America runs on burgers. From backyard grills to fast-food counters, nothing screams comfort food more than a juicy patty stacked with cheese, lettuce, and a soft bun. While Five Guys has earned a loyal following for its big, greasy cheeseburgers, plenty of other chains are serving up bites that might just edge them out. From chargrilled perfection to stacked bacon overloads, these burger joints bring something extra to the table. If you’re ready to go beyond the Five Guys hype, here are nine burgers that could easily take the crown.
Culver’s Legendary ButterBurger
Culver’s ButterBurger is Midwestern comfort food at its finest. Fresh beef, Wisconsin cheddar, and a soft, buttered bun create a melt-in-your-mouth combo that’s tough to top. The toasted bun adds an extra layer of flavor you don’t get from Five Guys. It’s juicy, cheesy, and savory without being overwhelming. The only downside? You might wait a few extra minutes since it’s made fresh to order—but it’s worth it.
A&W’s Underrated Cheeseburger
A&W is usually linked with root beer, but their cheeseburgers are a hidden gem. Fresh-tasting beef, soft bakery-style buns, and perfectly melted cheese make it a shockingly good option. The condiments are portioned just right, so you don’t end up with a sloppy mess. It’s simple, it’s balanced, and it tastes better than you’d expect. Five Guys may win on name recognition, but A&W wins on execution.
Shake Shack’s Famous ShackBurger
Shake Shack’s line wraps around the block for a reason. The ShackBurger is built with fresh Angus beef, crisp lettuce, tomato, and their signature ShackSauce, all on a buttery potato bun. It looks simple, but the flavor balance hits perfectly every time. The bun-to-patty ratio is spot on, and the sauce ties it all together. This is a burger that keeps people coming back for seconds.
BurgerFi’s Double Cheeseburger Goodness
BurgerFi raises the bar with antibiotic-free Angus beef stacked in a double patty, double cheese format. It’s hearty, flavorful, and served alongside hand-cut fries for a complete experience. They also stand out by offering meatless and gluten-free options, making them more versatile than traditional fast-food joints. You get freshness, choice, and serious flavor in every bite. If Five Guys is about volume, BurgerFi is about quality and options.
Sonic’s Huge Cheeseburger Surprise
Sonic may be known for slushies, but their cheeseburgers deserve more attention. Their classic cheeseburger is massive, with seasoned beef, American cheese, and a mayo-based topping combo that actually works better than ketchup. Add lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mustard, and it’s a surprisingly balanced bite. It’s one of the few fast-food burgers that feels both big and flavorful.
Fuddrucker’s Build-It-Your-Way Burger
Fuddrucker’s gives you total control. Their Original Fudds meal lets you pick the meat, the cooking style, and pile on as many toppings as you want from their legendary toppings bar. Freshly baked buns seal the deal, giving your custom creation the perfect foundation. Unlike Five Guys, where you get what’s on the menu, here you’re the boss. It’s fast food, but with a personal twist.
Smashburger’s Flavor-Packed Smash Technique
Smashburger lives up to its name by literally smashing patties on the grill. This method caramelizes the beef for a deep, savory bite. Fans rave about the Truffle Mushroom Swiss, loaded with mushrooms and gooey cheese, but the Classic Smash delivers just as well. Thin, crispy-edged patties bring more flavor than you’d expect. Compared to Five Guys’ thick patties, Smashburger’s technique gives a punchier taste in every bite.
Wendy’s Iconic Baconator
Wendy’s may be a big chain, but their Baconator deserves respect. With two square beef patties layered with cheese and more bacon than you’d think possible, it’s pure indulgence. Every bite is salty, smoky, and loaded with cheese. The Baconator isn’t subtle—it’s a flavor bomb that stands toe-to-toe with any so-called “premium” burger. Five Guys can’t compete with this kind of bacon overload.
Habit Burger Grill’s Chargrilled Double
Habit Burger Grill nails the chargrilled flavor that most fast-food spots skip. Their Double Char burger is flame-kissed, juicy, and stacked with crisp lettuce that somehow tastes fresher than anywhere else. It’s not greasy—it’s balanced, smoky, and satisfying. When you bite in, you taste real grill marks, not just flat-top searing. That makes all the difference.
Fatburger’s Juicy Original
Fatburger earns its name with big, never-frozen patties stacked high with fresh toppings. Their Original Fatburger keeps it simple but massive, with caramelized beef, lettuce, onions, relish, mustard, and mayo. It’s hearty without being sloppy, delivering just the right amount of flavor punch. Add one of their world-class milkshakes, and you’ve got a meal that feels like an upgrade from standard fast food.
