17 Must-Try Fast Food Sandwiches, According To Burger Experts

Fast food sandwiches have come a long way. What used to be quick hunger fixes are now crave-worthy creations that people gladly wait in line for.
As someone who’s tasted over 500 sandwiches across the country, I’ve seen firsthand how drive-thru staples have evolved into full-blown flavor experiences.
These 17 picks showcase the best of the best: bold, mouthwatering combinations that just might inspire your next road trip.
1. Popeyes Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich that launched a thousand memes didn’t become famous by accident. Popeyes created the perfect storm with their crispy, craggly coating that shatters with each bite, revealing juicy chicken beneath.
I once drove three hours just to try this when it first launched, only to find a line wrapped twice around the building. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.
The buttery brioche bun and tangy mayo-based sauce complete this masterpiece.
2. Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich

Simplicity executed flawlessly – that’s the Chick-fil-A way. Their pressure-cooked chicken breast, hand-breaded and fried in peanut oil, achieves a texture that’s both crisp and tender. Back in college, this sandwich saved me countless times during late-night study sessions.
The buttered bun and two pickle chips might seem minimal, but they provide the perfect acid balance to the rich chicken. There’s something magical about food that doesn’t need bells and whistles to impress.
3. Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger

Five Guys doesn’t just make a burger, but crafts an experience. Their bacon cheeseburger features two hand-formed patties smashed on a flat-top grill, developing a crust that’s practically caramelized.
The melted American cheese becomes one with the meat, while the bacon adds smoky crunch. Their sesame seed bun somehow manages to hold everything together despite being loaded with toppings.
Pro tip: always get grilled onions and mushrooms for maximum umami impact.
4. Shake Shack ShackBurger

The ShackBurger transformed fast food by bringing fine-dining sensibilities to the drive-thru world. Their proprietary beef blend gets seared to perfection, developing a crust that’s the stuff of burger legends.
The potato bun offers just the right squish factor, while the ShackSauce adds tangy complexity. Green leaf lettuce (not iceberg!) and ripe tomato elevate this beyond typical fast food territory.
Each bite delivers a perfect ratio of meat, cheese, veg, and bun.
5. Jersey Mike’s #13 Original Italian

Cold subs rarely reach legendary status, but Jersey Mike’s Italian defies the odds. Provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami, and pepperoni create a meat symphony that puts other chain subs to shame. I’ve converted countless sandwich skeptics with this one.
The magic happens when you order it “Mike’s Way” – onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil, and spices. The bread, sliced fresh for each order, provides the perfect vehicle for this flavor explosion. Transcendent doesn’t begin to describe it.
6. Arby’s Beef ‘n Cheddar

Arby’s knows their lane and stays gloriously within it. Their Beef ‘n Cheddar combines thinly-sliced roast beef with a warm cheddar cheese sauce that cascades over the meat like a savory waterfall. The onion roll adds subtle sweetness, while the secret Arby’s sauce brings tangy zest.
Many chains have tried to copy this formula, but none achieve the same harmony of flavors. When the cheese sauce meets that slightly spicy Arby’s sauce, pure sandwich alchemy happens.
7. Whataburger Patty Melt

Texas’ pride and joy created a patty melt that makes other versions look like amateur hour. Two beef patties nestled between slices of Texas toast, smothered with creamy pepper sauce, grilled onions, and melted Monterey Jack cheese.
During a road trip through the Lone Star State, I detoured 40 miles just to try this sandwich. The crispy, buttery bread contrasts perfectly with the juicy patties.
Whataburger’s special creamy pepper sauce adds a kick that elevates this beyond standard patty melt territory.
8. Culver’s ButterBurger Cheese

Culver’s sears their fresh, never-frozen patties on a flat-top grill, then nestles them into a lightly buttered and toasted bun. The cheese melts perfectly into the nooks and crannies of the smashed patty. What makes this burger special isn’t fancy toppings – it’s the attention to technique.
Each patty has those crispy, lacy edges that burger aficionados dream about, while maintaining a juicy interior. Simple, but utterly perfect.
9. Jimmy John’s #9 Italian Night Club

Speed doesn’t usually equal quality, but Jimmy John’s defies expectations. Their Italian Night Club layers genoa salami, capicola, smoked ham, and provolone on their fresh-baked French bread for a textural masterpiece.
The veggies provide the perfect crunch, while the oil and vinegar add zing. My sandwich expertise tells me the secret lies in their bread, a slightly chewy exterior with a pillowy interior. This is the sandwich that convinced me that fast doesn’t have to mean inferior.
10. In-N-Out Double-Double Animal Style

The not-so-secret menu item that’s worth crossing state lines for. Two thin patties smashed and grilled with mustard, topped with melted American cheese, extra spread, and grilled onions that have been nearly caramelized.
I once met a couple who planned their entire honeymoon around In-N-Out locations. The freshness is undeniable – you can literally watch potatoes being hand-cut for fries while you wait.
This burger achieves a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that chain imitators can’t match.
11. Firehouse Subs Hook & Ladder

Firefighters know food, and this sandwich proves it. Smoked turkey breast and Virginia honey ham piled high with Monterey Jack cheese, then steamed to melty perfection on a toasted sub roll. Last summer, during a cross-country drive, this sandwich saved me from highway food monotony.
The mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion provide the perfect fresh counterpoint to the warm meats and cheese. Their signature steam process ensures every bite is moist and flavorful – no dry bites here!
12. Bojangles’ Cajun Filet Sandwich

Bojangles’ marinates their chicken in Cajun spices before hand-breading and frying each filet to golden perfection. The buttered bun receives a schmear of mayo and nothing else – because nothing else is needed.
While other chains scramble to create spicy chicken sandwiches, Bojangles’ has quietly perfected theirs decades ago. The seasoning penetrates throughout the meat, not just the coating.
13. Portillo’s Italian Beef

Chicago’s wet sandwich masterpiece has gained national attention for good reason. Thinly sliced roast beef simmered in savory au jus until it practically melts, then piled onto a sturdy French roll. Order it “dipped” and watch as they submerge the entire sandwich in jus.
My Chicago friends nearly disowned me when I first hesitated at the sogginess – now I’m a convert. Add hot giardiniera for spicy, vinegary crunch that cuts through the richness. Messy? Absolutely. Worth it? One thousand percent.
14. Raising Cane’s Chicken Sandwich

Raising Cane’s might be known for fingers, but their sandwich deserves its own cult following. Three chicken tenders, with that signature crispy coating, nestled in a kaiser roll with lettuce and their legendary Cane’s sauce.
The tenders’ extra crunch gives this sandwich textural superiority over competitors. During a taste test with friends, this was the surprise winner against more famous chicken sandwiches.
Pro tip: Ask for extra Cane’s sauce on the side for dunking – you’ll thank me later.
15. Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla

Yes, a quesadilla counts as a sandwich – fight me. Taco Bell’s version combines grilled chicken, a melty three-cheese blend, and their jalapeno sauce between two griddled tortillas for handheld perfection. I’ve been ordering this exact item since high school, and it never disappoints.
The creamy jalapeno sauce is the unsung hero: tangy, slightly spicy, with a hint of ranch-like quality. While Taco Bell’s menu constantly changes, this stalwart remains because messing with perfection would cause riots.
16. Penn Station Philly Cheesesteak

Chain Philly cheesesteaks usually disappoint, but Penn Station breaks the curse. Fresh-sliced ribeye seared on a flat-top with grilled onions, banana peppers, and mushrooms, then covered with melted provolone.
The bread, baked fresh daily, provides the perfect vessel. During a college road trip, we detoured 30 miles just to hit Penn Station. Their fresh-cut fries might steal headlines, but this cheesesteak deserves equal billing.
The meat-to-cheese ratio achieves mathematical perfection.
17. Subway Spicy Italian

Sometimes classics become classics for good reason. Subway’s Spicy Italian combines pepperoni and Genoa salami for a one-two punch of spicy, fatty goodness that satisfies primal cravings. The customization options let you make it yours.
My perfect version includes provolone, banana peppers, spinach, onion, oil, vinegar, and oregano on Italian herb and cheese bread. When toasted properly, the edges of the meat crisp slightly while the cheese melts into every nook.