7 Fast Food Chains With The Best Smash Burgers, According To Reviews

There's no denying that burger styles are a matter of personal preference, but there's something about a smash burger that reigns supreme in the burger kingdom. Even if you're a devoted traditional burger fanatic, a smash burger deserves recognition for charging in a different direction and doing something a thick patty can't.

If you're not familiar with the difference between a regular burger and a smash burger, regular burgers usually consist of a thick juicy beef patty, while smash burgers typically consist of one or two (or more) smaller-portioned patties that are "smashed" on a griddle with a flat instrument and stacked on top of one another. There are rules to smash burgers: They must be pressed to form a thin yet juicy patty, and they must have those remarkably crave-able crispy, brown lacy edges, thanks to a piping hot griddle and a smash instrument. And, of course, there are toppings and buns styles.

When you don't feel like cooking a homemade smash burger, a crispy smash burger from a fast-food restaurant can turn dreams into reality. To help you, here is a list of the best smash burgers from fast-food chains that customers are raving about.

While Freddy's is a smaller chain, it has a very loyal following, especially when it comes to its smash burgers. The Original Double is where it's at: a double-stacked 100% premium beef steakburger that's served with mustard, American cheese, raw white onion slices, and pickles on a toasted bun. Fans love that the burgers are cooked-to-order, so they're hot, juicy, and delicious.

The American cheese melts onto the beef, creating a savory moment, while the mustard, onions, and pickles keep it all balanced. Pro tip: Always double up. That's what the Freddy's fans online recommend, and they note that a double makes the smash burger even better. You can also customize your burger beyond doubling up with standard additions like bacon and lettuce, or you could branch out and add prime rib, chili, relish, or fire roasted jalapeños. One Reddit user adds, "This is the best burger I have ever had... Roll my death bed into a Freddy's and I'll die happily." Enough said.

The ShackBurger features a quarter-pound of 100% Angus beef on a toasted potato bun, topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and the signature ShackSauce, which is tangy, creamy, sweet, and spicy. The texture of the crispy-yet-moist patty smothered in the sauce, with just the right hint of crunch from the lettuce, is purely scrumptious.

I'm not alone in feeling positively about this burger. The ShackBurger is often described as a perfect burger that's unforgettable with a juicy patty that melts in the mouth. The burgers are made to order and meticulously prepared, from the tomato slices to the lettuce to the onions. There's more burger flavors to try, as well. Up the ante with the Shack Stack, a mashup of the ShackBurger and the 'Shroom Burger; a crisp-fried, cheese-stuffed portobello mushroom patty. Take one bite of the fried mushroom on top of the patty, and you're greeted with oozing Muenster and cheddar that surprise and delight in texture and flavor, creating a rich and memorable umami bomb. Still curious? Here's a ranking of all of Shake Shack's burgers.

Scroll through any Reddit thread about smash burgers, and chances are Culver's is on the list. Culver's serves fresh, made-to-order burgers called ButterBurgers, which are smashed on a hot griddle. No, the patties aren't basted in butter; rather, the top of the bun is toasted and brushed with Wisconsin butter for a richer experience.

The Deluxe is a popular choice, featuring a double patty topped with pickles, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and raw onions. One fan recommends adding a side of cheese sauce, while others prefer "the works" with ketchup, mustard, pickles, and raw red onion.

You can swap the bun for a brioche or a gluten-free bun, and cheese options include American, cheddar, and Wisconsin Swiss-style. There are sauces to consider, too. The Signature Sauce is a tangy mix of buttermilk, parmesan, and blue cheese, while the Wisconsin cheddar cheese sauce adds creamy richness. Like most smash burger patties, a single Culver's beef patty is thin, which is why customers recommend doubling up.

There's something unique about walking into Five Guys. Maybe it's the combination of the wafting aroma of sizzling burgers and snacking on complimentary peanuts while you wait. Beyond the smells and snacks, nothing beats the prized moment of unwrapping the piping-hot foil package and tasting the first bite of the juicy burger.

While not a traditional smash burger, Five Guys is smash-burger-adjacent in my book. The chain uses fresh 80/20 ground chuck that's hand-formed and rolled before being pressed on a hot grill. The approach is methodical and consistent with fresh ingredients that are hand-cut and chopped. One of the key differentiators is that the burgers are wrapped in foil, which keeps the steam in, creating an extra melty and warm burger.

Fans appreciate the excellent customization options and plentiful free toppings. Beyond the usual suspects, like ketchup, mayo, raw onions, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes, there are other burger sauces, such as A1 Steak Sauce and BBQ sauce. You can also add relish, grilled peppers, mushrooms, jalapeños, and grilled onions, plus bacon for an extra charge. If you prefer a lighter option, have your burger wrapped in lettuce or served in a bowl. When it comes to freshness and quality, Five Guys delivers. As one Facebook reviewer sums it up, "Five Guys is the gold standard for burgers. So juicy and full of flavor."

Sonic is a fast-food drive-in chain known for its retro allure and a tasty smash burger. It features two seasoned Angus beef patties that are smashed and seared, yielding crispy edges and a juicy middle. Served on a potato bun, the burger is layered with slices of American cheese, a piquant Smasher sauce (a secret recipe), old-school crinkle-cut pickles, and diced raw white onions. Fans adore this burger. Some even say it's underrated among fast food smash burgers.

As at many smash burger joints, toppings are key. Options include lettuce, tomato, jalapeño, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon, as well as a chili topping. Sonic touts numerous condiment packets, including the Groovy sauce (a mix of ranch and sriracha), Asian-style sweet chili, jalapeño ranch, and BBQ, so you can build-your-own condiment adventure. Customers can also fine-tune certain topping quantities, a thoughtful touch that lets you dial in your personal taste.

With a tagline of "gloriously greasy," the team behind the fast-growing East Coast chain 7th Street Burger knows what's up. Smash burgers come as a single or double patty on a Martin's potato bun, with American cheese, grilled diced white onions, pickles, and the house sauce, which is sweet, zippy, and creamy. If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting a 7th Street Burger, here are a few key notes: Burgers are sauced on both sides of the bun, so you're getting an even balance of sauce with every bite. Onions are grilled on the griddle and again over the meat and cheese, so their flavor infuses the whole burger. Cheese is melted directly onto the patty while it's on the griddle so it's melty and gooey.

No matter the location, fans find 7th Street Burger to be consistently excellent without any gimmicks. Others appreciate the no-frills burger composition, which includes caramelized, seared patties, grilled onions, house sauce, and a Martin's potato roll to soak up all the goodness.

When a smash burger sells out, it's usually a good sign. That's exactly what happened with Jack in the Box and the Big Smashed Jack. Often compared to McDonald's Big Mac — some say it's better than — the triple-patty Big Smashed Jack won fans over. After selling out in two weeks, it now comes and goes, so check your local menu for availablity.

In the meantime, customers have options like the Classic Smashed Jack: a quarter-pound smashed patty with thick pickles, grilled onions, and Boss Sauce on a buttery brioche bun. One fan referred to the the Classic Smashed Jack as the best fast food burger in years, praising the juicy patty and charred edges, while another commenter appreciates the generous helping of grilled onions and the upgraded Boss Sauce. With a slogan of "For Those Who Live Outside the Box," Jack in the Box is certainly living up to it with the Smashed Jack line.

To build this list of the best fast-food chain smash burgers, I first determined which chains offered smash burgers. I researched and read customer reviews on Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Tripadvisor, Google, and YouTube. I consulted professional reviewer reviews and included my own personal experiences with the burgers. I considered quality, taste, freshness, variety of toppings, price point, and availability.

Smash burgers with overwhelmingly positive reviews across the variety of platforms were then selected for this guide. Feel like griddling up your own smash burger at home? Don't skip out on this one essential step.