McDonald’s is a very popular fast-food restaurant known for its burgers like the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Other fast-food chains like Burger King and Wendy’s have tried to beat McDonald’s, but it is still the most popular
I decided to test it by sampling every single McDonald’s burger currently available on the menu. My mission? To determine which burger is genuinely the best. Here’s my breakdown of each burger & the overall winners in different categories.
McDonald’s Burger Ranking Criteria
Before we start ranking the burgers, let’s set some basic criteria. I considered how the burgers tasted, felt in my mouth, looked, and whether they were worth the price.
Since these are fast-food burgers, I wasn’t expecting gourmet quality. I wanted to find burgers that were good for their price, tasted good & filled me up. I tried each burger without making any changes, just the way McDonald’s makes them.
1. Hamburger
- Nutrition: 250 calories, 9g fat, 30g carbs, 12g protein
- Price: $2.19
The plain hamburger was a disappointment. The patty was thin, and the bun felt small and dry. This burger wasn’t as good because it didn’t have cheese, and the toppings didn’t make it taste better. It’s cheap but not very exciting.
2. Cheeseburger
- Nutrition: 300 calories, 13g fat, 31g carbs, 15g protein
- Price: $2.49
Adding a slice of American cheese made a big difference. The cheese brought much-needed creaminess to the burger, but the patty was still too thin. The cheeseburger was slightly more satisfying than the hamburger, but something other than what I’d go out of my way to order.
3. Double Cheeseburger
- Nutrition: 440 calories, 24g fat, 34g carbs, 25g protein
- Price: $2.89
The Double Cheeseburger had two patties and double the cheese, making it a big step up from the single cheeseburger. This burger had a good mix of beef, cheese, and toppings. It was tasty, satisfying, and cost less than $3.
4. Triple Cheeseburger
- Nutrition: 540 calories, 31g fat, 34g carbs, 32g protein
- Price: $3.99
The Triple Cheeseburger was too much. The three patties overwhelmed the other ingredients, throwing off the balance. While filling, the beef drowned out the cheese and condiments.
5. McDouble
- Nutrition: 390 calories, 20g fat, 32g carbs, 22g protein
- Price: $2.79
The McDouble is almost identical to the Double Cheeseburger but comes with only one slice of cheese. The slight difference in cheese quantity didn’t drastically change the flavor, and the McDouble remained a solid, tasty option. For just under $3, it’s one of the best-value burgers on the menu.
6. Bacon McDouble
- Nutrition: 470 calories, 26g fat, 33g carbs, 26g protein
- Price: $2.99
Sadly, the Bacon McDouble wasn’t as good as I hoped. The bacon was thin, didn’t have much texture, and tasted fake. It didn’t make the burger better, it actually made the whole sandwich worse. I suggest not getting the bacon on this one.
7. Quarter Pounder With Cheese
- Nutrition: 520 calories, 26g fat, 42g carbs, 30g protein
- Price: $6.29
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese is a McDonald’s classic. It features a more extensive, juicier patty than the standard cheeseburgers, with two slices of melted American cheese.
The sesame seed bun was a step from the smaller burgers’ plain buns. The beef was more flavorful, and this burger felt like an authentic meal rather than a snack. However, at over $6, it’s one of the pricier options on the menu.
8. Bacon Quarter Pounder With Cheese
- Nutrition: 630 calories, 35g fat, 43g carbs, 36g protein
- Price: $7.49
The Bacon Quarter Pounder suffered from the same bacon issue as the Bacon McDouble. The poor-quality bacon was more of a distraction than an enhancement. At $7.49, this wasn’t worth the extra cost over the regular Quarter Pounder.
9. Quarter Pounder With Cheese Deluxe
- Nutrition: 630 calories, 37g fat, 44g carbs, 30g protein
- Price: $6.69
This deluxe version of the Quarter Pounder includes lettuce, tomato, and mayo. While I appreciated the added freshness from the veggies, the mayonnaise was overpowering and soupy. The balance was off, but when I managed to get a bite with less mayo, the Deluxe was a solid burger.
10. Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese
- Nutrition: 740 calories, 42g fat, 43g carbs, 48g protein
- Price: $7.79
The Double Quarter Pounder was one of the more filling and satisfying burgers on the menu. The extra patty added more protein, but the balance between the beef and the other ingredients was still good. I’d order it only occasionally, but if you’re hungry, it’s a good option.
11. Double Bacon Quarter Pounder With Cheese
- Nutrition: 850 calories, 51g fat, 44g carbs, 54g protein
- Price: $7.59
The Double Bacon Quarter Pounder was visually impressive, but the bacon again fell short. However, because the burger had so much beef and cheese, the bacon only partially ruined the experience. It was still a hefty, satisfying burger, but I would only order it occasionally due to the poor quality of bacon.
12. Big Mac
- Nutrition: 590 calories, 34g fat, 46g carbs, 25g protein
- Price: $6.19
The Big Mac is a famous burger with two beef patties, lettuce, pickles, onions, and special sauce on a bun. The sauce is the best part, but it could use more tanginess. Overall, the Big Mac is a classic & special choice on the menu.
The Final Verdict
After trying every burger on the menu, here’s my final take on the best options:
- Best Overall Burger: The Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese Deluxe takes the top spot. The fresh lettuce and tomato gave this burger a satisfying crunch and flavor despite too much mayo. The giant patty was juicy and tender, making this burger feel premium compared to other options.
- Best Value Burger: The Double Cheeseburger is a great deal. It costs $2.89 and comes with two beef patties, two cheese slices & the right amount of toppings. It’s satisfying, delicious, and budget-friendly.
- Most Unique Burger: The Big Mac is still the most unique on McDonald’s menu. Thanks to the special sauce and extra bun, its distinctive flavor makes it stand out from the rest. It could be better regarding value or flavor balance, but it’s a classic that every McDonald’s fan should try at least once.