Some Of America’s Best Burger Chains Are Here In Central Minnesota

The results are in.

Reader's Digest has combed Yelp and revealed its list of the 'Best Burger Chains in America." If you are anything like me, you are probably wondering how many of these burgers you can try right here in Central Minnesota.

Well, I have good news, and I have bad news. The bad news is we are missing several of the top choices, but the good news is that there are a few chains in the top ten that can be found right here in our own backyard!

(Remember: these are just the best CHAINS according to Yelp, so no Val's, Burger Time or any other of the local favorites. You can fight amongst yourselves when it comes to those!)

Taking Reader's Digest's top spot was In-N-Out, which is mainly a West Coast chain. Despite having over 400 locations, the nearest In-N-Out to Central Minnesota is... in Colorado. Bummer!

Sadly, Central Minnesota doesn't have the second-place burger chain, The Habit Burger Grill, either. The Habit Burger Grill is available on both coasts, but not in the good ol' Midwest.

The third place finisher, Shake Shack, also doesn't have a location in Central MN. However, this one is a little more attainable than the first two spots, as you will just have to make a drive to Maple Grove as that is the nearest Shake Shake location.

WELCOME TO DELICIOUS 

In fourth place is a Midwest staple- Culver's! Founded in Wisconsin and now in 26 states, there is no shortage of Culver's restaurants in the area including one on Highway 10 (901 US-10, St Cloud, MN) and another near Menard's in Waite Park (1101 2nd St S, Waite Park, MN). And yes, they DO always seem to be by Menard's.

Islands Restaurants, another West Coast burger chain, finished in fifth place. Known for its creative menu options and for having a full bar, Islands Restaurants are located in California and Arizona.

FREDDY'S 

Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers is another chain on the list (#6) that we can try right here in St. Cloud (4100 W Division St #400, St Cloud), thanks to the location that opened in 2019. Freddy's famous for its thin-sliced steakburgers and its fry sauce.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries is another St. Cloud staple and it finished in seventh place. Known for its made-from-scratch, fresh burgers and its generous servings of fresh-cut potato fries, Five Guys can be found at 4144 2nd St S in St. Cloud.

Rounding out the top ten were Wayback Burgers, which has only a Woodbury location in Minnesota, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes (closest is in Wisconsin) and, sadly, Red Robin... which closed its St. Cloud location just last month.