Key takeaways
- Whataburger's Texas Toast Patty Melt combines thick Monterey Jack with grilled onions and creamy pepper sauce, while the tempura-battered onion rings stand out for their crisp exterior that's enhanced by dipping in spicy ketchup.
- Culver's Sourdough and Wisconsin Swiss Melts showcase the chain's use of naturally aged Wisconsin cheddar and real Swiss cheese, paired with onion rings that diners consistently described as fresh, hot, and flavorful.
- Steak 'n Shake's Frisco Melt features double-thin smashed steakburgers and distinct beef tallow-fried onion rings, a cooking method that diners specifically praised as superior to seed oil frying.
- The Habit's Santa Barbara Char adds avocado and fresh produce to the patty melt format, while Freddy's Original Patty Melt emphasizes simplicity with steakburger patties and Swiss cheese on toasted Jewish rye bread.
A patty melt occupies a curious middle ground in burger culture. It takes the core idea of a burger—seasoned meat, cheese, onions—and transforms it by griddling everything between buttered bread instead of a traditional bun. The result resembles a panini more than a standard sandwich, with the bread crisping and toasting around melted cheese and tender meat. Finding a restaurant that executes both the patty melt and onion rings equally well is rare, yet several national chains have built dedicated followings for these exact offerings.
Whataburger’s Texas Approach
The Signature Build
Whataburger’s Texas Toast Patty Melt has earned praise from both professional cooks and casual diners. Chef Andrew Owens, a Michelin-trained chef working as a private chef in California, described the sandwich in detail to Eat This Not That: “Massive, juicy beef patties stacked tall on thick, golden Texas toast, drowned in melty Monterey Jack, crowned with perfectly grilled onions, and drizzled with that creamy, spicy pepper sauce that brings the heat in the best way.” He emphasized the sandwich’s customization options, noting that diners can add jalapeños, bacon, or other toppings, and praised the scale of each bite.
What separates Whataburger’s approach is the combination of Texas toast’s thickness and butter content with the grilled onions and Monterey Jack. The pepper sauce adds a heat element that some diners find essential. Redditors who sampled the sandwich reported satisfaction with the overall execution, particularly noting how the components work together rather than competing for attention.
Onion Ring Perfection
Whataburger’s onion rings drew equally strong reactions from diners. According to Eat This Not That’s reporting, one Redditor claimed, “Whataburger has the best onion rings I’ve ever had. I like onions but I’ve never been a huge fan of onion rings, this has changed everything lol. It’s so good.” Another agreed: “Onion rings and the patty melt are the best things they have to offer.”
The key appears to be the tempura-style batter coating. A third diner noted the difference when dipping: “It’s even better when you dip it in the spicy ketchup!! The tempura batter REALLY elevates the ring.” This suggests the rings’ success stems partly from their batter’s crisp exterior and the pairing with available sauces.
Culver’s Wisconsin Tradition
The Sourdough and Swiss Melts
Culver’s operates two patty melt variations that appeal to different preferences. The Sourdough Melt features the chain’s signature ButterBurger, topped with naturally aged Wisconsin cheddar and crispy fried red onions, served on toasted sourdough. The Wisconsin Swiss Melt takes a different path, substituting Swiss cheese for cheddar and using grilled rye bread instead of sourdough, while maintaining the tangy red onions.
One Redditor described their experience to Eat This Not That: “Absolutely one of my faves outside of the burger.” Another commented more broadly on Culver’s execution: “Culver’s does it like no one else in the fast food burger biz.” The preference for Culver’s approach seems tied to Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, using aged cheddar and real Swiss cheese rather than processed alternatives.
Onion Rings Done Right
Culver’s onion rings earned comparable praise. Diners reported they are “fantastic” and “fresh, hot, [and] very flavorful,” according to Eat This Not That’s reporting. Unlike some chains where onion rings feel like an afterthought, here they maintain their quality and taste throughout the meal. The freshness appears to matter, as diners specifically noted the heat retention and flavor intensity.
Steak ‘n Shake and Other Contenders
The Frisco Melt with Beef Tallow Rings
Steak ‘n Shake’s Frisco Melt represents a different construction strategy. The sandwich features double-thin, smashed steakburgers layered with American and Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and the chain’s signature tangy Frisco sauce, all on buttered, griddled sourdough. The double-cheese approach and the sauce distinguish it from competitors.
One Redditor recalled eating it regularly, describing it to Eat This Not That: “The Frisco Melt was always a favorite of mine as well. A double-patty with American cheese and Swiss cheese, put on buttered and grilled sourdough with a bit of 1,000 island dressing.” The sauce acts as a binder and flavor anchor for the thin patties.
Steak ‘n Shake’s most significant distinction comes through its onion rings preparation. The chain recently shifted to frying rings exclusively in 100 percent beef tallow rather than seed oils. According to Eat This Not That’s reporting, diners noticed: “Those onion rings fried in beef tallow are very, very good.” The cooking medium alone appears to justify the sandwich-and-rings pairing here.
Regional Variations from The Habit and Freddy’s
The Habit Burger’s Santa Barbara Char contains two chargrilled beef patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, avocado, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise on griddled sourdough. The additions of avocado and fresh vegetables move this closer to a deluxe burger dressed as a melt. A TripAdvisor diner expressed enthusiasm about the onion rings, simply stating: “I love the Onion Rings.”
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers offers the Original Patty Melt with two steakburger patties, Swiss cheese, and grilled onions on toasted Jewish rye bread. The simplicity appeals to purists. One Redditor explained the appeal to Eat This Not That: “Freddy’s Patty Melt hits the spot. Crispy smash burgers, onions, Swiss on rye. Simple and delicious.” Another claimed, “Freddy’s Steakburgers has some of the best onion rings in the fast food business.”
Comparing Approaches Across Chains
The five chains represent distinct philosophies. Whataburger emphasizes customization and sauce-forward flavor. Culver’s leans on regional ingredient pride, featuring Wisconsin cheddar and Swiss. Steak ‘n Shake commits to smashed patties and cooking medium innovation. The Habit incorporates fresh produce alongside the core melt concept. Freddy’s returns to minimalism: quality meat, cheese, onions, good bread.
Onion ring quality emerges as a consistent marker across all five locations. Whether fried in beef tallow, coated in tempura batter, or simply kept hot and fresh, the rings either complement or diminish the meal. Diners who enjoy both the patty melt and rings at these chains report feeling satisfied rather than like the rings were an obligatory side. The common threads across all five: buttered or griddled bread, melted cheese, grilled or caramelized onions, and proper execution of whichever cooking method each chain chose.
Source: Eat This Not That
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a patty melt different from a regular burger?
A patty melt is made with buttered, griddled bread instead of a traditional bun, resembling a panini. The bread crisps and toasts around melted cheese and meat, creating a different eating experience than a standard burger.
Why do Whataburger's onion rings stand out according to diners?
Whataburger uses a tempura-style batter that creates a crisp exterior, and diners report the rings taste even better when dipped in spicy ketchup, which elevates the batter quality.
Which chain uses an unusual cooking method for its onion rings?
Steak 'n Shake recently shifted to frying onion rings exclusively in 100 percent beef tallow instead of seed oils, a choice that diners specifically praised.
