America’s top fast-food burger is not available in every state, but it has captured the hearts of many. Habit Burger & Grill’s Double Char burger claimed first place in USA TODAY’s 2026 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. The chain also won the title of 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. Order the Double Char from the Habit’s California-inspired menu and get ready for two freshly chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. You can also add cheese.
USA TODAY highlighted the diverse menu of Habit Burger & Grill, ranging from chicken clubs to Caesar salads to ahi tuna filets. However, the restaurant is particularly noted for its Charburgers, cooked individually over an open flame. This method of preparation contributes significantly to their particular appeal.
USA TODAY’s contest involves a variety of travel and lifestyle categories chosen by experts and voted on by readers.
In-N-Out’s Double-Double burger secured second place, praised for its fresh ingredients like the freshly baked bun, slow-rising sponge dough, and a proprietary spread recipe unchanged since 1948.
Freddy’s Original Double claimed the third spot with its traditional offering of two savory steakburger patties, cheese, onion, pickles, and a generous helping of mustard.
The Papa Burger from A&W ranked fourth, containing two beef patties, American cheese, and fresh toppings with A&W Papa Sauce on a toasted bun.
Culver’s Double ButterBurger Cheese rounded out the top five, featuring fresh, never-frozen beef and Wisconsin-made real American cheese.
Other burgers that made the top 10 list include Shake Shack’s SmokeShack cheeseburger, Five Guys’ cheeseburger, Burger King’s Whopper, Wendy’s Son of Baconator, and Whataburger’s Double Meat Whataburger.
Owned by Yum! Brands, Habit Burger operates more than 380 locations across 14 states as well as internationally. States with Habit Burger locations include Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
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