Do you know what your favorite fast-food burger is, and do you think there's one out there that can top it?
Consumer Reports thinks it's found the definitive answer to that question. Last summer, the American magazine published a list of the country's best -- and worst -- fast-food restaurants. Part of that report meant finding the nation's favorite burger, and the chain that took the number-one spot may be one you've never seen -- or tasted.
Nope. It wasn't White Castle, Steak 'n Shake, Smashburger, Five Guys -- or even those popular In-N-Out Burgers everyone can't seem to stop salivating over. Instead, according to Consumer Reports, the best burger in America comes from a California-based burger chain that first opened in Santa Barbara in 1969.
The question Consumer Reports asked each participant as part of its 2014 query: "On a scale of 1 to 10, from least delicious to most delicious you've ever eaten, how would you rate the taste?"
After 96,208 meals at 65 chains, Consumer Reports readers named 21 chain restaurants to rank for a list of the best burgers in the country, which appeared alongside other lists including sandwiches/subs, burritos, and chicken.
Out of the fray came a surprise winner: the Habit Burger Grill. The chain's Charburger and Double Charburger are where it's at, apparently. Until recently, you could get one only in California, Arizona, Utah, and New Jersey.
But now South Florida will be able to get a taste of America's best fast-food burger, without a trip to the West Coast or the Northeast.
Matt Hood, chief marketing officer for Habit Burger Grill, recently confirmed that Florida will be the next market for the chain's expansion efforts.
"We are very excited to be coming to South Florida, and to Delray Beach," said Hood. "It will be our first restaurant in the state, and we are looking forward to the planning of additional restaurants across Florida."
The Delray Beach Habit Burger Grill is slated to open later this year and will be located at the newly constructed Delray Place shopping plaza at 1801 S. Federal Highway. Stay tuned to Clean Plate Charlie for grand-opening information.
Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.
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