The top 10 burgers in America

When nothing will hit the spot like the mighty taste of an epic burger, there’s nothing like finding just the right place that’ll do the eternally glorious form of sandwich justice. Here are the top 10 burgers in America and where you can find them.

*Did you know: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the epic invention was first introduced to the world? It’s true, but the hamburger’s first emergence is said to have been made in between the years of 1885 and 1904, according to Wikipedia.

Also according to the same source, the popularity of the hamburger and its emergence onto society and a deep-rooted one at that, was all because of the business concept known as the franchise…. The hamburger was an easy package to sell to the masses, and with a huge amount of fast food chains selling the same exact thing, I’d say that that’s definitely a million dollar idea (more like a zillion dollar idea) if ever there was one.

Another interesting fact is that a dish known as “Hamburger Rundstück” is what Wikipedia called the “precursor” to the hamburger we know and love today. This dish was popular already in 1869. Essentially it was a piece of meat in a bun, but it was topped with a demi-glace and served as a knife and fork type of deal…a little higher end, if you will.

Today in Quebec, a similar dish is served—as in other parts of the world—a hamburger, topped with gravy and a helping of peas and fries on the side. Also in Quebec, a variation of this is for the works to be topped with a tomato pasta sauce and is called a “Hamburger Michigan.” A hot dog variant is also very common in many Montreal diners, or Casse-Croûtes as they are known locally.

But without any more dawdling, here are 10 of the very best burgers you can find in America…

10. Top Notch Beefburgers /Chicago

The burger here doesn’t come on a bun. In fact it comes on a toasted rye deal and one that you’re likely to happily try again and again. In fact, once you’ve had a burger like this, it’ll be hard to go back to the classic sesame seed bun of yore, but you’ll manage.

There are after all a bunch of delicious burgers out there, as you’ll soon read on, and way too many to pass up, but be sure to try this one out if you’re ever in chi town; you will not regret it.

9. Palace Diner /Biddeford, Maine

Okay, so the king of the fast food burger has got to be the McDonald’s Big Mac. That’s a discourse for another time, but many restaurants have tried to recreate the double-decker sandwich and failed miserably. This cozy place in Maine has not.

If you love the sesame seeds on top of a Big Mac bun, then you’ll love this variant of the same concept, because they douse the top of that bun in sesame seeds GALORE and the overall taste of this thing does not disappoint.

8. Workingman’s Friend /Indianapolis, IN

The ‘smash burger’ is wildly known in the Midwest, and its simplicity is perhaps what makes it a definite go-to burger on this list. To get that smashed look, the cooks at this over 100 year-old place smash some ground beef over and over again right there on the griddle until the desired shape is reached.

The end result is something that’ll satisfy your craving for a simple but delicious burger. But more on the ‘smash burger’ in our number one spot…

7. Ray’s Hell Burger /Arlington, VA

Burgers in Hell…a terrifying concept and perhaps one that Stephen King should look at in detail for his next book, but eating tasty food does make us feel like we’re being a tad naughty. Heck, the great people that launched this very site you’re reading this article from didn’t name the magazine Guilty Eats for nothing.

So yes an aptly named burger for a very delicious and yes, naughty treat that is enjoyed by many. Eater.com stated that former president Obama is a fan, so there’s your stamp of approval right there, some would certainly say.

6. Bazaar Meat /Las Vegas

A blend of short rib and Wagyu, this burger delivers on the size side of things and in taste as well. The bun is a sesame bun that also delivers in taste. The bread after all also helps in making a burger the delight that it is and they definitely get that at this location. The bazaar burger by Jose is a winner for sure and is worth your time.

5. The Big Mac /McDonald’s Locations

Only one out of the two fast food burgers that will make this list, the Big Mac deserves its props and we’ll get into all of that at a later time, dear readers, but for right now, this goes beyond its history and impact on the culinary scene.

For those that say that the burger isn’t a good one…perhaps that’s because it isn’t being prepared properly at your location…corners are being cut, or the kid back there would rather be playing video games.

When this burger is prepared to the standards of the chain, every piece of the puzzle placed perfectly in its spot…all the moving parts come together for an epic morel of food, and in the end that’s what a burger should definitely be.

4. The Original Slider /White Castle Locations

There aren’t as many locations as there used to be but for many of you dear readers, there is probably one right around the corner from wherever it is you happen to be reading this, and for you I say, enjoy this treasure of culinary delight, because they aren’t as easy to get for so many more in America and even north of the border.

Some would argue that this one doesn’t even belong on a list such as this where other fast food burgers weren’t included. I did mention the Big Mac and there’s good reason for that, but this one is special for its longevity; since 1921 it’s been around and that’s saying something because it launched during the aforementioned boom in popularity for the relatively new food item.

Remember, some argue that it was invented just a mere two decades prior or thereabouts, so it got in from the very start of what some would call a revolution in food items, and is still treasured by many out there, including this writer and foodie.

3. Peter Luger /Brooklyn, NY

Okay so if meat is what you’re looking for and a burger done in a simple way that lets the meat shine, without any frills and too much overkill, this one delivers. Look no further than Peter Luger’s steakhouse for a giant burger that is all about the beef. Where’s the beef? Well…you know where I’m going with this right? So don’t dawdle and get over to Brooklyn.

2. The long lost Lola Burger

Sadly this one’s not in existence anymore. Chef Michael Symon had to close Lola down during the pandemic, or rather a little after the rise of the pandemic. This burger was delicious and original, which would have garnered the number one spot on this list for sure. Here’s some of what Symon had to say when the restaurant closed after 24 years of operation and dedicated service to its loyal clientele:

"“We’ve had 24 busy, successful years, and we thought that whenever we decided to end it, whenever that was, it would be on our own terms…It wouldn’t have been like this…”–clevelandmagazine.com"

Years earlier he made a statement of what the restaurant meant to him:

"“Lola is my love letter…I don’t want people to say this is the best restaurant in Cleveland, I want them to come and say this is one of the best dining experiences they’ve ever had.”–clevelandmagazine.com"

‘You should always cook with love’ is the old adage. Well, the love he put in that burger was a love we felt with every bite.

Being the giving celebrity chef that he’s always proven to be, he has offered up the recipe many times, so you can make it at home, as you most definitely should do.

1. The Smash Burger at Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ /Woodmere, Ohio

But he wouldn’t leave his fans without anything, because his next work of art in burger form is just as delicious and can be found at his Mabel’s BBQ locations, and yes it is his variation of the old school ‘smash burger’ of the great Midwest we mentioned above.

What are some of your favorite higher end burgers and fast food burgers out there, dear readers?