Best Burgers in the U.S.

Work equals opportunities to eat burgers in parts of the US. Some burgers are great. Some you ask how they remain in business.  The burger joints are listed by city.

Rating Scale: The burgers rated on a subjective scale of 1 to 10.  I didn't rate any burgers a 10 because I'm not sure if I would know perfect if it punched me in the face but some came close.

BOSTON, MA

Mr. Bartley's Gourmet Burgers - Bacon Cheeseburger.  Given the hype, this was a disappointing burger. It wasn't bad, but it was comparatively ordinary. Rating: 8.3

BOULDER, CO

World Famous Dark Horse Bar & Grill - Avocado Burger. It wasn't too busy just past prime lunch hour so our cook had plenty of time to put forth some love.  Alas, the love didn't manifest.  Rating: 8.1  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2018/05/world-famous-dark-horse-bar-grill.html#more

CHICAGOLAND, IL

Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger.  This burger ops or is is near the top of many best burger lists. It has earned it's right to be in the best category. It had me first bite, but it lacked the OMG factor. I feel I need another one, this time not sharing it. Rating: 9.85 

Big League Burger.  They offer so many burgers variations that I can't recall the name of the burger I ordered. It was better than anticipated. Rating: 9.0  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2022/04/big-league-burgers-chicago-il.html

Billy Goat Tavern - Double Cheezborger.  The patties were precooked and tasted like school cafeteria food.  It's the most overrated famous burger I've had. Rating: 5.0

Paradise Pup - Merkt's Cheddar Burger. Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives featured this spot.  The Merkt's cheese is a little different and the burger had a balanced char taste.  Rating: 9.1   https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2018/01/paradise-pup-des-plaines-il.html

Publican Tavern - Pub Burger.  O'Hare needs a restaurant reboot.  Too many restaurants have been here too long serving perfunctory preparations.  Publican, a newer restaurant, still offers decent output. This is one of the best airport burger I've had, second to one at PDX.  Rating: 8.9   ttps://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2017/10/publican-tavern-chicago-ohare.html

CINCINNATI, OH

Terry's Turf Club - Burger with Burgundy. Wild Mushrooms, and Truffle.  The foundation patty and bun were basic but it was the toppings that took it above ordinary. Rating: 9.0  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2014/06/terrys-turf-club-cincinnati-oh.html#more

DENVER, CO

Cherry Cricket - Little Cricket Burger. This location was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. For such a big name, I thought the burger would be outstanding.  As is, it was only a good burger. Rating:  8.4

 

Park Burger - Scarpone. The burger include of host of unusual toppings such as pancetta and giardiniera.  It's a synergistic burger. Rating: 9.0

LAS VEGAS, NV

Fuku Burger - Tamago Burger. Fuku Burger serves Japanese themed burger.  I don't know tamago is but I can tell you this was one delicious burger, and I'm eager to go back.  Rating: 9.2

Peter Luger - Luger Burger.  It's a patty, onion, and bun. Nothing to hide behind. The lesson for me was to order it medium-rare the next time because this medium wasn't juicy enough. Rating: 8.9

NEW YORK, NY

7th Street Burger - Cheeseburger. I went to NYC expecting a lot of great food. I walked into this location without an expectations, and it was the best unexpected dining packed in NYC. A flavor bomb.  Rating: 9.3 https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2024/09/7th-street-burger-new-york-ny.html#more

 

PHOENIX, AZ

Delux - Delux Burger. It was what I categorize as a dainty burger with a patty a little too thin to be cooked medium rare.  Rating: 9.0 https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2013/03/delux-phoenix-az-closed.html


PORTLAND, OR

Biwa - Biwa Burger. This was a burger with an Asian theme.  It was so good.  Medium rare is so good. Rating: 9.5  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2013/09/biwa-portland.html#more

Little Bird Bistro - Le Pigeon Burger. Dainty in appearance but a knockout burger punch. A gourmet burger honoring the title gourmet. Rating 9.94  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2013/07/little-bird-bistro-portland.html

Love & Whisky - PDX Burger.  What an unexpected fine at the airport.  A great burger and at even greater price. Rating: 9.1  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2014/11/love-whisky-portland-international.html#more

Yakuza Lounge - Yakuza Burger. As memory fades, it's a tie for No. 1 between the Yakuza Burger and the Le Pigeon burger but if forced, I would say the Yakuza is the best for me. More primal, simple, brutal. I haven't found Yakuza listed national best burger lists, which reinforces my belief it's impossible to create a definitive best burger list. Rating: 9.95  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2013/02/yakuza-lounge-portland.html

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Cat Cora's Kitchen - CCK Burger. It's was then an exorbitantly priced burger at the airport.  Given the celebrity name, you would hope the burger represents the chef well.  Alas it didn't.  Rating: 6.3  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2013/06/cat-coras-kitchen-salt-lake-city.html

SANTA MONICA, CA 

Umami Burger- The Original Burger. The burger has a lot of flavor but also has a lot of bun. Rating: 9.1  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2014/12/umami-burger-santa-monica-ca.html

TAMPA, FL

Danny's All American Diner - Home Run Chili Burger. This location was featured on Diners, Drive-In, and Dives. It wasn't up to the hype. Rating: 7.0  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2016/06/dannys-all-american-diner-tampa.html

TWIN CITIES METRO, MN

Blue Door Pub - Blucy. It's a Juicy Lucy with bleu cheese and it one of the best bleu cheese burgers regardless of styles. Rating: 9.0  https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/search?q=blue+door

Gogi Bros House - Bulgogi Burger with a Fried Egg.  My dulled tastebuds couldn't discern that it was a Korean burger.  Rating: 8.4 https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2019/05/gogo-bros-house-eden-prarie-mn.html#more

Matt's Bar - Jucy Lucy.  This little burger packs a wonderful punch. Heed the warning that the cheese is molten lava hot.  Even President Obama stopped in for one. Rating: 9.0

Shake Shack (Mall of America) - Shackburger. Shake Shack started in NYC and rapidly expanded. I don't recall the exact burger ordered,  It was decent but doesn't live up to the hype.  The original NYC location probably does.  There's not a worker smiling here.  Rating: 8.6  

https://famousiconicrestaurants.blogspot.com/2019/09/shake-shack-bloomington-mn.html#more

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN 

Triple XXX Family Restaurant - Duane Purvis All American. Do you like peanut butter on your burger?  You'll find out after you eat this one.  It's not repulsive as it sounds but it doesn't excite my taste buds. Rating: 8.4

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI

Monk's Bar and Grill - Cheeseburger. They specialize in old school burgers and this one was better than expected.  Rating: 9.0

 

Best Burger Lists and Related Burger Articles:

1. Best Burger in Every State 12/20/17. Love Food.
2. The 101 Best Burgers in America 6/19/17. Daily Meal
3. Best Burgers in the US. Food & Wine
4. Daniel Boulud Making the Perfect Burger. Business Insider
5. 11 Burgers Worth the Hype. Serious Eats
6. 100 Best Burgers in America. Thrillist