You may be a fan of the Whopper – aren’t we all? – but let’s face it:
Burger King has had a rough go of it lately. Back in 2023, Burger King closed 400 stores, and more followed in 2024.
And if it feels to you like maybe they’ve lost a step…
You’re not alone.
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In fact, all kinds of competitors have upped their game – and plenty of new ones have joined the fun – so if you’re craving a great burger, you’ve got loads of choices these days.
Are any of them better than Burger King?
From where I sit, sure, but I’ll be curious to get your thoughts.
Let us know in the comments!
Starting with an old rival…
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Where you’ll find them: Basically everywhere. McDonald’s is in every state and tons of countries.
All about the burger: Hot take: The Big Mac is better. (It all comes down to the sauce.) Plus, let’s face it, McDonald’s fries and breakfast are better too. (No matter what people say about its fries.)
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Where you’ll find them: Mostly on the West Coast in states surrounding their California stronghold, but In-N-Out is gradually creeping east and is planning to open in Tennessee next year!
All about the burger: In-N-Out’s “Double-Double” is an absolutely classic burger. Get it “animal style” if you want a special treat. (Order the fries animal style too, and thank me later). Finish it off with a chocolate shake – they do theirs with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, exactly the way it ought to be done.
(And if you’re feeling adventurous, check out their secret menu too.)
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Where you’ll find them: With over 3,500 locations, Five Guys is in every state but Alaska, with plenty of international exposure as well.
All about the burger: Like Burger King, you can “have it your way” – but with so many more options! You want steak sauce? Grilled onions? BBQ sauce? Jalapenos? In addition to all the usual toppings? Sure, why not! And their fries are incredibly generous portions as well.
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Where you’ll find them: Shake Shack is in 34 states with more than 350 locations. Generally you’ll find clusters near large cities.
All about the burger: It’s a “smash” burger, so they get it thin and crispy on the grill. Get the SmokeShack (bacon cheeseburger with cherry peppers and ShackSauce) if you’ve never been, and make sure you enjoy those crinkle-cut fries!
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Where you’ll find them: Jack is in 22 states, mostly in the western half of the US. (I always get Jack in the Box for dinner at least once when I’m in California.)
All about the burger: Think of them as kind of the opposite of Shake Shack – their burgers are huge, thick, juicy, and covered in toppings. If you want a twist on a classic, get one of their sourdough “Smashed Jack” burgers. (Also, make sure to grab and enjoy their curly fries.)
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Where you’ll find them: Whataburger is in 16 states and growing rapidly (although most of their locations can still be found in their home state of Texas).
All about the burger: Whataburger’s burgers are probably the most “like” Burger King’s in terms of taste and toppings options. But they’ve got some fun options like the avocado bacon burger and a burger with jalapeno and cheese.
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Where you’ll find them: 31 states, mostly in the South and Midwest.
All about the burger: I’ve always loved Hardee’s frisco burgers, and their maple bacon addition to the lineup is just another reason to love it. But honestly, even their traditional bacon cheeseburger is quite good.
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Where you’ll find them: Though not as numerous as McDonald’s, there are several Burger Kings in every state and over 6,500 total.
All about the burger: “Have it your way” is a great way to get a great burger! The Whopper is a perennial favorite with millions of fans for a reason. (Also, I weirdly like their chicken fries a lot. Maybe it’s the right ratio of breading to chicken.)
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So there you have it – seven burger chains with a claim to being better than Burger King.
Honestly, I think I personally like all of them better – but no judgement if you don’t!
And really that brings us to the important question:
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What do you think?
Is Burger King your favorite?
Or one of these others?
Or someone I haven’t mentioned?
Let us know in the comments!
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My favorite burger is Burger King. My next favorite is Five Guy. Although I own a fair amount of McDonald stock, I cannot recommend their burgers.