Whether thick and juicy, piled high with toppings or oozing with cheese, the best burgers in America prove that nothing hits the spot quite like the classic dish.
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Alabama: Vicki’s Lunch Van
Sure, there are many fast-food burger joints in Alabama, but head to Vicki’s Lunch Van instead. As the name suggests, Vicki’s started out serving out of a van, but it’s now a brick-and-mortar building in Montgomery. Ask for a four-, six- or eight-ounce patty with your choice of toppings—including mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and cheese—and either fries or chips. Looking to switch things up? The beloved Gunter Pile is a six-ounce burger smothered with crispy grilled onions, gravy and cheese on a bed of fries.
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Alaska: Tommy’s Burger Stop
Hop off the plane at Anchorage International Airport and head to the neighborhood of Spenard for a Cajun-inspired burger at Tommy’s Burger Stop. Made with locally sourced, never frozen meat, these patties are seared and served on a toasted freshly made potato bun with the works: crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes and mayo.
Choose from more than 10 burger options, from the classic Burger Stop to specialty sandwiches with unique flavor combos, like the Sweet Charlotte, loaded with grilled mushrooms, avocado and Jarlsberg cheese. Not in a burger mood? Po’boys, salads and Philly-style cheesesteaks round out the eclectic menu.
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Arizona: Rehab Burger Therapy
Build the burger of your dreams at Rehab Burger Therapy, a beach-themed restaurant in Scottsdale that offers a selection of five- or ten-ounce patties made from a custom blend of ground sirloin, brisket and USDA chuck.
Or, try one of Rehab’s specialty creations, like the Spicy Mac-N-Cheese Burger, topped with pepper jack cheese and macaroni and cheese, featuring bacon, three kinds of peppers (green chiles, poblanos and jalapeños) and sriracha.
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Arkansas: Big Orange
Head to one of Big Orange’s three locations, including two in Little Rock, and take your pick from four patty options—premium Black Angus beef, half beef and half veggie, turkey or veggie—and specialty burger offerings, all worthy of the “best burger” title. Don’t miss out on the signature White Truffle and Pecorino burger, which features pecorino cheese, arugula, fig jam, white truffle and garlic mayo for a truly decadent experience.
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California: Pie ’n Burger
An institution in Pasadena since 1963, Pie ’n Burger offers classic diner fare seven days a week to locals and burger tourists. Served with pickles, tomato, house-made Thousand Island dressing, iceberg lettuce and cheese, the thin, perfectly cooked beef patty is best enjoyed at the counter with a milkshake and fries on the side; turkey and vegetarian burgers are also available.
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Colorado: The Cherry Cricket
With two locations in Denver, the Cherry Cricket has been a burger institution since 1945. Start by picking your burger base (options include beef, bison and Impossible Burgers), then go wild with inventive house-made toppings. Think bacon-jalapeno jam, mac and cheese, pork belly or pimento cheese. Tip: Pair your burger with one of the many award-winning local craft beers on tap.
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Connecticut: Louis’ Lunch
Since 1895, Louis’ Lunch has been proudly serving burgers to the New Haven community. Founder Louis Lassen is credited with having created the first hamburger in the United States when he pressed steak scraps into a sandwich for a local in a hurry. The Louis’ Lunch legacy lives on today, with his descendants cooking up juicy burgers in the original cast-iron grills. The patties are garnished only with cheese, tomato and onion and served on toasted white bread, just as Louis liked them. Simple and delicious.
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Delaware: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
With locations in Wilmington, Newark and Rehoboth Beach (as well as Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina), Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant offers handcrafted beers and creative yet informal cuisine. Signature burger options include the Pub Burger (with thick-cut bacon, smoked Gouda and Iron Hill pub sauce) and the Iron Luxe Burger (with thick-cut bacon, sharp white cheddar, smoked Gouda, baby arugula, Dijonnaise and pepper-bacon jam), both served on a pretzel bun. In addition, every restaurant is decorated with hand-painted murals, so you can enjoy a little art with your comfort food.
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Florida: MEAT Eatery & Tap Room
If you weren’t already clear on what exactly you were eating, MEAT Eatery & Tap Room in Islamorada brands the word meat into each bun for a little reminder (and a fun touch). Order yourself a single or double Nancy Pants with Cheese—a five-ounce Angus burger, American cheese, lettuce and tomato—for a burger experience you won’t regret. And while you’re there, don’t miss the house-smoked chicken wings.
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Georgia: NFA Burger
Head out of Atlanta and into the suburbs for a can’t-miss NFA Burger. Operating out of a Chevron gas station in Dunwoody since 2019 (and now with a second location in a mall in Alpharetta), this burger joint (the name stands for “not fooling around”) serves simple smash burgers that are well worth the drive. NFA grills each Angus beef patty to crisp, caramelized perfection before topping it with pickles, mustard, a secret house “sassy sauce” and cheese, then serves it on a soft Martin’s roll.
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Hawaii: W&M Bar-B-Q Burgers
Looking for the best burger in Hawaii? Head to Honolulu’s W&M Bar-B-Q, which has been serving hungry locals and visitors since 1940. All the burgers are basted with a secret tangy barbecue sauce, and you can’t go wrong by ordering the signature Royal Hamburger, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese. Better yet, give the Hal Special a try—it’s the Royal but with layers of barbecue steak on top. Don’t forget to grab a side of the crab macaroni salad, a concoction of macaroni, real crab meat, potatoes and peas.
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Idaho: Hudson’s Hamburgers
In 1907, Harley M. Hudson opened a tent known as the Missouri Kitchen. Five generations later, the Hudson family still serves up burgers at Hudson’s Hamburgers in Coeur d’Alene. The juicy fresh-made burgers come topped with thinly sliced onions, pickles, melted American cheese and the option of house-made hot sauce. By the way: The place has no tables (stools at a counter only) and no fries—but they do have pie!
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Illinois: Au Cheval
Hungry diners line up for hours to get their hands on a burger at Chicago’s Au Cheval. The “single” cheeseburger has two patties, and the “double” has three, but adding bacon and an egg to complement the already rich combination of meat, pickles, onions and Dijonnaise is always a good idea. Fun fact: Au cheval, which means “on horseback” in French, in a culinary context signifies the addition of a fried egg.
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Indiana: Bru Burger Bar
With 12 locations in Indiana, plus outposts in Kentucky and Ohio, Bru Burger Bar is a convenient place to stop when you’re in the Midwest. Featuring a signature grind of sirloin, chuck and brisket, plus locally sourced produce (some even grown in Bru’s own greenhouse), the chef-crafted burgers will have your mouth watering in no time. Cheese lovers shouldn’t miss the decadent Garlic Three-Cheese, a combination of Swiss, American, mozzarella, roasted garlic and truffle aioli.
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Iowa: BurgerFiend
Making regular appearances on Best Burger of Iowa lists is BurgerFiend in Cedar Rapids. Take your pick of single, double, triple or quad burgers featuring patties made with USDA choice Angus beef. And don’t skimp on the toppings—they have more than 20 cheese, veggie and spread options. Rounding out the menu are milkshakes, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, hand-cut fries and “fiend fries” (gyro meat, tzatziki, American cheese, caramelized onions and jalapeños).
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Kansas: The Cozy Inn
If White Castle is the only Kansas-founded burger joint you know, it’s time to take a trip to The Cozy Inn in downtown Salina. In 1922, Bob Kinkel opened the restaurant with only six seats at the counter, and not much has changed since. The one-ounce patties are grilled with onions and served on custom-baked rolls, with ketchup, mustard and pickles available, if you like. But heads-up: You won’t find any cheese or fries at this spot—just classic sliders served fresh.
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Kentucky: Mussel & Burger Bar
Located in Louisville is Mussel & Burger Bar, featuring 15 different burgers made with 100% certified Black Angus beef, ground in-house daily. Try the decadent Southern Bell topped with pimento cheese, rémoulade sauce and fried green tomatoes—it won’t disappoint. Breakfast lovers will gravitate toward the BBB, stacked high with a fried egg, maple-glazed pork belly, caramelized onions, aged white cheddar and maple syrup aioli.
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Louisiana: The Company Burger
When in New Orleans, beignets are obviously a must-eat, but don’t forget to visit The Company Burger. The classic order? Two Black Angus beef patties cooked to medium with a nice crust and served with bread-and-butter pickles, cooked red onions and American cheese; add bacon or a fried egg, if you so desire. Dress the burger to your liking at the self-service condiment bar, and enjoy it before a stroll through the Big Easy.
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Maine: Palace Diner
Housed in a 1920s railcar, the Palace Diner in Biddeford (just outside Portland) serves up breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m. If you’re able to score a spot at one of the 15 counter seats, order the Palais Royale, a double version of the classic cheeseburger that features two smashed patties, cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, pickles and the diner’s special sauce, piled onto a sesame seed bun and served with fries. Can’t grab a seat in the railway car? Place an order online to enjoy from anywhere.
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Maryland: The Abbey Burger Bistro
With three locations in and around Baltimore, The Abbey Burger Bistro boasts an extensive menu of specialty burgers served alongside house-made chips. You can’t go wrong with the Baltimore Burger, featuring an Angus beef patty, crab dip, cheddar and applewood bacon on a classic bun. The menu also lists lamb, turkey, bison, shrimp and veggie burgers.
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Massachusetts: White Hut
There’s no fuss or frills to be seen at White Hut. Founder Edward Barkett opened the original restaurant in West Springfield in 1933, and the local institution has been serving up classic diner fare ever since (a second location opened in Holyoke in 2023). Thin patties are topped with white American cheese and buttery fried onions, served on a seedless bun with the option to add extra fixings. If you’re feeling extra hungry, order one of the classic hot dogs too, or opt for a creamy signature shake.
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Michigan: Miller’s Bar
Just outside of Detroit, in Dearborn, Miller’s Bar has been grilling up some of the best burgers in Michigan since 1941. The seven-ounce fresh-ground patties are topped with cheese, pickles and white onions and served simply on a square of waxed paper. Don’t forget to order fries and onion rings! Place your order and pay at the bar counter (cash only) by the honor system, then get ready to dig in.
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Minnesota: Matt’s Bar
It might look simple from the outside, but unassuming Matt’s Bar is the home of a culinary gem: the Jucy Lucy. As the story goes, a customer walked into the Minneapolis spot in 1954 and asked for a slice of cheese between two burger patties, proclaiming it a “juicy Lucy” after taking a bite.
Decades later, you can find similar burgers (with both spelling variations) across the Twin Cities, but the original is considered one of the best burgers in Minnesota and still can’t be beat. Don’t bother bringing your credit cards, though—this burger joint is cash only.
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Mississippi: Stamps Super Burgers
It’s no surprise that the bestselling item at Stamps Super Burgers in West Jackson is the original Stamps Super Burger, which features a freshly seasoned and mixed 11-ounce patty loaded with classic burger toppings (order a double if you’re really hungry). Hand-cut fries seasoned with the Stamps signature spice blend are a must-try side, and you can further support this Black-owned business by purchasing a jar of the spice blend to take home with you.
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Missouri: Gordon’s Stoplight Drive-In
South of St. Louis, in Crystal City, is Stoplight Drive-In, a local gem that’s been slinging burgers since 1948. The menu features classic diner fare, like shakes, fries and chili, but the Jumbo Burger with house-made slaw, barbecue sauce and chopped onions on a toasted bun is the longtime favorite and most worthy of your visit. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, try the massive Quadzilla, which has four patties stacked high and is sure to keep you feeling full—maybe for a couple of days.
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Montana: Naps Grill
Naps Grill in Hamilton is a well-known gem in the Treasure State, with an expansive bar menu and hearty eats to enjoy. Classic burgers are available in three-, six- and twelve-ounce patties, with the Belly Buster weighing in at a whopping 24 ounces split between two patties. Feeling ambitious? Attempt the Bitterroot Beast Burger Challenge: If you can finish the meal—three 12-ounce patties complete with onions, mushroom, cheese and bacon, served with a pound of french fries and a 16-ounce milkshake—in 25 minutes, you’ll earn a free meal, a T-shirt and a spot on the wall of fame.
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Nebraska: Honest Abe’s
With four locations around Lincoln and an impressive selection of classic and rotating burgers—plus an additional specialty burger featured each week—there’s bound to be something on the menu for you at Honest Abe’s. For a mix of sweet and savory that will leave you full but craving more, try The Count, a perfectly cooked patty topped with black forest ham, Swiss cheese, raspberry jam, a fried egg and cinnamon cream cheese.
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Nevada: Rollin Smoke Barbeque
As the name suggests, Rollin Smoke is best known for barbecue. But it also happens to be one of the best burger places for hungry Las Vegas diners. The Outlaw features hamburger meat mixed with brisket, onion and bell peppers before being piled high (and we mean high) with a massive amount of onion strings, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese and chipotle aioli. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely for meat lovers!
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New Hampshire: Lexie’s
With a budget-friendly menu and four convenient locations in the Granite State (plus one in Massachusetts), Lexie’s has become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. The crew kindly asks that customers not make substitutions to their specialty burgers—which include menu items like the Fun Guy, topped with blue cheese, crispy onions, mushrooms and horseradish sauce—but they’re happy to help you create your dream beef, chicken or black bean burger with the build-your-own menu option.
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New Jersey: White Manna
Head to Hackensack for some of the most famous burgers in the Garden State. Founded at the 1939 World’s Fair as an introduction to fast food, the business opened on the banks of the Hackensack River in 1946. White Manna’s sliders are made from extra-lean local ground beef and cooked with grilled onions and cheese before being served hot on a Martin’s potato roll. Add a side of crinkle-cut fries and a cup of garlicky pickles to round out your order at this retro diner.
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New Mexico: Sparky’s
Sparky’s is more than your average burger joint. The restaurant in Hatch considers itself a full-on roadside attraction. With weekly live music events and quirky decor that you’ll want to examine after your meal, Sparky’s is not just about its World Famous burger, though go ahead and order it. Your seven-ounce patty will come topped with melted cheese and hatch green chiles, and you’ll get a free side and drink to boot. It’s a simple yet delicious burger to remember.
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New York: Peter Luger
Here’s a food fact for you: One of the most famous spots to enjoy a steak in New York also whips up one of the best burgers in the entire state. At Peter Luger in Brooklyn and on Great Neck, Long Island, the focus is on the quality of the beef, and the prime dry-aged meat that goes into Luger’s juicy, medium-rare burgers will have you begging for more. The burger is served on a sesame bun with raw onion, but you can add cheese and/or bacon if you like.
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North Carolina: Brooks’ Sandwich House
Don’t let the name fool you. Brooks’ Sandwich House in Charlotte serves up more than sandwiches. The cash-only spot has been open since 1973, and it knows how to treat your taste buds, so order your burger as recommended: “all the way.” That means topped with mustard, onions and a helping of smoky beef chili. But don’t plan to visit the restaurant during a weekend trip to the area: The place is open only Monday through Friday.
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North Dakota: Sickies Garage
Sickies Garage was founded in 2012 in Fargo and now has multiple locations slinging the award-winning burgers. It can be hard to narrow down your pick from the 50 burgers on the menu—they range from original to signature and supercharged—but the Jalapeño Cream Cheese burger is one that fans love most. It starts off with an American Kobe beef patty, topped with peppered bacon, pepper jack cheese and a jalapeño cream cheese spread, served on a Parmesan and black pepper bun. For a uniquely Midwestern treat, go for the County Fair Burger, which is topped with cheese curds.
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Ohio: Swensons Drive-In
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in Ohio who hasn’t tried a Galley Boy from Swensons Drive-In. This double-patty burger is served on a buttery toasted bun with cheese and two secret sauces. Though the popular drive-in (with multiple locations across the state) has never shared what exactly those secret sauces are, they best resemble tartar sauce and barbecue sauce. The burger is finished off with a signature olive on a toothpick for a recognizable flair.
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Oklahoma: Nic’s Grill
The onion burger was born out of necessity during the Great Depression as a way to stretch beef and make burgers more affordable, and it has stood the test of time. It’s the one food you have to try in Oklahoma, and there’s no better place to order it than Nic’s Grill in Oklahoma City. Served alongside a pile of curly fries, the patty is made from a mix of ground beef and thinly shredded onions, all cooked up and served on a bun for a burger experience you won’t forget.
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Oregon: Dandy’s Drive-In
There’s nothing fussy about Dandy’s Drive-In in Bend, one of the most stunning mountain towns in America. The restaurant has been serving up the best burgers via roller-skate-wearing carhops since 1968. Chuck patties are the star of every burger on the menu, like the classic Dandy Burger, which comes with dill pickles, shredded lettuce and the famous house sauce on a potato bun. Enjoy your burger—with a milkshake and crispy fries—in your car or take it to go.
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Pennsylvania: Burgatory Bar
Head to one of Burgatory Bar’s Pittsburgh-area locations for one helluva burger and heavenly shakes. Try one of the most popular options, the Meat Your Maker: a dry-aged Wagyu beef patty with a sweet onion crust, topped with aged Gruyère cheese, roasted tomatoes, organic field greens and truffled shallot aioli. Or, build your own custom creation from the expansive selection of rubs (including everything bagel), cheeses (like horseradish cheddar), sauces (say, chipotle lime aioli) and toppings (how about sauteed cremini mushrooms?).
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Rhode Island: Harry’s Bar & Burger
The burgers at Harry’s Bar & Burger in Providence start with a freshly ground Hereford beef base. That’s pressed with onions on a Martin’s potato roll and topped with special sauce—and it only gets better from there. Every order comes with two sliders and the option to add a third if you’re feeling really hungry. The Crunch Burger adds American cheese, lettuce, pickles and fried onion strings to the party and will run you less than $8.
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South Carolina: Grill Marks
Head to one of the Grill Marks locations in Greenville or Columbia to enjoy the best burger in South Carolina. You can build your own, selecting everything from the type of patty to the toppings and bun. Or order one of their famous burgers, like the Beer Essentials (with beer cheese, bacon and crispy haystack onions served on a pretzel bun) or El Gringo (classic smash patty, chorizo, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado and green chili queso on a potato bun). Try to leave room for dessert: a milkshake piled high with toppings and whipped cream.
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South Dakota: Sugar Shack
If there was a definition of roadside eats, it’d be Sugar Shack in Deadwood. Just 30 miles from Mount Rushmore, this spot has been a favorite of bikers and locals for years. Half-pound burgers like the classic Sugar Burger—made with Swiss cheese and grilled onions and peppers—keep the outdoor picnic-style seats full of hungry eaters, and they won’t break the bank.
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Tennessee: Earnestine and Hazel’s
Earnestine and Hazel’s has been keeping the spirit of Memphis alive for three decades. Enjoy live soul, jazz and blues music while you dine on the famous Soul Burger: a simple beef patty with onions, cheese, pickle and their special Soul Sauce on a bun. The dive bar has even been named one of the most haunted places in America (the building was once home to a brothel, and supposedly the spirits of murdered prostitutes stuck around)—a bonus if you’d like a side of spooky with your burger.
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Texas: Tookie’s
When in the land of barbecue, head out of Houston and toward Kemah, where you’ll find a joint that also offers—you guessed it—burgers. This ’70s-inspired spot has been serving perfectly charred burgers for more than 30 years, and you can’t go wrong with a Tookie’s classic cheeseburger. You’ll get your choice of cheese along with mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. Or indulge in the Squealer, which features bacon ground right into the beef patty.
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Utah: Crown Burgers
Crown Burgers has been a fixture in the Salt Lake City area since it started serving classic drive-in eats in 1978. It has since expanded to multiple locations to better serve the loyal fan base that eats up its signature Crown Burger, a quarter-pound burger grilled with cheese and topped with a quarter-pound of pastrami, Thousand Island dressing, lettuce, tomato, onion and American cheese.
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Vermont: Worthy Burger
Take your pick of one of the many craft beers and ciders on tap to wash down the namesake burger at this favorite Vermont spot. The Worthy Burger starts with a six-ounce, grass-fed beef patty, topped with Plymouth cheddar cheese, a secret sauce, Bibb lettuce and red onion and served with hand-cut fries twice-fried in Wagyu beef tallow. Though you can’t go wrong with the classic, keep an eye out for special menu items, like the Bulgogi Burger, which features kimchi mayo, pickled red onion and shredded cabbage.
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Virginia: Repeal Bourbon & Burgers
Located in Virginia Beach, Repeal Bourbon & Burgers offers a true taste of the Chesapeake Bay with its Krabby Patty: a grass-fed beef burger topped with crab cake, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion and peach rémoulade. Each of the 11 burgers on the menu can be made with a beef, turkey or Beyond burger and is served with your choice of sides, ranging from truffle mac and cheese to bourbon chili to bacon-dusted fries. Over 21? Don’t miss Repeal’s expansive whiskey selection.
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Washington: Lil Woody’s
Lil Woody’s works with local vendors to source the ingredients used at its Seattle locations, so you’ll get hand-cut fries made from Washington potatoes, handcrafted buns made in Tacoma and beef from neighboring Oregon. The namesake burger is simple and delicious: a quarter-pound patty topped with Tillamook cheddar, chopped onions, diced pickles, ketchup and mayo. Take things up a notch with the Big Woody: the Lil Woody plus bacon, tomato slices and lettuce. And don’t miss one of their famous shakes, made with Tillamook ice cream.
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West Virginia: Fat Patty’s
Head to one of the three Fat Patty’s locations in West Virginia (or the two in Kentucky) for a tasty selection of starters, build-your-own pizzas and, of course, burgers. Keep it simple with the OG Patty Burger, or try a slightly more adventurous fan favorite, the Sweet Popper Burger, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, cream cheese, sauteed jalapeños and raspberry sauce, for a sweet-and-spicy finish.
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Wisconsin: Solly’s Grille
Established in 1936 as Solly’s Coffee Shop, Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee is still family-owned and -operated—and a favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike. Stop in for Solly’s Big Boy Burger, a menu staple with two 100% local sirloin patties with butter-grilled bread in the middle, specialty Big Boy sauce, Wisconsin butter, shredded lettuce and stewed onions on a brioche bun, which all makes for a messy but memorable dining experience in America’s Dairyland.
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Wyoming: Liberty Burger
Liberty Burger’s custom blend of tenderloin, chuck and brisket makes this an obvious spot to visit while in Jackson (or Texas or Montana). The namesake burger comes with tomato, lettuce, onion and pickles, but you can add bacon and cheese or make it a double, if that’s what your stomach dictates. And if beef isn’t your thing, try the lamb, chicken, bison, turkey, ahi tuna or Impossible Burger also on the menu. The restaurant focuses on doing its part to protect the environment by using tree-free compostable packaging and reusable bags for food, and donating empty bottles to local brewers and artists.
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Sources:
- Sef González, Miami-based food blogger, author of All About the Burger, host of the Burger Beast podcast; phone interview, Aug. 11, 2025
- Datassential: “Burgers Keynote Report, 2024”
- IBISWorld: “Burger Restaurants in the US”
- All About the Burger by Sef González
