Culver’s third Pub Burger of 2026 is here — sort of.
The Buttery Parmesan Pub Burger is currently being tested at select Culver’s locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kentucky, and the early reviews from fans who’ve managed to find one are making the rest of the country jealous. “I want this. And I will travel as far as necessary to get it,” one Reddit user declared. “I would buy the sauce and put it on everything!” said another.
For a burger that not everyone can even get yet, that’s a remarkable level of enthusiasm.
What’s on It
The Buttery Parmesan Pub Burger starts with Culver’s fresh, never-frozen beef patty on a soft brioche bun. From there, it gets layered with:
- Salad blend (notably, mixed greens rather than the standard iceberg lettuce)
- Tomato slices
- Melty provolone cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Parmesan crisps
- A new creamy Parmesan sauce
The Parmesan crisps are the standout detail. They’re described as crispy and garlicky, adding a textural element to the burger that’s genuinely unusual for fast casual — and fans who’ve tried it are unanimous on one piece of advice: ask for extra Parmesan crisps, because the default portion is apparently on the lighter side.
The creamy Parmesan sauce is drawing comparisons to Shrimp Paesano — a breaded shrimp dish with a lemon butter cream sauce — which is a surprisingly sophisticated flavor reference for a burger test item. It’s rich, garlicky, and creamy, with enough distinctiveness that multiple reviewers have specifically called out wanting to buy it separately.
The Chicken Version
A Buttery Parmesan Chicken Sandwich is being tested alongside the burger with the same ingredients — Parmesan crisps, creamy Parmesan sauce, salad blend, tomato, provolone, and mayo — with a choice of original crispy, spicy crispy, or grilled chicken instead of the beef patty. A strong option for non-beef eaters who want in on the Parmesan experience.
Part of Culver’s 2026 Four-Burger Promise
Earlier this year, Culver’s announced it would drop four new Pub Burgers throughout 2026. The first two — the Colby Jack Pub Burger in April and the Jalapeño Jack Pub Burger more recently — both made it to systemwide availability. The Buttery Parmesan Pub Burger is the third, currently in test mode. If fan demand is any indication, a broader rollout feels inevitable.
“Our goal for 2026 is to deliver flavors that spark curiosity and keep guests coming back,” said Kasey McDonald, Culver’s head of culinary.
How to Check If It’s Near You
The Buttery Parmesan Pub Burger and Chicken Sandwich are currently available at select test locations only. Use the Culver’s app or visit culvers.com/locator to see if your nearest location is participating. Given the test-only status, availability is limited and subject to change.
If it’s not near you yet, the silver lining is clear: based on the fan response, a systemwide launch looks likely — it’s just a matter of when.
The Bottom Line
Culver’s Buttery Parmesan Pub Burger is currently being tested at select locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kentucky, featuring fresh beef, provolone, Parmesan crisps, and a creamy Parmesan sauce on a brioche bun. A chicken sandwich version is also in testing. Check the Culver’s app to see if it’s available near you — and if you find it, ask for extra Parmesan crisps.
