READ MORE OF OUR “BEST BURGERS” FEATURE HERE.
Fast food has its own chapter in the book of burgers. We might know all the protagonists, but is there a clear star? Five staff members volunteered – Taste burgers? Where do we sign up? – to answer that question.
Judging five popular chains (including two local), we rated the key components – patty and bun – on flavor and texture/mouthfeel, as well as the burger’s overall satisfaction, using a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Leveling the field, we ordered plain cheeseburgers from each restaurant. Lesson learned!
For most fast food burgers, toppings not only help – they’re essential to making the burger something you actually want to eat. Despite the nakedness, one burger maker muscled through to the top.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Shake Shack
TOTAL SCORE: 25.5
Judges praised the patty’s chargrilled flavor – “maybe the beefiest” of all of those tasted – and crispy texture, but some noted it was “gritty” and “bordering on dry.” One found it “sinewy.” The bun fared better. Said one judge: “Soft, pillowy but seemed sturdy enough for a messy burger, too.”
Patty Shack
TOTAL SCORE: 21
“That bun, though!” Opinions were divided on the edible container, with comments ranging from “rubbery” and “gummy – ew!” to “I liked it, didn’t see what the big issue was.” Overall, this one scored low on patty flavor, with most observing “not much” of it. Also, “a bit dry.”
Culver’s
TOTAL SCORE: 20
Nobody expected the Prairie du Sac-based chain known for its butter burgers to come in dead last. “Meh,” was one judge’s only comment. The “bland” patty, said another, “is a weird shade of brown.” But two judges praised the bun – “LOVE” and “doughy in a good way.”
Five Guys
TOTAL SCORE: 23
The standard burger served here is a double, but despite having more meat than the others, it had “no flavor” and “needs sauce.” Another taster lauded the “nice char” but still found it “bland.” For fans of sesame seeds, this was the only bun in the bunch that had them. “Love sesame!” said one happy taster.
*Winner*
Kopp’s
TOTAL SCORE: 30.5
The biggest doesn’t by default mean the best. It wasn’t this burger’s size (like a small Frisbee) that clinched the win. The deciding factors: the superior flavor and quality of the half-inch patty (“well-seasoned” but “not too salty,” commented a judge), and the breakthrough flavor of butter (“Who saw that coming?”) and “tasty” American cheese. One point of contention: “I love a smushed bun” conflicted with “too much bun.” Out of a possible 50 points, this burger’s score could be interpreted as “good enough” as opposed to “delicious.”
