Au cheval is my favorite and it's not particularly close. Burger/meat is definitely the main factor but I factor the fries when I'm choosing a burger to get since it feel like I'm missing something if I don't get fries with a burger and Hogsalt's fries/aioli/mornay are completely unmatched imo. Good housemade (or just well selected) pickles are also big factors especially since most of the top burgers are very rich/indulgent so I think they really need them. Au cheval puts their own pickle slices in the burger and a spear on the side.

My runner ups are:

Little bad wolf (I split this and it's really great but think I'll only ever get it again to split with someone because it's a triple patty bacon egg cholesterol monster),

Split Rail(probably the most balanced burger I get the most. The bun, beef quality, cook, sauce, housemade pickles and fries are all done pretty well with no weak links)

Big kids (a lot of people love or hate it but I like the extra crispy style they do and the tots are my favorite. I like the sauce a lot but always on the side and wish they did pickles)

I tried NADC a few weeks ago and found it frustrating how great the beef quality comes through and how well they nailed the crisp smash/onion style only to be let down by a cheap bun, bad fries, and bad dill pickles. If they used a decent potato bun or something and made the fries crisper/saltier it'd probably be my new go to.