People on the go and don't have time to cook conveniently get their fix at dozens of fast food joints.
There's one for every craving, including anywhere from subs, to burrito and poke bowls. But burgers are the go-to for many hungry customers, which explains why fast food hamburger restaurants are aplenty.
But how do you narrow down the options in choosing your favorite quick-service establishment?
Is it based on your criteria of price? Or is it taste?
Strangers online shared their preferences when Redditor TradeStation asked:
"What fast food chain do you think make the best burger and why?"
Wisconsin's Finest
"Okay I just moved to Wisconsin and Culver’s is by far my top choice burger. Something about it is just soooo good."
– nuggsb4drugs
"I moved from Wisconsin a little over a year ago and I’m strongly considering moving back. Make sure to get a cod sandwich if you partake, so good. Also, if you’re near/around Madison, go get some curds at Dexters Pub."
– QuiteBusyAtWork
"You ever have their curd burger? Think their burgers, but with a giant fried cheese curd on it too. It is DeVine. It is rarely there tho."
– sharnado3
"Every time I see mushroom and Swiss on the menu for a new restaurant, I have to try it. Culver’s mushroom and Swiss is a thing of legend. So freaking good."
– MrRawes0me
"Welcome to Wisconsin, my friend! Glad you’re here and enjoying the cuisine! If you’re in the Milwaukee area, I can tell you where all the best burger-and-custard joints are!"
– WisconsinHoosierZwei
That's What A Hamburger's All About
"I know you didnt list it but In-N-Out is my pick for fast food burgers."
– InclinationCompass
"Here's my advice for when you finally try In-N-Out - it gets overhyped, however it is actually a very good burger. Some people online act like it came straight from heaven, but obviously there are better burgers out there in the world."
"But are there better fast food burgers out there? I haven't found one, and the price is always right at In-N-Out, the workers are great, so I can't complain. But I like first timers to temper their expectations, because I feel like a lot of people feel it doesn't live up to it's hype because it gets so hyped up everywhere."
– afreakinchorizo
"I can’t judge quality without price creeping in. It’s why I rank Culver’s over shake shack, although shake shack varies wildly in quality by location, it was generally high quality, but more expensive than Culver’s."
"When it comes to best for the price, I have to agree with you. In N Out shocked me with their prices given how much I liked the food. While they may not be Culver’s level in all aspects, for my dollar power they are top tier."
– pauladeems
"It has the best value given how much you pay. Considering how expensive is fast food nowadays... In and out is the best burger considering how much you pay for it."
– cortodemente
"As a native born Californian currently sitting in California, if I give any answer other than In-N-Out to this question, mobs will appear out of nowhere and drag me back to the dungeon for 're-education.' "
"Double double. Plus whole grilled onion. Animal fries. Vanilla shake. My standard order."
– codefyre
Midwest Gem
"Five guys might be better but Culver's is a hell of a lot better value."
"I'm also a fan of braums. Their buns are just right for me."
– formulaic_name
"I'm so happy to see Braums here! For those lucky enough to have access to that franchise, it's the best. But they're only available around certain Midwest states."
"They have burgers that have actual flavor to the patty, they are the only franchise I've found that can make a decent chocolate malt shake, and they sell a range of ice cream and some grocery items."
– betteimages
"Braums is 50/50 depending on location but boy, if you find a good one it’s GOOD."
– TyrionGannister
"I was scouring the comments for Braum’s! I live in East TN so anytime we visit our friends in Oklahoma we founder on it. Second place goes to Culver’s!"
– CaraTat2
Let's Break It Down
"Of the omega-sized national brands I’d say Wendy’s has the best and most consistent burgers."
"Going down a notch in scale Culver’s or Whataburger are absolutely the best drive thru burgers you can get."
"Five guys is not fast food and imo neither is Shake Shack but both are excellent."
"Steak and Shake is probably my favorite burger place of all time but I don’t see them anymore."
– ThePurpTurtle
"Used to love Wendy's but they are so inconsistent. I had burgers there where the bun was freshly out of the fridge, cold. A burger with a hot patty and a cold bun. Made no sense to me."
– RedToasterFace
"Steak and Shake patty melt, extra frisco sauce, add bacon and jalapenos. Extra frisco sauce on the side for dipping those amazing shoe string fries."
"Not sure if its still the same quality, and havent had one in over 20 years, but damn that was a tasty order"
– 2bags12kuai
"If price isn't an issue: Five Guys."
"If I want something clean, consistent, and won't mess with my stomach on a road trip or errand day: In-N-Out (Bonus points that they deal with massive lines better than anyone)"
"Guilty Pleasure: Burger King"
"Would HopDoddy count as Fast Food? Because it's cheaper than Five Guys and only marginally more expensive than McDonalds at this point. The Llano Poblano and Cadillac are pretty solid, especially at the price."
"Edit: As someone who grew up in Texas, it saddens me that Whataburger has fallen off so hard I don't even consider it here."
– juanzy
"I like Five Guys, but I don’t love it. I find that both their burgers and fries are a bit too soggy for my tastes. I do enjoy the quantity and flavor of their Cajun fries, but I’ve always preferred thinner cuts like McDonald’s. I prefer In-N-Out, Shake Shack, and The Habit to Five Guys."
– ru_benz
"Five Guys. Yeah, it's pricey, but you get a burger so juicy it feels like it should come with a warning label. Plus, they give you enough fries to fill a pillowcase."
– goddessrenn
Honorable Mentions
"A and W. the burger and cheese are top notch quality and the bacon is always crispy and never chewy. consistently good."
– OgClaytonymous
"When I was a kid, my friend told me that 'A&W' stood for 'Amburgers and Woot Beer' and I think about that any time I hear about it."
– I-am-a-me
"Specially, Canadian A&W. The American ones just aren’t as good."
– kovu159
"Shake Shack, because the beef is seasoned perfectly and the shack sauce is the perfect complement."
– Taguasco
"Dick’s Drive In in Seattle. Their burgers are always consistent with the perfect blend of crunchy bun, seasoned beef, dash of ketchup and mustard."
"Plus they’re all-around a good company that compensates its employees well while keeping prices low."
– dubbzy104
"Okay, it's not the best burger, but it deserves an honorable mention for having my personal favorite topping on a burger: Dairy Queen and its flamethrower burger."
"It's the only fast food place I know of that keeps a spicy burger on the menu on the regular, and, as a bonus, unlike the stupid gimmick burgers most other places do twice a decade, the sauce DQ uses actually has a flavor to it instead of just being dyed capsaicin."
– lifelongfreshman
"I’m partial to Shake Shack purely because of their ‘Shroom burger. It’s a fried portobello mushroom with cheese and is so insanely good. No one else does a veggie style burger like this."
– SilverRoseBlade
They Do Char-Broiled Good
"Carls Jr. double western burger - the new version with jalapenos."
– orangutanDOTorg
"Carls Jr /Hardees are my favorite burgers. I forget what it was called but they had something like the double western for a short time…. Cheeseburger with pulled pork, bbq sauce, and Texas toothpicks (battered and fried onion and jalepenos). It was the best thing ever."
– WillyGivens
"I can't believe I had to scroll this far to come across this answer I love that place for a quick burger it's fantastic but I guess it could be a geographical thing cause not all of them are the same some have better QC."
– Adamatick
Growing up in SoCal, I always enjoyed In-N-Out but never really appreciated it until I moved to New York for a Broadway career several years back. You never do know what you're missing once you don't have access to it.
Shake Shack became the popular burger chain for me, as did Five Guys, for my late-night fix after doing shows.
As tasty as those burgers were, however, it took me a while to realize how much I preferred the fresh taste quality of an In-N-Out double-double–two beef patties with cheese and grilled onions.
After moving back to LA a couple of decades later, I can honestly say, "In-N-Out, I'll never leave you again."
