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Top 10 BEST Burger Chains in America (Part 2)
We can all agree that burgers – in any way, shape, or form – are delicious. You’ve probably found yourself craving a juicy, greasy burger on more than one occasion – and that’s totally understandable. They’re so hard to resist! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the great burger spots available, so here are more of the 10 Best Burger Chains in America (Part 2).
10. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen might not be the first place you think of when in search of a great burger – and that’s fair. The chain is mostly known for its tasty ice cream and not so much for its savory food. And that’s a big mistake. The food at Dairy Queen is actually quite decent and, dare we say, quite delicious, especially if you get one of their signature burgers. The juicy beef patty topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and any condiments you want, all in a warm bun, is enough to satisfy even your wildest burger dreams. However, it is quite high in fat and sodium, so maybe a glass of water to wash it all down should be on your to-do list when you order a burger from DQ. Some people have said that DQ’s burgers are a total mess to eat and that they’re not exactly the best in the biz, but the rising popularity of these not-so-little messy sandwiches says otherwise. And, after all, is it really a burger if it doesn’t leave you with greasy fingers and a messy face? And that’s not all you can get at Dairy Queen. The extensive lunch and dinner menu also carries a variety of hot dogs, fries, and even chicken strip baskets to perfectly complement your burger quest. While most of you might still associate Dairy Queen with their iconic blizzards and variety of soft-serves, it’s definitely a place to consider next time you’re driving around in search of a good burger.
9. Johnny Rockets
If you’re looking for a restaurant where you can not only enjoy a nice burger but also bust some moves, Johnny Rockets is the place to be! Johnny Rockets first entered our lives in the late 1980s and has been rocking it ever since. The founder, Ronn Teitelbaum, wanted to recreate the feeling of an American diner from the 1950s by making sure everything was as accurate as possible. From the menu to the ambiance, if you want to travel back in time, this is the way to go! The jukeboxes, the retro decor, and the dancing/singing staff fit perfectly with the classic and authentic American food. They serve delicious apple pie, shakes, and sodas, but the real deal is the burger. A greasy, classic burger served with unlimited fries and a cold, creamy milkshake. There are about 17 million hamburgers served every year at Johnny Rockets, so you can rest assured that they are just as tasty as you might think. But that’s not even the best part yet. Yes, the dining room is lovely, you have an unlimited supply of fries and amazing burgers, but your little furry friend can also get a taste of what a true American burger tastes like. There’s a Southern California location that offers a special 20-item menu for dogs that includes doggie hamburgers! Yes, you can share a meal with your canine buddy. How great is that!
8. Jack in the Box
It can be hard to remember a time when Jack in the Box wasn’t around. Founded in the 1950s in San Diego, Jack in the Box has been a classic burger stop for most of America since it first opened – sorry East Coasters, we did say most of America. While their tacos are usually the talk of the town – for some unexplained reason – the burgers are just as tasty, if not a little notch above. Back in the day, you could even enjoy a burger for as little as 18 cents. Yes, 18 cents. With that much money today, you could still probably get something off the menu – like maybe a fry or two. Whether you’re in the mood for a cheeseburger, a chicken sandwich, or even just a nice breakfast burger, Jack in the Box has it all. One of the most popular burgers, the Jumbo Jack, is a nicely grilled beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and mayo – a whole lot of mayo, in fact – in a slightly buttery toasted bun. When it first hit the Jack in the Box menu in the 1970s, the Jumbo Jack was considered one of the largest burgers in the fast-food industry. Since then, it kind of lost its status, but not its delicious taste. Jack in the Box might not be the most popular fast-food place out there, especially since all of the E.Coli shenanigans that happened a while back that left people kind of reluctant to go for a while. However, they’ve since come back from it, and it is still a nice and affordable place to stop by for a good burger… oh and maybe a taco or two since you’re already there.
7. Fatburger
The biggest, juiciest burger you’ll ever taste! The name says it all: the burgers at Fatburger… are fat! Naming your restaurant “Fat” burger must be quite a lot of pressure to live up to, but the juicy monstrosities served by this chain are more than capable of making their namesake proud. It’s not every day you come across such delicious and gigantic burgers. First opened in the 1940s, Fatburger has been a late-night hangout spot for decades, and you can enjoy a glorious, meaty sandwich any hour of the day. You might have heard rustlings about the most iconic burger served, the XXXL burger, aka a giant tasty mess. If you can eat one of these beasts in one sitting, you get your picture on the wall and a nice little certificate. A pretty neat reward for enjoying a yummy, albeit huge treat. Despite the burgers being absolutely flavorful and unlike any other many people have had, Fatburger is still a pretty underrated fast-food chain, which is really unfortunate because, well, have we mentioned the burgers? They’re amazing! Seriously! They even have festive flavors around the holidays! Like the Thanksgiving mushroom Swiss hamburger with sweet potato fries. There’s also a secret menu item that we can’t help but mention, and t’s called ” The Hypocrite.” It’s a veggie burger with bacon on it. I don’t think it’s necessary to explain why the name is so appropriate.
6. Shake Shack
Who would’ve thought that a former hot dog stand would grow to become one of the best burger joints in America? Shake Shack got its humble beginnings in 2001 in the middle of Madison Square Park and was originally started in support of an art show called “I Heart Taxi.” It got so popular that only 3 years later, it earned its very own permanent spot and began serving the best burgers in the city. What makes the burgers at Shake Shack so special is how every single one is cooked to order and specially prepared just for you. The meat is never frozen and always freshly ground, and that makes the whole difference in terms of taste. The burgers literally melt in your mouth as cheese is layered over the well-cooked patty, topped with lettuce, tomato, and of course, their secret-ish signature sauce. People will line up for hours and hours just to get their hands on one of these delectable creations – and who can blame them, really. The longest line ever was during the summer of 2014 when the “Momofuku Shrimp Stack” was released. A burger that married beef and shrimp patties and was topped with Momofuku Hozon sauce. The line was so long, it went through the whole park, and well, Madison Square Park isn’t exactly a tiny park; let’s just leave it at that. Shake Shack keeps on expanding every day, with 275 locations worldwide, and you should embrace every chance you get to enjoy one of their mighty burgers.
5. Culver’s
Founded in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in the 1980s, the buttery and slightly toasted burger bun is what Culver’s is all about. Grilling the bun in a generous amount of butter is the best way to achieve the perfect mouthwatering recipe, and Culver’s is one of the first fast-food restaurants to have used this method right from the get go. The buttery bun ensures that the burger stays warm and moist for as long as possible, which gives a whole new meaning to freshness. Much like Shake Shack, they run with never-frozen and seared to order beef, and everything is always as fresh as it can be. This gives the beef some extra flavor, and obviously, extra quality that can’t be achieved just anywhere. If you want to enjoy everything a quality burger should be, Culver’s is where it’s at! You can customize your toppings as you wish, with options like red onion, pickles, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, and even some real Wisconsin cheddar – not that bright orange, fake-looking cheese some other chains might offer. Burgers at Culver’s are basically just the right amount of greasy, freshness, and customization to your own preference; what more could you want from a burger? Maybe some extra cheese? Or some fries to go with it? Say no more; Culver’s has got you covered!
4. Smashburger
Smashburger did not get its name by accident. It has a lil’ something special. Something that sets it apart from – almost – every other fast-food restaurant out there. The burgers are cooked in a way that’s not usually the norm: they’re smashed. Hence, the name. Instead of grilling the patties with just the help of a spatula, Smashburger uses the smashing technique, which makes the beef thinner and leaner than your regular thick and dense patty. But don’t worry, it doesn’t lose any of its incredible flavor. If anything, it enhances it. In a way, it helps to relieve the guilt of eating a greasy and oily burger since it tricks your brain into thinking what you’re eating isn’t as bad as a traditional thick burger. Or so we’d like to think. There’s still that double-thick slice of cheese, you know. It’s not fooling anyone. Smashburger even came up with their very own patented invention to make the process of smashing way faster. They call it: the “Multismasher.” It’s basically a giant smasher that can cook up to 4 patties at once, under a minute. While they’re not the first restaurant to use this technique, it’s safe to say they might be one of the most successful at it. Smashburger is smashingly good and definitely deserves a place on this list of best burger chains in America!
3. Checkers
Being one of America’s largest chains of fast-food restaurants since the 1980s, it should come as no surprise that Checkers serves some of the most delicious burgers out there. You might also know it as Rally’s, depending on which side of the coast you’re on. But, worry not, they’re both the same incredible restaurant, just operating under a different name. Checkers is not the place to go if you’re an indecisive person. They offer 17 different types of burgers. All pretty similar but varying in toppings and number of cheese slices. So, unless you want to hold up the line at the drive-thru, you better make sure you’ve made your choice beforehand. With an assortment of seasoned and seared beef patties, sesame seed or sourdough buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and so much more, the burgers at Checkers are sure to give you the perfect burger experience. What mostly sets Checkers apart from the other big restaurants is the very low price for high quality deals. They’re known for selling burgers for as low as a dollar during promotions, which really does sound like a pretty good deal. This once started a price war among competitors that became very hard to compete with. So, if you’re in search of a cheap, but exquisite burger, make a move to Checkers!
2. A&W
Is there anything better than an ice-cold, refreshing frosted mug of A&W root beer after a long day? Actually, there is, and it’s the ingenious savory burger that goes perfectly well with it. A&W is the oldest franchised American chain restaurant and was the first one to reach the 100 year-old mark. The company represents a turning point in the history of fast-food burgers. They’re the ones who invented the precious and tasty bacon cheeseburger. The thought of putting bacon in a cheeseburger today sounds so… obvious – I mean, what would we do without the added crunch that bacon provides? It was definitely a game-changer and set an example for every other fast-food chain out there. Their little “burger family” has also helped set them apart from other burger chains. Where else can you get a Mama burger, Teen burger or even an Uncle burger? You hear a personified burger name and you know immediately it’s from A&W. They also offer lettuce wrapped burgers and Beyond Meat burgers at some locations, for those who are looking for a healthier alternative. With fresh ingredients and good quality meat, all paired with almost impeccable customer service, the experience at A&W goes way beyond just the burger.
1. Whataburger
It wouldn’t be a list of America’s best burger chains without mentioning the iconic Texas-based Whataburger. Easily the favorite burger spot of most Texan’s, Whataburger has been around for a very long time. Since the 1950s, to be exact. You simply can’t drive past a Whataburger without stopping for a quick bite, it’s like an unwritten rule. The classic Whataburger is an unmissable burger: fresh, grilled and nicely seasoned quarter-pound patties on a toasted bun along with a choice of toppings that you can mix-and-match however you like. Anything from tomato, lettuce, onions, pickles, jalapenos, cheese, bacon, grilled peppers and even avocado. It can’t get any better than that. Oh, and you know how they say everything is bigger in Texas? Well, these burgers are no exception. Meaning, they’re huge. Just how a burger should be, no? Contrary to popular belief, Whataburger was the very first fast-food restaurant to use quarter-pound beef patties, not McDonald’s. So, all the credit can now go to its rightful owner. With over 824 locations across 10 states – and 670 of those in Texas alone – Whataburger is the ultimate burger chain you need to go to during your next road trip. Exceptional burgers and flavors are there, waiting for you. What a burger, indeed.
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