Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 as McDonald's, Wendy's serve up hot deals

If you’re feeling cheesy, Sept. 18 is National Cheeseburger Day, the happiest meal day on earth for lovers of this molten cheese classic everywhere.

That mouth-watering dairypalooza of flavor is everyone’s favorite topping. Nearly three-quarters of people in a YouGov survey said they want cheese on their burger.

Who invented one of America’s favorite sandwiches? Lots of folks claim credit but, according to the good people of Pasadena, California, the cheeseburger was first cooked up nearly a century ago by a 16-year-old short-order cook in a roadside hamburger stand there.

Hungry yet? Your favorite burger chains from Applebee's to McDonald’s are grilling up wallet-friendly deals, from freebies to BOGOs. Here's where to find the beef.

When is National Cheeseburger Day?

National Cheeseburger Day is Sept. 18 but some fast-food chains are celebrating with deals sprinkled over a few days.

Applebee’s offers cheeseburger and fries for $9

On Sept. 18, Applebee’s will offer its Classic Cheeseburger, Classic Burger and Classic Bacon Cheeseburger with fries for $8.99. Order in the restaurant, online or on the app.

National Cheeseburger Day deals and more at Wendy's

Wendy's is offering a $.01 Jr. bacon cheeseburger with any purchase from Sept. 18-22. To cash in, check the "Offers" tab in the app or online, then apply the deal to your mobile/web order or use the offer in-restaurant by adding it to your digital rewards card. From there, customers can scan their phones at the counter or drive-thru.

Other deals the restaurant is honoring this month include:

  • A free drink with any purchase from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.

  • All month long, Wendy's customers can get $2 off any premium combo.

  • Another month-long deal is the restaurant's $2 off promo for any breakfast combo. And if customers spend at least $15, they get $3 off.

  • Delivery special every Wednesday until Nov. 8: As part of their Wendy’s Wednesdays promo, DashPass members can get free queso fries with a purchase of $20 or more on their DoorDash order.

  • Every Weekend until Oct. 1, DashPass members can get $5 off orders of $20 or more when they buy either the loaded nacho sandwich or queso fries on DoorDash.

  • Until Sept. 17, Grubhub+ members will receive 30% off orders of $20 or more.

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Have it your way at Burger King on National Cheeseburger Day

Burger King customers who have Royal Perks accounts can get a free cheeseburger if they make a purchase of $1 or more this year. The deal is good for all locations across the U.S. until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 18.

Double cheeseburgers at McDonald's cost what?!

McDonald's is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with double cheeseburgers for only $0.50 when customers order exclusively through the McDonald’s App.

A double cheeseburger and fries at McDonald's.
A double cheeseburger and fries at McDonald's.

Krystal deals on National Cheeseburger Day

Krystal fans can grab a $1 Cheese Krystal via the Krystal app and www.krystal.com.

A Cheese Krystal, made with onions, a slice of American cheese, mustard and a dill pickle on Krystal’s signature steamed bun.
A Cheese Krystal, made with onions, a slice of American cheese, mustard and a dill pickle on Krystal’s signature steamed bun.

Half off a double cheeseburger at Carl's Jr.

At Carl's Jr., customers can get half off double cheeseburgers all day on National Cheeseburger Day.

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$3 burger and soda at BurgerFi

In honor of National Cheeseburger Day, BurgerFi is offering a $3 premium cheeseburger to customers who buy a Coca-Cola freestyle beverage. The $3 double cheeseburger is available for one day only for dine-in guests.

A BurgerFi cheeseburger. The restaurant chain has locations in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states.
A BurgerFi cheeseburger. The restaurant chain has locations in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states.

Eureka! releases new burger to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day

Eureka! will be releasing a brand new burger to celebrate this year,available only from Sept. 6 to Oct. 3.

Chef Martin Andrade created the restaurant's latest menu item called the Chili Relleno burgerThe $18 burger is seasoned with blackening spice and topped with caramelized onions, a roasted jalapeno with jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and a traditional relleno salsa.

The burger joint has locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas and Washington. The restaurant will also be opening a location in Tempe, Arizona soon, according to its website.

Chef Martin Andrade holding a Chili Relleno burger. He created the menu item for Eureka! and the restaurant launched the burger on Sept. 6, 2023.
Chef Martin Andrade holding a Chili Relleno burger. He created the menu item for Eureka! and the restaurant launched the burger on Sept. 6, 2023.

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Half off all burgers at Wahlburgers 🤯

Wahlburgers is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with half-off deals on all burgers nationwide. The special includes burgers such as Our Burger, the BBQ Bacon, the Impossible Burger, and the Originally from “Dorchestah."

Brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg founded the burger spot, which has more than 100 locations nationwide.

The Our Burger at Wahlburgers. The restaurant is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day 2023 with half-off deals on all burgers nationwide.
The Our Burger at Wahlburgers. The restaurant is celebrating National Cheeseburger Day 2023 with half-off deals on all burgers nationwide.

Farmer Boys burgers for only $3 🍔

Farmer Boys has over 100 locations in California, Arizona and Nevada. The burger joint is celebrating this year by offering a $3 classic Big Cheese burger from 2 p.m. to close on National Cheeseburger Day.

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews 🍻

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, with locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Florida and Texas, is offering a Classic Garage Burger and a domestic pint for $10.99 during Happy Hour in honor of National Cheeseburger Day 2023

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Miller's Ale House, anyone?

Miller’s Ale House is selling its classic cheeseburger and fries for $9.99 all day and its smashed queso burger for $13.99 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day.

The smashed queso burger at Miller's Ale House. The restaurant is selling the burger for $13.99 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day 2023.
The smashed queso burger at Miller's Ale House. The restaurant is selling the burger for $13.99 in honor of National Cheeseburger Day 2023.

Big Buns Damn Good Burgers

This year, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers is offering deals on three of it burgers.

Customers at the restaurant's DMV locations can pay $9.99 for The Burger That Started It All, a seasoned, seven ounce angus beef burger served on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onions, dill pickle chips, cheese and sauce of their choice.

Floridians can stop by Big Buns and save a few bucks on the restaurant's Anniversary and SoFlo Hefe burgers. Normally going for at least $6.99, the burgers will be $5 on National Cheeseburger Day.

The Anniversary Burger at Big Buns Damn Good Burgers. The burger can be ordered as a single or double angus beef burger with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce and grain mustard aioli.
The Anniversary Burger at Big Buns Damn Good Burgers. The burger can be ordered as a single or double angus beef burger with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce and grain mustard aioli.

Texas-inspired burgers at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer

Black Tap Craft Burgers has locations in California at the Disneyland Resort, as well as Nevada, New York and Tennessee. The company recently opened a location in Dallas as well.

This year's National Cheeseburger Day special is the TX burger, a brand new menu item inspired by the Lone Star State and Black Tap Craft's latest restaurant opening.

Customers can grab a TX burger nationwide from Sept. 18 to Sept. 30.

Now introducing...the loaded burger bowl at Metro Diner!

Metro Diner, which has locations in Alabama, Florida, Indiana and other states, is releasing a new menu item just in time for National Cheeseburger Day: the loaded burger bowl!

The bowl is made with an angus burger topped with melted American cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, pickles, secret sauce and seasoned fries.

Also being released on National Cheeseburger Day are the teriyaki steak bowl and the Hawaiian pork bowl. The Hawaiian pork bowl is made of marinated pork topped with scallions and diced jalapenos. It's drizzled with pineapple-orange sauce and served over white rice and a veggie mix of shredded carrots, red cabbage, corn, green peppers and onions.

All three bowls will be available until the end of October.

A loaded burger bowl at Metro Diner. In honor of National Cheeseburger Day 2023, the diner is releasing the new menu item, available until the end of October 2023.
A loaded burger bowl at Metro Diner. In honor of National Cheeseburger Day 2023, the diner is releasing the new menu item, available until the end of October 2023.

BOGO burgers at Next Level Burger

In honor of the delicious holiday, Next Level Burger is offering a buy one get one free deal on its Signature burger. The Signature burger is a house-made organic quinoa and mushroom patty with organic avocado, roasted garlic thyme mayo and cheese.

The plant-based burger joint has 10 locations in Oregon, Colorado, Washington, California, New York and Texas.

Shake specials at Elevation Burger

Elevation Burger is offering BOGO shakes from 3 to 5 p.m. on National Cheeseburger Day.

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Grab a BOGO shake at Fatburger

At Fatburger, customers can get BOGO shakes from 3 to 5 p.m.

Want fries with that burger?

Nations Giant Hamburgers has 29 restaurants in Northern California and is celebrating this year by offering an order of free fries if customers buy a cheeseburger and drink on National Cheeseburger Day.

A cheeseburger and fries from Nation's Giant Burgers. The chain has 29 restaurants in California.
A cheeseburger and fries from Nation's Giant Burgers. The chain has 29 restaurants in California.

STK Steakhouse deal for $10, anyone?

STK Steakhouse is offering a Wagyu Burger BKFTcalling it "a vibey cheeseburger" made of 7 ounces of wagyu beef, American cheese, bacon, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion, special sauce and fries for a whopping $9.99.

The steakhouse has restaurants in Georgia, Illinois, California, New York and other parts of the U.S. Find out more at www.stksteakhouse.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Cheeseburger Day specials: Deals at Wendy's, McDonald's, more

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