Entertainment
National Hamburger Day: The Best Burger Joint In Every State
By CM Chaney · May 28, 2024
The Best Burger Joint In Every State
Burgers are an iconic American food, blending influences from around the world into the ultimate handheld meal. From greasy spoons to gourmet establishments, every state across the U.S. offers its own take on the humble hamburger.Today (Tuesday, May 28, 2024) is National Hamburger Day, a celebration of one of the most popular foods in America. If you’re a burger lover and didn’t get your fill of burgers over Memorial Day weekend, there’s good news: You can get plenty of deals on hamburgers today—and in some cases, throughout the rest of this week.
In this list, we have compiled some of the best and most beloved burger joints from all 50 states that are worth traveling for. From historic spots that have been grilling patties for over a century to newer chefs putting creative twists on burgers, you’ll discover the tastiest burgers in the country and where to find them in each state.
Whether you’re a meat-lover on a quest for the perfect patty or just love discovering local eateries, this state-by-state guide covers some of the greatest burger joints that America has to offer. Oliver Sjöström / Unsplash
Alabama - Dub's Burgers (Athens)
This Athens staple since '61, Dub's Burgers serves fresh, made-to-order classics - burgers, dogs, chicken and fries with simple toppings, cheap prices that keep locals coming back, even when they sell out daily. DubsBurgers/Facebook
Alaska - Arctic Roadrunner (Anchorage)
Serving Anchorage since '64, Arctic Roadrunner's cozy, memory-filled dining room pairs hearty burgers - including double 5oz. beef patties or wild salmon fillets - with thick milkshakes to fuel good times in Alaska's largest city. Arctic Roadrunner/Facebook
Arizona - The Chuckbox (Tempe)
This Phoenix-area favorite since 1972 charbroils burgers - up to 16 oz. - over mesquite wood, pairing Southwestern spices and fried sides like zucchini and jalapeño poppers with the huge patties for a unique take on the classic burger joint. TheChuckbox/Facebook
Arkansas - Cotham's in the City (Little Rock)
This 16oz burger behemoth, large enough to ship to the White House, challenges diners with smoky, garlicky flavor packed between a 7-inch olive oil bun - eat two, and the second one's on the house at this one-of-a-kind burger joint. CothamsLR/Facebook
California - Irv’s Burgers (Los Angeles)
This LA burger stand opened in '46 as Queen's Burgers on Route 66, poking fun at a fancy nearby lobster spot; after closing in 2018, it revived in '22 - serving classic cheeseburgers and the loaded Big Irv with pastrami, chili, dogs and cheese atop the patty. Irv’s Burgers/Facebook
Colorado - Bud's Bar (Sedalia)
Once remote, Bud's Bar has served sedilia's best vintage burgers since the '40s - still cash only, still focused on perfecting the simple trio of rich patties with melted American cheese, onions and pickles, now a short drive from Denver where fancier fixings aren't allowed to outshine the classics. Bud's Cafe & Bar/Facebook
Connecticut - Louis’ Lunch (New Haven)
Louis' Lunch in New Haven claims their legacy as burger inventors stretches back to 1895, remaining family-owned across four generations while keeping offerings simple: burgers with tomato/onion/cheese on toast, chips, salad and pie. Louis' Lunch/Facebook
Delaware - Gus & Gus Place (Rehoboth Beach)
Overlooking Rehoboth Beach, Gus & Gus Place has been the boardwalk's go-to since '47 for unfussy burgers and fresh-cut fries, also serving breakfast, dogs and cheesesteaks to-go for scenic seaside strolling. Gus & Gus Place/Facebook
Florida - El Rey De Las Fritas (Miami)
This Miami chain is named "King of the Fried Burgers" for its Cuban-style fritas - thin beef-chorizo patties fried and topped with shoestring fries and a secret tomato sauce - with ties back to Havana's first frita spot. reydelasfritas/Facebook
Georgia - NFA Burger (Dunwoody)
This Atlanta gem is hidden at a suburban Chevron: NFA Burger, where pop-up pro Billy Kramer moved in '19, keeps it simple - single or double Angus beef patties smashed just right for crispy edges, with pickles, mustard, secret sauce and cheese between Martin's soft rolls. NFA Burger/Facebook
Hawaii - Kohala Burger & Taco (Waimea)
This old-style 2010 diner uses Hawaii's plentiful local beef and fish for its burgers and tacos, with a "famous" pineapple milkshake for a cool, island-inspired treat. Kohala Burger & Taco/Facebook
Idaho - Hudson’s Hamburgers (Coeur d’Alene)
Serving burgers with a secret sauce since 1907, Hudson's simple menu of patties, pie and ham-and-eggs at this fifth-generation, tent-born Oklahoma staple has clearly mastered the timeless formula for success. hudsonshamburgers.com
Illinois - Top Notch Beefburgers (Chicago)
This 1942 Armenian-immigrant staple, Top Notch Beefburgers, still grinds fresh beef and hand-cuts fries on Chicago's South Side, outpacing trends with diner classics like their famous patty melts with crispy rye and grilled onions - judge their quarters, halves and triples for yourself. topnotchbeverly/Facebook
Indiana - Triple XXX Family Restaurant (West Lafayette)
Serving Purdue students since '29, Triple XXX's winding counters now offer burgers, fries and handmade shakes plus all-day breakfast, but their legendary status comes from house-ground patties and famous root beer served up at this campus-cornerstone. Nyttend/Wikimedia
Iowa - Hickory Park Restaurant Co (Ames)
Barbecue fans will wait hours for the hickory-smoked beef and pork patties at this Iowa icon, settling into church pews to try all 15 burger options but going crazy for the Ham and Sauerkraut-topped Garbage Burger. Hickory Park Restaurant Co./Facebook
Kansas - Grandstand Burgers (Overland Park)
Serving up classics and creative stacks since 2002, Grandstand Burgers focuses on quality ingredients whether topping patties with lettuce, tomato and cheese or pepper jack and fried avocado, alongside thick shakes, fries and tater tots. kansastravel.org
Kentucky - Laha’s Red Castle (Hodgenville)
This 1934 staple keeps it simple with quality patties plus dogs, nuggets, fries and rings, priced to relax and enjoy no-fuss classics made to order at this timeless hometown favorite. LahasRedCastle/Facebook
Louisiana - Judice Inn (Lafayette)
Family-run since '47 when WWII vets built it by hand, Judice Inn's Louisiana-style burgers come with secret sauce and Zapp's chips instead of fries, keeping the original mission of quality and value alive. judiceinn/Facebook
Maine - Palace Diner (Biddeford)
This Maine diner perfects the Big Mac concept with the Palais Royale - two juicy smash patties dripping cheddar, shredded lettuce, pickles and their secret sauce, satisfying in ways the famous fast food facsimile rarely achieves, served with locally-sourced fries. Maine.Copperheads.CSA/Facebook
Maryland - Mother's Federal Hill Grille (Baltimore)
This 8oz beef patty pushes cardiac limits when stuffed with cheddar, batter-dipped and fried, but burger fans say the lettuce, tomato and onion toppings with chipotle mayo are worth the splurge from this audacious eatery. mothersgrille.com
Massachusetts - Craigie on Main (Boston)
Tony Maws added a burger at Cambridge's Craigie on Main to please himself, but the grass-fed patties with Vermont cheddar, mace ketchup and acclaimed rolls quickly became a Boston icon, available now for easy takeout without the usual rigamarole. craigieonmain/Facebook
Michigan - Motz’s Burgers (Redford)
Serving sliders since '29, family-run Motz's piles sweet onions and melted cheese onto mini-burgers for under $3 each, building community in Detroit and beyond through quality, value and service. MotzsBurgers/Facebook
Minnesota - The Nook (St. Paul)
Guy Fieri's namesake burger stuffed with pepper jack and topped with roast beef and bacon refuels bowlers at this joint, though their claim to fame is massive stuffed patties erupting with cheeses and other fillings. Thenookstp/Facebook
Mississippi - Latham’s Hamburger Inn (New Albany)
This small-town Mississippi mainstay serves towering burgers dripping with cheese, mustard and veggies, plus egg-topped variants and diner fare like loaded fries, grilled cheese and BLTs. lathamshamburgerinn/Facebook
Missouri - Town Topic (Kansas City)
Kansas City's burgers rise and fall, but the 1937 gem Town Topic keeps smashing flavorful thin patties seasoned with caramelized onions for generations of loyal locals who ensure this last remaining spot stays put. TownTopicsHamburgers/Facebook
Montana - Richwine’s Burgerville (Polson)
This 60-year Montana drive-in dubbed "the best burger goin'" grinds local beef into fresh double and triple patties, topping them with classics like cheese and veggies while also serving dogs and seasonal seafood. Richwine's Burgerville
Nebraska - Stella's Bar & Grill (Bellevue)
This Bellevue gem dates back to the '30s when widowed Estelle Francois started serving her now-legendary Stella Hamburgers from her home to support four kids, with her great-great grandniece keeping 6.5oz patties alive today with bakery rolls and classic toppings. Stella's Bar & Grill/Facebook
Nevada - Beefy's (Reno)
beefysreno/Facebook
New Hampshire - Gilley’s Diner (Portsmouth)
This 1940s diner cart once hitched rides into downtown Knoxville but now stays put, expanded but retaining vintage charm to serve their famously inexpensive single and double patty burgers and dogs with a few sammies and fry options. gilleysdiner/Facebook
New Jersey - White Manna (Hackensack)
This North Jersey diner descends from a '39 World's Fair fast food prototype, its counter crowding now eased by pandemic pivots, but the miniature burgers remain satisfyingly simple - fresh beef topped with onions and oozy cheese on petite, pliable rolls. whitemannaburgers/Facebook
New Mexico - Day’s Hamburgers (Las Cruces)
Serving four generations since Great-Grandma Day opened in '32, this family spot stays traditional with triple-stack burgers matched with mustard, onion, lettuce and mayo, plus optional chili, dogs, breakfast and more. days.hamburgers/Facebook
New York - Corner Bistro (New York City)
This bohemian holdout in the Village still charms after all these years, serving up quality through massive burgers and sandwiches plus highly-regarded fries and sides. cornerbistronyc/Facebook
North Carolina - Brooks’ Sandwich House (Charlotte)
Open since '73, this family spot, now in its third generation, settles the sandwich debate by perfecting simple bacon and cheese burgers and their secret 50-year chili recipe instead of fixating on fancier fillings. BrooksSandwichHouse/Facebook
North Dakota - Finish Line Burgers & Brew (Velva)
This build-your-own spot offers ultimate customization with eight bun types and endless meat, cheese and topping mixes, or just take the Rudland Burger Challenge: six half-pound patties plus piles of pepperoni, bacon and cheese to finish in under an hour for free fries, a T-shirt and Wall of Fame honors. Finishlineburgersandbrewllc/Facebook
Ohio - Zip's Cafe (Cincinnati)
This Ohio gem sustains its century-long legacy using fresh local chuck in generous third-pound patties, cooked simply to let the quality beef shine through, paired with local buns and Cincinnati's signature chili on the side. ZipsCafe/Facebook
Oklahoma - Johnnie’s Hamburgers & Coneys (El Reno)
Born in the Depression when onions stretched little beef, Johnnie's classic thin patties are still cooked with caramelized onions and mustard before meeting their warm bun, retaining Oklahoma tradition with better times. Johnnie's Grill/Facebook
Oregon - Big Burger Drive-In (Molalla)
This 3rd-generation, 1967 Oregon staple serves classic towers up to three patties stacked with bacon and cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, tomatoes and signature sauce for hungry burger fans near Portland. tripadvisor.com
Pennsylvania - Royal Tavern (Philadelphia)
Locals flock to this chill bar, bypassing Philly's famous cheesesteaks for their addictive "Royal" Burger on brioche: thick patties plus caramelized onions, bacon, gouda and spicy chili mayo. RoyalTavern/Facebook
Rhode Island - Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers (Central Falls)
This Depression-born burger shop founded in '32 by Polish immigrant Stanley Kryla still sells his quality namesake for under $3, plus mushroom and veggie variants, sustaining affordability and deliciousness for over 90 years. STANLEY'S FAMOUS HAMBURGERS/Facebook
South Carolina - Ike’s Korner Grill (Spartanburg)
Ike's generously portions 7 oz. patties in classics or a local pimiento cheese variant, ensuring this seafood and sandwich spot gives burger fans their money's worth through quality ingredients and portions. IkesKornerGrill/Facebook
South Dakota - Nick's Hamburger Shop (Brookings)
This 1929 burger empire born in Brookings, SD once boasted 77 restaurants frying in tanks, but Harold and Gladys Nikalson's only remaining classic drive-in serves simple traditional patties, shakes, soda and homemade pie. nickshamburgers/Faceboo
Tennessee - Dyer’s Burgers (Memphis)
Perfected over 100+ years since founder Elmer "Doc" Dyer opened in 1912, Dyer's time-honored secret is its traveling grease, used to fry triple cheese triple meat stacked burgers and wings for devoted Memphis fans. Dyer's Burgers/Facebook
Texas - Perini Ranch Steakhouse (Buffalo Gap)
Carnivores flock to chef Tom Perini's remote ranch for his cowboy cuisine starring fork-and-knife Angus burgers topped like steaks with mushrooms, chiles and melted cheese. periniranch/Facebook
Utah - Milt’s Stop n’ Eat (Moab)
Serving Moab since 1954, Milt's classic beef and elk burgers with traditional toppings retain old-school diner vibes, while specialties add eggs, chili, pulled pork and more to the humble patty. MiltsStopandEat/Facebook
Vermont - Archie’s Grill (Shelburne)
Sourcing local ingredients since 2010, community-focused Archie's offers extensive vegetarian fare but stands out with local beef patties dressed with Cabot cheddar, Harringtons bacon, maple syrup and other Vermont-proud toppings. ArchiesGrill/Facebook
Virginia - Market Burger Fries & Shakes (Purcellville)
Priding local sourcing, Market Burger offers traditional beef patties alongside Southwest black bean variants and specialty toppings like their namesake Market Burger with cheddar, egg, herbs and produce for modern tastes. marketburgerfriesandshakes/Facebook
Washington - Dick's Drive-In (Seattle)
Dick's Drive-In serves as a unifying Seattle staple across all walks of life, with 1/8lb fresh-never-frozen burgers baked into locally-sourced rolls for just $1.80, plus iconic fries hand-cut and cooked in sunflower oil daily. DicksDriveIn/Facebook
West Virginia - Gonzoburger (Charleston)
This Charleston favorite uses 100% Angus beef for massive classic burgers to spicy El Fuego stacks with peppers, habanero sauce and sides, pairing creative patties with craft brews. gonzoburgercwv/Facebook
Wisconsin - Solly’s Grille (Glendale)
This 1936 family-owned butterburger legend stews onions into the patties and luxuriates in Wisconsin butter for diner fare winning devoted fans and awards alike over generations. sollysgrille/Facebook