Habit Burger & Grill – The California Charcoal Master
Most people have never heard of Habit Burger & Grill, and that might be exactly why it’s so good. Listen, I have never even heard of Habit Burger & Grill! One of America’s fastest-growing burger chains, the California-based brand is expanding its footprint far beyond its Golden State roots, with hundreds of locations across multiple states. This relative obscurity makes discovering it feel like finding buried treasure.
The numbers speak for themselves. The Double Char from Habit Burger has been praised for its charbroiled flavor and fresh, high-quality ingredients, with the California-based chain receiving recognition in various burger rankings. Their signature cooking method sets them apart from the crowd.
California-based Habit Burger & Grill makes its commitment to quality known, highlighting that its signature Charburgers are made with fresh, natural ingredients and 100% pure ground beef free of additives, preservatives, and fillers. These are then cooked over an open flame. That open flame isn’t just marketing speak – you can actually taste the difference.
Yelp data shows that consumer interest in Habit Burger has soared this year, and more eyes are on the chain than ever after its Double Char was ranked as America’s best fast-food burger in the latest edition of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The locals have been keeping this secret for decades, but the word is finally getting out.
Culver’s – The Midwest’s Buttery Best-Kept Secret
While coasts fight over In-N-Out versus Shake Shack, Midwestern locals quietly line up at Culver’s for something completely different. Culver’s, an underrated burger chain that many people believe is better than highly-touted chains like In-N-Out, is known for its ButterBurgers, a range of hamburgers that are all served on a toasted, buttered bun or sourdough bread. The name tells you everything you need to know – they take butter seriously.
The patties inside Culver’s burgers are made with a proprietary blend of fresh sirloin, chuck, and plate beef. No fillers are added. The resulting patty is never frozen and is only ever cooked to order. This attention to detail shows up in every bite, but it’s their training that really makes the difference.
Culver’s grill masters are the ones responsible for cooking the patties and extensive training ensures they know how to press and sear the beef to give it a deep, steak-like flavor. The attention to detail Culver’s pays to all steps of its burger-making process is readily apparent to anyone who has eaten one. It’s like having a dedicated chef for your fast-food burger.
The locals’ verdict is clear. At No. 1, Culver’s serves up a fan-favorite custard shake along with some serious satisfaction via a buttery, toasted bun. Made from fresh, marbled cuts of sirloin, chuck, and plate beef, the Culver’s ButterBurger features heavily on the chain’s menu. “Culver’s double deluxe is a great balanced burger,” shared a fan, describing it as having, “Fresh toppings, not overloaded with sauces, good quality, flavorful meat, and bun.” When Reddit users consistently rank you at the top, you’re doing something right.
Steak ‘n Shake – The Nostalgic Comeback Kid
Mention Steak ‘n Shake to most people and they’ll either light up with childhood memories or look confused because they thought it went out of business. Still attempting a massive pivot from the brink of total brand destruction, Steak ‘n Shake seems committed to cutting the fat and cranking out the hits – and loyal fans are noticing. If you’re currently shocked that Steak ‘n Shake still exists, you better not sleep on those signature steakburgers. The chain has been through some rough patches, but the food quality never wavered where it matters.
The Frisco Melt has become something of a legend among burger enthusiasts. Frisco Melt rules … Probably my favorite fast food burger. I have tried to recreate it [and it’s] just not the same,” confessed one fan. That double-steak patty on thick-cut sourdough hits different than anything else in the fast-food world.
The honest assessment from locals tells the whole story. Some praised the underrated chain for its tasty burgers, while acknowledging that the whole operation seemed to be on the struggle bus, with dwindling attention to good service and consistent, quality product. Yes, you might wait longer than you’d like, but the payoff is worth it.
As this person shared, “It’s very good for a fast food burger but my issue is it’s never fast.” With a few users pointing out its so-called death spiral, many recalled excruciating drive-through wait times that topped 45 minutes or more. Still, the fact that people keep coming back despite the wait times speaks volumes about the food quality.
These three chains prove that sometimes the best burgers aren’t the ones with the biggest marketing budgets. They’re the ones that focus on doing one thing exceptionally well, earning their reputation one satisfied customer at a time. The locals have spoken, and their verdict is clear – sometimes the underdog makes the best burger.
