With just three major components – a beef patty, burger bun, and cheese slice – cheeseburgers are pretty simple. But there are many ways that restaurants can pep things up, from using pepper jack or Swiss cheese to opting for a mouthwatering brioche or potato roll. Here we take a look at the cheesiest, most flavorful creations in America. Read on to find the best cheeseburger in every state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Perhaps an unlikely place to find Alabama's best cheeseburger, Chez Fonfon is a beautiful French-style bistro with a front patio that'll make you feel like you’re dining on a street in Paris. The restaurant's Hamburger Fonfon has a thick patty, nutty Comté (a hard cheese made in eastern France), and grilled red onions – it's one of the best around.
Another French restaurant to make the list, Club Paris is a fancy steakhouse that’s also known for its ground filet mignon burgers. Only on the lunch menu, the 6oz (170g) cheeseburger keeps it simple with lettuce, tomato, mayo and a slice of cheese, and comes with a choice of chunky fries, French fries or coleslaw. Customers say it’s always high quality and cooked to perfection.
Sourcing ingredients from the local area, Diablo Burger serves up extremely tasty burgers with a clever spin on the bun. Instead of brioche or potato bread, the spot uses muffins, toasted and branded with the restaurant's initials. Enjoy the Traveling Wilburys, which sees the toasted muffin filled with sautéed cremini mushrooms, curry mayo, Swiss cheese, and chili flakes. Want to go even more local? Check the blackboard for the seasonal special.
A charming basement restaurant that has been around since 1977, Hugo’s is the place to go for beer, bourbon, and burgers. The Bleu Moon Burger, featuring blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, red onion, and mayo, is the favorite. You can choose how well done you want it, from “bloody” to “no pink”. Customers say nowhere else compares and the fries are spot on, too.
A dark and divey Mexican restaurant with diner-style booths and vintage art on the walls, Garaje is renowned for its Famous Drive-In Style Burger. Fans say the burger is juicy with a great char; features barbecued onions, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes; and is dripping in cheese and thousand island dressing.
This joint has become a Mile High City staple, with four locations across town. And while you can't go far wrong with any burger on the menu, the long-standing El Chilango gets the most love from customers. A generous patty is layered up with Cheddar, kicking jalapeños, salad and house-made guacamole. Punters say it's cooked to perfection and best paired with the truffle-Parmesan fries.
An old-school, hole-in-the-wall place that has been around since 1959, Ted’s Restaurant is family-owned and now run by Ted’s son, Paul. It’s famous for its signature Steamed Cheeseburger: a well-done but juicy burger with a thick layer of melted cheese poured over the patty. You can add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayo at no extra cost.
Rustic joint Farmer & the Cow is known for its craft beer, cocktails and crazily good burgers with gourmet toppings. The beef patties are made in house with a blend of chuck, brisket and filet, though customers also love to substitute for salmon (pictured). If you can handle your spice, plump for the house favorite, Moo Caliente: your patty of choice is layered up with habanero chilis, spicy aioli, onion straws, avocado crema, and ghost pepper jack cheese.
Visitors to The Burger Station, a quirky, retro restaurant in a restored gas station, swear by its burgers. The joint never uses frozen beef and cooks each meal to order, so it always tastes hot and fresh. The menu is limited, but the Burger Station Burger with cheese, tomato, and lettuce is a no-brainer. Get a milkshake and crinkle-cut fries too, then enjoy the meal on the patio overlooking the lake.
This bacon cheeseburger from The Companion, a cool and cozy bar that gets rave reviews, has everyone talking. Called The Tower Of Power, it features two patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, tangy mayonnaise, American cheese, and bacon. People say it’s the best burger for miles.
Often compared to Shake Shack, Chubbies Burgers is loved for its signature 50’s Burger, crinkle fries and homemade mayo. The burger comes in a soft potato bun and has a crisp patty made from beef from Kauai, Hawaii. Locals love it because despite this place’s popularity, the food is always served hot and fresh.
Consisting of a 4oz Scottish Highland beef patty, Cheddar, lettuce, ketchup, and pickles, the popular Cowboy burger is the go-to order at The Ranch, which describes itself as a "ranch-to-table" restaurant and has locations in Boise and Ontario. The Ranch gets rave reviews for its fresh and flavorful meat. Burgers come with skin-on Idaho fries and a drink too.
A rich and cheesy double-patty burger, the Bad Burger from trendy Little Bad Wolf is always a winner. It features two slices of American cheese, homemade pickles, and red onion mayo, though customers swear there must be a secret ingredient that makes it taste so good. You should also check out the tacos, mac ‘n’ cheese, and cocktails.
For some serious heat, try the Strawberry Hill at 317 Burger. It's a hot twist on a PB&J, with spicy strawberry compote, melted peanut butter, and ghost pepper cheese on top of the burger. The spot also stocks a plethora of local beers and if a burger isn't enough to fill you up, grab an order of the signature poutine.
The Dominie burger at DutchFix, an ice cream shack that serves Dutch street food, is a masterpiece of a sandwich. A must-try for fans of Gouda (a hard Dutch cheese), it features two beef patties, bacon, melted Gouda curds, spiced beef, homemade pickles, and a toasted bun.
Dempseys Burger Pub serves up inventive gourmet burgers in an Irish pub setting. There's lots of delicious options to choose from, including chicken, salmon and veggie patties, but customers particularly love the Bourbon Apple Brie Burger. A housemade wagyu beef patty is topped with bourbon-candied apples, brie cheese, local microgreens, bacon, and garlic aioli. The duck fat fries make a tasty accompaniment.
For a classic, juicy cheeseburger with a good sear and the right amount of salad and condiments, head to Bard’s Burgers & Chili and order the All-The-Way. The patty is made with ground chuck, topped with cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup, and mustard and served on a toasted bun. Many people say it’s the best burger they’ve ever had.
Once you try the Barbie Burger from Curbside Burgers, a burger truck turned bricks-and-mortar restaurant, you might not be able to eat cheeseburgers from anywhere else. It’s a huge sandwich with two patties and American cheese, but it's the little touches like pork belly preserve, roasted poblano mayo, sweet heat pickles, and a brioche bun that make all the difference.
Sleepy coastal town York, at the southern tip of Maine, is where you’ll find Wild Willy’s, a charming restaurant serving one of the best cheeseburgers in the state. Things aren't overcomplicated here. Customers love the Willy Burger, which sees a juicy patty topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, mustard, ketchup, pickles and mayo and served in a toasted bun. There are also locations in Rochester and Watertown.
What customers love about the cheeseburger at no-frills burger joint Burger Bros is the value for money. You get a whopping 6oz Angus beef patty and you can customize it by adding extra patties or toppings such as bacon, caramelized onion, onions rings, and salad. Everything else on the menu is top-notch too, including the fries and chicken wings.
Winner of Boston Magazine’s “Battle of the Burger” competition three years in a row, the Sin Burger at The Blue Ox is a must-try. Applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and truffle aioli round out this award-winning offering. Talk about umami.
This cheesy, spicy, crunchy creation from Taystee’s Burgers, a family business in Dearborn, has everyone talking. Named Ali’s Notch-Yo-Burger, it’s a jazzed-up cheeseburger with American, Swiss, pepper jack and nacho cheese, plus beef bacon, Doritos, jalapeños, grilled onions, salad, mayo, and hot sauce, all piled into an onion bun.
Stylish and buzzy cocktail bar Parlour only has one burger on the menu, but it's a good one. The patty in their famous Parlour burger is made from a blend of ground chuck, ribeye, and brisket. Instead of one thick slab of beef, you get two thin patties, which gives the burger a deep, caramelized flavor and crisp edge. It's topped off with pickles and a hefty dose of American cheese.
Cute and unassuming country store R House, where you can also get homemade jellies and honey, has been bestowed with the Best Burger in Mississippi award for two years running by the Mississippi Beef Council. The burger in question is an old-fashioned, homemade beef burger, with the option to add extras such as bacon and cheese. Two awards and hundreds of great reviews can’t be wrong.
For a sandwich called Ugly, this cheeseburger looks pretty appealing to us. It features two 4oz patties, sharp white Cheddar, butter lettuce, pickles, onion, and a housemade condiment called “baaahd sauce”. It’s one of Black Sheep’s best sellers, alongside its truffle and Parmesan fries. There are three locations in Springfield.
The motto at cool burger and beer spot Backcountry Burger Bar is 'keep it simple,' and that's what they do with their signature Backcountry burger. A Montana beef patty is paired with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and house sauce. You can make it a single or double patty, or swap beef for ground bison or a plant-based alternative. There's the option for a gluten-free bun, too. Customers rate it as one of the best burgers they've had.
At this late-night burger joint, The Original, featuring a beef patty, American cheese, mustard, pickle, and onion in a toasted brioche bun, is the favorite. It’s cheesy, inexpensive, and always served quickly and piping hot. The place has a cool vibe with good music and welcoming waitstaff. There are several locations in Omaha for you to get your burger fix.
Customers can’t get enough of the Smoke & Fire Burger at this down-to-earth joint. It’s a huge 8oz beef patty with American cheese, diced onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard, and you can double up or add bacon. It’s said to be cooked perfectly – juicy with a crisp char on the outside.
America's best mom-and-pop restaurants for incredible comfort food
Family business Wicked Fresh is known to serve wickedly good cheeseburgers. Made from local, freshly-ground meat, the patties are smashed onto a griddle to sear the edges. The Wicked Burger is served with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Wicked Fresh Sauce (similar to Big Mac sauce). You can go single, double or, if you’re really hungry, triple.
Local chain Diesel and Duke took New Jersey by storm when it opened in 2014, thanks to its simple menu of delicious, cooked-to-order beef burgers. All the burgers are delicious, but you can’t go wrong with The Standard. This hearty sandwich features a generous amount of American cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, aioli, ketchup, and a toasted bun. Customers recommend the cheese fries, too.
Like many great burger restaurants, Rustic On The Green started as a food truck but thanks to its popularity, moved to a bricks-and-mortar location. The go-to here is the Rustic, a freshly-ground, smoky beef patty topped with caramelized onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce, in a pillowy, soft bun. Everybody comments on how fresh and full of flavor it is.
There's a lot of great burgers in New York, but you'll find one of the very best at this riverside tavern in Brooklyn. The Red Hook Tavern's signature burger is simple but perfectly formed. The thick 8oz patty has a 75/25 beef to fat ratio, giving it loads of flavor and a great char. The only additions are white onion and lots of American cheese.
Soon to be your favorite burger, the Barcelona Classic keeps it simple with a thin, charred beef patty, American cheese, salad, pickles, house sauce, and a warm, soft bun. It comes with a choice of sides including mac ‘n’ cheese, roasted veggies, and truffle fries. Find it at Barcelona Burger, a light, industrial-style restaurant and beer garden.
A gourmet burger featuring ground bison, Gouda, bacon, arugula, and tomato jam, the ND bison burger is always a great choice. Find it at 46 North Pints & Provisions, a busy restaurant in Fargo that also serves great cocktails, salads, seafood, and steaks.
Columbus joint Preston’s has a short but sweet menu of burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches. The Classic is the burger to order – a single or double smashed patty with “special sauce”, American cheese, shaved onion, iceberg lettuce, and crunchy, homemade pickles. Fans call it "transcendental".
A cheeseburger with a twist, the Tavern Burger features a plump beef patty topped with Stilton cheese, and mushroom cognac cream, in a challah bun. Challah is soft, fluffy bread that has been enriched with egg. Served at The Tavern, a fancy pub in Tulsa, it comes with skinny fries and gets glowing reviews.
The Bless Your Heart Burger features chili, onion, coleslaw, yellow mustard, homemade pickles, hot sauce, and American cheese, and is described as having “a high flavor per cubic inch ratio” by impressed customers. Get it from Bless Your Heart Burgers, a cool, casual joint in Portland.
For some of the best burgers in Philadelphia head to m2o, a neighborhood hangout with tons of great options. The Philly Burger, a spicy, saucy burger with cheese whiz (processed cheese sauce), fried onions, and sliced jalapeños, is a dream for lovers of the city's classic Philly cheesesteak. There are a few other locations across the region too.
To make a Crunch Burger, take a Harry’s Classic Cheese, which features a freshly-ground beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce in a potato roll, and add fried onion strings. Customers love it, saying it’s the perfect size and great value. It can be found at one of the two Harry’s Bar & Burger locations in Providence.
If you’re after a cheeseburger in Charleston, look no further than the Classic from Big Gun Burger Shop, a biker-style bar with music. A buttery, delicious sandwich, it features a patty, double American cheese, onion, pickles, and “big gun sauce” in a toasted bun, and comes with crisp fries. You should also check out the beer and root beer selection.
Everything about The Classic from small town burger joint Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. is perfect, according to customers. It features a 6oz beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, and housemade pickles, and you can choose between American, Cheddar or pepper jack cheese. If you fancy it, swap in a buffalo patty or double up. It comes served with baked beans, coleslaw or fries.
Three types of cheese – yellow Cheddar, Swiss and Muenster (a semi-soft cheese with a washed rind) – plus tomato and roasted garlic aioli make this one of the cheesiest, most flavorful cheeseburgers ever. It’s one of the customer favorites at popular Nashville joint The Pharmacy Burger, which has a beautiful beer garden and cool German beers.
A huge state needs a huge burger as its favorite – and the BBQ Burger at old-school joint Tookie’s fits the bill. It features a beef patty, barbecue sauce, pickles, Cheddar, and a giant onion ring. The patty is marinated in barbecue sauce and onions to give it extra flavor.
Many people say the CO burger at fancy Salt Lake City restaurant The Copper Onion is the best they’ve ever had. It features a beef patty, caramelized onions, Cheddar, duck fat aioli, and iceberg lettuce in a crunchy toasted bun, and comes with chunky chips or a rocket salad. It’s a little bit on the pricey side, but completely worth it according to satisfied customers.
For an amazing cheeseburger, friendly atmosphere, and great service, head to Worthy Burger, a rustic joint with two locations in Vermont. The burger to order is its namesake, which features a juicy 6oz patty made from local beef, Plymouth Cheddar, secret sauce, lettuce, and red onion.
For a classic cheeseburger in Richmond look no further than Beauvine Burger Concept, a spot also loved for its Fruity Pebble milkshake, duck fat fries, and heated outdoor seating. The Beauvine burger features American cheese, pickles, red onion, tomato, lettuce, Beau sauce, and a brioche bun. But what’s really cool is you can choose between a beef, turkey, soy or plant protein patty.
What people love about the Boomer Burger, a quarter-pound patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles in a sesame seed bun, is its simplicity, amazing “special sauce”, and charred flavor. The cheeseburger is served at Boomers Drive-In, a fun, old-fashioned drive-in in Bellingham, which is cheap, friendly and extra speedy.
It might be a little off the beaten track, but customers say its definitely worth making the drive to Farmer's Daughter. A butcher's shop that's also a grocery store and cafe, it serves up the tastiest burger for miles. Their award-winning House Burger consists of a dry-aged beef patty paired with American cheese, pickled red onions, lettuce and Duke's mayo. Sometimes simple really is best.
An unconventional cheeseburger, the Juicy Lucy looks like a regular hamburger from the outside, but when you bite into the patty, a mix molten Cheddar and American cheese comes oozing out. Plus at local joint 11:11, orders are totally customizable, so you can add jalapeños, extra cheese (American, Cheddar, pepper jack, and provolone), maple bacon, and salad, or swap your regular bun for a pretzel one.
A Texas burger restaurant that moved into Jackson too, Liberty Burger is well worth a visit for its flagship offering The Liberty Burger. It comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, but you can ask for cheese and bacon to be added. Customers say it’s worth upgrading your patty to a bison one; expect a juicy burger with tons of flavor that isn't greasy.