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A California-based fast food chain serves up the best burgers in the nation, according to USA Today.
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USA Today readers recently ranked the top 10 fast food burgers.
The top options for hamburgers and cheeseburgers offer everything from signature sauces and toasted buns to 100% all natural patties, according to USA Today.
“Today’s menus are packed with creative combinations of flavors and offer diners a wealth of options for a truly custom-tailored burger,” the publication said said.
Here’s which fast-food burger reigned supreme in 2026:
What is the best burger in California?
USA Today readers crowned Habit Burger & Grill as the chain with the best fast food burger in the United States for 2026.
It’s the third year in a row that the popular quick-service chain has claimed the title.
USA Today readers also named Habit Burger & Grill the best fast-casual chain in the country.
The popular quick-service chain, which opened its first restaurant in Santa Barbara in 1969, is headquartered in Irvine.
There are more than 380 Habit Burger locations across 14 states, including California.
That includes restaurants in Sacramento, Fresno, Merced, Modesto and San Luis Obispo,
What’s on the menu at Habit Burger & Grill?
Habit Burger & Grill took first place on USA Today’s list of the top destinations for fast-food burgers thanks to its signature Double Char sandwich.
The burger features “two freshly char-grilled beef patties, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, pickles and mayo on a toasted bun,” USA Today said. “You can also add cheese.”
Another version of the Double Char burger, the Santa Barbara Char, is served on grilled sourdough bread with avocado.
Other options on Habit Burger’s menu include chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, salads, chicken bites and sides such as french fries, onion rings and tempura green beans.
For dessert, you choose from multiple milkshake flavors, including the Blue Wave Shake with pineapple and coconut.
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You can place your order online, on the Habit Burger app, in person or via the drive-through. Options include dine-in, pickup and delivery.
What are other top destinations for fast food burgers?
USA Today readers singled out two other fast-food chains that got their starts in California as serving up top-tier burgers.
In-N-Out came in second place on USA Today’s list of the best fast-food burgers in the nation.
In 1948, In-N-Out opened its first restaurant in Baldwin Park, becoming the first California burger stand to offer a drive-thru option.
In February 2025, the fast food chain announced it would move its headquarters back to Baldwin Park after operating in Irvine for 32 years.
In-N-Out’s Double-Double burger has two 100% American beef patties, American cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato and an original “spread” on a toasted bun.
Landing at No. 4 on the list was A&W., known for its Papa Burger. The fast-food chain was founded in Lodi in 1919.
The burger features two 100% beef patties and two melted slices of American cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and original sauce on a toasted bun. You can also order the Papa Burger with a single patty.
“Fans like to wash it down with a mug of A&W’s famous root beer,” USA Today said.
A&W advertises the Papa Burger as “the burger other burgers want to be when they grow up.”
Where can I find top 10 fast-food burgers in the US?
According to USA Today readers, these were the best fast-food burgers in the nation in 2026:
- Habit Burger & Grill: Double Char
- In-N-Out Burger: Double-Double
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburger: Freddy’s Original Double
- A&W: Papa Burger
- Culver’s: ButterBurger Cheese, Double
- Shake Shack: SmokeShack
- Five Guys: Cheeseburger
- Burger King: Whopper
- Wendy’s: Son of Baconator
- Whataburger: Double Meat Whataburger
How did USA Today rank 10Best award winners?
To determine USA Today’s Best 10 Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026, a panel of experts nominated contenders across various categories.
Readers then cast their votes for their favorites.
USA Today readers also picked the best fast food chains and fried chicken in the country.
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