Local Chain - Grindhouse Killer Burgers

Regional - Culver’s

National fast food - Wendy’s

National fast casual - Five Guys / Shake Shack

Going to go with Five Guys. That pressed burger style gets you really great flavor.

I don't really think there is a best one. They all have pros and cons. Maybe if I was to compare just a basic hamburger (bun, burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, mustard, ketchup), then I would have to say In-n-Out. But everyone has one thing either only that place has, or does better than anyone else with a similar burger.

Basic: In-n-Out's classic Double Double.

Bacon: Wendy's Baconator.

Western Style: Carl's Jr's double bacon western burger.

Steakhouse Style: Carl's Jr's Bourbon Steakhouse Burger (I wish this fucker was a regular item because it is so, so good)

Smoke Meat: Arby's Meat Mountain.

Chicken: Burger King's original chicken sandwich.

But I would still take my own home cooked burger to any of these, if I was going to mimic one of them.

Double steakburger with cheese from steak n' shake.

Smash burgers are the best burgers and steak n' shake makes a decent one at a decent price.

Some of y'all have never had Culver's and it shows.

Five Guys, best ingredients by far, especially the veggies. Lettuce and tomato are always perfect. Quite a bit more expensive than most of the competitors though.

Among the big three, the whopper by a whopper.

Otherwise yeah, my local is better than your local nah nah nah boo boo

Whataburger is my favorite place if I'm only counting large chains with drive through windows and other fast food restaurant features.

The food is almost always fresh, plenty of customization options like grilled onions and jalapeños. Almost everything on the menu is good quality for fast food. Being open 24 hours is a nice bonus.

If small regional chains count Burger Street is the best, really good burgers, great curly fries and delicious frozen lemonade.

Dip N Burger, McAllen TX. #4. Burger patty, cheddar, swiss, pickles, chorizo, spicy mayo on Texas toast. No lie, best burger I've ever received through a window.

As for what makes it so great, weren't you reading? I said chorizo.

If you're talking about chain fast food, then:

Whataburger. #5 (regular burger plus cheese and bacon.) You can add an egg to this between 11pm and 11am. And should.

Burgerville, the Oregon/Washington chain. My favorite is the half pound colossal cheeseburger.

Culver's is amazing, just so delicious.

In-N-Out is consistently good

Wendy's baconator, when made properly, can be pretty awesome too. Burgers in general are awesome

Haven't tried any of these local places, but of the big burger joints, I'm going with the Whopper because mayonnaise.

As a life long Texan, I have to say it's not Whataburger anymore. They've slipped in recent years.

They're not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm personally very partial to white castle. Those onions just do it for me.

Out of the big players, in general I like Wendy's, but they almost fall into an uncanny valley sort of thing where they're so close to being a real (not fast food) burger, but not quite there, so I kind of have to be in the mood.

IMO burger king has the best veggie option in the impossible Whopper.

If we're going to count it as fast food, 5 guys is top notch. Similarly for shake shack, they also get bonus points for their shrooms burgers for the best veggie option overall, it doesn't try to be a regular burger, and is probably actually more unhealthy than one too.

Getting into weirder local chains, Cook Out is pretty great if you find yourself in the parts of the south that have them.

If we want to talk chicken sandwiches, Popeyes is the undisputed king and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. McDonald's crispy chicken gets honorable mention for being a solid alternative for people like me who refuse to eat at chick fil a, and the McChicken for being cheap and satisfying if not technically good.

Local joint down the street. Very simple burgers, no salad, tomatoes or fucking avocados. Only good toasted bread, excellent burger and home made sauces. Some have pickles or onions in different forms (grilled, glazed,...). And excellent homemade fries too.

See a lot of five guys but no wayback burger and I'm sad. Killer burgers and excellent fries for way cheaper.

Jack's Ultimate Cheeseburger. I just prefer their patties over anyone elses. It kinda has a sausage taste that I like.

Tough choice

Five Guys has what I would argue are the best burgers, but they are expensive and a heartattack on a bun. You get what you pay for, healthy food is not on their menu.

In-&-Out is also up there but more how they run their resturants. They are still unimpressive but above average fast food, but I feel that is how a fast food joint should be managed.

Pal's Sudden Service in east TN/NC also is a notable mention as the food travels best. No other fast food place has a burger that is reheatable, truely a rare thing to find. Also their old buildings are the old style of fast food, drive through only with silly colors to get your attention from the road, A+ in my book.

Best mom&pop / non-chain shops is a toss up. Melt - Leesburg VA Pops Kitchen & Diner - Easton PA

Definitely burger fuel. Limited to NZ unfortunately :(

The whopper is the best. :)

In N Out! And before visitors that only tried it once jump down my throat, claiming it's overrated and whatnot, let me make my case.

First of all, the menu you see when you walk in is just the first step. You have to know all the little nooks and crannies to really get the true In N Out experience. Grilled onions, chopped chilies, animal style, etc. Freedom of choice abounds!

Secondly, value wise, it can't be beat. Quality ingredients for an entire meal for around $10! Their shakes are also bomb (Neapolitan, not listed on the menu), and while their fries are a controversial opinion, I enjoy them enough with black pepper and their spread (animal style is fantastic too).

The double Lotaburger with cheese, bacon and green chile. Nothing will ever come close.

Whataburger, no contest. It's pricier than other fast food, but the taste and quality are unmatched.