Habit Burger & Grill Double Char – America’s Current Champion
After an expert panel nominated the contenders, readers cast their votes to decide the top 10 fast food burgers in America for 2025. The Double Char from Habit Burger & Grill was voted as the nation’s best burger of 2024, beating out established favorites. The California-based chain’s #2 menu item recently earned the coveted title of #1 best fast-food burger in 2024 during USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Customer reviews consistently praise the charbroiled flavor and quality ingredients, with one reviewer noting “The burger was pretty damn good!” and describing comparable quality to other premium chains.
Weighing in at 11.5 ounces, the dual-patty construction stood three inches high and about four inches in diameter, which is considerable but entirely manageable. Helpfully, it came partially wrapped in paper for easy holding and less mess. Reviews highlight the thoughtful construction, noting most of the toppings are actually piled onto the bottom bun, which helps to soak up the meaty juices so the bread doesn’t quickly dissolve into mush. The Double Char really allows the taste of the chain’s high-quality beef to shine through. It’s salty, slightly smoky from the chargrilled cooking style, and cooked to a nice medium.
Five Guys Cheeseburger – The Customization King
The Five Guys Cheeseburger is all about customization. Customers can choose from up to 15 toppings – everything from grilled mushrooms to jalapeños – at no extra cost, making each order unique. Five Guys’ commitment to quality can be seen in its emphasis on only using fresh, never-frozen ground beef. In fact, the chain’s restaurants don’t even have their own freezers. Despite this quality focus, the brand has faced customer satisfaction challenges, with Five Guys falling from 78 to 75 in customer satisfaction scores, though the chain has always been known for its high prices but maintained a loyal fanbase willing to pay a premium.
Recent customer feedback reveals mixed experiences, with some customers reporting that their locations have switched to pre-portioned patties, with one posting “I went there a couple of weeks ago. The hamburger was not like it used to be”. The cheese was melty, the buns were soft, the toppings were fresh-tasting, and the beef patties were extremely juicy and meaty with slightly crispy edges. Despite their various positive qualities, both sandwiches lacked the oomph of flavor in a gourmet burger. Five Guys went viral for all the wrong reasons in March when a diner shared a receipt for $22 following the order of a bacon cheeseburger, soda, and fries.
In-N-Out Double-Double – The West Coast Legend
In-N-Out’s legendary Double-Double has consistently ranked among the top fast-food burgers. This California classic is made with two patties of 100% American beef, two slices of American cheese, onions, tomato, lettuce, and a proprietary spread recipe that has remained unchanged since 1948. “In-N-Out is the king and it’s not even close,” declared one disciple on Reddit. Another fan posted, “When you consider price, INO is #1 everyday and twice on Sundays”. The brand maintains consistency between shops and well-trained, dedicated staff, with even random customer photos looking as if they were styled for a commercial.
However, some recent reviews show cracks in the armor. One customer noted they found “the last few times I’ve ordered In N Out burgers they have tasted disgusting and their fries are either too salty or hard as a rock,” and “The burger was tasty and was not soggy like the burgers at In N Out” when comparing to other chains. A food critic found “the meat at In-N-Out to be punishingly dry – almost like it had been put through a dehydrator. That’s disappointing because everything else about the In-N-Out burger was good”. Despite the slip in ranking, the Double-Double continues to define the West Coast burger scene and remains one of the most iconic fast-food burgers in the country.
Shake Shack ShackBurger – The Premium Experience
Shake Shack’s modern take on the fast-food burger has earned it a devoted following, especially among those who crave premium ingredients in a quick-service setting. remains a consistent favorite among burger lovers, proving that it remains a consistent favorite among burger lovers. Longtime fans promptly direct rookies to the SmokeShack – which features an Angus beef cheeseburger piled high with cherry peppers, applewood smoked bacon, and Shack sauce. “A smoke shack double is legitimately my favorite burger on the planet,” posted a happy customer.
The chain faces significant pricing criticism, as Shake Shack was awarded the dubious honor of claiming the top spot on the list of most overpriced fast-food chains, with Five Guys coming in close behind. Shake Shack initiated two different price hikes across its menus this year – once by 3% in mid-March and again by 1.5% in October. Despite pricing concerns, customers appreciate that Shake Shack burgers are very good, though Five Guys does a better job giving the meat a little crispiness and offers free toppings including jalapeños. Despite having been named the most overpriced fast-food chain in America, Shake Shack doesn’t seem to be taking the news too hard, with revenue surging by 14.7% and same-store growth ticking upward by 4.4%.
Culver’s ButterBurger – The Midwest Favorite
The burger features two fresh beef patties on a lightly buttered, toasted bun and is topped with real Wisconsin-made American cheese. has gained growing recognition, showing growing recognition for this Midwest classic. A beloved Midwestern fast food staple, Wisconsin-based Culver’s has been serving its famous ButterBurgers since 1984. Since then, the company’s expanded with over 1,000 locations in 26 states and Canada, though in 2025, customers have been less satisfied with their experience, as the restaurant dropped to 78 from 80.
One enthusiastic fan declared, “I grew up on Culver’s. In fact, I actually had Culver’s for lunch today! Hell, Culver’s should replace In N Out in this world wide discussion of top fast food burgers!” “I’ve never had a butter burger that didn’t make me want to nut after the first bite. It’s what Wisconsin is all about. Fresh, juicy, and as cheesy as playing Madden 21”, another customer raved. One reviewer boldly stated, “This is by far the best fast-food burger and should be No. 1. I feel lucky to live in the same region as Culver’s”. Many agree that “Culver’s doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It’s so fucking good, it’s so midwest, I love it”.
The burger landscape continues evolving as chains adapt to changing customer expectations and economic pressures. While some longtime favorites face challenges with quality consistency and pricing, newer players like Habit Burger prove that excellence can still emerge from unexpected places. What remains constant is customers’ willingness to share their honest experiences, creating a valuable resource for anyone seeking that perfect burger.
