This Is the Most Expensive Fast Food Burger in America Right Now
It's no secret that fast food and fast casual menu prices are on the rise. Chipotle, McDonald's, and more chains have come under fire as of late for increasing costs—while often reportedly shrinking the sizes.
Of course, some prices are worse than others. Late last year, customers labeled several popular restaurants as "overpriced," "expensive," and a "rip-off" in a national survey. That same report dubbed Shake Shack the most expensive chain in America, which got us wondering: where can you find—or, ahem, avoid—the country's most expensive fast food burger?
Even at national chains, cost tends to vary slightly by city, so to ensure we were comparing fairly, we scoured the menus of more than 15 fast food restaurants in the Los Angeles area. We selected the most run-of-the-mill, classic burger we could find (nothing too bare bones nor too excessive), and narrowed down the list to the seven most expensive in the nation.
Here are those top seven, from least to most pricey. Are you surprised by number one?
7. Jack In The Box Jumbo Jack
The Jack in the Box burger selection is expansive, but the Jumbo Jack is the cheapest (and most standard) option you'll find. And while it's definitely inching toward standard fast food prices, the $6.61 price still makes it one of the more expensive options. In most other places, you can still get a double cheeseburger for less.
6. Carl’s Jr. Single Big Carl
At $6.99, Carl's Jr.'s Single Big Carl made the list with a price tag not too far off from the next most expensive burger. The menu item includes a charbroiled all-beef patty, classic sauce, melted American cheese, and lettuce on a seeded bun.
5. McDonald's Quarter Pounder
Micky D's has been accused of price gouging for a while now. In fact, according to a study, costs have doubled in the last decade. Considering the Quarter Pounder is among the most expensive burgers (at $7.49), we can't exactly dispute those claims.
4. Wendy's Dave's Single
The Dave's Single at Wendy's comes stacked with a quarter-pound of fresh British beef, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickle, Heinz ketchup, Heinz mayo, and onions on a toasted bun. It lands in the top five thanks to the $7.69 cost.
3. Burger King Whopper
This might come as a surprise, but Burger King's Whopper is just as expensive as Shake Shack. Yes, really. With a flame-grilled beef patty sandwiched between two sesame seed buns with mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and sliced onion, the chain's iconic menu item is priced at $7.99.
2. Shake Shack Shackburger
Naturally, given its title as the most overpriced fast food restaurant in the U.S., Shake Shack makes this list. And while it's not quite as pricey as the winner, it's pretty close. The Shackburger, a.k.a the simplest option on the menu, has just one Angus beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and Shack sauce. It comes in under $10 at $7.99.
The #1 Most Expensive: The Five Guys Cheeseburger
That same survey above crowned Five Guys as the number two most overpriced fast food chain in the country. However, it's home to the number one most expensive burger—by far. The restaurant's classic cheeseburger (which features American-style cheese melted over fresh patties and sandwiched between a toasted sesame bun) is $12.89.
While my wallet probably hates to hear it, I'm suddenly craving a Five Guys cheeseburger.
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