16 Chain Restaurants Serving Burgers That Outsize The Bun
Some burgers are politely proportioned. These are not.
These are the chain-restaurant beasts where the patty hangs past the bun, the edges get extra crispy, and your napkins work overtime. Ready to chase that glorious overhang and the big, juicy bite that follows?
1. Five Guys
Five Guys loves a patty that spreads, so the cheeseburger often looks like it is breaking free. That sear gives you frizzled edges and a juicy center, perfect when you keep toppings simple.
Go ketchup, mustard, pickles, and let the beef do the talking.
Order a regular cheeseburger, which actually brings two patties, and savor the overhang bite. The bun plays support, not star, catching drips and melted American.
Add grilled onions if you want sweetness without burying the beef.
2. Smashburger
Smashburger is built for the crisp, lacy overhang. Thin patties meet a hot griddle, and those browned edges stretch wider than the bun on purpose.
That lace adds texture, salt, and deep sear flavor in every bite.
Go for a double to maximize that crunchy ring and keep toppings tight. Think American cheese, pickles, and a light swipe of sauce.
The bun is soft enough to hug without smothering, and you will appreciate how the patties stay the clear headline.
3. Steak ‘n Shake
Steak ‘n Shake presses thin patties till they bloom beyond the bun. That gives a double steakburger the wide, crispy footprint without turning heavy.
You get caramelized beef flavor, soft bun, and classic toppings that let the sear shine.
Order a double cheese, maybe add grilled onions for a diner hit. It is everything you want from a roadside stop, sized for big bites, not careful ones.
Pair with shoestring fries and a shake if you want the full, retro-feeling experience.
4. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Freddy’s serves steakburgers that frill at the edges and run wide. The paper-thin patties crisp hard, turning the perimeter into savory lace that reaches beyond the bun.
It is half crunch, half juicy beef, and all about that griddle sear.
Double up and keep it simple with cheese, mustard, and pickles. The bun is tender and toasty, just enough to corral things.
Add fries and fry sauce if you want a salty dip that complements the caramelized edges without stealing the show.
5. Culver’s
Culver’s ButterBurger leans wide, especially when you stack patties. That buttery toasted bun stays plush while the beef pushes outward just enough to tempt a drip.
You get juicy beef, crisp edges, and melted cheese that blankets the overhang.
Order a Double ButterBurger with cheese and keep toppings classic. The ratio favors beef while still letting the bun add sweetness and structure.
Crinkle-cut fries on the side, and maybe a custard concrete for dessert, round out a Midwestern comfort run.
6. Whataburger
Whataburger is big everything, including that broad patty. Even with a sizable bun, the beef often pushes the borders, giving you those satisfying edge bites.
The classic build leans mustard-forward, with pickles and onions keeping things sharp.
Grab a Whataburger or a Double Meat Whataburger if you want heft without gimmicks. The grill flavor carries, the bun stays sturdy, and the bite feels unapologetically Texas.
It is a two-hand situation, and you will not regret the napkins.
7. Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. plays the big-burger lane with charbroiled patties that strain the bun. You get smoky flavor, melted cheese, and that slightly messy, juicy hold.
The edges can peek past, especially on thicker builds and doubles.
Try a Famous Star with Cheese or level up to a double for maximum beef presence. Keep sauces reasonable so the char comes through.
It is a reliable stop when you want a chain burger with extra heft and an unmistakable grill profile.
8. Hardee’s
Hardee’s mirrors its sibling’s big energy with thick, chargrilled patties. The bun does its best, but the beef often takes the lead, showing a little overhang around the edges.
You get a rich, smoky bite and a build that feels substantial.
Grab a Thickburger with cheese and keep the toppings balanced. Lettuce and tomato add freshness without burying the grill flavor.
It is a solid choice when you crave a heavier, two-fister burger that still eats clean enough to finish in the car.
9. Wendy’s
Wendy’s makes the overhang unavoidable by shaping patties square. Those corners peek past the bun, promising beef in every direction.
The classic Single with cheese delivers juicy center, toasted bun, and a nostalgic fast-food flavor.
Order a Double for more of that edge exposure and keep toppings to pickles, onions, and a light spread. The bun is soft, never stiff, so the meat-to-bread ratio leans satisfying.
It is an easy go-to when you want reliable, corner-forward bites.
10. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen quietly turns out burgers with a surprising patty spread. On certain builds, the beef reaches wider than the bun, giving you that crispy edge bite you did not expect from a dessert-forward stop.
The balance is classic and comforting.
Order a signature cheeseburger or stack it for more overhang. Keep the toppings light to let the sear show up.
Grab fries and a Blizzard if you are in treat mode, and enjoy how the beef holds its own next to the soft, warm bun.
11. Burger King
The Whopper is built broad, with a flame-grilled patty that often outpaces the bun. That smoky profile plus a roomy build makes every bite feel wide and satisfying.
It is not tidy, but it is honest fast-food burger goodness.
Stick with the classic Whopper or go Double if you want serious beef presence. The sesame bun keeps structure without overshadowing the char.
Expect drips, relish the edges, and enjoy the familiar balance of lettuce, tomato, pickles, and creamy mayo.
12. Sonic Drive-In
Sonic goes big on its larger builds, and those patties can run wide. The drive-in vibe makes the messy edges feel right at home, especially with tots riding shotgun.
You get a juicy, classic burger that eats like a full meal.
Choose a double cheeseburger and keep the toppings straightforward. The soft bun cushions the overhang without fighting it.
Wash it down with a cherry limeade, and you have the perfect car picnic anchored by beefy, satisfying bites.
13. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box makes chaos delicious with larger, stacked burgers that push past the bun. The patties and fixings spill just enough to promise a messy, satisfying bite.
It is built for bold cravings, not polite nibbling.
Order a double cheeseburger or one of the heavier signature builds. Keep add-ons focused so the beef comes through the sauce.
Late-night runs especially hit, when a wide, cheesy, two-hand burger feels like exactly the right move.
14. Checkers and Rally’s
Checkers and Rally’s go big on seasoning and size. Their patties often sit wide on the bun, with edges showing and spices singing.
The result is a punchy, beef-forward burger that does not need much else besides cheese.
Order a double with American, then add pickles for snap. The toasted bun is sturdy enough to keep things together while you chase those crispy edges.
Seasoned fries on the side seal the deal, amplifying the bold, drive-thru comfort vibe.
15. Fatburger
Fatburger leans into size and heft, and the larger builds look like they are testing the bun. The patty is thick but spreads wide enough to give you edge bites.
It is juicy, beefy, and unabashedly filling.
Order a Large Fatburger with cheese and relish the ratio that favors meat. Add pickles and onions for brightness without burying the char.
Fries or onion rings are classic sides, but the star is that big patty that feels bigger than the bread.
16. Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers is known for big patties and a toppings bar that lets you customize the ride. The beef often runs wider than the bun, so you get that coveted overhang with each bite.
Toasted buns stay supportive while the meat takes center stage.
Start with a half-pound, add cheese, then hit lettuce, onion, and pickles for balance. Keep sauces controlled to let the sear come through.
It is a make-it-your-way spot where size and flavor do not feel like a stunt.
