I ranked the signature burgers from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King. My favorite surprised me.

My second-favorite burger was the Dave’s Single from Wendy’s.

It features one of Wendy’s signature square patties and is the chain’s take on a classic cheeseburger. 

The Dave’s Single burger comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mayo, mustard, and onions on a potato bun.

The burger cost me $8.74, excluding tax, at my local Wendy’s in Brooklyn.

The burger was noticeably saucier than both the Whopper and the Big Mac.

It was practically dripping with sauces, which I didn’t necessarily mind. Some of the flavors were slightly masked by the two condiments, but I thought the cheese was tangy and the onions cut through the burger’s sweeter elements.

There was also a generous serving of pickles and a large slice of tomato.

Overall, I thought this was a good, classic cheeseburger.

If I had to change one thing, I might remove or ask for a half-serving of mayonnaise.

But I thought it was an overall solid choice for a late-night snack.

My favorite burger was the Whopper with cheese from Burger King.

Burger King’s signature burger has been around for decades. Released in 1957, just four years after the chain opened, the Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King’s original burger, which cost 18 cents.

Whoppers — and all Burger King burgers, for that matter — are flame-grilled, giving their burgers a distinct smoky flavor.

You can order a Whopper with or without cheese.

For the sake of this experiment, I decided to order a Whopper with cheese to ensure a fair comparison with the other signature burgers. 

The Whopper cost me $9.18, excluding tax, at my local Burger King in Brooklyn.

A Whopper comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise on a sesame-seed bun.

Burger King updated the Whopper to include a new premium mayonnaise and a new bun, and now serves it in a clamshell box instead of wrapping it in paper.

The flavorful burger was my favorite for both taste and texture.

The lettuce, tomatoes, and onions all tasted very fresh, adding a delicious crunch to the burger.

The patties had a smoky, savory flavor that made the burger taste freshly grilled. Their wider, flatter shape also made the sandwich easier to eat than some of the thicker burgers I tried.

The new, creamier mayonnaise had more flavor, without making the burger a soggy mess. Overall, I thought the burger was worth its higher price tag, which surprised me.

Comparing the three signature burgers made me feel like a fast-food Goldilocks: One was too dry, one was too juicy, and this one was just right.

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