You Want Fries With That? The Best Burger in Every State…and DC! Chris Osburn May 25, 2017 Destinations, Food & Drink, Interests, Top US Destinations This post was last updated on September 11, 2023. Get ready, America. It’s burger time. No matter where you are or where you’re headed in the U.S., great burgers are a standard. But the greatest of the great? Well, we reckon this list of the best burgers in each state is a good starting point for your beef-bound quests. Alabama Butch Cassidy’s Café in Mobile Winner of multiple awards locally and beyond, Butch Cassidy’s in Midtown Mobile is famous for hearty fare served in generous portions. Most popular is the Butch Burger, a 9-oz “masterpiece” dressed with bacon, cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles. When you’re sleepy after all that feasting, rest your weary head at a nearby hotel. Alaska Tommy’s Burger Stop in Anchorage Tommy’s burgers are designed to satisfy even the grizzliest of appetites. They feature a 5.5oz patty of lean 100% USDA grade beef from Australia with Cajun seasoning. And, it’s served on a toasted potato bun with mayo, crisp green lettuce, freshly sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Arizona Rehab Burger Therapy in Phoenix The next time you’ve got the blues, consider a session of burger therapy at this Phoenix institution. Its famed for its lengthy list of burgers including the PBJ & Bacon, the Spicy Mac-N-Cheese, and the Jalapeno Popper. Arkansas Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie in Bentonville This Bentonville gastropub with seasonal dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients elevates American cuisine to a whole new level of yum. The burgers exemplify this as much as anything on the menu. Take the Where the Buffalo Roam burger for instance: ground bison patty, bacon, Swiss and Cheddar, sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, an over-easy egg, and chipotle aioli on a locally made bun. Delish! California In-N-Out Burger locations across the state There are so many amazing burgers in California. To choose but one seems almost like sacrilege. But all burger lovers can agree that family-run fast food chain In-N-Out is a total Golden State treat. Colorado Gray’s Coors Tavern in Pueblo Once owned by Adolf Coors himself, this age-old tavern’s slopper (a burger smothered in chili) is a top choice for the tastiest burger in Colorado. Connecticut Louis’ Lunch in New Haven Birthplace of the Hamburger Sandwich, Louis’ Lunch claims to be the first place to serve America’s first burger. It’s a bit proto, served on toast instead of a bun. But, it’s so yummy and worthy of its place in history. Delaware Restaurant 55 in Dover So many burgers! So little time! The Lunch Counter Legend might be the tastiest pick though. A grilled burger with sautéed onion, Gruyere, Thousand Island dressing on sourdough bread is a dreamy reason to dine in Dover. Florida Charm City in Deerfield Beach A chef-driven menu and commitment to serving only the highest quality 1/3lb burger patties blended in South Florida with USDA beef makes Charm City an ideal destination for a burger in the Sunshine State. Georgia Holeman & Finch in Atlanta Good luck finding a list of America’s top cheeseburgers that doesn’t include Atlanta’s Holeman & Finch! To give you a sense of the dedication to building a better burger, the restaurant’s bakery was partly conceived as an answer to making the perfect hamburger bun. But the guys behind this wildly popular restaurant could see no reason to mess with the ideal cheese for cheeseburgers that were already in existence. For the H&F cheeseburger, Kraft singles are used. Hawaii Morning Glass in Honolulu Hawaii is paradise for burger lovers. So it wasn’t easy picking one place to say that’s best in the state. But you can’t go wrong with the burger at Morning Glass. This friendly little café might be the top spot in the Honolulu area for coffee as well. Note: burgers are served during weekends and on select evenings only. Idaho Big Jud’s in Rexburg Big Jud’s “man size” burgers have achieved legendary status in the Gem State. Think you can down a 1 or even 2-lb burger? Jud’s will serve ya one. But it’s not just about quantity. Quality is important too. The Boise area restaurant is highly regarded for its juicy patties and simple approach to making amazing burgers. Illinois Au Cheval in Chicago Be prepared to wait for a burger that many claim to be the best in Chicago (if not the entire U.S. or the whole world). But just what is it that makes Au Cheval’s double cheeseburger so good? Is it the prime beef? The American cheese? Dijonaise sauce? House-made pickles? The option of foie gras? You’d best get there early and have a taste for yourself to find out! Indiana Working Man’s Friend in Indianapolis After nearly a century of granting hamburger happiness to hungry residents of Indianapolis, Working Man’s Friend is still a great local diner with a friendly vibe and a menu accommodating big taste and small budgets. Iowa The Cider House in Fairfield This award-winning burger restaurant and cider pub does family-owned, farm-to-table beef and house-made hard cider. Need we say more? Kansas The Cozy Inn in Salina Since 1922, Kansans have been buying juicy little Cozy Burger sliders “by the sack” and with good reason. They’re delicious (especially if you love onions). Kentucky Proof on Main in Louisville This rather new restaurant in downtown Louisville is already a favorite. Much of its success is its Proof Bison Burger, a flavorsome home run hit with Cheddar, smoked bacon, and an apricot-y Jezebel Sauce. Louisiana Cochon Butcher in New Orleans Two pork patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickle, onion on a sesame bun – all made from scratch – is a Cajun answer to your biggest burger desires. Maine Owls Head General Store in Owls Head There’s not a whole lot to do in Owls Head, Maine. It’s a good thing the burgers are so delicious! After, before, or while having a look at the town’s iconic lighthouse, be sure to enjoy the General Store’s gorgeous “seven napkin loaded” cheeseburger. It’s made of 6.5oz of beef and is jampacked with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mayo, mustard, and ketchup. Maryland Abbey Burger Bistro in Baltimore Heading to Baltimore and craving a burger? Consider this Federal Hill mainstay for one of your meals (and then skip the next one or two because you’ll still be full). Best on the menu? It’s a hard call but the Baltimore Burger with Angus beef burger, homemade crab dip, Applewood bacon, and Cheddar on a classic bun might have the edge. Massachusetts White Hut in West Springfield “What’s better than the Hut?” Since 1939, Massachusetts’ burger lovers have yet to come up with a sufficient answer to that question. They’ve yet to find a more affordable way to stuff their faces, too. Great burgers at a great price served in a great non-pretentious setting makes White Hut a crowd pleaser worth your time. Michigan Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor If you don’t mind waiting in line, head to Krazy Jim’s for a mega meal of house-ground beef burgers offered at student-friendly prices. If a single, double, or even triple-sized burger sounds like something for the uncommitted, go for a quadruple or quintuple (half-pounder). Minnesota Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis Minneapolis is home of the Jucy Lucy (two patties with a slice of cheese in the middle), and Matt’s has been doing ‘em right since 1954. For Midwest nostalgia with a great taste and no fuss, Matt’s Bar is the place! Mississippi Neon Pig in Tupelo Hangry? You’ve come to the right place. Second only to the Elvis Presley, Tupelo’s most cherished icon is this down and dirty little dive doing justice to locally farmed meat with a hunka-hunka menu fit for a king. Before you head back to the hotel room, have a ball at the Smash Burger. It’s a combination of aged filet, sirloin ribeye, and a New York and Benton’s bacon ground into a single (and massive) patty. It’s served on a ciabatta bun with Benton’s bacon bits, Cheddar, quick pickles, pickled onions, hoisin sauce, and comeback sauce. Lawd almighty! Missouri Five Star Burgers at locations across the state To offer quality burgers made with 100% Black Angus beef is the guiding light for the family-run Five Star Burgers. Despite its New Mexico origins, Five Star is a Show-Me State Stalwart. As the name suggests, Five Star Burgers definitely earns its spot on our list of the best burgers in each state. Montana Nap’s Grill in Hamilton Folks in Montana take their burgers seriously. And, they aren’t known for talking out of turn. For so many of Montanans to claim Nap’s is the best is not idle chatter. Come to Montana’s beautiful Bitterroot Valley for a 6 or 12-oz handmade patty of locally reared beef stacked with all sorts of toppings. Nebraska Stella’s Bar & Grill in Bellevue Get one of the best burgers you’ll ever have served on a paper napkin at this suburban Omaha bar and grill. Beef is big business in Nebraska. And to have the Nebraska Beef Council say Stella’s burgers are the best in the state comes with big bragging rights for this 80-year-old local haunt. Nevada Holsteins Shakes and Buns in Las Vegas [Above image “Holsteins Shakes and Buns – The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas” by kennejima on Flickr – licensed under by CC by 2.0]Burgers get the glamor treatment at this happening Las Vegas restaurant. From The Classic (lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup, and pickles) to the Billionaire Burger (Kobe beef, foie gras, port onion marmalade, frisee, and truffle mayo) with a whole lot of inventive creations in between, there’s a burger here for everybody. You can also enjoy delicious chicken, fish, and veggie options. New Hampshire Lexie’s Joint in Portsmouth This Portmouth “joint” packs ‘em in with an impressive lineup of inventive burgers, craft beer, and friendly service. Unleash your inner beast with Lexie’s Wild Things burger: it’s chockfull of avocado, Muenster, bacon, tomato, and Sriracha aioli. New Jersey White Manna in Hackensack Next time you’re passing through Hackensack, grab a sack of Jersey’s best burgers. The simple and inexpensive sliders from White Manna are the real deal! New Mexico Santa Fe Bite in Santa Fe Three words – green chili cheeseburger – should be reason enough to get your fingers tapping to book a visit to New Mexico. New York Brindle Room in New York City New York’s Brindle Room offers gastropub delights in mostly small, shareable dishes. However, that’s not so when you order this East Village stalwart’s signature burger: Sebastian’s Steakhouse Burger. It’s a big two-fister designed for one. North Carolina Johnson’s Drive-In in Siler City Not much has changed since Johnson’s opened back in 1946. Even the prices seem to be from a bygone era. But, as they say down in North Carolina, if ain’t broke don’t fix it. For your back-to-basics burger fix, you can’t beat this classic small-town diner. North Dakota Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews in Bismarck The Sickies burger menu features 50 juicy options. Some of the more noteworthy burgers include the Tater Tot Hot Dish (French-style green beans, corn, cream of mushroom soup, and tater tots), a burger version of eggs Benedict, a glazed doughnut burger, and the Brunch Burger. It’s a breakfast sausage patty topped with a fried egg, hash browns, American cheese, peppered bacon, and a drizzle of maple syrup on toasted ciabatta. Ohio Terry’s Turf Club in Cincinnati Terry’s is renowned for ginormous burgers with a ridiculously long list of possible toppings and sauces served beneath a neon glow and with a welcoming attitude. Oklahoma Tucker’s Onion Burgers in Oklahoma City Oklahoman heritage and Midwestern pragmatism adds to the flavor in every bite of a premium Oklahoma-style onion burger handmade with Black Angus beef. Hungry (and we mean really hungry)? Try The Mother Tucker featuring more than a pound of “beefy onion deliciousness” with three times the beef and onions. Add cheese for a cheesy Mother Tucker. Oregon Killer Burger locations across the state Every Killer Burger is 1/3 lb of 100% beef and includes bacon. The most sensationally must-try burger from the menu has got to be the Peanut-Butter-Pickle-Bacon with slathers of smoky mayo and heaps of grilled onion. Pennsylvania Village Whiskey in Philadelphia Craving a burger splurge? Consider The Whiskey King with maple Bourbon glazed cipollini, Rogue bleu cheese, applewood bacon, and foie gras served with a side of duck fat chips. Rhode Island Harry’s Bar & Burger in Providence The sliders at Harry’s were the decider when choosing the tastiest burgers in Rhode Island. Sliders are made with freshly ground Hereford beef. And they’re pressed with onions served on a toasted potato roll with special sauce. Need help with your decision? Go for the M.O.A.B (Mother Of All Burgers) with beef, Harry’s classic cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, portobello mushroom, and fried onion strings. South Carolina Husk in Charleston Set in a restored Victorian mansion in historic Downtown Charleston, Husk adds a touch of southern charm to its much-acclaimed cheeseburger with a soft sesame bun and locally sourced Benton’s bacon ground into its patty. South Dakota Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. in Custer “Fresh ground, fresh baked” is the mantra at this fabled South Dakota mecca for beefy burgers prepped with top quality ingredients and minimal processing. Tennessee Hog & Hominy in Memphis “Italian cooking” and “Southern roots” combine in a most delicious way at Hog & Hominy in Memphis. But more famous than its menu of foodie fusion are the burgers being served in its Holding Pen bar in the back of the restaurant. Texas Tookie’s Burgers in Seabrook Tookie’s is a laidback beer and burger joint on Galveston Bay loved by locals and visitors alike for its comfort food served sans attitude. Perhaps the best menu item is the “moderately hot” Bean Burger, a beef burger with refried beans, crushed Fritos, Pace Picante Sauce, cheddar, and onion. Utah Lucky 13 in Salt Lake City This SLC bar and restaurant has received all sorts of accolades for its burger menu. A great one for most occasions (just not first dates or before job interviews) is the Breath Enhancer topped with fresh garlic, rosemary, and Cheddar. For the especially hungry, there’s the Bear Burger made with 14oz of ground chuck topped with Belizean habanero puree and roasted habaneros, then stuffed between two grilled cheese sandwiches loaded with caramelized onions, roasted jalapenos, and roasted habaneros. Whoa. Vermont Prohibition Pig in Waterbury Despite its New England location, Prohibition Pig is famed for its Deep South kitchen stylings. Case in point: the House Burger stacked high with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, and applewood smoked bacon. Craft beer connoisseurs will love pairing their burgers with the Pig’s impressive selection of brews. You may also like: The Best Southern Barbecue to Road Trip for This Summer Virginia MELT Gourmet Cheeseburgers in Leesburg This joint is known for its delicious cheeseburgers. From veggie and lamb to Philly cheesesteak and turkey, there are tons of burger options for you. You can also sip on a milkshake, a root bear float, or a malt if you get thirsty. Washington Nick’s Jr. Burgers in Everett “Welcome to Burger Country,” home of Nick’s Jr. and its celebrated range of ¼ lb handmade patties made with 100% freshly ground beef. Be sure to try Nick’s homemade mayo. Washington, DC Steeze Burgers in ??? OK, finding this one will keep you on your toes. Owner Hunter Karametos operates Steeze Burgers with a portable griddle that he brings to various places throughout the DC area. But it’s worth the effort to find it, because the burgers are reportedly absolutely sinful. Check the web site for locations on any particular day. West Virginia Avenue Eats in Wheeling “Elevated casual fare” is the show at this neighborhood diner. Breakfast burger? Black bean slider? Poutine? Classic? There’s a burger for all tastes at this Mountain State fave. All beef is sourced from grass-fed beef. Wisconsin Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee Ever had a butter burger? It’s a Milwaukee thing and one that originated at Solly’s Grille. Comprised of a sirloin patty with Wisconsin butter and stewed onions, it’s rich! Wyoming The Bird in Jackson Big, juicy brisket burgers served betwixt an English muffin with all sorts of awesome toppings and complemented with a panoramic mountain view. Did we leave your favorite burger out? Let us know in the comments section below!
