The Celebrity-Owned Burger Chain That Uses High-Quality Beef

When you think about high-quality beef, a butcher shop might spring to mind. Somewhere with heritage breeds, artfully marbled steaks, and words like grass-fed and pasture-raised slapped on charming signage. But you probably won't have an image of Wahlburgers pop into your head. And it might surprise you to know this fast food chain uses a prestige blend of angus chuck, brisket, and short rib in their signature patties.

For those not familiar with Wahlburgers, it's a string of family-owned restaurants. But not the cozy mom-and-pop kind. This family has star power in the form of A-list actor Mark Wahlberg, his New Kids on the Block sibling, Donnie, and chef Paul. As of 2025, the company was deliberately scaling back and decided to favor quality over quantity, which certainly seems to be embodied by its premium burgers.

There's a slew of options — with at least four burgers on the menu at any one time, each using certified angus beef. But when it comes to ranking the Wahlburgers patties, the Fiesta burger is considered by some to be the pick of the bunch, though it has faced criticism. However, reviewers appreciated the fresh, good quality toppings and how juicy the thick patty was, but it lost marks for tasting bland, regardless of the pepper jack cheese, smoke pepper salsa, and chipotle mayo.

When it comes to beef, Aberdeen Angus, hailing from Scotland, is considered great quality. In fact, there's even a dedicated program — the Certified Angus Beef brand — that goes beyond the USDA grading system to highlight the best of the breed. Angus chuck roast that meets these stringent benchmarks doesn't need to be boosted with tangy, melty cheeses or piquant pickles. Instead, this beef has a deep flavor that's decidedly meat-forward. Commitment to high standards of marbling sets the texture apart, too — think tender, without falling apart into a crumbly mess — and patties that stay juicy while cooking.

While Wahlburgers received mixed feedback on Reddit, its standalone patties sold in packs are worth your time. Aside from being able to freeze them, there's the flexibility to customize your bun and topping, and have control over the patty cooking, too. Reviewers like the flavor of the hefty pucks, and while the patties are a little dense, shoppers agreed the thickness represents good value for your money.