Culver's Secret Menu & Customization Hacks (2026)
Culver's doesn't have an official "secret menu" — but because every item is made to order, the customization possibilities are wide open. Regulars have figured out some genuinely great off-menu builds that the staff can make with standard ingredients. Here are the best hacks, hidden combos, and ordering tricks that most first-timers don't know about.
Important: How to Order These
These aren't named items in Culver's register system. Don't walk up to the counter and say "I want The Pub Stack" — the staff won't know what you mean. Instead, describe what you want using standard menu terms. We've included the exact "How to Order" phrasing for each hack below. Be polite, be specific, and most locations will happily accommodate you.
Burger Hacks
Most Popular
The Grilled Onion ButterBurger
How to order: "Culver's Deluxe with grilled onions instead of raw onions."
Grilled onions are free to add on any burger but almost nobody knows this. The caramelized sweetness against the seared beef and buttered bun is a completely different experience than raw onion. This is the single most recommended hack among Culver's regulars.
Grilled onions are free to add on any burger but almost nobody knows this. The caramelized sweetness against the seared beef and buttered bun is a completely different experience than raw onion. This is the single most recommended hack among Culver's regulars.
Burger Hack
The Pub Stack
How to order: "Double Bacon Deluxe with grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, and Swiss cheese instead of American."
This turns a standard Bacon Deluxe into a pub-style monster. Swiss + mushrooms + bacon + grilled onions creates a steakhouse flavor profile on a buttered bun. Costs roughly $2–3 extra over the base Bacon Deluxe.
This turns a standard Bacon Deluxe into a pub-style monster. Swiss + mushrooms + bacon + grilled onions creates a steakhouse flavor profile on a buttered bun. Costs roughly $2–3 extra over the base Bacon Deluxe.
Burger Hack
The Sourdough Swap
How to order: "Can I get the Culver's Deluxe on sourdough bread instead of a regular bun?"
Any ButterBurger can be put on sourdough bread. The grilled sourdough gives it a patty-melt texture that's crunchier and more substantial than the standard bun. It changes the whole character of the burger.
Any ButterBurger can be put on sourdough bread. The grilled sourdough gives it a patty-melt texture that's crunchier and more substantial than the standard bun. It changes the whole character of the burger.
Burger Hack
The Lettuce Wrap ButterBurger
How to order: "ButterBurger Deluxe, lettuce wrap instead of the bun."
Skip the bun entirely and get your burger wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Saves about 150 calories from the bun and makes it keto-friendly. You lose the buttered-bun experience, but the patty and toppings are good enough to carry it.
Skip the bun entirely and get your burger wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Saves about 150 calories from the bun and makes it keto-friendly. You lose the buttered-bun experience, but the patty and toppings are good enough to carry it.
Burger Hack
The Triple Cheese Stack
How to order: "Double ButterBurger with American, Cheddar, AND Swiss cheese."
Why pick one cheese when you can have all three? Each cheese melts differently — the American goes creamy, the Cheddar adds sharpness, and the Swiss brings nuttiness. Small upcharge per extra cheese slice, but the flavor layering is worth it.
Why pick one cheese when you can have all three? Each cheese melts differently — the American goes creamy, the Cheddar adds sharpness, and the Swiss brings nuttiness. Small upcharge per extra cheese slice, but the flavor layering is worth it.
Sides & Combo Hacks
Fan Favorite
Chili Cheese Fries
How to order: "Regular Crinkle Cut Fries and a regular George's Chili, please." Then pour the chili over the fries yourself.
This isn't on the menu as a single item, but it's the most popular off-menu combo among regulars. The chili is thick enough to coat the fries without making them soggy immediately. Total cost is fries ($2.99) + chili ($3.79) = ~$6.78. Some locations will even pour the chili over the fries for you if you ask nicely.
This isn't on the menu as a single item, but it's the most popular off-menu combo among regulars. The chili is thick enough to coat the fries without making them soggy immediately. Total cost is fries ($2.99) + chili ($3.79) = ~$6.78. Some locations will even pour the chili over the fries for you if you ask nicely.
Side Hack
Cheese Curd ButterBurger
How to order: Order a ButterBurger and a regular Cheese Curds separately. Open the burger and place 4–5 hot cheese curds inside, close it, and eat.
Gooey fried cheese curds inside a buttered burger. It's messy, it's indulgent, and it's incredible. The hot curds melt slightly into the patty, creating a Wisconsin-grade cheese experience that no standard cheese slice can match.
Gooey fried cheese curds inside a buttered burger. It's messy, it's indulgent, and it's incredible. The hot curds melt slightly into the patty, creating a Wisconsin-grade cheese experience that no standard cheese slice can match.
Side Hack
The Basket Flip
How to order: "Chicken Tenders basket, but can I substitute Cheese Curds for fries?"
Instead of the default fries in your Value Basket, swap in Cheese Curds. Yes, it costs ~$1.50 extra. But crispy tenders + fried cheese curds + dipping sauces is the indulgent Culver's experience at its peak.
Instead of the default fries in your Value Basket, swap in Cheese Curds. Yes, it costs ~$1.50 extra. But crispy tenders + fried cheese curds + dipping sauces is the indulgent Culver's experience at its peak.
Frozen Custard Hacks
Best Deal
Flavor of the Day Concrete Mixer
How to order: "Concrete Mixer with today's Flavor of the Day as the base, plus [your mix-ins]."
Most people use Vanilla or Chocolate as their Concrete Mixer base. But you can use the Flavor of the Day instead — at no extra charge. If the FOTD is something like Turtle or Caramel Cashew, you're starting with a premium flavored base and then adding your own mix-ins on top. It's like getting a three-topping mixer for the price of two.
Most people use Vanilla or Chocolate as their Concrete Mixer base. But you can use the Flavor of the Day instead — at no extra charge. If the FOTD is something like Turtle or Caramel Cashew, you're starting with a premium flavored base and then adding your own mix-ins on top. It's like getting a three-topping mixer for the price of two.
Custard Hack
The Midnight Mixer
How to order: "Concrete Mixer with Chocolate base, Oreo, and Salted Caramel."
Dark chocolate custard + crushed Oreo + salted caramel swirl. It's rich, salty-sweet, and genuinely tastes like a high-end dessert. The Oreo crumbs add texture while the salted caramel cuts through the chocolate richness.
Dark chocolate custard + crushed Oreo + salted caramel swirl. It's rich, salty-sweet, and genuinely tastes like a high-end dessert. The Oreo crumbs add texture while the salted caramel cuts through the chocolate richness.
Custard Hack
The Wisconsin Sundae
How to order: "Turtle Sundae, but add extra pecans on top."
The Turtle Sundae is already caramel + hot fudge + pecans, but asking for extra pecans makes it crunchier and more pecan-forward. Small extra charge for the additional pecans. Some regulars also ask for a drizzle of salted caramel instead of regular caramel for a sweet-salty twist.
The Turtle Sundae is already caramel + hot fudge + pecans, but asking for extra pecans makes it crunchier and more pecan-forward. Small extra charge for the additional pecans. Some regulars also ask for a drizzle of salted caramel instead of regular caramel for a sweet-salty twist.
Custard Hack
The Float Upgrade
How to order: "Can I get a Root Beer Float using today's Flavor of the Day instead of Vanilla?"
Culver's Root Beer Float normally uses Vanilla custard. But if today's Flavor of the Day is something complementary — like Caramel Cashew or Vanilla Chocolate Swirl — ask for that instead. Not every location will do this, but many will. It transforms a great float into a unique one.
Culver's Root Beer Float normally uses Vanilla custard. But if today's Flavor of the Day is something complementary — like Caramel Cashew or Vanilla Chocolate Swirl — ask for that instead. Not every location will do this, but many will. It transforms a great float into a unique one.
Free Customizations Most People Don't Know About
These are standard options that Culver's offers on any burger at no extra charge — but most customers either don't know or don't think to ask:
| Customization | Cost | Available On | Why It's Worth It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled onions (instead of raw) | Free | Any burger | Caramelized sweetness transforms the flavor |
| Extra pickles | Free | Any burger | More crunch and tang |
| Add lettuce & tomato | Free | Any burger | Turn a basic ButterBurger into a Deluxe-style |
| Remove any topping | Free | Any burger | Full control over your build |
| Ketchup/mustard/mayo add or remove | Free | Any burger | Customize condiments exactly |
| Lettuce wrap (instead of bun) | Free | Any burger | Keto-friendly, saves ~150 cal |
| Bun toasted extra | Free | Any burger | Crunchier, holds up better to toppings |
| Gluten-free bun | Free–small upcharge | Any burger/sandwich | Celiac-friendly option |
Premium Add-Ons & Costs
| Add-On | Approx. Cost | Available On |
|---|---|---|
| Extra cheese slice (any type) | ~$0.50 | Any burger |
| Bacon | ~$1.50 | Any burger/sandwich |
| Sautéed mushrooms | ~$0.75 | Any burger |
| Extra patty | ~$1.90 | Any ButterBurger |
| Cheese Curds side sub (in basket) | ~$1.50 | Value Baskets |
| Extra Concrete Mixer mix-in | ~$0.50–0.75 | Concrete Mixers |
| Large fries upgrade (in basket) | ~$0.80 | Value Baskets |
| Large drink upgrade (in basket) | ~$0.40 | Value Baskets |
🤫 5 Secret Menu Etiquette Tips
- Don't use hack names at the counter. Staff won't know what "The Pub Stack" or "The Midnight Mixer" means. Describe exactly what you want using standard menu items and modifications.
- Be patient. Custom orders take slightly longer than standard ones. The kitchen is making your food to order — that's the whole point of Culver's.
- Don't customize during peak rush. If the line is wrapped around the building at noon on Saturday, maybe save the six-modification burger for a quieter visit. The staff will appreciate it.
- Tip well if you're at a location with a tip jar. Custom orders require extra attention. Acknowledging that with a dollar or two goes a long way.
- Start simple. Your first visit? Just add grilled onions to a Deluxe. That single free customization is enough to show you how good Culver's custom builds can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Culver's doesn't have a formal secret menu like some chains. However, because everything is made to order, the customization options are extensive. You can swap cheeses, add toppings, change buns, combine items, and create off-menu builds using standard ingredients. The hacks in this guide are based on popular customization combinations that experienced Culver's customers use regularly.
Almost certainly not. These aren't official items in the register system. Instead, describe exactly what you want using standard menu terminology. For example, don't say "I want The Pub Stack" — say "Can I get a Double Bacon Deluxe with grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, and Swiss cheese instead of American?" Staff are happy to customize, but they need clear instructions.
It depends. Standard topping changes (adding/removing lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, grilled onions, condiments) are free. Premium add-ons like extra cheese (~$0.50), bacon (~$1.50), sautéed mushrooms (~$0.75), and extra patties (~$1.90) cost additional. Swapping fries for Cheese Curds in a basket runs about $1.50 extra.
Yes, at most locations. You can request any ButterBurger on sourdough bread instead of the standard buttered bun. Just say "on sourdough" when ordering. Some locations may charge a small upcharge. The sourdough gives the burger a different, crunchier texture — more like a patty melt than a traditional burger.
Yes — that's exactly how Concrete Mixers work. You choose your base (Vanilla, Chocolate, or the Flavor of the Day) and pick up to two mix-ins from 20+ options. You can add more mix-ins for about $0.50–$0.75 each. The biggest hack is using the Flavor of the Day as your base, which gives you a premium flavor at no extra charge.