Just to start, I want to be clear that I LOVE McDonald’s.
When I flew back from a trip to Vietnam a few years ago, the first meal I had on American soil was a Big Mac with fries.
There’s a reason it’s so well-known and popular…
And why McDonald’s has so many restaurants around the world!
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But let’s face facts – the burger wars are heating up, and there are tons of great burgers to be had at this point.
Lots of competitors that have figured out how to deliver juicy burgers bursting with flavor.
(And let’s face it – McDonald’s made the mistake of discontinuing several big fan favorites.)
So with all that in mind, it’s no wonder that McDonald’s is on the defensive, with tons of other restaurants pushing into their territory.
And because of all this…
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There are plenty of fans of other restaurants (mixed with some McDonald’s haters, no doubt) who now believe that McDonald’s has been lapped by the competition.
That their favorite burger place has finally toppled the Big Mac itself.
Are they right?
Well, that’s for you to decide.
Starting with one regional favorite that’s rapidly expanding nationwide…
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Where you’ll find them: In-N-Out is mostly on the West Coast (mostly in California, to be honest), but it’s rapidly expanding east.
What makes the burger great: The Double-Double is one of the most iconic burgers in America, no doubt. It’s a good, straightforward burger. Get it “animal style” for an extra zing!
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Where you’ll find them: Five Guys is in every state and plenty of other countries too. They are still a lot smaller than McDonald’s, but they’re growing quickly!
What makes the burger great: Customization. You want bbq sauce, green peppers, jalapenos, and steak sauce? Great, they can do that. Also the burgers are just good on their own – the patties are thin and crispy, but doubling them up (their standard hamburger is a double) gets you a great meal.
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Where you’ll find them: Most numerous in their Wisconsin home, Culver’s is an institution throughout the Midwest.
What makes the burger great: It’s called the “ButterBurger” – they butter the bun, which adds an extra richness to the taste. Also, make sure you grab a shake and some cheese curds while you’re there.
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Where you’ll find them: Whataburger is in 15 states and growing fast as it rapidly expands from its home state of Texas.
What makes the burger great: The burger is great on its own, but I like the options with Texas Toast as a bun – try the avocado bacon burger for a fun twist on the classic!
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Where you’ll find them: Red Robin is just about everywhere! It’s in almost every state, and really anywhere there’s a big concentration of people in the USA, you’ll find a Red Robin nearby.
What makes the burger great: Unique flavors and consistent execution. Their burgers are big and thick, and the ingredients are all fantastic. My two cents? Get the Banzai burger if you like pineapple and teriyaki, or the Whiskey River BBQ burger if you want something a little more traditional – with crispy onion straws. The steak fries are good too!
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Where you’ll find them: Just about everywhere you’ll find a McDonald’s, haha.
What makes the burger great: I know their reputation isn’t amazing, but Wendy’s has really stepped up their game in the last few years. I really like their square patties and how crispy they’re able to get them because of that standard shape. Get the Baconator if you’re feeling hungry.
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Where you’ll find them: Shake Shack is all over the world and in most US states as well.
What makes the burger great: It’s a smash burger, so it’s thin and crispy while still juicy in the middle. You’ll enjoy the Martin’s potato roll too. Oh, and get the crinkle fries (and a shake). You’ll thank me later.
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I couldn’t leave without paying due homage to McDonald’s. The Big Mac is the king of all burgers for a reason!
Where you’ll find them: Everywhere. McDonald’s is one of the biggest chains on earth, with over 40,000 locations.
What makes the burger great: The Big Mac is the standard against which everyone compares themselves for a reason. It’s the gold standard, and known worldwide.
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So there you have it – seven restaurant chains whose fans would claim they’ve stolen a march on McDonald’s.
And, facing facts, each of them has a compelling case to make.
But here’s the REAL question:
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What do YOU think?
Has McDonald’s been dethroned?
Or do they still hold the crown?
Let us know in the comments!
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