Here are widely regarded fast-casual burger chains in the U.S., grouped by style with a short note on what they're known for. Pick based on what you value (quality of beef, toppings/creativity, speed/price, plant-based options, regional availability).

Top nationally known

• Five Guys — big, juicy hand-formed patties, lots of free toppings; casual, inexpensive, consistently popular.
• Shake Shack — higher-quality beef, signature shack sauce, crinkle fries; slightly pricier, consistent brand experience.
• Smashburger — smash-style patties for a crisp edge, varied toppings and buns; good balance of price/quality.
• BurgerFi — Angus beef, often fresher-sounding ingredients and decent fries; notable for plant-based options.
• The Habit Burger Grill — flame-grilled burgers and charbroiled flavor; good value and regional-to-national footprint.

“Better” / more gourmet fast-casual

• Hopdoddy — craft burger focus, high-quality ingredients, creative combos and shakes (more common in TX/West).
• Umami Burger — chef-driven flavor profiles and umami-forward toppings (more upscale, limited locations).
• Bareburger — organic/pasture-raised options, many customization choices including global toppings and buns.

Health-forward / specialty

• Bareburger (again) — strong for organic/alternative proteins.
• Elevation Burger — emphasizes grass-fed beef and steaming; often organic/health-forward offerings.
• Burger 21 / Good Stuff Eatery (regional/smaller chains) — fresher ingredient focus, customizable.

Regional favorites worth seeking out (cult followings)

• In-N-Out Burger — West Coast cult favorite (fast-food style but often listed among “best” for flavor/price).
• Whataburger — Texas/South favorite with big, made-to-order burgers.
• Culver’s — Midwest chain known for fresh butterburgers and value (more fast-casual than fast-food in some markets).
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers — Midwest/Plains roots; thin, crispy-edged patties and nostalgic sides.

Plant-based / alternative-focused

• BurgerFi — good plant-based selections (Beyond/Impossible).
• Bareburger — many plant-based and alternative-protein choices.
• Plant-forward local concepts — many cities now have standout fast-casual vegan burger spots.

How to choose

• For classic, consistent value: Five Guys or Smashburger.
• For a bit more upscale/chef-driven: Shake Shack, Hopdoddy, Umami.
• For organic/health/alternative proteins: Bareburger or Elevation Burger.
• For regional/local character: look for In-N-Out (West), Whataburger (South), Culver’s (Midwest).

If you want, I can narrow this to: nearest options in your area, only chains with plant-based mains, or a ranked top 10 with pros/cons. Which would you prefer?