The best burger-and-fries lunch box is two containers, not one

The best way to carry a burger and fries is to keep them in separate containers and let the fries breathe.

The problem isn’t the box — it’s steam. An airtight container traps condensation, so the bun goes soggy and the fries turn into limp, wet strings. So the trick is to use something with separate compartments and a lid that isn’t fully sealed, or just use two containers.

For the burger: wrap it in parchment or foil and put it in a shallow hard-sided container. For the fries: put them in their own container with a paper towel on the bottom and leave the lid cracked open, or use a vented lid. If you have a lunch box with a lid that latches, latch it loosely.

PlanetBox and Bentgo work fine if you already have one. They’re just containers — the real fix is how you pack and the fact that you don’t seal the fries in. Fresh fyi: pack everything after it’s had a few minutes to cool, not straight off the grill.

Future you will enjoy lunch a lot more.