Freddy’s Steakburger Review:

Is It Actually Worth the Hype in 2026?

Six years ago, I wrote a piece comparing Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to an old favorite of mine: Steak ‘n Shake.

At the time, Freddy’s blew Steak ’n Shake out of the water.

So I figured it was time to revisit Freddy’s in 2026 and see how their famous steakburger holds up in today’s smashburger landscape.

What followed was an enormous disappointment.

Watch the Full Review!

Taste Score: 7.2/10

Freddy’s feels stuck in the past

The biggest issue?

The burger simply lacked flavor.

The beef was under-seasoned, oddly lean tasting, and somehow…

dry.

Which honestly feels impressive considering smashburgers are usually designed to maximize crust, fat, and flavor.

The whole experience felt muted:

• weak mustard
• overly thick onions
• stale bun
• unseasoned burger

And in today’s smashburger era, that’s a serious problem.

Why It Didn’t Score Higher

Modern smashburger chains have raised expectations dramatically.

Whether it’s:

• Shake Shack
• Smash burger food trucks
• or even restaurants bending to the Smash burger trend …the category has evolved.

Freddy’s somehow feels frozen in time.

Even though it was founded in the 21st century.

Price Score: 5.8/10

Freddy’s is priced almost like a premium burger chain

At roughly $8, Freddy’s costs just shy of what you’d expect for a modern fast food smashburger in 2026.

That wouldn’t necessarily be a problem…

if the burger delivered.

Why It Didn’t Score Higher

The quality simply doesn’t justify the price anymore.

If the burger had stronger seasoning and fresher ingredients, maybe this lands closer to a 6 or even a 7.

Instead, it felt regrettable.

Calorie Score: 7.5/10

At under 700 calories for a double cheeseburger, Freddy’s lands in a fairly respectable range for fast food.

And honestly, there’s a useful lesson here:

Skipping:

• mayo-heavy sauces
• bacon
• excessive toppings

can dramatically reduce calories without ruining the burger experience.

Why It Didn’t Score Higher

Minimalism only works when the fundamentals are strong.

And unfortunately, the burger itself still tasted bland.

Final Thoughts on Freddy’s Steakburgers

I genuinely liked Freddy’s back in 2020.

But six years later, the smashburger landscape has changed dramatically.

Consumers now expect:

• stronger beef flavor
• better buns
• fresher toppings
• more seasoning
• more texture

And Freddy’s no longer feels competitive.

Either my standards changed…

or Freddy’s quality slipped.

Possibly both.

Last Bite

If you’re craving a proper smashburger in 2026?

Spend a few extra bucks and go to Shake Shack.

At least there, the burger itch actually gets scratched.