Hamburgers may be the most popular American dish, but topping it with cheese takes it to another level. So, of course, there's a National Cheeseburger Day, which happens to be Wednesday.

Cheeseburgers remain one of the favorite entrées in the U.S., according to YouGov's ranking of The Most Popular American Dishes. While the hamburger tops the regularly updated list with 85% popularity, the cheeseburger is close at 83%, just behind french fries and grilled cheese (both at 84%), and tied with fried chicken (83%).

Americans eat an estimated 50 billion burgers each year. Nearly three-fourths of burger lovers (74%) say they typically top their burger with cheese, YouGov found.

While there's no historic significance to National Cheeseburger Day arriving annually on Sept. 18, some dispute remains about the burger's birth. Pasadena, Calif., claims to be its birthplace, with a 16-year-old short-order cook serving the first one more than 100 years ago in a roadside hamburger stand there. Other spots claiming the cheeseburger's birthright include Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville in 1934, credited with naming it a "cheeseburger."

Whatever the origin of the cheeseburger, if you are craving one, many restaurants and burger joints have deals and specials on them Wednesday.

McDonald's National Cheeseburger Day deal

In the McDonald’s app, you can find a deal for 50-cent Double Cheeseburgers on Wednesday.

Burger King week of deals includes National Cheeseburger Day

Members of the fast food chain's Royal Perks freeloyaltyprogram can get a free cheeseburger with a purchase of $1 or more on Wednesday. Burger King has more deals throughout the week.

All of this week's deals from Burger King's Royal Perks program:

• Tuesday: Free Original Chicken Sandwich with a purchase of $1 or more
• Wednesday: Free cheeseburger with a purchase of at least $1
• Thursday: Free 4-piece order of Mozzarella Fries with a purchase of $1 or more
• Friday: A free Croissan’wich with a purchase of $1 or more
• Saturday: Free 4-piece order of Chicken Fries with a purchase of $1 or more
• Sunday: Free soft drink (any size) with a purchase of $1 or more

Wendy's 1-cent bacon cheeseburger deal

Download the Wendy's app to get a deal for 1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger with any purchase Wednesday to Sunday (app download and account registration required).

Buffalo Wild Wings BOGO cheeseburgers, plus free wings

Members of Buffalo Wild Wings' Blazin' Rewards loyalty program can buy one burger get one free on Wednesday, with choices including Jason Kelce’s pick, the Triple Bacon Burger, and the all-new Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger. If you are not a Blazin' Rewards member, sign up on or before Sept. 18 to get the deal. It's good 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 on the Buffalo Wild Wings GO website (use the code GOBONELESS).

Applebee's Classic Burger deal

Applebee's is offering customers a "classic burger deal" on Wednesday, which includes one of its three Classic Handcrafted Burgers paired with classic fries for $8.99.

Customers can choose between the Applebee's Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger or the Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, and the offer is available for dine-in or online at Applebees.com or the Applebee's mobile app.

Customers ordering on the app can select the "National Cheeseburger Day" option from the online menu to redeem the offer.

Dairy Queen free double Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger with purchase

From today to Sunday, Dairy Queen is offering customers a free double Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger with an app or online order of $1 or more.

The burger features two beef patties, Sharp American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard, according to the company, 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 redemption in-store.

SONIC has multiple deals on National Cheeseburger Day

For those looking to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day early, Sonic offers half-price cheeseburgers after 5 p.m. every Tuesday, including Sept. 17.

Additionally, customers can get the Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger for $1.99 for a limited time, or a Sonic Smasher for $7.

More National Cheeseburger Day deals

Here's a look at even more deals on burgers this week.

• Bad Daddy’s: Get the All-American Burger with cheese for $8 on Wednesday. Bar Louie: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday get the Louie’s Choice Cheeseburger with fries or tots for $9.95 (pricing and participation may vary; check your local Bar Louie for details).
• BurgerFi: Buy a Coca-Cola Freestyle Beverage on Wednesday and get a BurgerFi Cheeseburger for $4 (savings of almost $7; for dine-in only; one burger per drink purchase, while supplies last).
• Denny's: On Wednesday, Denny’s Rewards members get 20% off any burger including – from the limited-time 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'-inspired Afterlife Menu – The Beetlejuicy Burger, which has three quarter-pound patties, bacon, provolone cheese, Diner Q sauce and more on a brioche bun.

• Dog Haus: Join the Haus Rewards loyalty program by Tuesday and on Wednesday get a buy-one-get-one-free cheeseburger deal in the app.
• Eddie Merlot’s: From 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., get Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger for $15 (Pricing and participation may vary; check your local Eddie Merlot’s for details.)
• Farm Burger: The southeast U.S. chain has a "build your own" cheeseburger deal, starting at just $5.

• Farmer Boys: From 2 p.m. to closing time Wednesday, you can get the fast casual chain's Big Cheese for $4 when you order in the restaurant or via the drive-thru (limited to two burgers per person, cannot be combined with other offers or coupons). Members of the Very Important Farmer (VIF) loyalty program can get a special surprise when they scan their receipt, too.
• Friendly’s: Friendly’s Fan Club members get $2 off any cheeseburger Wednesday to Friday.

• Hat Creek: Get the Texas-based chain's Little Hat Burger for just $2 on Wednesday when you order through the Hat Creek app.
• Kona Grill: National Cheeseburger Day specials on Sept. 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 1/4 pound patties; and Steakhouse Burger ($25), made with two 4-ounce patties, cheese, bacon, shiitake mushroom, caramelized onion, garlic aioli sauce and fries.
• Krystal: The restaurant chain has a limited-time tailgating special of a dozen Krystal sliders for just $12, or 12 Cheese Krystal sliders for $15.

• Smashburger: The fast food chain has $5 Classic Singles all day on Wednesday in-store or when you order on the Smashburger website or app (use the code CLASSIC24; good at participating locations nationwide. Can be substituted with a vegetarian option.) Also with any purchase on Wednesday, you also get a 50% coupon off any burger or sandwich on a future visit from Sept. 19-Oct. 17.
• STK Steakhouse: The steakhouse and lounge chain has several National Cheeseburger Day specials on Wednesday (in restaurant or takeout) 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 and chips ($7.99 or $9.99, varies by location).
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse: From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, get Sullivan’s Signature Beef Burger Sliders for $10 (Pricing and participation may vary; check your local Sullivan’s Steakhouse for details.)
• Wahlburgers: The chain, founded by Donnie Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg and Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg, has 50% off all burgers on Wednesday.

• Wayback Burgers: Members of the Wayback Rewards loyalty program can buy one Classic Burger – made with two beef patties and cheese – and get one free on Wednesday when ordering in the restaurant, online or on the Wayback Burgers app (limit one per app account; cannot be combined with any other coupons, offers or discounts).
• Whataburger: Whataburger Rewards members who order a Patty Melt, Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger or a Whataburger with cheese using their account through the Whataburger App or on the Whataburger website, will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of 100 free Whataburger for a Year prize packs (comes with 52 coupons redeemable for one free Whataburger at participating locations). You can also enter via mail.
• White Castle: Customers can take advantage of a BOGO deal on Cheese Sliders when they use the code "SAYCHEESE" in the White Castle app on Wednesday. Customers can also get a sack of 10 Cheese Sliders for just $7.99 from now through Nov. 10.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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