Sometimes, Disney World food catches you totally off guard—in the best way possible!

Wailulu Bar & Grill!

When we set out to compare the burgers at Wailulu Bar & Grill and Steakhouse 71, we had some pretty strong assumptions. The Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger has been a longtime favorite of ours, so we expected it to be the clear winner. But after one bite of the Wayfinder Burger at Wailulu, we were completely rethinking our rankings. Let’s break it all down so you know exactly where to go for the best burger on your next Disney trip.

The Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger: A Classic Favorite

Steakhouse 71, located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is home to one of our go-to Disney burgers. The Stack Burger is made with a signature blend of beef, American cheese, lemon aïoli, red onion, and house-made pickles on a brioche bun. And as a little surprise, it comes topped with a piece of pork belly that isn’t even listed on the menu!

YUM

You can grab this burger for $24, and it comes with your choice of a petite wedge salad, parmesan fries, or pasta salad. We obviously went for the parmesan fries (because, hello, cheese). The burger itself was juicy, packed with flavor, and had that diner-style greasy goodness that we LOVE. The pork belly added a salty, rich layer that took things up a notch, and the signature beef blend leaned toward the fattier side, making this one seriously delicous bite.

Steakhouse 71 Burger

Now, let’s talk fries. They were loaded with parmesan, which we fully appreciated, but they were a little too well-done for our taste. If you love crunchy fries, these might be perfect for you.

We’re obsessed.

But if you prefer a softer, fluffier fry, just know that these are on the crispier side.

The Wayfinder Burger: A Surprising Contender

Over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Wailulu Bar & Grill serves up the Wayfinder Burger for $23. This burger features two pressed patties, American cheese, onion jam, and Volcano Sauce on a sweet bun, served with your choice of mac salad or sweet potato fries. We went for the fries, because, well, sweet potatoes are amazing.

This burger is Moana approved

From the first bite, we were hooked. The beef was incredibly fresh and had that made-from-scratch taste that you just can’t get from a pre-made patty. Honestly, we were getting flashbacks to the Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger, but this one had its own unique twist. The Volcano Sauce brought a slight kick that paired beautifully with the caramelized onion jam, which added just the right amount of sweetness. And let’s not forget the bun—it was soft and slightly sweet, complementing all the bold flavors inside.

Sweet Potato Fries

The sweet potato fries were a solid side choice. They were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and had that natural sweetness that made them extra addictive. If you’re a sweet potato fry fan, you won’t be disappointed.

The Verdict

So, after trying both burgers back-to-back, did the Wailulu Bar & Grill burger really surpass our expectations? 100% YES. Look, the Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger is still amazing. It’s rich, cheesy, and has that extra pork belly goodness that makes it stand out. But the Wayfinder Burger brought something fresh to the table. The quality of the beef, the balance of flavors, and that hint of spice from the Volcano Sauce made it feel like a hidden gem that more people need to try.

If you’re looking for a solid, greasy, diner-style burger, Steakhouse 71 is the way to go. But if you want something a little different—with a Polynesian-inspired twist—the Wayfinder Burger at Wailulu Bar & Grill might just surprise you, too. We know it did for us!

In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest from Disney.

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Which burger would you choose on your next trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!