CALIFORNIA STATE – California claimed the top two spots in a new national ranking of America’s best fast-food burgers — but the state’s most famous burger chain did not take home the title.
Habit Burger & Grill’s Double Char was named the country’s best fast-food burger in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It marks the third consecutive year that the Southern California-born chain has finished in first place.
In-N-Out Burger’s Double-Double came in second. Read on for more.
That result may surprise Californians accustomed to seeing long drive-thru lines at In-N-Out and heated debates over whether its famously simple burgers deserve their near-cult status. Habit has a considerably lower national profile, but its flagship burger has now defeated In-N-Out three years in a row.
What Makes the Winning Burger Different?
Habit’s Double Char starts with two fresh beef patties cooked over an open flame rather than on a flat-top griddle.
The patties are served with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise on a toasted bun. Cheese can also be added.
That chargrilled preparation is the chain’s defining feature and gives the burger a smoky flavor that sets it apart from many fast-food competitors.
Habit traces its roots to Santa Barbara, where the first restaurant opened in 1969. The company has since expanded to more than 350 restaurants, with a particularly large presence in California.
The chain is now headquartered in Irvine and is owned by Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut.
In-N-Out Climbs Back to Second Place
In-N-Out’s second-place finish represents an improvement from the 2025 ranking, when the Double-Double fell to fourth place.
The iconic California burger placed second in 2024 before being passed by burgers from A&W and Jack in the Box the following year.
For 2026, USA Today praised the Double-Double’s freshly baked bun and the company’s signature spread, which has reportedly remained largely unchanged since the chain’s early years.
In-N-Out may not have won the national vote, but the top two finish still gave California a sweep of the ranking’s highest positions.
The complete top five was:
- Double Char — Habit Burger & Grill
- Double-Double — In-N-Out Burger
- Freddy’s Original Double — Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
- Papa Burger — A&W
- ButterBurger Cheese, Double — Culver’s
Shake Shack, Five Guys, Burger King, Wendy’s and Whataburger rounded out the top 10.
How the Ranking Was Decided
The result was not based on a blind taste test.
USA Today’s 10Best editors worked with a panel of experts to choose the nominees. Readers then voted to determine the final order.
That means the list reflects consumer enthusiasm and the ability of each chain’s fans to turn out for the online vote, rather than a purely scientific comparison of the burgers.
Habit has embraced the rivalry in the past. After previous wins, the company used billboards near Los Angeles International Airport to playfully congratulate In-N-Out on finishing behind it.
The message attracted attention because the billboard was positioned close to one of In-N-Out’s most recognizable restaurants, where arriving airline passengers frequently stop for burgers while watching planes land.
Where to Try the Burger in the Bay Area
Bay Area residents do not have to travel to Southern California to try the three-time winner.
Habit operates East Bay restaurants in Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon, Pleasanton, Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro, Albany and Fremont.
Walnut Creek alone has two Habit locations, including restaurants on California Boulevard and Geary Road.
The chain’s menu also includes chicken sandwiches, salads, shakes, onion rings and tempura green beans. But the Double Char is now clearly the item with the biggest national bragging rights.
Whether it is actually better than an In-N-Out Double-Double will remain a matter of personal taste.
According to voters, however, America’s current fast-food burger champion is Habit — for the third year running.
