Habit Burger & Grill's Double Char Crowned Best Burger in America for Second Consecutive Year
The Santa Barbara-based chain reclaims the top spot in USA Today's annual ranking, topping rivals like In-N-Out and Shake Shack.
Habit Burger & Grill's Double Char has once again been named the best burger in America, securing the top position in USA Today's annual ranking for the second year in a row. The flame-grilled burger outranked well-known competitors, including In-N-Out, Shake Shack, and Five Guys.
The Double Char features two flame-kissed beef patties, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun, with the option to add cheese. This marks a significant achievement for the chain, which originated in Goleta, California.
Habit Burger & Grill distinguishes itself by cooking its patties over an open flame, a practice implemented since its founding as Hamburger Habit in 1969. This method imparts a signature smoky flavor that has become a hallmark of the brand. The company was purchased by brothers Brent and Bruce Reichard in 1980, who subsequently expanded it into a national chain. Today, Habit Burger & Grill operates over 350 locations.
Prior to this recent recognition, Habit Burger & Grill was named the best burger chain in America by Consumer Reports in 2014. The brand underwent a rebranding to Habit Burger & Grill in 2024 following its acquisition by Yum! Brands.
In USA Today's latest ranking, In-N-Out's Double-Double secured the second position, followed by Freddy's Original Double, A&W's Papa Burger, and Culver's ButterBurger Cheese Double. Other notable mentions in the top 10 included Shake Shack's SmokeShack, Five Guys' Cheeseburger, Burger King's Whopper, Wendy's Son of Baconator, and Whataburger's Double Meat Whataburger.