6 Burger Chains That Actually Grill Their Burgers

Most burger chains cook their hamburgers on flat-top grills, also commonly called a griddle. These are simply large slabs of cooking surface—almost always steel—that can be heated up and onto which dozens of patties can be slapped down and cooked fast. Some still grill their burgers using real flames, and you can definitely taste a difference.

Now, to be clear, we're not denigrating flat-top griddle cooking for burgers; not at all, in fact. Some of the best-respected burger chains around use flat top grills, like Five Guys and Smashburger. And so do many of the largest chains, like McDonald's and Wendy's.

Cooking burgers on a griddle can conserve fats and flavors in a way grilling over an open flame can't, as invariably some of the fat and juices that give a burger its taste will drip away. Or will literally burn off.

That said, there is also much to be gained in terms of flavor from the searing kiss of real flames. Is one method better than the other? No. But is it OK for you to have a strong preference for one method of cooking or another? Here are seven burger chains whose burger cooking methods involve real fire.

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