America’s best fast-food burger revealed — and it’s not available in every state

The best fast-food burger in America can’t be found in every state, but it’s been named a fan-favorite for the third year in a row.

The Double Char burger from Habit Burger & Grill earned first place in USA TODAY’s 2026 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, marking the third consecutive year the chain's burger earned top honors.

Habit was also voted the best fast-casual restaurant for the second year in a row.

"Charring burgers over an open flame since 1969, Habit Burger & Grill started in Santa Barbara, California, and has grown to include over 350 restaurants," USA TODAY reported. "Order the Double Char from the Habit’s California-inspired menu and get ready for two freshly chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, fresh lettuce, and tomato, pickles and mayo on a toasted bun. You can also add cheese."

About the restaurant itself, USA TODAY reported that Habit Burger & Grill has been offering "a diverse array of menu items spanning from chicken clubs to Caesar salads to ahi tuna filets, but the restaurant chain really shines when it comes to red meat," highlighting the Charburgers and the way they’re cooked individually over an open flame as their particular appeal.

The annual readers’ choice contest includes several travel and lifestyle categories nominated by a panel of experts and voted for by USA TODAY readers.

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In-N-Out’s Double-Double burger came in second place on the survey, due, according to USA TODAY, to the item's "freshly baked bun made with slow-rising sponge dough, two slices of American cheese, two patties of 100% American beef, onions, tomato, lettuce and a proprietary spread recipe unchanged since 1948."

Coming in at number three was Freddy's Original Double, which USA TODAY noted is a classic sandwich offering "two savory steakburger patties loaded with cheese, onion, pickles and a healthy dose of mustard."

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The Papa Burger from A&W, "with two 100% beef patties and two slices of melted American cheese, plus lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and A&W Papa Sauce on a lightly toasted bun," came in at number four.

Rounding out the top five was Culver’s double ButterBurger Cheese.

"This burger made Wisconsin a serious contender in the burger wars," USA TODAY reported. "It’s made with fresh, never-frozen beef seared to order and topped with real American cheese made in Wisconsin."

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Shake Shack’s SmokeShack cheeseburger, the cheeseburger from Five Guys, Burger King’s Whopper, Wendy’s Son of Baconator and Whataburger’s Double Meat Whataburger also made the top 10 list, in that order.

Habit Burger is owned by Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut. According to the chain’s website, there are more than 380 Habit locations across 14 states and internationally.

Habit Burger locations include Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Washington.