Not McDonald's, Not Five Guys: The Hamburger Customers Love

Among quintessentially American foods, burgers certainly rank among the favorites, with billions (yes, billions) consumed each year. And they're assembled in a variety of ways, like the elaborate — and exorbitantly expensive, at nearly $6,000 — Golden Boy, created in the Netherlands, which comes loaded with caviar, wagyu beef, king crab, and truffled cheddar and is served on a gold leaf-wrapped bun. If your tastes are a bit more down-to-earth, though, a simpler bite might appeal, and we have just the one. It's not from McDonald's, nor is it from fan-favorite Five Guys. Instead, it's the Double Char from the lesser-known Habit Burger & Grill.

This burger, which actually took first place on USA Today's 2026 10Best list for Best Fast Food Burger, is adored by Habit customers, and it's easy to see why. It comes with two all-beef patties and caramelized onions, and, when ordered with cheese, two slices of melty American cheese. It also receives a smear of mayo, plus a fairly hefty amount of vegetables, with lettuce, tomato, and pickles as part of the standard lineup. Of course, you can customize it to your liking, as well, and even add avocado, mushrooms, or bacon.

One Reddit user had high praise for the burger, giving it a 10/10, with multiple commenters chiming in to call both the burger and Habit on the whole massively underrated. One user in particular dubbed the Double Char "as solid as they come."

Habit Burger & Grill is a smaller fast-food chain, though its presence is growing. As of September 2026, it operates a little under 400 locations, mostly on the coasts, with the greatest number of restaurants located in the Los Angeles region, which is fitting since the company was founded in Santa Barbara. While its straightforward Double Char might get all the official hype, though, Habit Burger actually has a fairly eclectic menu of sandwiches, some of which have received big props from its loyal customers. For example, on Reddit, one fan sang the praises of the Santa Barbara Char, outlining the high points, like its toppings, which include fresh avocado (did you know these are scientifically categorized as berries?), and the fact that, instead of a bun, it actually comes on toasted sourdough.

Another commenter proclaimed that they are "addicted to the Teriyaki Burger," which leans into the savory-sweet mashup with the addition of a piece of grilled pineapple. A third user on a different thread also highlighted one of Habit Burger's limited-time items, the Patty Melt. "The rye bread and onions really give it that extra flavor umph," they wrote. We have to admit, two beef patties, caramelized onions, melty cheese, and Thousand Island dressing between two pieces of rye bread sound divine. One commenter on Facebook gave it a glowing review, calling it "probably the greatest sandwich I ever ate."