NEVER go to these burger chains!
Americans love burgers! This is not something new. This is probably the most beloved meaty treat, and you can find it all around the country. In 2023, IBIS World reported around 83,700 burger establishments in the US, with McDonald’s and Burger King accounting for over 25% of the total.
But these are not the only chains that are thriving. There are many more out there, and it would be a good idea to know which ones to pick for your next dinner out. We say this because the chances of encountering an unpleasant surprise are not slim. Many of these burger chains don’t have the best food, and it’s best to know about it beforehand.
If you are wondering how these chains even manage to stay alive, the answer is very simple. People demand food, and this is how they thrive despite serving subpar food. Read on and discover more about the worst burger chains in the US.
White Castle
This is one of the oldest burger chains around there, dating back to 1921! Unfortunately, right now it doesn’t have the best reputation. Their burgers are small and served in bulk, which is not entirely a bad thing since they still have some fans, but it’s definitely not a widespread preference.
The 1921 Slider is designed to be more favorable, but the reviews call it dramatically underseasoned and so much smaller than the standard burgers offered by other chains. The size and quality of the food have led some to joke that White Castle’s menu items are “barely food.”
Now, we also need to talk about their cooking method. The patties are not grilled; instead, they are steamed on a bed of onions. The steam will rise and cook the meat but not directly. Yes, this is a very different method, and we appreciate the original, but let’s be real: the taste can’t be compared with the one you get by grilling.
On Reddit, the main complaint is that their burgers are soggy and they can’t see any differences between the White Castle ones and the ones you can buy from a regular supermarket. So, this is easily one of the worst burger chains you should avoid at all costs.
Burger King
This chain has many locations throughout the US and actually the entire world, but unfortunately, they don’t serve the best burgers. They pride themselves on their flame-grilled burgers. And to be honest, there are many people who appreciate the smoky aroma of the Whopper, which ranks higher than McDonald’s Big Mac in taste tests.
Despite all of this, their burgers are far from being perfect. The beef patties are delivered to the restaurants from central suppliers. This is not something new. Most burger chains operate in the same way, but it’s easy to see and taste the quality issues. The smoky flavor might hide it a little bit, but in the end, they are just some mediocre burgers at best.
The biggest complaint among customers is that the chain leaves the burgers under heat lamps before serving them. Employees also revealed that sometimes these burgers can stay in the heated containers for up to two hours, which causes them to have a rubbery, unpleasant texture.
These quality control issues are a pretty big deal, and the way they treat their patties holds the restaurant back.
Dairy Queen
When you think about burger chains Dairy Queen is probably not the first thing that crosses your mind. Because they are not a burger chain at all, but they still serve burgers. Their iconic Blizzard is the sweet treat that made them known, and they have many other options when you want something sweet.
Not all Dairy Queen locations serve burgers, but the ones that do fail to impress. Customers tend to describe their burgers as bland and uninspired. These are simple words, but when it comes to food, you perfectly understand what they mean.
The standard burger comes with the bare minimum: pickles, ketchup, and mustard. If you want more toppings, you have the deluxe version, which adds some extra stuff, but the price tag is not a nice one.
If you go to Dairy Queen, you better stick with what they do best: dessert. Their hot food is not the best, and you can simply ignore it.
Sonic Drive-In
The retro vibe, roller-skating carhops, and expansive drink menu can’t make up for the burgers this place offers. Yes, this is an amazing location, and they have other good stuff, but unfortunately, their burgers are hit-or-miss.
Some locations serve incredible burgers while others offer meals that leave customers deeply disappointed. Of all the burger chains, this one is the one that has the least consistency, and when you don’t know what you are about to get, you feel like you better choose another place to go out.
When things can go wrong at Sonic, there is an unwritten rule that they will go very wrong. Employees and customers alike report practices such as leaving cooked burgers on the warm side of the grill for up to 30 minutes before serving, which results in dry, overcooked patties that no one wants to eat.
This inconsistency is a dealbreaker and makes it one of those burger chains you want to avoid because it seems like nothing delicious is served there.
Whataburger
They are known for serving incredibly large burgers. One burger from them and you are well-fed for the entire day. The patties are five inches in diameter!
The fresh ingredients and the sheer size of their burgers made Whataburger one of the most appreciated burger chains. Unlike numerous competitors, Whataburger offers fresh, never-frozen beef. It ensures that each burger is cooked on the grill only when requested, producing a fresh, flavorful, and fulfilling burger.
The problem is that all of this was in the past. Right now, Whataburger has some complaints from the customers. They noticed that the patties can be inconsistently cooked, leading to certain parts being drier than others.
Even more, since 2019, when a controlling stake in the company was sold, fans of this chain reported changes that are not for the better. The food quality is not the best but the prices are higher. Also, you stay in line longer now. It seems like soon this will become one of the worst burger chains.
Jack in the Box
This is the place you are looking for when those late-night cravings hit. Being open 24/7, the chain thrives on its accessibility when other fast-food options are closed. But another well-known thing about this place is that this is a magnet for people who are not really pretentious about their food. The fan base of Jack in the Box doesn’t care about how tasty their food is. They just want food that is accessible, and this, the chain can deliver with no problems.
But what happens when you actually care about the taste of your food? Well, you simply don’t order from here. This is not your place. When it comes to burgers, what you can find here is a real disaster.
Whenever you need a quick bite, our advice is to look for another place if you are planning to have some tasty food. This is for sure one of the worst burger chains in America, and there is no way we can recommend it.
If you want to make sure you are eating the best burgers out there, why not make them yourself? The Great American Burger Book (Expanded and Updated Edition): How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home
You should also read: 12 Most Expensive Foods in the World
