The High 25 Burger Chains in America, Ranked by Actual Diners

Summer season street journeys and all-American burgers seemingly go hand-in-hand. If you happen to’re planning a cross-country tour this yr, we’ve received just a few ideas for stops alongside the best way. 

Yelp simply launched a listing of the highest 25 burger chains in your complete nation — and one viral burger joint has emerged as an amazing favourite. The rating, revealed immediately in celebration of Nationwide Burger Day, seeks to quantify diners’ favourite spots based mostly on Yelp’s in depth archive of customer evaluations. 

In-N-Out Burger, which boasts greater than 119,000 evaluations for its 400-plus places, secured the highest spot in Yelp’s report. Identified for its saucy, “animal-style” fries and Double-Double burger stacks, In-N-Out has amassed a faithful following on social media through the years. 

The California-based restaurant, which has been serving burgers since 1948, attracts diners for causes past social media hype, as Yelp pattern skilled Tara Lewis tells Meals & Wine.

“Primarily based on the evaluations we’re seeing, it has to do with the elements, drive-thru expertise, and the not-so-secret ‘secret’ menu,” Lewis says. “In fact, customization and consistency are massive components in relation to this listing, and I feel In-N-Out does it rather well. 

Within the No. 2 spot is The Behavior Burger Grill, an off-the-cuff chain with places on the West and East Coasts. It’s the go-to for a lot of diners due to its constantly high-quality chargrilled burgers, in response to the report. Shut behind is Shake Shack in third place, adopted by Midwestern staple Culver’s and Southern Californian favourite Islands Eating places rounding out the highest 5. 

Additional down the listing, fast-food staples like McDonald’s and Burger King nonetheless made the highest 20. The Golden Arches had been ranked within the seventeenth spot, whereas Burger King was ranked No. 19. 

The restaurant evaluate platform, which has been lively since 2004, thought of numerous standards for this rating. Their analysis staff targeted solely on burger chains with greater than 100 places and eating places throughout a number of states. Eligible chains are additionally categorized underneath the “burger” part on Yelp, in response to the methodology. The analysis staff included insights on the quantity of evaluations and optimistic parts — equivalent to velocity of service, high quality, and customizations — that clients point out of their glowing rankings.  

“You need to have the ability to entry a burger that you realize you’re going to like regardless,” Lewis tells Meals & Wine. “While you take a look at the regionality, plenty of that has to do with accessibility and consistency of service. You understand you’re going to get scrumptious meals each time, which faucets into your nostalgia and the consolation meals [element] of consuming at a burger place.”

Regional tastes fluctuate considerably throughout the USA, in response to Yelp’s rankings. Within the Midwest and South, Culver’s has emerged because the top-rated burger chain, whereas people within the Northeast seemingly favor Shake Shack. Out West, In-N-Out Burger reigns supreme. Whereas availability and accessibility play a job within the regional favorites — as some chains, like In-N-Out Burger, aren’t obtainable nationally — this knowledge level additionally suggests differing tastes amongst American diners. 

Able to department out and check out one thing new this summer time? This rating could be an excellent roadmap on the place to begin.