We all have our fast-food guilty pleasures. But let’s be honest, some of those “pleasures” are more like crimes against gastronomy. We asked chefs to bravely venture into the land of drive-thrus and separate the good from the truly, horrifyingly bad.
Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about burgers, because these 15 are headed for the culinary doghouse… and 5 more should be banished forever.
1. McDonald’s McDouble
Chefs hate this burger’s sad, paper-thin patties that barely taste like beef. The cheese doesn’t even melt properly most of the time!
Many culinary experts point to the McDouble as a prime example of quantity over quality in fast food. You’re basically eating bread with a meat-like substance sandwiched between.
2. Burger King’s Whopper Jr.
Professional chefs can’t stand the artificial smoke flavor that Burger King sprays on these patties. It’s like eating a chemistry experiment!
The meat-to-bun ratio is all wrong, with the dry bread overwhelming the tiny patty. One chef described it as “a lettuce sandwich with meat as a condiment.”
3. Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger
Chefs point to the inconsistent bacon as this burger’s downfall. Sometimes it’s raw, sometimes it’s burnt to a crisp!
The patty often arrives lukewarm and gray, a far cry from Wendy’s “fresh, never frozen” claims. The only flavor comes from the mayo, and that’s not a compliment.
4. Dairy Queen’s Original Cheeseburger
Culinary experts are baffled by how a company famous for ice cream can produce such a flavorless burger. The meat tastes oddly sweet and has a spongy texture.
Chefs particularly dislike the weird aftertaste that lingers long after you’ve finished eating.
5. Jack In The Box’s Jumbo Jack
Chefs cringe at this burger’s bizarre seasoning blend that tastes like someone emptied the entire spice cabinet into the meat. The vegetables are often wilted beyond recognition.
It’s like they’re trying to hide bad ingredients with overwhelming flavors. The sauce distribution is also notoriously uneven.
6. Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s Famous Star
Professional chefs point to the excessive grease that pools at the bottom of the wrapper. One chef called it “a heart attack waiting to happen.”
The meat-to-condiment ratio is completely off, with way too much mayo drowning out any beef flavor. Even worse, the lettuce is often brown around the edges.
7. Sonic’s Jr. Burger
Chefs are unanimously disappointed by the bland, dry patty that seems more like cardboard than beef. The bun disintegrates into a gummy mess before you finish eating.
One chef noted, “It tastes like they forgot to season the meat entirely.” Another complained about the stale-tasting condiments that add nothing to the experience.
8. White Castle Sliders
Despite their cult following, chefs hate these tiny burgers’ mushy texture and overwhelming onion flavor. The patties are so thin you can see through them!
One chef described them as “steamed meat squares with no char or crust.” Another pointed out that they rely entirely on condiments for any semblance of flavor.
9. Whataburger’s Whataburger Jr.
Chefs are mystified by the Texas chain’s reputation given the junior burger’s consistently overcooked patty. The meat often has a strange, almost artificial smoke flavor.
The mustard-heavy approach drowns out any beef taste. Basically a mustard sandwich with a hint of beef somewhere in there.
10. Five Guys Little Hamburger
Surprisingly, chefs criticize this burger for being overrated and greasy. The bun can’t handle the grease and falls apart halfway through eating.
Many culinary experts point to the inconsistent cooking—sometimes raw in the middle, sometimes burnt. For the price, this is highway robbery.
11. Culver’s ButterBurger Single
Chefs are puzzled by the name since there’s nothing buttery about this dry burger. The meat often has strange gristly bits throughout.
The cheese rarely melts properly, sitting like a plastic square on top of the meat. They should call it the SandpaperBurger instead.
12. In-N-Out Protein Style Burger
Lettuce wraps don’t work! Chefs hate how this burger falls apart the moment you pick it up. The structural integrity is non-existent.
One chef complained, “You need a fork and knife, which defeats the purpose of a burger.” Another noted how the lettuce gets soggy immediately, creating a wet, messy experience.
13. Steak ‘N Shake Steakburger
Chefs are baffled by the name since these thin patties resemble nothing close to steak. They’re often overcooked to the point of being crispy around the edges.
They described them as “meat crackers on a bun.” The cheese is applied so sparingly you’ll question if it’s there at all.
14. A&W Original Bacon Cheeseburger
Root beer floats are A&W’s strength, not burgers. Chefs criticize the strange sweetness in the meat that clashes with the bacon.
The patty has an odd spongy texture that doesn’t resemble real beef. It’s like they accidentally mixed dessert ingredients into the meat.
15. Checkers/Rally’s Checkerburger
Chefs universally pan this burger for its mysterious meat texture that’s simultaneously mushy and tough. The seasoning tastes artificial and leaves a chemical aftertaste.
One chef described it as “fast food science gone wrong.” Another noted that the burger’s appearance never matches the advertisements, not even close.
16. McDonald’s Big Mac (Should Be Discontinued)
Chefs believe this icon needs to go. The middle bun becomes a soggy mess, and the special sauce tastes increasingly artificial.
The patties are too thin to provide any real beef flavor. Nostalgia burger that doesn’t hold up to modern standards. The lettuce is often browning and wilted.
17. Burger King’s Bacon King (Should Be Discontinued)
Cardiologists’ nightmare! Chefs are horrified by this monstrosity that contains a day’s worth of calories. The bacon is often either raw or burnt to a crisp.
One chef called it “a grease delivery system masquerading as food.” Another pointed out that the cheese never melts properly despite the hot patties.
18. Wendy’s Baconator (Should Be Discontinued)
Professional chefs think this heart-stopper has no place in modern menus. The meat-to-everything-else ratio is completely unbalanced.
A salt bomb that leaves you thirsty for days. They criticized how the excessive bacon and cheese mask any actual beef flavor from the patties.
19. Jack In The Box’s Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger (Should Be Discontinued)
Chefs unanimously agree this calorie monster needs to vanish. The burger is so tall it’s physically impossible to bite into properly.
One chef called it “a stunt burger with no practical eating application.” Another criticized the strange aftertaste that lingers for hours after eating it. The meat quality is questionable at best.
20. Dairy Queen’s Flamethrower GrillBurger (Should Be Discontinued)
Chefs want this spicy disaster retired immediately. The heat comes from artificial sources rather than actual peppers, creating a chemical burn sensation.
The spice completely overwhelms any other flavor, making you wonder if there’s even meat in there. The sauce distribution is always uneven.