Habit Burger & Grill named best fast food burger for second straight year

Santa Barbara-born Habit Burger & Grill was considered to have the best burger in town for the second year in a row, according to a poll conducted by USA Today.

The chain’s signature Double Char beat out burgers from In-N-Out and Five Guys to earn the top spot.

The chain reacted to the news on Instagram. “As the twice-elected champion of burgers, it’s important that we, as an industry, rise above our petty differences. Especially our differences in ranking,” the post read.

In-N-Out’s iconic Double-Double slipped to fourth place this year, down from its second-place spot in 2024.

Last year, Habit celebrated the win with a billboard by In-N-Out’s location near LAX, which read “Congrats on #2, In-N-Out.”

USA Today 10Best editors and a panel of burger experts selected the nominees, and readers voted to determine the winners.

Here’s the full Top 10 list of fan-favorite fast food burgers:

1. Double Char – Habit Burger & Grill
2. Papa Burger – A&W
3. Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger – Jack in the Box
4. Double-Double – In-N-Out Burger
5. ButterBurger Cheese, Double – Culver’s
6. Cheeseburger – Five Guys
7. ShackBurger – Shake Shack
8. Freddy’s Original Double – Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
9. Whopper – Burger King
10. Double Meat Whataburger – Whataburger

Habit Burger & Grill’s famous Double Char features two chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. Customers can also add cheese.

Habit Burger & Grill opened its first location in Santa Barbara in 1969. At that time, the restaurant was known as the Hamburger Habit. Since then, the chain has grown to over 380 restaurants across 14 states and international locations.