent.
Best chain burger I've ever had came from a little chain restaurant in Sausalito California, in the Corte Madera mall. I think it was The Counter. I seem to remember the menu mentioning counterburgers.
Both California and Florida have this amazing ability to get fresh toppings and it makes the food so much better. I see a lot of people digging smashburgers and I like smash burgers but they're just not good quality hamburgers. I like to see 1/3 of a pound still a little pink in the middle, Good shower fresh toppings fresh bun.
Unfortunately I'm stuck in the Atlantic where we can't seem to get fresh vegetables unless I'm getting them directly off of Farmer's cart and even then they probably came from another state.
big fan of Harvey's burger, better than A&W or MCD(not hard to beat lol). Been a while since i went to a burger king
I really like BK's Steakhouse burgers.
Seeing all these comments for places not available to me sucks lol. All my "city" has is A&W, Timmie's, McDonald's, Dairy Queen and KFC. A&W has the best fast food burgers of the options available to me but I prefer KFC when I have a fast food craving.
Local Chain - Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Regional - Culver’s
National fast food - Wendy’s
National fast casual - Five Guys / Shake Shack
I agree with all of this except local because that ain't in my locale.
For me, local would go to Tasty Burger in Boston, when I lived there.
This is the first sane answer I've seen. Shake Shack has a drive thru where I live, and puts all other drive thru burgers to shame. Also Whataburger is very mid. Texans need to get out more.
Going to go with Five Guys. That pressed burger style gets you really great flavor.
Is Five Guys actually fast food?
It's not fast, no drive through, no combo meals.
Delicious food though.
Fast casual, I think it's called. Basically not a food mill like McDonald's, BK, or Wendy's, but not a sit down restaurant either.
Yeah, that's probably fair.
Expensive too
How was this not the top comment! Their fries with malt vinegar is just 🤌🤤
Cheeseburger with all the regular toppings is my pick for best burger. Some people don't like the fries, but I do.
Only problem is it's expensive, and they used to give you too many fries, but not any more sadly.
I don't really think there is a best one. They all have pros and cons. Maybe if I was to compare just a basic hamburger (bun, burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, mustard, ketchup), then I would have to say In-n-Out. But everyone has one thing either only that place has, or does better than anyone else with a similar burger.
Basic: In-n-Out's classic Double Double.
Bacon: Wendy's Baconator.
Western Style: Carl's Jr's double bacon western burger.
Steakhouse Style: Carl's Jr's Bourbon Steakhouse Burger (I wish this fucker was a regular item because it is so, so good)
Smoke Meat: Arby's Meat Mountain.
Chicken: Burger King's original chicken sandwich.
But I would still take my own home cooked burger to any of these, if I was going to mimic one of them.
Are you serious about the chicken? Not wanting to argue.
You don't want to argue because you know that the BK Original is the best chicken Sammy in existence. 😤
Double steakburger with cheese from steak n' shake.
Smash burgers are the best burgers and steak n' shake makes a decent one at a decent price.
Some of y'all have never had Culver's and it shows.
I've had it and it gave me the shots for almost 2 days. Never again.
You ate probably 300 calories of butter flavored corn oil. Culver's is gross.
I 100% agree. I will never eat their again unless I am constipated I guess.
Must be regional? Never heard of it.
Mainly Wisconsin and other states across the east coast
There's some out west, there's one in my town in CO, and I agree, it's pretty good lol
Oh wow! I hadn't seen any outside of the east coast haha. Would love to see more out west
No thanks. I don't like my burgers drenched in butter flavored corn oil.
It's clear to me that many people have never had a burger made from high quality ground beef with 20% fat and something other than Velveeta for cheese.
Probably, but are there any fast food places that have a burger that’s “good” by that standard?
5 Guys are as good as fat food gets.
Among the big three, the whopper by a whopper.
Otherwise yeah, my local is better than your local nah nah nah boo boo
Five Guys, best ingredients by far, especially the veggies. Lettuce and tomato are always perfect. Quite a bit more expensive than most of the competitors though.
Whataburger is my favorite place if I'm only counting large chains with drive through windows and other fast food restaurant features.
The food is almost always fresh, plenty of customization options like grilled onions and jalapeños. Almost everything on the menu is good quality for fast food. Being open 24 hours is a nice bonus.
If small regional chains count Burger Street is the best, really good burgers, great curly fries and delicious frozen lemonade.
Yes, Burger Street! Spouse LOVED their olive burger!
+1. Best bang for buck chain drive-thru burgers. When I want a fastfood burger to actually make me feel full, that’s my go-to.
Burgerville, the Oregon/Washington chain. My favorite is the half pound colossal cheeseburger.
Burgerville is sooooo good.
Dip N Burger, McAllen TX. #4. Burger patty, cheddar, swiss, pickles, chorizo, spicy mayo on Texas toast. No lie, best burger I've ever received through a window.
As for what makes it so great, weren't you reading? I said chorizo.
If you're talking about chain fast food, then:
Whataburger. #5 (regular burger plus cheese and bacon.) You can add an egg to this between 11pm and 11am. And should.
You had me at chorizo.
I see your local option and support it. Also shout out to whataburger (patty melt). But I will raise you the Braum’s #6 (if it’s in your area). Also Rosa’s Cafe for drive through Tex mex
Braums ain't what it used to be. It's really hit or miss these days.
Culver's is amazing, just so delicious.
In-N-Out is consistently good
Wendy's baconator, when made properly, can be pretty awesome too. Burgers in general are awesome
Haven't tried any of these local places, but of the big burger joints, I'm going with the Whopper because mayonnaise.
I didn't realize there was anyone who actually enjoyed burger king
I’ve always thought burger king’s basic burgers are superior to McD’s. McD’s is better in every other category.
Honestly I don't really do beef burgers at either one. They're both okay, but I generally do the deluxe crispy chicken from McD's
I don't really go to either one unless I'm with a group that agrees on it, I prefer the "higher quality" places. (Culver's, & Freddy's are great if you've heard of them) even though they can be a good bit more expensive.
I like Arby's, but again I just do a chicken sandwich
I only like McDonald's for breakfast. Been years since I've been there after 10:00.
Heavy Mayo makes me a happy Whopper lover!
They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm personally very partial to white castle. Those onions just do it for me.
Out of the big players, in general I like Wendy's, but they almost fall into an uncanny valley sort of thing where they're so close to being a real (not fast food) burger, but not quite there, so I kind of have to be in the mood.
IMO burger king has the best veggie option in the impossible Whopper.
If we're going to count it as fast food, 5 guys is top notch. Similarly for shake shack, they also get bonus points for their shrooms burgers for the best veggie option overall, it doesn't try to be a regular burger, and is probably actually more unhealthy than one too.
Getting into weirder local chains, Cook Out is pretty great if you find yourself in the parts of the south that have them.
If we want to talk chicken sandwiches, Popeyes is the undisputed king and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. McDonald's crispy chicken gets honorable mention for being a solid alternative for people like me who refuse to eat at chick fil a, and the McChicken for being cheap and satisfying if not technically good.
True story, when I was young my family stopped at a White Castle on a cross country road trip and got some food that was so bad our dog wouldn’t eat it. This dog loved to eat garbage and cat crap at every opportunity but drew the line at White Castle burgers.
Local joint down the street. Very simple burgers, no salad, tomatoes or fucking avocados. Only good toasted bread, excellent burger and home made sauces. Some have pickles or onions in different forms (grilled, glazed,...). And excellent homemade fries too.
You're not even going to name the place?
C'mon man!
Nota Burger
As a life long Texan, I have to say it's not Whataburger anymore. They've slipped in recent years.
Jack's Ultimate Cheeseburger. I just prefer their patties over anyone elses. It kinda has a sausage taste that I like.
See a lot of five guys but no wayback burger and I'm sad. Killer burgers and excellent fries for way cheaper.
Whataburger, no contest. It's pricier than other fast food, but the taste and quality are unmatched.
I've found this is only true if you eat at the restaurant, there is a very short timer that starts as soon as your food comes out, any longer than that and the cheese starts to coagulate and the fries get cold and tough.
Yeah, the only one of these near me is Five Guys, and that really doesn’t survive the drive home. Definitely best eaten immediately
The double Lotaburger with cheese, bacon and green chile. Nothing will ever come close.
Agreed. Shout out new Mexico and El Paso. I always have one while there
Laguna Burger has Blake's heat by a mile. I grew up in New Mexico and would always get a lotaburger when I went back home but now it is a visit to Laguna Burger near the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Blakes' quality fell when they expanded out of NM.
Oh there are certainly better burgers to be had in NM and the world beyond, but the question was what was the best fast food burger, thus I answered the truth. No better burger than Blake’s on Guadalupe St. in the summer heat or the winter cold while the drunk guy asks for money so he can get some seasoned fries with his [sic] “Wataburger.”
The whopper is the best. :)
Impossible Whopper :)
Absolutely not, because it replaced the aloo tikki/potato option
Still mad about that. Fucking love veggie burgers but can't stand fake meat nonsense.
In N Out! And before visitors that only tried it once jump down my throat, claiming it's overrated and whatnot, let me make my case.
First of all, the menu you see when you walk in is just the first step. You have to know all the little nooks and crannies to really get the true In N Out experience. Grilled onions, chopped chilies, animal style, etc. Freedom of choice abounds!
Secondly, value wise, it can't be beat. Quality ingredients for an entire meal for around $10! Their shakes are also bomb (Neapolitan, not listed on the menu), and while their fries are a controversial opinion, I enjoy them enough with black pepper and their spread (animal style is fantastic too).
I don’t have time to guess what the secrets are. I just want to know what’s available and order it. In my experience, In N Out is on par with McDonald’s. At least McDonald’s tells you what is available. In any case, I avoid both.
Definitely burger fuel. Limited to NZ unfortunately :(
Locally biased, but I'll die defending a burger from Runza as the best burger you can get in a drive through. I think it's the bun that really sets it apart; it's so soft.
Heyyy a local man of culture.
Runza really is the best. Best fries too
Tough choice
Five Guys has what I would argue are the best burgers, but they are expensive and a heartattack on a bun. You get what you pay for, healthy food is not on their menu.
In-&-Out is also up there but more how they run their resturants. They are still unimpressive but above average fast food, but I feel that is how a fast food joint should be managed.
Pal's Sudden Service in east TN/NC also is a notable mention as the food travels best. No other fast food place has a burger that is reheatable, truely a rare thing to find. Also their old buildings are the old style of fast food, drive through only with silly colors to get your attention from the road, A+ in my book.
Best mom&pop / non-chain shops is a toss up. Melt - Leesburg VA Pops Kitchen & Diner - Easton PA
The McDouble.
It's cheap, nutrient dense, simple.
I may not be able to agree with you that it is the best burger you can get in fast food, but I will agree that it is way better than it has any excuse to be, doubly so for the price.
Get a McDouble and a junior chicken. Remove junior chicken’s bun and place the chicken in the McDouble.
You have yourself a McGangbang, best bang for your buck.
Free medium fry from the app and a mcdouble means I get lunch for less than 4 bucks. It's decent.
Best chain burger I've ever had came from a little chain restaurant in Sausalito California, in the Corte Madera mall. I think it was The Counter. I seem to remember the menu mentioning counterburgers.
Both California and Florida have this amazing ability to get fresh toppings and it makes the food so much better. I see a lot of people digging smashburgers and I like smash burgers but they're just not good quality hamburgers. I like to see 1/3 of a pound still a little pink in the middle, Good shower fresh toppings fresh bun.
Unfortunately I'm stuck in the Atlantic where we can't seem to get fresh vegetables unless I'm getting them directly off of Farmer's cart and even then they probably came from another state.
big fan of Harvey's burger, better than A&W or MCD(not hard to beat lol). Been a while since i went to a burger king
I really like BK's Steakhouse burgers.
Seeing all these comments for places not available to me sucks lol. All my "city" has is A&W, Timmie's, McDonald's, Dairy Queen and KFC. A&W has the best fast food burgers of the options available to me but I prefer KFC when I have a fast food craving.
Northern Canada fucking sucks.
Does Killer Burger count as fast food?