There are plenty of fast-food chains and fast-food burgers out there—more than we could ever possibly try in one lifetime. But who’s the best of the best? Who’s out there making first-rate food all while accounting for fair prices and speedy time? With so many options, it seems like an almost impossible task to uncover the best of the best.
Luckily, most of the heavy lifting has already been done for us through The Harris Poll’s 2021 Brands of the Year.
And the Winner Is…
The honor of Best Fast-Food Burger in America goes to Wendy’s!
If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing Wendy’s delicious square burgers alongside their incredible baked potatoes and chili, it can be hard to visit anywhere else. Wendy’s has been my favorite fast-food restaurant for as long as I can remember. Let’s not forget the classic Wendy’s Frosty, either! They even dropped a Strawberry Frosty recently.
See how Wendy’s ranks on our list of the best fast-food cheeseburgers.
Who Chose the Best Fast-Food Burger?
This fast-food crown comes from the Harris Poll’s EquiTrend Study. This year, more than 39,000 U.S. consumers evaluated 2,000 brands across 200 categories. That’s incredible! The study measures brand health in terms of three specific factors—Familiarity, Quality and Purchase Consideration. With so many different brands, it’s no easy task whittling down the best of the best for each category.
Don’t miss our list of the best new fast-food items of 2021, too!
Inspired By: Dave's Single
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high. Peanut butter and bacon make them Southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a Northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Inspired By: Crispy Chicken Nuggets
My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he'll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he's eating. They're so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Inspired By: Chili
This hearty slow cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It's so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
Inspired By: Taco Salad
Everyone at our house loves this taco salad. In spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota Do you know which Wendy's salads are the healthiest? Here they are, ranked.
Inspired By: Grilled Asiago Ranch Chicken Club
I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Inspired By: Chili Cheese Fries
My family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake them and serve with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida
Inspired By: Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad
We pile our favorite gyro fixin’s into nutritious quinoa bowls. Our local gyro guy has a cool but spicy sauce that transforms his sandwiches. It’s a must here, too. —Leah Lyon, Ada, Oklahoma
Inspired By: Cheese Baked Potato
These special stuffed baked potatoes are a hit with my whole family, from the smallest grandchild on up. I prepare them up to a week in advance, wrap them well and freeze. Their flavorful filling goes so nicely with juicy ham slices. —Marge Clark, West Lebanon, Indiana
Inspired By: Homestyle Chicken Strips
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Inspired By: Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
My favorite memory of eating this dish was when my mom made it for lunch on weekends when we were home from school and could have something other than "brown bag" lunches. Happy memories of childhood and late summer days just make this salad extra special. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Inspired By: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
This cookie recipe—a favorite of our four children—has been in my collection for years. Sometimes I'll substitute mint-flavored chips for the semisweet chocolate chips. Either way, the chocolate cookies disappear quickly. This is one of our favorite easy chocolate chip cookie recipes. —Sheri Ziesemer, Olympia, Washington
Inspired By: Sausage & Egg Burrito
This is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Southwest Avocado Chicken Sandwich
I threw these ingredients together on a whim and the sandwich turned out so well, I surprised myself! If you're in a rush, microwave the bacon. Just cover it with paper towel to keep it from splattering too much. —Dana York, Kennewick, Washington
Inspired By: French Fries
Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken Nuggets
We devour these golden brown chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Inspired By: Baconator
Where can you get a juicy bacon burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in you backyard with this delicious cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
Inspired By: Artisan Bacon Egg Sandwich
I came across this unique grilled combo when I was digging in my mom's recipe box. The crisp bacon, hard-boiled eggs and crunchy green onions make these cozy sandwiches look impressive when company drops by for lunch. Best of all, they're a snap to assemble. —Ann Fuemmeler, Glasgow, MissouriThe post This Is Where You Can Find the Best Fast-Food Burger in America appeared first on Taste of Home.
Melany Love