What is the best burger in the US?

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machagogo@reddit

Home made or from some random local place. There is not a single chain that can claim this.

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shelwood46@reddit

Haven't been there in ages but the Tiger's Tale in Skillman NJ has (had?) a great burger

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cryptoengineer@reddit

I don't know where the best is, but I'm sure it isn't at a chain restaurant.

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thestereo300@reddit

My mom made them like a well done hockey puck.

My dad didn’t cook anything, including on the grill.

Every burger I’ve had since I’ve left has been better than anything I had growing up.

Oddly, my mom was an amazing comfort food cook, but burgers just was not her skill set.

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I don’t do outdoor cooking. I have literally no patience for it. I will spend three days in the kitchen preparing a feast for the holidays but ask me to go outside and grill and I will complain and whine and have a hissy fit about it. I will not do it.

I also over cook burgers and stuff, too.

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CAAugirl@reddit

My dad made them well done, too. But they were always so juicy. No idea how he did it. He’s make just steaks well done, too. Mom hated pink and he liked his mooing. He had mad skilz.

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thestereo300@reddit

You were lucky!

I make a decent burger these days. Mix in an egg and melted butter.. My kids like it. I’m breaking the cycle of hockey puck burgers!

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ServoWHU42@reddit

I'm partial to Au Cheval in Chicago or Good Dog Bar in Philadelphia.

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cowboyphoto@reddit

Au Cheval is delicious, but it's too fancy for my taste. Almost like how a lot of craft beers these days I'd say are delicious and I like them a lot, but they just don't taste like beer anymore.

In Chicago the Billy Goat has one of the best burgers I've ever had. It's a "crappy" no frills burger, but it is the epitome of that style of burger. For burgers that you buy, I don't think I shall find its equal.

But the best burger is absolutely a 1/2 pound burger from 85% lean beef cooked rare on a cast iron, american cheese, pickle, New Mexico green chile. That cannot be beaten.

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SciGuy013@reddit

gotta do Small Cheval instead then

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Chicago1871@reddit

Red hot ranch has taken the crown from billy goat, for the best burger under 6 dollars.

Jimmy’s stand next to the interstate is my #2.

Billy goat would be #3.

You should try red hot ranch when youre back in town.

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cowboyphoto@reddit

Excellent intel, thanks. Not sure when I'll make it out that way again, but hopefully soon. Chicago is my favorite city. If you had mountains nearby, I'd have moved there years ago.

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Chicago1871@reddit

My job is basically seasonal so Im planning on spending my winters in mexico city hiking their peaks while chicago is cold and gray.

The volcanoes around mexico city are taller than any peak in the contiguous usa.

But thats all I need tbh, Chicago the other 9 months of the year is my favorite place on earth.

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cowboyphoto@reddit

I've never been that far south, having only been to Juarez and some other border cities I don't recall when I was young. But I imagine CDMX has some damn good food, too.

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Chicago1871@reddit

The michelin guide seems to think so.

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Maquina_en_Londres@reddit

Pro tip for Au Cheval, they'll serve the burger to you on a hashbrown patty instead of a bun if you ask for it.

Au Cheval burger on hashbrowns with a fried egg is the best post-hangover meal I've ever had.

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SaintsFanPA@reddit

Au Cheval is a contender.

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Otherwise-OhWell@reddit

Au Cheval is amazing.

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ridethroughlife@reddit

I honestly like the Five Guys burgers. I'm not big on burgers in general, but I love a sloppy mess with too many toppings that should be eaten with a fork, but isn't.

If I made one myself, it'd be a smashed patty cooked with onions and mustard, with jalapenos, bbq sauce, pepper jack and American cheese, mayo and red onion. Tater tots on the side.

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shnanogans@reddit

Au cheval in Chicago was rated #2 in America. They have smaller cheaper locations spread around the city too called “small cheval”!

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edkarls@reddit

The best burger you’ll ever have is in some nondescript dive bar in the middle of nowhere. It’s a place you’ve never been to, and a place you probably won’t ever find yourself in again. It likely has a gravel parking lot, and a basket of paper towels in the unisex bathroom. You’ll never remember the name of the place, but you will never, ever forget the burger.

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Hatweed@reddit

Seriously. I was just up in Erie a month ago with a friend and we stayed the absolute worst Quality Inn I’ve ever been in. There was some hole-in-the-wall bar attached to the hotel right across from our room called Black Jax, so we decided to get something to eat there because we were both exhausted and didn’t feel like driving back into the city.

I got their patty melt and it was unironically the best one I’ve ever had in my 32 years on this Earth.

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mfigroid@reddit

The best burger you’ll ever have is in some nondescript dive bar

They are in pretty much every city. That bar is Cassidy's in my town. Best damn burger I've ever had.

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gratusin@reddit

That’s how it’s supposed to be. When I was a teenager I went fishing overnight for crappie on some docks. The owner came up to me in the morning and said he’s firing up the grill and if I want anything, I only had $2 and he said that was good enough for a burger. To this day that was the best burger I’ve had in my entire life.

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JOLT_YT@reddit

Or, if we're saying globally, a random Belgian restaurant.

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spizzle_@reddit

I’ve one of these gems that was doing smash burgers before they were an internet sensation. They’re tucked away in a nondescript town in Colorado that if you blink you will miss. You can get a ** *** burger, fries or homemade kettle chips and a domestic beer for $11. This isn’t the cheap part of Colorado either. You can get all that for a dollar cheaper if you just want their cheeseburger.

Great fishing all around there too. It’s usually the owner in the kitchen cooking too so you know they actually care about making good food. Also they have a punch card for a free burger after ten.

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pinniped1@reddit

I feel this.

Burger comes in a red basket with crinkle cut fries, really crispy and salty ones. Just a straight double double with nothing fancy. Yellow ballpark mustard and ketchup on the table.

Fucking amazing burger.

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Pete_Iredale@reddit

It's called the Helvetia Tavern, now you know the name! But seriously, that place has awesome burgers.

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DerbyCity76@reddit

Spot on. Best burger I ever had was there.

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boracay302@reddit

The kind where the cook never washes hands because they claim it adds flavor.

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warrenjt@reddit

There’s a whole episode of HIMYM about this exact thing. And it’s so accurate.

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justmyusername2820@reddit

I was desperately trying to remember the place I had an amazing burger I can’t even say for sure what state it was in let alone the name of the restaurant. Thanks for making me feel better about it. I sure remember the burger but not where I got it

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The_Lumox2000@reddit

The Sad Boy Burger pop-up in and around Atlanta is phenomenal. I wanted to hate them because the name is dumb, but god damn is it good.

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TheBimpo@reddit

The best burger is a feeling, it’s not on a menu.

It comes after a day at the beach, after you ran your first marathon, when you had a cookout at your new house with all of your friends.

I like to think I haven’t had my best burger yet.

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TrueBrees9@reddit

Best burger is when you come back to America after spending a while overseas. For me, it was the Shake Shack at JFK Airport after a month in Europe.

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Lulusgirl@reddit

Crazy you're from MI but you didn't mention Bates/Telway/Brayz/etc! I do like your mindset, but if OP is actually looking for a great burger, absolutely these places.

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Orbiter9@reddit

Got damn if that ain’t the American dream.

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CupBeEmpty@reddit

I hope I haven’t had my best burger yet. Some day I may have it but I hope I’ll have many 9/10 burgers before I hit that 10/10

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MattinglyDineen@reddit

Get a steamed cheeseburger at Ted's in Meriden, Connecticut.

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Cash_Flow@reddit

Lion's Tap in Eden Prairie, Minnesota

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maxintosh1@reddit

Big brand I'd go with Shake Shack.

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Phil_ODendron@reddit

The best burger is one cooked on a backyard grill and enjoyed amongst friends. None of the national burger chains could possibly compare to that.

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tcrhs@reddit

This is the truth. The best burger I’ve ever had was grilled in a friend’s backyard.

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boracay302@reddit

The most disgusting I had was at a friends. Leave the cooking to the pros.

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mistiklest@reddit

Nah. Cooking for or with friends and family is great. You just need to put a little work into it to get good at it.

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boracay302@reddit

Frozen patties and velveta is disgraceful

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Phil_ODendron@reddit

Agreed. If your friends have served you that at a backyard cookout, you need new friends.

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boracay302@reddit

No friend is going to spend money for high quality meat and ingredients. NEVER HAPPENS

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Pete_Iredale@reddit

Maybe when you are poor and in your 20s. Eventually many/most people start caring a bit more about the quality of what they make and serve, especially when serving to guests.

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Kseries2497@reddit

I wouldn't dare buy Bubba Burgers for people I considered friends. What a phenomenal insult. Those frozen lumps of sadness are for organizational burger burns only, and even then...

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Phil_ODendron@reddit

Again, you need better friends. It's not hard or particularly expensive to buy ground beef for a cookout. You will spend more money buying frozen pre-shaped burgers.

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joelalmiron@reddit

The clean up isn’t worth it

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Phil_ODendron@reddit

Throwing some burgers on the grill and cutting up toppings doesn't really create a huge clean-up. It's actually a super easy way to feed a crowd if you're having a party.

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joelalmiron@reddit

Cleaning the grill is a burden

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Pete_Iredale@reddit

It only needs to be seriosuly cleaned once a season, and even that isn't required. Just scrub the actual grill part while it's still hot, or after heating it up for the next time you cook. Literally takes less than a minute.

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CandidPalpitation427@reddit

You clean it with fire and a brush. Its great

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Phil_ODendron@reddit

It's really not though. Not any more so than cleaning up the pots and pans in a kitchen after cooking for friends. If anything, the grill is easier to clean.

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Genius-Imbecile@reddit

I like to mix a little pan sausage in with the beef. And yes grilled at home or at a friend's is the best estimate burgers I've had.

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Disco99@reddit

Yes! Sometimes I deviate and mix a little chorizo in.

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throwaway1626363h@reddit

It's in a restaurant in the middle of nowhere

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Chicago1871@reddit

The best burger (or any food) will always be after a very long day of backbreaking labor.

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therynosaur@reddit

This will be the most controversial thread ever. Americans take their burgers and pizza wayyyy too seriously.

I've had many 10/10 burgers but the first one that comes to mind.

Au Cheval in Chicago...

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sighnwaves@reddit

Big fan of Corner Bistro in NYC.

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heyheythrowitaway@reddit

Thank you!!! I've been trying to remember this spot I stopped 12+? years ago. I lived upstate a little bit but would visit the city occasionally, and a friend took me here. I kept remembering an amazing burger in the city, but can never remember the place.

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DejaWiz@reddit

Heartland of the Midwest has the best beef... Nebraska and Iowa. Find a burger joint that uses fresh not frozen beef and it'll likely be the tastiest burger you've ever had.

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DaisyDuckens@reddit

Of chains, shake shack (had my first one today), but they are expensive! In n out is great and cheaper

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The-Figurehead@reddit

Cheeseburger Cheeseburger, Sanibel, FL

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brian11e3@reddit

The Fort Diner, home of the Wally Burger. It's a tiny diner in Fort Madison, Iowa. You order your burger by weight, and them measure it with ice cream scoop. You can get as big a burger as you like. They also saute onions and green pepper to put on top.

The building is so tiny that the only seating is at the counter, and the bathroom access is outside the building.

I used to swing through their when traveling for work. Now that I'm retired, I'm tempted to make a special trip that way.

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CaliHusker83@reddit

Runza makes the best FF burger

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ThisCarSmellsFunny@reddit

It’s 100% NOT In n Out

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Spyderbeast@reddit

It's a huge country, so I will just say that I think Five Guys is the best burger chain

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Difficult-Rain-421@reddit

The best burger is in the backyard with some beers and some friends on a warm summer night. The second best burger is one with pepperjack cheese, bacon and jalapeños.

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Agreeable-Engine6966@reddit

The best version of the cheeseburger is the New Mexico green chile cheeseburger. The best green chile cheeseburger in NM this year voted on at the State Fair is at the Isleta Grill just outside Albuquerque.

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Crepes_for_days3000@reddit

Shake Shack, In & Out

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ZeldaHylia@reddit

Double deluxe from culvers

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nogueydude@reddit

Big Al's Deli in Nashville TN. that's it that's all.

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seanx50@reddit

As every one has said...some corner dive bar at 1230 am

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Cyclonian@reddit

For Colorado: Cherry Cricket

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RunFarEatPizza@reddit

Really hard to beat an onion burger in Oklahoma.

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sublurkerrr@reddit

Five Guys is top tier burger and fries and it cannot get any better than that

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Dirk-Killington@reddit

Proof that people do associate cost with quality.

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Artvandelay29@reddit

In-N-Out is miles better (and waaaay less expensive) than Five Guys.

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MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo@reddit

Five Guys is extremely overpriced and average at best.

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Wafflebot17@reddit

lol, I really like five guys, but no. I’ve had MANY much better burgers.

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RelevantJackWhite@reddit

Mine.

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icebox_Lew@reddit

What's your secret? I can cook elaborate meals, by eye from scratch, hand make pasta, bread and cook to impress... But I still haven't mastered the simple burger!

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Dirk-Killington@reddit

I learned from Gordon Ramsey on YouTube. Keep it simple.

Room temp meat is super important.

Quality of the pickles is paramount.

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RelevantJackWhite@reddit

The thing is that with a burger, less is more.

75-85% lean, salt, pepper, a bit of Worcestershire, a bit of garlic powder, medium-high heat. Flip when you see the myoglobin start to come through the top.

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DNSGeek@reddit

1.5 lbs 80% ground beef

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/2 tsp MSG

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 egg

Mix everything together well, then form the patties. Grill and season as normal.

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GustavusAdolphin@reddit

Don't sleep on the burgers at Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants. Either you get a burger that's on there to appease the guy who got outvoted, or it's the best damn burger you ever had

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Dirk-Killington@reddit

Yes! Hit or miss, but big when it hits.

Some places do an asada sandwich, think carne asada, poblano, onion, Jack, and sweet bread. That's the perfect fusion in my opinion.

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rawbface@reddit

Everyone has their preferences but burgers aren't that difficult tbh.

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weirdoldhobo1978@reddit

The one we made along the way.

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krombopulousnathan@reddit

Dang that’s pretty good.

I was going to say the cheeseburger

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Lumpy-Host472@reddit

Jucy Lucy

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Dirk-Killington@reddit

Ever done one deep fried? There is nothing more American.

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Smart-Difficulty-454@reddit

Green chil cheese burger at the Owl Bar in San Antonio, New Mexico

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sooner_rick88@reddit

I completely agree with burger aficionado Colin Farrell…Nic’s Grill in Oklahoma City.

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OhThrowed@reddit

Grew up on a farm where we raised cattle. Nothing will ever top the burger I made from that asshole cow who kept jumpin the fence.

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MCRN-Tachi158@reddit

Reading “asshole cow” too fast + juvenile mind = took me down the wrong path.

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luckygirl54@reddit

Nothing ever beats fresh.

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Traditional_Trust_93@reddit

The best burger I've ever had was a Juicy Lucy at Stein Haus in Vermilion MN.

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Pete_Iredale@reddit

I'll give the Helvetia Tavern a nod. Fantastic burgers if your ever west of Portland, OR on 26.

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notyogrannysgrandkid@reddit

Big Jud’s in Boise, ID.

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BabyBruticus@reddit (OP)

Lol, I actually live in Boise! Big Juds is definitely up there

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Lulusgirl@reddit

Come to Detroit, grab one at Bates, Telway, Greenes, Hunter House, Brayz, The Giant System. They're all very similar, absolutely smash-worthy, and for CHEAP.

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iwantawaffle99@reddit

The brie burger at Knuckleheads in Wallingford, CT, has been my favorite so far. Funky Buddha brewery in Fort Lauderdale used to have a killer bison burger, too, but I don't think it's on the menu anymore. Good luck on your search!

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Coro-NO-Ra@reddit

For a big chain? Braum's. They aren't very well known, though, because they only build stores within a 200 mi radius of their meat and dairy herds in tuttle, oklahoma.

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dragginbuttcheeks@reddit

For a chain, its Braums all day every day

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popsnicker@reddit

I'm not sure it's better than a Gourmet Supreme though.

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sabotabo@reddit

braum's is really fucking good

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candlesmack@reddit

Yada yada yada, best burger is from a friend.

Here's an actual answer

Fast food: either In N Out's regular, or Culver's Mushroom Swiss

Local spots: bacon blue from John Winks Bar in Richmond Kentucky, Sweet Heat from Stone Tavern in Waynesville Ohio

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tibearius1123@reddit

If they still have it, the happy hour burger at cecconis in West Hollywood. It was only $8 but the server would always tell you “you can only stay an hour, that table is reserved”

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Cowboywizard12@reddit

Burgers are too personal imo.

Like, my go to toppings are Bacon, Pickles, Jalapenos and BBQ sauce.

But everyone has their favorite burger toppings.

They also have their favorite spot, where they may have had lunch with a friend or gotten good news or they relax at the restaurant after a long day

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DoodlebugCupcake@reddit

I approve of your topping combo

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myronsandee@reddit

Chuck cut

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PhysicsEagle@reddit

This one place near my house. 😋

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TheBeefiestSquatch@reddit

No way! You know that one place by my house, too? We’re probably neighbors or somethin’.

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MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo@reddit

That one I made a few years ago. It was good.

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crispy_towel@reddit

Dave’s Double from Wendy’s is my favorite burger

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Gurguran@reddit

If you mean 'from a fast-food chain' the answer is In-N-Out. The religious tinge and uniform give me the creeps, but the burgers are absolutely solid.

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buried_lede@reddit

Not the biggest burger and not a burger restaurant per se, but Shoreline Diner in Guilford, CT.

The burger itself is the highest quality beef Ive had in a restaurant burger.

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hotpan96@reddit

Probably either In N Out, Shake Shack, or Whataburger

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boracay302@reddit

BARNEYS near Beverly Hills. You get what you pay for.

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MrRaspberryJam1@reddit

White Castle, especially when you’re drunk and/or high

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boatmansdance@reddit

Some hole in the wall bar in St. Paul, MN.

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thestereo300@reddit

I too have had the best burger I’ve ever had at the Nook in St. Paul.

But it was the old one before it burned down. I hear the new one doesn’t have the same magic.

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Theswede92@reddit

I went to the Nook for the first time a couple months ago, it’s pretty good but wouldn’t consider it amazing.

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SonuvaGunderson@reddit

Louis Lunch. New Haven, CT.

Ironically, New Haven is also home to the best pizza you’ll ever eat so you’re killing two birds with one stone.

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sanesociopath@reddit

You're gonna need to find a local joint, and from there it can vary.

The 3 best I've had though (in the order I've had them) are Buffalo Tap in Burnsville MN, Monica's in Coralville IA, and Wilbur's in Cedar Falls IA

Each of those specialized in different areas

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Senior-Border-6801@reddit

In n out

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idkidc28@reddit

The ones I back. Might be the best food I make.

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Vachic09@reddit

It's generally going to be a small family restaurant.

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Redbubble89@reddit

That is one thing I don't think we do very well in Northern Virginia and DC. Looking online there is something in Lessburg called Melt that has a few awards but I can't vouche for it.

I've always wanted to try the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago and a Oklahoma onion burger. Central Conneticut steams them. Midwest gets some loose meat. I think it's a matter of opinion. I didn't know about some of this stuff until I watched George Motz on youtube.

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DemanoRock@reddit

Chain? Five Guys

I was in Hong Kong in 2013, in Tai Kau (i think) there was a filipino hamburger place. Hadnt had one in 3 months. Felt like the best at the time. Otherwise, there are lots of good ones in the US. Depends onn mood and the day sometimes. I have had McDouble's that made me feel like I was in a good place.

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