The Best Cheeseburgers in Every State
Updated: Aug. 07, 2023
One thing you can find anywhere in America is a great burger, and we've rounded up the best burger each state has to offer!
Alabama
The Avenue Pub
The bar food at this Fifth Avenue gastropub does not disappoint—especially when you order the Avenue’s signature bacon burger. The gargantuan beef patties are topped with a layer of ooey-gooey provolone and crispy bacon. Locals describe it as the best burger they’ve ever eaten. We like to think of it as heaven on a plate, like these satisfying burger recipes.
You can visit the Avenue Pub in Tuscaloosa or Orange Beach.
Alaska
Lucky Wishbone
This landmark diner has the best burgers in the Last Frontier for good reason; the Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage has been grilling melt-in-your-mouth patties for over 60 years. Order one of Lucky Wishbone’s jumbo cheeseburgers and you’ll be greeted with a juicy, meaty 1/4-pound patty topped with good ol’ fashioned American cheese. The flavor combo alone will make you feel nostalgic.
This list of the best diners in every state also features a spot in Anchorage—there must be something in the water!
Arizona
Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
Spoiler alert: This is not your typical BBQ joint. Brother John’s combines all the best qualities of a Bavarian beer garden, a high-end bourbon bar and an inventive fine-dining restaurant, which is exactly why the Tucson hot spot is our top choice for the best cheeseburger in the state.
The BroJo burger is made with a local butcher’s custom blend of ground beef and can be topped with about everything under the sun—including caramelized onions, bourbon bacon jam and even mac and cheese.
Arkansas
Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer
Burger enthusiasts flock to Smitty’s Garage in Fayetteville for its zany burger toppings. Spicy sriracha with blue cheese? Smitty’s has it. A burger with peanut butter, bacon bits and sweet jalapeno relish? You better believe Smitty’s has that, too.
Our favorite is The Egg-O-Nater: a cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, bacon and a drool-worthy fried egg. Trust us, you’ll want extra napkins for this one.
California
HiHo Cheeseburger
Every single burger that’s served at HiHo Cheeseburger in Santa Monica is made exclusively with grass-fed Wagyu beef. Translation: The burgers are beautifully marbled and seared to perfection.
The HiHo Cheeseburger takes the top spot, though. It’s comprised of all the fixings a regular cheeseburger has, but also includes onion jam, house-made pickles and a mustard grilled patty. There are also options to add pastrami or make it spicy. Feeling extra hungry? Opt for a double (1/3 pound of beef) or triple (1/2 pound of beef). Not in Santa Monica? There are locations in L.A., Studio City and Marina del Rey, too.
Colorado
Illegal Burger
At Illegal Burger in Colorado, no holds are barred when it comes to what you pile on your patty. With nearly 40 items to choose from, the options are nearly limitless. We think the most distinctive burger on the menu, though, has to be the Street; it’s topped with avocado, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayo—and a grilled hot dog.
Connecticut
Flipside Burgers & Bar
Flipside Burgers & Bar serves comfort food at its finest, with burger offerings like the Mac ‘N Cheese Burger—a hearty sirloin patty that’s layered with grilled mac and cheese, bacon and then topped with a cheese sauce that will put your tastebuds in a frenzy.
You can visit Flipside in Fairfield and Milford.
Delaware
Redfire Grill & Steakhouse
Ooey-gooey aged cheddar, crispy maple-pepper bacon and scratch-made thousand island dressing take the Redfire Grill signature burger to the next level. Don’t miss their mushroom-loaded Steakhouse Burger either while in Hockessin.
Florida
Brooks Burgers
American cheese, crispy bacon and an all-natural beef patty—nestled between two hot glazed doughnuts—is the sweet-and-savory combination you never knew you needed. And luckily, it’s available in the form of a Donut Burger at Brooks Burgers in Naples.
If you love the idea of a burger with doughnuts for buns, try these sweet and savory dessert recipes.
Georgia
Green Truck Pub
The Green Truck Pub is a Savannah neighborhood hangout that takes care of every single ingredient that lands on your plate—from the grass-fed beef that’s sourced from a family-run farm right up the road to the pickles to the house-made ketchup and pimiento cheese. It’s because of this, their juicy, melt-in-your-mouth burgers are rated among locals as best in the city year after year.
Hawaii
Kohala Burger and Taco
Enjoy a big steamy burger on a fluffy brioche bun at Kohala Burger and Taco, a hidden gem located in the northern tip of the Big Island in Kawaihae. Folks say the KBAT cheeseburger is melty, ooey-gooey and tender enough to fall off the bun.
Idaho
Bittercreek Alehouse
Go gourmet in the heart of Boise with Bittercreek Alehouse’s Huntsman Burger, a crisp-tender burger made from house-ground chuck and brisket topped with melted Gloucester cheddar, stilton blue cheese and applewood smoked bacon. What’s more, the establishment offers dozens of domestic and imported beers on tap to wash it down with.
Speaking of brews, find out which budget beer won our taste test.
Illinois
Au Cheval
One taste of the signature burger at Chicago’s West Loop hot spot and you’ll never look back. The salty, fatty burger at Au Cheval is so rich and indulgent that you simply can’t compare it to any fast-food burger you’ve had in the past. Add on a slice of their super-thick-cut bacon or a fried egg. Or both!
Indiana
Bru Burger Bar
Bru Burger Bar sets their burgers apart with specialty ingredients like tomato jam and Taleggio cheese, a mild and slightly fruity soft Italian cheese. Paired with a side of crispy fries, it’s like heaven on a plate.
And good news for all you Hoosiers: Bru Burger Bar has nine locations across the state.
Iowa
Big Head Burger
For David Bryant, owner of Waterloo’s Big Head Burger, giant burgers are the stuff of childhood. His first memory was of enjoying a massive burger around age 4 or 5, he says on the restaurant website.
Now, years later, David shares his affection for oversized burgers and nostalgic treats with his guests. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of smash burgers along with the perfect over-the-top extra: cake milkshakes.
Kansas
BRGR Kitchen + Bar
A casual scene with crowd-pleasing burgers—what’s more to love? Their signature burger at BRGR Kitchen + Bar in Prairie Village contains a chuck and short rib blend that’s enrobed in a thick layer of American cheese.
Want to kick it up a notch? Try the Road Hoss, the same tasty patty, plus Wisco cheddar, crispy bacon and onion straws. Yum!
Kentucky
Bouquet Restaurant
Fine dining doesn’t have to feel stuffy. That’s what you’ll find at Bouquet, a farm-to-table bistro located in the heart of Covington’s charming MainStrasse Village. Go for the Blackhawk Burger, named after the local family farm its American Wagyu beef patty is sourced from. The burger is topped with melty house-made pimiento cheese and pickles, all stacked on a fluffy brioche bun.
Louisiana
Judice Inn
The Judice Inn in Lafayette has been in business since 1947, and the family shows no sign of stopping! They still serve up the best burgers in town (with impeccable southern hospitality to boot!). Each burger comes with your basic toppings like lettuce, mustard, mayo and onion—but the secret’s in the sauce, the Original Judice Sauce, that is. Regulars recommend ordering an extra serving of the haunt’s signature sauce to mop up with the bun.
Maine
Fat Boy Drive-In
When the weather gets nice, Mainers flock to Brunswich to visit Fat Boy Drive-In. This old-school burger joint is only open during the warmer months, making it a must-stop for folks visiting Vacationland.
When you pull up, aks your car hop for a Whoperburger—a patty topped with lettuce, tomato and Fat Boy’s signature Whoper sauce (it’s like mayo—but better). For the complete experience, be sure to order a frappe (that’s the Down East version of a milkshake).
Maryland
Clark Burger
Baltimore’s Clark Burger is loved by locals, university students and foodie tourists alike. Its Canadian-inspired menu boasts over-the-top poutine and trendy craft brews, but the real star of the show is its knock-your-socks-off burgers made with fresh, juicy beef.
Be sure to ask for the Burger du Jour—which, in the past, has included toppings that range from chow mein noodles to crab mac and cheese.
Massachusetts
Bred
With two locations in Boston, Bred has made a name for itself by building high-quality burgers at affordable prices.
The Bred Classic is a smoked burger with the works sandwiched inside a brioche bun, but we encourage you to try the more adventurous options on the menu. The Somewhere in Wiscansin burger is built with cheddar and maple-bacon aioli and the Parisian gets its name thanks to brie and a smear of truffle aioli.
Michigan
SuperCrisp
Come to SuperCrisp in Detroit for the burgers. You can choose from halal patties, veggie burgers or their signature beef blend—a mix of brisket, short rib and chuck roast. The kimchi burger is a favorite among locals but we also recommend the wasabi burger topped with wasabi mayo, pickled onion and chili crisp.
While you’re visiting, try the funnel cake fries with caramel dipping sauce or the hot fries made with ghost peppers.
Minnesota
Animales Burger Co.
Outside of Minneapolis’s Bauhaus BrewLabs, you’ll find a food truck slinging the best burgers in Minnesota: Animales Burger Co.
This location is perfect for settling in on a summer day with a pint and a burger. The beef birria burger is a must-have when it’s on the menu. You can also try the meat tornado: a single-, double- or triple-burger topped with pork belly, pork shoulder, queso and sugar-cured jalapenos. You’ll want plenty of napkins!
Mississippi
SideStreet Burgers
Don’t blink or you’ll miss SideStreet Burgers, a family-run burger joint located on the Mississippi border in Olive Branch. Their no-frills counter-service approach lets the team focus on serving up the freshest and finest ingredients for a tasty burger you’ll never forget.
Want that same flavor at home? Here are the best secrets for grilling burgers from a professional chef.
Missouri
Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill
Bargain hunting can really work up an appetite, so it’s no coincidence that this combination of flea market and restaurant exists. At Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill in Kansas City, not only can you grab lunch after shopping, but you can get the Flea Market Burger—one of the best burgers Missouri has to offer.
Montana
The Raven Bar & Grill
Sit back, relax and enjoy the view at The Raven Bar & Grill, a waterfront eatery off of Flathead Lake in Big Fork. While you’re there, chow down on one of the best burgers in the country, like the Montana Beer Burger. It amps up your typical toppings with IPA caramelized onions, crispy onions and an ample helping of melted cheddar.
Nebraska
Honest Abe’s Burgers & Freedom
Giving something the name Greatest Burger Ever takes guts, but Honest Abe’s Burgers in Lincoln isn’t lying! Their patty is topped with chopped bacon, onions, American cheese and what it calls “awesome sauce.” It’s a popular choice for Nebraskans and burger aficionados willing to make the trip.
Nevada
Beefy’s
Visiting the Biggest Little City? Then you’ll want to stop at Beefy’s, the biggest little burger joint in Reno. While you can get all kinds of cheeseburgers here, perhaps the most outrageous is the Moo, the Cluck and the Oink: a beef patty topped with chicken breast, pastrami, bacon and all the fixin’s.
For something a bit more manageable, try the Fry Daddy with fries and a fried egg. You can also order from Beefy’s big beer menu; there are more than 40 to choose from!
New Hampshire
Lexie’s
With locations across the Granite State, Lexie’s preaches peace, love and burgers. We’re on board for all three but are interested in chowing down on Lexie’s twist on the latter.
On the menu, you’ll find burgers, beanie burgers (that’s the veggie option) and cluck burgers (made with chicken, of course). You can get these burgers made however you like, but the signature options are by far the most fun. Try the Put a Ring On It topped with onion rings, a fried egg, bacon, barbecue sauce and chipotle aioli. We also recommend the Green Lantern with cheddar, tomato, avocado and chimichurri.
New Jersey
The Red Store
Soak up the Jersey sunshine at The Red Store in Cape May, a coastal mainstay. Here, James Beard nominee chef Lucas Manteca doles out superb half-pound beef burgers smothered in American or sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized mushrooms and onions, and topped with sun-dried tomato relish on a toasted brioche bun. One bite and you’ll be hooked.
New Mexico
Sparky’s
The best burger in New Mexico simply must incorporate green chiles, and Sparky’s makes a green chile cheeseburger that’s garnering some much-deserved attention. The juicy patty, topped with a generous portion of those special peppers and American cheese, makes for a delightful combination.
New York
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer
While you might have seen their signature CrazyShakes take the internet by storm, Black Tap’s burger game is strong. It’s the type of burger you’d find at an old-school diner—if, in fact, that diner was located in the trendy SoHo neighborhood of NYC.
North Carolina
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
At Bad Daddy’s in Charlotte, you can go down one of two paths: Order one of their delicious signature burgers (like the over-the-top Pittsburger, topped with shoestring fries and house-made American cheese) or build your own burger using practically any ingredient on the menu. A burger topped with pulled pork and fried onion straws? Count us in.
North Dakota
JL Beers
While you’ll find more than a dozen burgers on the menu at JL Beers, one reigns supreme in the eyes of locals: the Humpty Dumpty Burger. This burger is simple—topped with cheese and a fried egg—but always hits the spot in Roughrider country.
If you’re not craving something with an egg on top, try a BLT BLU (that’s burger with BLT fixings and blue cheese) or Mt. Mushmore—topped with mushrooms of course!
All these burgers can be found at one of JL Beers’ seven North Dakota locations.
Ohio
The Thurman Cafe
While it may seem like a hole in the wall, we assure you that the Thurman Cafe in Columbus knows its burgers. The most iconic is the Thurmanator: a 12-ounce burger patty with bacon, sauteed onions, mushrooms, ham, mozzarella, American cheese, mayo, lettuce, pickle, tomato and banana peppers.
We also think that the Jaeger sounds pretty darn good topped with French onion dip, onions and mushrooms, served up on Texas toast.
Oklahoma
S&B’s Burger Joint
Inspired by all things rock and roll, S&B’s Burger Joint creates insanely decadent burgers you’ll want on repeat. And repeat visits are easy with 10 locations across Oklahoma.
So what does it mean to be inspired by music? Well, you can order up everything from a Return of the Mac burger (with macaroni and cheese on top, of course), to The King with bacon and peanut butter.
Oregon
PDX Sliders
When you visit a great burger place, it can be hard to choose from so many good sammies on the menu. At PDX Sliders in Portland, you don’t have to choose just one!
Since these burgers are smaller in scale, you can easily enjoy more than one as your meal. Of course, you can get classic beef, chicken or pulled pork sliders at this restaurant, but we encourage you to try something a little different like the Hawthorne slider with bacon, goat cheese and strawberry preserves.
Pennsylvania
Red Owl Tavern
While Philly may be known for its other popular sandwich (yes, the cheesesteak), you might be surprised to know that a downtown restaurant boasts the best burger in the state. The Red Owl Tavern Burger is made with a Lafrieda blend—which combines flat iron, brisket and short-rib from American black Angus beef. It’s then topped with two types of cheddar, house-made pickles, tomato, lettuce and a special sauce.
Rhode Island
Chomp
Who can resist a burger joint named Chomp? Not us! This restaurant, with locations in Providence and Warren, serves up new twists on the classic—but with flavor combos we all crave.
For example, the Mushroom Steakhouse Burger is full of familiar flavors but stacked high on a bun: beef, Swiss cheese, steak sauce, jus aioli and tempura fried mushrooms. You can also try the brand-new Crab Rangoon Burger which is topped with crab rangoon spread, duck sauce and fried wonton strips. Yum!
South Carolina
Bohemian Bull, Charleston
The Bohemian Bull serves up a simply great burger that’s “hand-spanked” and ground in-house using a blend of brisket and chuck. Build your own cheeseburger that’s so full of flavor, you’d be hard-pressed to find it anywhere else.
And if you find yourself in South Carolina, know you can snag one of these burgers in Charleston, Greenville, James Island, Mauldin or Mt. Pleasant.
South Dakota
TapHouse 41
The burgers at TapHouse 41 in Sioux Falls are all top-notch, but their best may very well be the Big Dipper, a 100% Angus beef patty topped with American and Swiss cheese, sauteed onions, and Vidalia onion spread on grilled marble rye bread. What’s more, it comes with beer cheese for dipping. Learn how to make your own beer cheese dip for burgers at home.
Tennessee
Joyland
James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Brock and his crew do things a little differently at Joyland in Nashville. Besides classics like the JoyBurger Deluxe or the Impossible JoyBurger, you can try a burger like none other: the CrustBurger.
This version starts with a crispy-edged smash burger. The patties then get sandwiched between a bun—but the bun is flipped so that the flat sides get crisp and griddled and the soft domed sides kiss the cheese-covered burger. It might sound unusual, but the crunchy texture is something you’ll crave.
While you’re visiting, be sure to order a waffle hash brown or milkshake. And if you have room, snag a Goo Goo Cluster (another Nashville classic) on your way home.
Texas
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Hopdoddy Burger Bar’s unique selection is as eclectic as the population it serves. With burgers that feature everything from ahi tuna to goat cheese, it’s pretty hard to narrow down the best. But one burger in particular has earned high reviews from Hopdoddy Burger Bar fans. The Magic Shroom Burger comes in at the top, with a perfect blend of field mushrooms, mayonnaise, basil pesto sauce and creamy goat cheese.
Utah
The Cotton Bottom
In 2020, The Cotton Bottom reopened its doors to nostalgic Utahns. This Holladay institution has a history of slinging the best burgers in the Beehive State. A favorite among locals is the garlic burger, which is topped with garlic-infused cheese and served on French bread.
Vermont
Worthy Burger
Each year, Worthy Burger seems to rake in local awards for best burger—and every year these awards are well deserved. This South Royalton restaurant focuses on farm-to-table food.
On the menu, you’ll find burgers topped with local cheddar cheese and North Country bacon from nearby New Hampshire. And whatever you do, don’t skip out on the Worthy fries. They’re fried in Wagyu beef tallow, which makes for exceptionally crisp and savory fries. (Beef tallow used to be the secret ingredient in McDonald’s french fries, too.)
Virginia
Beauvine Burger Concept
We’ll say it: Beauvine Burger Concept sounds a little fussy, but don’t let the name fool you. This Richmond burger restaurant serves up burgers with people-pleasing flavor combos.
The Beauvine burger is a classic with American cheese, homemade pickles and the works. If you want to branch out a bit, try the Steak Frites burger topped with caramelized onions, steak sauce and bearnaise; it’s like a steak dinner on a bun.
Washington
Mean Sandwich
Don’t be afraid to visit Seattle’s Mean Sandwich. Inside, you’ll be welcomed in and encouraged to try one of the restaurant’s signature smash burgers. Called the D.A.M. Burger (that stands for dry-aged meat), you won’t be able to resist this crispy-around-the-edges sammie.
Don’t forget an order of ‘skins and ins’—what the folks at Mean Sandwich call fries.
Washington, D.C.
Duke’s Grocery
There are lots of places to get a proper burger in D.C., but you can only get the Proper Burger at Duke’s Grocery. And get it, you should! Two patties of Angus beef, Gouda cheese, dill pickles, sweet chili sauce and garlic aioli all come together to form one mouthwatering burger.
West Virginia
Gonzoburger
Gonzoburger in Charleston sets the cheeseburger standard pretty high. Each burger is exclusively made with certified Angus beef and only the freshest of toppings. The restaurant’s original Gonzoburger will be one of the most memorable cheeseburgers you’ll ever have, thanks to the gonzo sauce perfectly drizzled on top.
Wisconsin
Oscar’s Pub & Grill
A favorite among many Taste of Home staffers, Oscar’s Pub & Grill serves up mouthwatering burgers with plenty of crispy, seasoned fries—all at fantastic prices.
Some of the most notable burgers on the menu include The Big Foot (a burger served with blue and Boursin cheese), The Big Hongo (with mushrooms and Swiss) and The Big Aloha (it comes piled high with ham, Havarti and pineapple).
If you can’t make it to their original Milwaukee location on Pierce Street, head over to Oscar’s Winner Circle on the other side of town or keep an eye out for the food truck Oscar’s on a Roll.
Wyoming
Cowfish
Don’t miss the big tasty burgers dished out at Cowfish in Lander. Their beer burger is made with local beef, bacon, roasted tomato and melty house-made beer cheese.
Originally Published: September 03, 2019
