We ranked all of McDonald’s burgers and the best one is ‘absolutely unreal’

Whether you’re a Big Mac devotee, or a lover of McNuggets, everyone will undoubtedly have a hot take about your McDonald’s order.

The fast food chain is beloved across the globe, and while the UK menu might change every six weeks, a number of items remain the same throughout the year.

From the Filet-O-Fish (which IS a burger, according to McDonald’s), to the McPlant there’s bound to be something on the menu for everyone — but which is the top choice?

If you ask the internet, the people of Reddit claim that it’s the Double Quarter Pounder that’s the superior order. The sizeable burger features two beef patties, two slices of cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Others say you can’t go wrong with a Big Mac, while some will forever be pining for the long lost McRib (which is actually making a comeback soon…)

In celebration of the chain’s 50th birthday this year, the team at Metro shared their honest thoughts about the classic burger offering at McDonald’s, ranking them from ‘best’ to ‘worst’.

So without further ado, here’s our honest verdict:

1. Cheeseburger 

The cheeseburger is a classic for a reason, it’s got a little bit of everything – beef, cheese, onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup in a soft bun. 

For those that are really hungry, you can upgrade it to a double cheeseburger, or even a bacon cheeseburger, and you can add and take away ingredients that you aren’t keen on.

For Metro’s specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, the cheeseburger is the superior option when ordering from Maccies. She’s been enjoying them since her Happy Meal days, but she can do without the onions or mustard. 

‘Sometimes less is more and the cheeseburger is proof of that. It doesn’t need bacon, it doesn’t need more than one patty, or extra bread, it’s just right as it is,’ she says.

And she’s not the only one who thinks its top tier, as Metro’s video editor, Chris Rickett agrees.

‘The cheeseburger is absolutely unreal value to this day. Carries the torch of pickles, onion and mustard being bedrock ingredients of a diner-style burger. Can go double if you want decadence, but triple is vulgar and throws the ratio too far off. 

‘No matter what your Maccies order is, adding a cheeseburger to it is always a wise choice. A perfect squishy delight.’

Deputy news editor, Liam Coleman, and Platform editor Jess Austin are also team cheeseburger, with Liam saying: ‘McDonald’s best burger is the double cheeseburger with extra cheese (IMO)’.

Jess was also keen for more cheese (who isn’t TBH) as she revealed her go-to order is a double cheeseburger, which she ‘hacks’ by ordering cheese bites and adding these into the burger for what is sure to be a delicious stomach ache in the making. 

2. Quarter Pounder 

Following in closely behind the cheeseburger is the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese. 

This shouldn’t really surprise anyone, as they’re essentially bigger versions of the cheeseburger, containing a little bit more of everything. 

Assistant lifestyle editor, Jessica Lindsay, and head of social video, Alex Goldsmith, both praised the burger, saying ‘you can’t go wrong’ if you order one.

And since McDonald’s recently introduced their new ‘best burger’ method of cooking beef, the Quarter Pounder flavour has improved, with a ‘slight creamy, dairy note’. Yum!

3. Big Mac

The Big Mac is an institution at McDonald’s, so we’re aware that not crowning it victorious might upset a few people. But, top three is where it’s at for us.

Two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles and that famous sauce are stacked between three pieces of bun. It’s big, it’s iconic, and it’s safe to say people who love it take it very seriously.

For Metro’s resident fashion and beauty expert Sarah Bradbury, there’s nothing better. ‘I loveee a Big Mac,’ she tells us. 

‘When I’m ridiculously hungover, it’s the only thing that makes me feel both better and worse at the same time. I always add extra lettuce and pickles. For me, I think it’s the nostalgic taste of the sauce and gorgeous, melted cheese.’

Deputy first person and opinion editor Ross McCafferty agrees that it’s all about the Big Mac Sauce.

‘It’s the sauce that makes it — often imitated, never replicated, the absurdly sweet condiment elevates what could simply be dry mouthful of carby stodge into something that is rightly beloved all over the world, and the perfect hangover cure.’

4. McSpicy

Taking fourth place in the rankings, this chicken burger divided the Metro team, as Courtney and Jess Austin were big fans, but Sarah wasn’t so keen.

Launched in 2021, the McSpicy was marketed as McDonald’s hottest burger yet and featured a chicken fillet marinated in a spicy coating, with lettuce and mayo in a toasted bun. 

Earlier this year the chain then launched an even hotter version, as they teamed up with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. But it’s the OG one we’re concerned with here…

‘I consider my tolerance pretty average when it comes to spice — things like jalapeño peppers and buffalo hot sauce don’t bother me, but I do tend to opt for milder dishes most of the time,’ Courtney said.

‘It’s a solid choice for your McDonald’s order. There’s a generous amount of chicken, a nice crispy coating with good crunch and just the right amount of lettuce.

‘If you like it hot, this one won’t be for you, as my mouth certainly wasn’t on fire at any point, but it’s pleasantly warm and did have me reaching for the little bottle of milk that came along with it once or twice.’

She adds: ‘The only real downside to this burger and why this one doesn’t rank any higher for us is that it doesn’t come with any cheese, and as I’m sure you’ve probably worked out by now, we’re BIG fans of cheese.’

5. Filet-O-Fish

Pollock fish in crispy breadcrumbs, a slice of cheese, and tartare sauce are placed inside a steamed bun to create this one.

The Filet-O-Fish is pretty divisive, as some won’t consider it a burger, but others will. For Sarah, it doesn’t really matter what it’s called, as the Filet-O-Fish is a favourite of hers.

‘Fish fingers, chips and beans was the ultimate comfort food for me after school as a kid — and now after work as a (lazy) adult. I just feel the mix of cheese, tartare sauce and chunky fish square is equally as comforting. I don’t really understand half the slice of cheese, but I’ll take it.’

Acting lifestyle editor Kristina Beanland is also a Filet-O-Fish advocate, agreeing that it’s deserving of its middle place in this ranking.

‘The Filet-O-Fish will never be my favourite burger (shout out to my one and only, the Philly Cheese Stack) but it’s a reliable mid-table burger that ought to be recognised. 

‘It was my childhood order, and my intro into tartare sauce, a highly underrated condiment. In the same way that a fish finger sarnie rarely disappoints, whether at a pub lunch, or making a Birdseye one at home, the Filet-O-Fish is simple, yet delicious.

‘It doesn’t need all the frills of pickles and a special sauce, it is what it is: comforting, not too filling, and a solid alternative to a meatier option. And while there is never one ready to immediately chuck onto your tray, it’s well worth the wait.’

6. McCrispy

We’re passed the half-way mark now in our rankings and while they start to go downhill from here, this burger is a solid ‘Mc-Meh’. 

The burger contains chicken breast fillet in a crispy coating, iceberg lettuce, black pepper mayo and a sourdough-style sesame topped bun. But none of this impressed Ross very much.

He had been excited to try the crispy chicken burger when it hit the menu in November 2022, but ultimately found it lacking.

‘Both bun and mayo are clearly meant to be a bougie version of their more humble (and cheaper) McChicken varieties, but the mayo lacks that so-bad-it’s-good sweetness and the bun doesn’t really add anything beyond a pretty pattern.

‘As for the chicken itself, it doesn’t really taste much different from the Chicken Legend which was bumped off the menu. It certainly won’t be this I’m reaching for when I’m next in need of a Maccies fix.’

7. McChicken

The McChicken Sandwich is one of the fast food chain’s original offerings, and it was rather tough to work out where to place it on this list.

For SEO Reporter Elizabeth Atkin, it was the ‘best’ chicken burger McDonald’s sells. She said: ‘I like the simplicity of the McChicken — a bit of lettuce, plain mayo and a simple sesame seed bun is all its needs.’

And while her review certainly earned it points, it was knocked down a few pegs by scathing comments from others.

‘I’ve watched with alarm as the McChicken has shrunk faster than the value of the pound,’ says Ross.

And he’s not the only one who wasn’t pleased. Chris declared its the worst burger on the menu — and definitely not worth the money.

‘There are times in my life when consuming the crisp fiver exchanged for it would have been less dry than the McChicken sandwich,’ he admits. 

8. McPlant

McDonald’s vegan burger has been hailed a ‘game-changer’ by fans, as it’s supposed to taste like meat, while being completely plant-based.

The patty was co-developed with Beyond Meat and is served on a sesame seed bun, with a vegan alternative to cheese, mustard, ketchup vegan sandwich sauce, onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomato.

Courtney was pretty taken with it the first time she tried it, as she felt she wouldn’t have known it was vegan, if she hadn’t been told. ‘It’s almost indistinguishable in terms of taste from a regular cheeseburger.’

But for the actual veggies and vegans among us, it’s not proved such a hit.

Martina Andretta, Metro’s head of growth, felt McDonald’s veggie offerings were ‘super weak’ and admitted she’d prefer a Vegan Chicken Royale from Burger King over either of the options from Maccies as she felt they were both ‘too dry’.

But when pressed to pick the better of the two, it was the McPlant that fared slightly better in her favour.

9. Vegetable Deluxe 

The second of McDonald’s vegan offerings features red pesto veggie goujons, sandwich sauce, and shredded lettuce in a sesame topped bun.

It even sounds pretty dry. It’s not very hard to see why this one didn’t manage to garner Martina’s favour. 

All that said, it’s still a step up from our least favourite burger…

What is your favourite McDonald’s burger and why?Comment Now

10. Hamburger

Coming in last is the plain old hamburger, which has no cheese, no mayo, no salad… and is no fun, really.

It’s a beef patty, onions, mustard and ketchup in a soft bun. 

No one from Metro picked it as their go-to option, hence why it’s at the bottom of the list.

The verdict was unanimous: Anyone who is ordering one of these from McDonald’s really needs to live a little.

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