Like most things in life, America’s most popular food is best with cheese. So put some slices on those burgers, because today is National Cheeseburger Day!
Cheeseburgers remain one of the favorite entrees in the U.S., according to YouGov’s ranking of the most popular American foods. While the hamburger tops the regularly updated list with 85 percent popularity, the cheeseburger comes a close second at 83 percent, just behind fries and grilled cheese (both at 84 percent), and tied with fried chicken (83 percent).
Americans eat an estimated 50 billion burgers a year. Nearly three-quarters of burger lovers (74%) say they typically top their burger with cheese, YouGov found.
Although National Cheeseburger Day, which falls on September 18 each year, has no historical significance, there is still some debate over the burger’s birthplace. Pasadena, California, claims to be the birthplace, with a 16-year-old cook serving the first burger at a roadside hamburger stand more than 100 years ago. Other places that claim the cheeseburger’s birthright include Louisville restaurant Kaelin’s in 1934, which called it a “cheeseburger.”
Regardless of where the dish originated, no one needs a reason to grab a cheeseburger, especially when these restaurants have specials to help Texas residents celebrate!
McDonald’s: 50 Cent Double Cheeseburgers
Mickie D’s is giving you twice the fun with double cheeseburgers for $0.50 when you order through the app on Wednesday.
Burger King: Free Cheeseburger with $1 Purchase
Members of the fast-food chain’s Royal Perks free loyalty program can get a free cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more on Wednesdays. Burger King has more deals throughout the week.
All this week’s deals from Burger King’s Royal Perks program:
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Wednesday: Free Cheeseburger with a minimum purchase of $1
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Thursday: Free 4-Pack Mozzarella Fries with purchase of $1 or more
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Friday: A free Croissan’wich with a purchase of $1 or more
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Saturday: Free 4 Piece Chicken Fries Order with Purchase of $1 or More
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Sunday: Free soft drink (any size) with purchase of $1 or more
Wendy’s: 1-cent bacon cheeseburger special
Download the Wendy’s app and get a 1-cent discount on Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with any purchase Wednesday through Sunday (app download and account registration required).
Buffalo Wild Wings: BOGO cheeseburgers and free wings
Members of Buffalo Wild Wings’ Blazin’ Rewards loyalty program can buy one burger and get one free on Wednesday, with choices including Jason Kelce’s pick, the Triple Bacon Burger and the brand-new Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger. If you’re not a Blazin’ Rewards member, sign up on or before September 18 to take advantage of the deal. It’s valid for dine-in, takeout and delivery via Buffalo Wild Wings GO.
Also still available: 10 free boneless wings when you spend $15 or more. Place your order via Buffalo Wings GO on the Buffalo Wild Wings App or the Buffalo Wild Wings GO website (use code GOBONELESS).
Applebee’s: Classic Burger Deal
Applebee’s is offering customers a “classic burger deal” on Wednesday, which consists of one of three classic artisan burgers with classic fries for $8.99.
Customers can choose between the Applebee’s Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger or Classic Bacon Cheeseburger. The offer is valid for dine-in or online at Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app.
Customers ordering through the app can select the ‘National Cheeseburger Day’ option from the online menu to take advantage of the offer.
Dairy Queen: Free Double Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger with purchase
From Wednesday through Sunday, Dairy Queen is offering customers a free Double Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger with any app or online order of $1 or more.
The burger features two beef patties, Sharp American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard, the company said, and the offer is valid at participating DQ Grill & Chill locations nationwide. The offer is limited to one redemption per customer and is not valid for in-store redemption.
Hopdaddy Burger Bar: Golden Ticket Scratch Card Contest
Austin’s own Hopdoddy Burger Bar is pulling out all the stops for National Cheeseburger Day. Customers who dine in on Wednesday and order the Okie Dokie Smash burger will earn a golden ticket scratch-off and a chance to win a prize.
Ten lucky winners will receive the grand prize: a year of free cheeseburgers, awarded in the form of a $650 Hopdoddy gift card.
Even if customers don’t win the main prize, Hopdoddy has secondary prizes. Bounceback Free Items include free shakes, shareables and exclusive Hopdoddy merchandise.
There are a maximum of 50 scratch cards available per location.
More National Cheeseburger Day Deals
Check out more of this week’s burger deals here.
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Bad Daddies: On Wednesdays, order the All-American Burger with cheese for $8.Bar Louie: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, you can get the Louie’s Choice Cheeseburger with fries or tots for $9.95 (prices and participation may vary; check with your local Bar Louie for details).
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Denny’s: On Wednesday, Denny’s Rewards members can get 20% off any burger, including – from the limited-time “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”-inspired Afterlife Menu – the Beetlejuicy Burger, which features three quarter-pound patties, bacon, provolone cheese, Diner Q sauce and more on a brioche bun.
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Dog house: Sign up for the Haus Rewards loyalty program before Tuesday and receive a cheeseburger offer in the app on Wednesday: buy one, get one free.
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Hat Creek: Order the Texas chain’s Little Hat Burger for just $2 on Wednesdays through the Hat Creek app.
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Kona grill: Special offerings for National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 (for dine-in or takeout) include a Kona Grill Bacon Cheeseburger ($9.99), a takeout and delivery cheeseburger ($9.99), made with double-stacked 4-ounce patties; and a Steakhouse Burger ($25), made with two 4-ounce patties, cheese, bacon, shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onion, garlic aioli sauce, and fries.
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Smashburger: The fast food chain has $5 Classic Singles all day on Wednesdays in-store or when you order on the Smashburger website or app (use code CLASSIC24; valid at participating locations nationwide. May be substituted with a vegetarian option.) Plus, with any purchase on Wednesday, you’ll get a coupon for 50% off any burger or sandwich the next time you visit from September 19 to October 17.
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STK Steakhouse: The steakhouse and lounge chain is having several specials for National Cheeseburger Day on Wednesday (in-restaurant or to-go), including a Brunch Burger ($9.99), made with a fried egg, bacon, and cheese; Lil’ BRGs ($6), Waygu beef sliders, and truffle fries; and a Takeout Cheeseburger with chips ($7.99 or $9.99, varies by location).
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Wahlburgers: The chain, founded by Donnie Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg and chef Paul Wahlberg, is giving 50% off all burgers on Wednesdays.
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Former burgers: Wayback Rewards loyalty program members can buy one Classic Burger – made with two beef patties and cheese – and get one free on Wednesdays when ordering in-restaurant, online or through the Wayback Burgers app (limit one per app account; cannot be combined with other coupons, offers or discounts).
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What a burger: Whataburger Rewards members who order a Patty Melt, Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, or a Whataburger with Cheese through their account via the Whataburger app or on the Whataburger website will automatically be entered to win one of 100 free Whataburger for a Year prize packs (includes 52 coupons redeemable for one free Whataburger at participating locations). You can also enter by mail.
— USA TODAY reporters Mike Snider and Gabe Hauari contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: National Cheeseburger Day 2024: Deals from McDonald’s, Wendy’s and more
