Not all burgers are created equal—and chefs know it better than anyone. While some chains have earned national fame for their juicy patties and craveable combos, others fly under the radar, quietly serving up burgers that rival the big names.
This list highlights the 12 heavy hitters that have won over America’s appetite, along with 4 lesser-known gems that industry pros can’t stop praising. Expect sizzling flavor, smart builds, and a few surprises that might just become your new go-to.
1. Shake Shack
Holy smokes, Shake Shack transformed from a humble hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to burger royalty faster than you can say ‘ShackSauce’! Their smashed Angus beef patties develop that irresistible crust that makes burger fanatics weak at the knees.
What separates these burgers from the pack? The potato bun hugging that perfectly seasoned meat, topped with crisp lettuce and those signature crinkle-cut fries on the side. No pretentious nonsense here – just straightforward, high-quality ingredients.
2. In-N-Out Burger
Californians guard In-N-Out Burger with cult-like devotion, and one bite explains everything. This family-owned chain keeps it ridiculously simple: a menu with basically three burger options that hasn’t changed since 1948.
Fresh, never-frozen beef patties sizzle on the grill while potatoes transform into fries before your eyes. The not-so-secret ‘secret menu’ lets insiders order Animal Style (mustard-cooked patties with pickles, extra spread) or 4×4 monstrosities that’ll challenge your jaw’s structural integrity.
3. Five Guys
Grease-stained brown paper bags announce your Five Guys order has arrived! This Virginia-born chain bulldozed through the burger scene with a stunningly simple concept: cook fresh beef patties on a flat-top grill, pile on unlimited toppings, and serve everything in foil.
Mountains of free peanuts keep hungry customers occupied while watching workers hand-cut potatoes for those legendary overflowing fry portions. The customization options border on mathematical impossibilities – with 15+ free toppings creating thousands of combinations.
4. Whataburger
Texans will fight you over Whataburger’s honor! This orange-and-white striped kingdom serves burgers so massive they need that distinctive wrapper shaped like a tiny tent.
Founded in 1950 when Harmon Dobson declared he wanted burgers that made people exclaim “What a burger!”, this chain delivered on that dream. Signature touches include 5-inch patties, toasted buns, and that creamy Whataburger sauce that Texans stockpile in their fridges.
5. Culver’s
Butter makes everything better, and Culver’s proves it by smearing their buns with the stuff before toasting them to golden perfection! This Wisconsin treasure built its reputation on “ButterBurgers” – fresh beef patties pressed thin and cooked to order, creating those irresistibly crispy edges.
The real magic happens after your order: actual humans bring food to your table on real plates with actual silverware. Revolutionary! Their frozen custard rivals the burgers for menu stardom, especially when swirled into concrete mixers with toppings.
6. Smashburger
SMASH! That’s the satisfying sound of a meatball-shaped beef patty getting absolutely demolished against a scorching hot grill at this aptly named chain. This violent cooking method isn’t just theatrical – it creates a crust that locks in juices while maximizing that coveted Maillard reaction.
Founded in 2007 in Denver, Smashburger pioneered regional specialty burgers like the New Mexico green chile burger or the Chicago burger with truffle mushrooms. Their rosemary-garlic-olive oil tossed fries provide the perfect sidekick to these smashed masterpieces.
7. Steak ‘n Shake
Stepping into a Steak ‘n Shake feels like time-traveling to the 1950s, complete with black-and-white checkered floors and servers in paper hats! This nostalgic chain has been slinging “steakburgers” (ground steak patties) and hand-dipped milkshakes since Herbert Hoover was president.
The signature thin patties get stacked – often in doubles or triples – creating that perfect meat-to-bun ratio that bigger burgers miss. Watching your shake being made with real ice cream and a mixer is dinner theater at its finest.
8. Burger Fi
Grass-fed beef from humanely-raised cows? Check. LED lighting and recycled furniture in every location? Double check. BurgerFi burst onto the scene in 2011 with a revolutionary concept – fast food that doesn’t destroy the planet or your arteries!
Their signature BurgerFi cheeseburger rocks two hand-formed patties topped with double American cheese and crowned with those addictive crispy onions. The branded bun – with “BurgerFi” seared right into the top – makes for Instagram gold. Vegetarians actually have legitimate options here beyond sad side salads.
9. Wendy’s
Wendy’s refuses to cut corners – literally! Their iconic square patties hang over the bun edges, creating that signature look that founder Dave Thomas insisted upon back in 1969. “Where’s the beef?” they famously asked competitors, and decades later, they’re still serving up some of fast food’s freshest never-frozen patties.
The Baconator stands as a monument to American excess – six bacon strips and two quarter-pound patties that would make a cardiologist weep. Their Frosty creates the perfect sweet-and-salty magic when fries get dipped into it.
10. Habit Burger Grill
Flames shooting through grill grates create the magic behind Habit Burger’s chargrilled masterpieces! Founded in 1969 near Santa Barbara’s beaches, this California chain built its reputation on the Charburger – a fresh patty cooked over an open flame until those glorious grill marks appear.
The standard topping combo (mayo, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, pickles on a toasted sesame seed bun) achieves perfect harmony. Tempura green beans – their unexpected side dish superstar – convert even dedicated vegetable avoiders.
11. Fatburger
“The Last Great Hamburger Stand” isn’t just a catchy slogan – Fatburger has been Hollywood’s go-to burger joint since 1952! Lovie Yancey (what a name!) created these massive, made-to-order burgers that require jaw unhinging techniques not taught in school.
Order your burger “Kingburger” style to get a fried egg on top, or go full beast mode with the XXXL challenge – three massive patties that’ll earn you a certificate if conquered. The milkshakes are hand-scooped and mixed with malt powder if requested, creating that old-fashioned soda fountain experience.
12. The Counter
Clipboard menus with 84,000+ possible burger combinations await at The Counter – a choose-your-own-adventure for indecisive burger lovers! This premium chain revolutionized customization before it was cool, letting you select everything from protein to bun.
Their signature 1/3-pound patties get cooked to your specified doneness – a rarity in fast-casual. The parmesan fries deserve their cult following, arriving in metal measuring cups with garlic aioli for dipping.
13. Fuddruckers
“World’s Greatest Hamburgers” is a bold claim, but Fuddruckers backs it up with freshly ground beef patties available in ABSURD sizes (up to 1 pound!) and those legendary bakery-fresh buns made on-site daily.
The real game-changer? Their revolutionary self-serve topping bar! After receiving your cooked-to-order burger, you become the architect of your masterpiece. Load up on melted cheese sauce pumped from that magical metal contraption, pile on the fresh produce, and squirt various condiments with reckless abandon.
14. Umami Burger
Umami – that mysterious fifth taste beyond sweet, salty, sour and bitter – gets the spotlight at this gourmet chain that treats burgers like laboratory experiments!
The signature Umami Burger comes topped with a parmesan crisp, shiitake mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and umami ketchup – creating a flavor bomb that makes your brain’s pleasure centers light up like a pinball machine. Their truffle fries arrive dusted with actual black truffle salt.
15. White Castle
Square patties with five holes punched through them might look weird, but White Castle’s system hasn’t changed since 1921 for good reason!
America’s first fast-food burger chain invented those iconic 2.5-inch square sliders, steamed over a bed of onions on a grill – creating that distinctive soft texture that inspires midnight cravings. The chain sells BILLIONS of these mini-burgers annually, many purchased by the “Crave Case” (30 sliders in one box) for parties or extreme personal challenges.
16. Hardee’s/Carl’s Jr.
East Coast meets West Coast in this split-personality chain! Same company, different names – Hardee’s (East) and Carl’s Jr. (West) united to create some of fast food’s most unapologetically indulgent burgers.
Their famous TV commercials featuring models messily devouring massive burgers left little doubt about their target audience. The 1/3-pound Thickburger revolutionized fast food by introducing Angus beef and premium toppings when competitors were racing to the bottom with dollar menus.