I tried 5 signature burgers from major chains. This meaty beast was the winner.

• I taste-tested signature burgers from McDonald's, Burger King, Five Guys, Wendy's, and Shake Shack to see how they compared.
• Each burger brought something unique to the table, but Five Guys won out overall.
• Its juicy meat and fresh, flavorful toppings contributed to a classic burger taste that demolished its competition.
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All burgers are equal, but some burgers are more equal than others.

I compared the Wendy's Dave's Single, the McDonald's Big Mac, the Burger King Whopper, the Shake Shack ShackBurger, and the Five Guys cheeseburger in a burger showdown for the ages.

I judged the burgers based on visual appeal, meat quality, taste, and juiciness. Each burger was beautiful in its own way, but Five Guys ultimately won the pageant.

Here's why:

The Five Guys cheeseburger comes as a double unless you ask for a small cheeseburger, which means the signature sandwich is a hulking hunk of meat by default. It's large, heavy, and multicolored, even if the bun is a little flat.

Read more: I tried the signature burgers from 5 major fast-food chains, and the winner was obvious

The "all the way" toppings get you all the sauces, sautéed mushrooms and onions, crunchy green pickles, a slab of tomato, and a couple of lettuce leaves. All the toppings were fresh and flavorful, but the bright green pickles really stood out with their memorable crunch and tartness.

I could sing the praises of Five Guys' fatty, beefy, moist patties all the way to the grave. They were a little more well-done than I usually like, but I can just ask for them to be cooked medium rare next time. A squeeze test confirmed what I already knew: The beef was chock full of delicious meaty juice.

A thick, generous slice of cheddar cheese was melted into the lightly charred grooves of the patties, gluing them together for the ultimate savory tag team. Topped with generous veggies and sandwiched between two meek and pleasant buns, Five Guys' beef and cheese could do no evil.

Altogether, Five Guys accomplished a hearty and flavorful classic burger with a well-rounded taste and completely customizable quality ingredients. Even though the other burgers were great in their own ways, I'll be going back to Five Guys when I crave a classic burger done right.

SEE ALSO: I tried the 4 international menu items that McDonald's is bringing to the US, and this one was the best by far

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