Savory and sweet, tender and crispy, juicy and indulgent... a great burger is all about balance. When done right, it’s unbeatable – but when done wrong, nothing’s more disappointing. That’s why we’ve done the legwork, tracking down and ranking the best burgers across the USA. Expect perfectly seasoned patties, well-structured buns, and crave-worthy toppings. Some are simple and budget friendly, others extravagant and gourmet, but they all deserve a place on your bucket list. 

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our ranking of America's best burgers – how many have you tried?

Simple, sensational, and straight to the point – the DBL (double cheeseburger) at Circle E Drive-In is a must for burger purists. It’s exactly what you crave when clocking highway miles: two juicy, freshly ground beef patties layered with melted cheese, served hot and hearty. Go ‘deluxe’ with lettuce, tomato, and onion, if you like. This family-owned gem off Interstate 90 has garnered a loyal following for its top-tier fast food and thick milkshakes, but the DBL is the star. Back for round two? The bacon-packed Big AL gives the DBL a run for its money. 

Always made with freshly ground beef and hand formed in house, the classic burgers at Kewpee are the definition of timeless. Since opening its first location in 1928, this Ohio-born institution (America’s second-oldest burger chain after White Castle) has been perfecting the art of the hamburger for nearly a century. The single – a juicy beef patty tucked into a soft, spongy white bun – is as classic as it gets. Customize it your way with free toppings like mustard, ketchup, pickles, onion, relish, lettuce, tartar sauce, and even cocktail sauce. 

Thin, crisp, and flawlessly seared, Culver’s ButterBurger is deeply satisfying, with two patties as standard. The Midwest chain makes its patties from a mixture of sirloin, chuck, and plate beef, which gives the thinly pressed and grilled hamburgers a superior flavor. They're snuggled inside Culver’s signature lightly toasted, buttered buns with slices of melty American cheese, and toppings can be customized to taste. Go for the Works to get pickles, ketchup, mustard, and raw onions, and layer in tomato and lettuce too, if that’s your vibe.

In a world where more is more, the Plain Jane at Beefy's dares to stay simple. No cheese waterfalls here – just a perfectly seasoned, expertly seared patty nestled inside a toasted bun, with lettuce, tomato, and onion (if you want them). It’s quiet confidence in burger form, ideal for purists. Craving excess? The Reno favorite also serves the Awesome Awesome: a double-patty beast stacked with four cheeses, grilled onions, lettuce, and Thousand Island sauce. But don’t underestimate the Plain Jane; understated never tasted so good. 

Sharp and savory, creamy and comforting, everything about United States Burger Service’s 2-Day is balanced to perfection. Expertly seared double patties come with a sticky coating of 'government cheese' and house-made Priority Sauce (whose recipe is a closely guarded secret), all wedged between gloriously soft seeded potato buns. You know you’re in for quality, hand-crafted produce and swift service at this playful Miami joint.

The Hell’s Fury Burger at The Vortex isn’t for the faint of heart – or, as the menu puts it, it's ‘not for sissies.’ This fiery favorite from the acclaimed Atlanta joint pairs a juicy, flavorful patty with pepper Jack cheese, Atomic Death sauce, habanero relish, and a whole roasted jalapeño. It’s a must for chili lovers. Crisp lettuce, tomato, onion, and dill pickle slices round it out, adding just the right crunch to balance the heat. 

Decadent, messy, and outrageously delicious, the Big Mec has had fans drooling since debuting at Petit Trois in 2016. This is no ordinary cheeseburger – it’s a French-inspired masterpiece. Two seared high-fat patties are smothered in gooey cheese and drenched in a rich foie gras–infused Bordelaise sauce that spills onto the plate. Tart pickles cut through the indulgence, and everything is tucked into a buttery brioche bun. Pair it with clarified butter frites, and you've got a Francophile's idea of fast food heaven.

With a name that's both off-putting and intriguing, the Bad Breath Burger packs a flavor punch that may linger a little longer on your breath than you’d like. It’s worth it, though. Blue cheese, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, and black pepper mayo are the dominant flavors in this much-loved bite at Comb Ridge, a charming, low-key restaurant with a community feel in remote Bluff. The meat is top quality, too; the burgers are made with ground grass-fed Colorado beef, and they're cooked so that they're dripping with juice.

Onion lovers, take note: this burger is a must. Born out of the Great Depression to stretch beef patties further, the humble onion burger is now an American classic – and many say Tucker’s Onion Burgers does it best. Served as a single or double, these juicy, onion-packed burgers can be customized with cheese, tomato, pickles, jalapeños, lettuce, and all the classic condiments. Feeling bold? Order the Mother Tucker for triple the beef, triple the onions, and a serious food coma. 

At the top end of the scale in terms of both price and ingredients, the Loyalist OG Cheeseburger has earned a serious reputation in gourmet burger circles. A thing of simple beauty, it’s a must-order at Chicago’s smart-casual spot The Loyalist. Made with a richly fatty blend of chuck, short rib, and bacon, the thick patty delivers an umami punch, while the toasted sesame bun adds nuttiness and texture. Add melted American cheese, crunchy cucumber pickles, and a generous helping of onions (pickled, charred, and mixed into mayo), and it’s no wonder this burger has amassed a loyal fan base. 

Full-flavored, all-natural Angus beef (sourced from a central Texas ranch and cooked to a juicy medium rare) is the foundation of the Bastrop Burger, a fan favorite at Austin’s laid-back Workhorse Bar. The patty comes nestled in your choice of toasted white or wheat bun, with no-frills fixings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion adding crunch and tang. Cheese is available for an extra charge. 

For many fast food fans, In-N-Out’s Double-Double is the definition of a perfect burger: it's tasty and affordable, with every element done right. Two of the beloved West Coast chain’s juicy patties are stacked with melted American cheese, your choice of raw or grilled sweet yellow onions, fresh tomato, crisp iceberg lettuce, and a tangy pickle relish. It’s all tied together with a generous squeeze of In-N-Out’s much-imitated Animal-style sauce, and tucked into a toasted bun made from slow-rising sponge dough. Fans swear by its ideal size, balanced flavors, and just the right touch of indulgent, satisfying mess. 

The Dry-Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger is a must-eat on any food lover’s tour of Brooklyn. While it sits at the higher end of the price range for a burger, few who indulge regret the splurge. Expertly charred on the outside and medium-rare within, the meat is richly seasoned and delivers an exceptional depth of flavor, thanks to a well-balanced fat-to-meat ratio and a blend of dry-aged strip and chuck. It's topped with a generous layer of melty, full-flavored American cheese and finished with a sharp ring of raw onion for a satisfying bite. 

The Hickoryburger at The Apple Pan is an edible icon in Los Angeles. It's been eaten and adored by endless stars, and it's stayed on the menu at the beloved 1940s-era diner since 1947. Its charm lies in its simplicity: essentially, it's juicy, melting meat, layered with house-made hickory sauce, mayo, crisp pickles, refreshing shredded lettuce, and a generous blanket of melted Tillamook Cheddar. Go big with a double or savor the classic single – but whatever you do, save room for one of The Apple Pan’s legendary pies.

Taking its inspiration from the pubs of London’s East End, Duke’s Grocery has what many Washingtonians claim is the best burger in DC (if not the country). Its Proper Burger has all the ingredients you'd expect – and a few more. It comprises two meat patties (ground and pressed from well-sourced, farm-raised Angus beef), Gouda, house pickles, charred red onion, sweet chili sauce, arugula, and a punchy aioli, all encased in a buttery brioche bun. Beef it up with optional add-ons of egg, avocado, and bacon.

Waiting in line is par for the course for anyone that wants to try the lauded cheeseburger at the no-reservation Au Cheval restaurants in Chicago and New York. But boy, is it worth the wait. To make it, two seasoned-to-perfection 8oz patties are paired with piquant American cheese and Dijonnaise. A fried egg and thick-cut bacon are optional (but highly recommended) additions. Gloriously uncomplicated, it's a classic case of great ingredients cooked to a very high level.

A mouth-stretching meaty masterpiece, the Luger Burger at Peter Luger Steak House has long been a bucket-list bite for New York food lovers. To score this premium cheeseburger, head to the historic Williamsburg chophouse at lunch, when it’s served. Made from a rich blend of prime chuck and dry-aged short loin trimmings, the patty is broiled to juicy perfection, placed atop a thick-cut, perfectly circular onion ring, draped with melted cheese, then tucked into a classic sesame bun. Craving it outside NYC? You’re in luck – there’s also a version available at the Peter Luger outpost in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. 

Irresistibly juicy and packed with bold, beefy flavor, Irv’s Original Roadside Double Burger is a true California classic with deep roots. The story of Irv’s Burgers began in 1946, when a humble West Hollywood stand (then called Queen’s Burgers) started serving patties along Route 66. In 1970, Irv Gendis took over, lending his name to what would become the spot’s most iconic creation. Each patty is pressed to order, grilled to perfection, and tucked into a toasted bun with all the timeless fixings: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. It’s simple, satisfying, and effortlessly nostalgic. 

Even if you’re not in the mood for a burger, one look at the Amboy is enough to trigger an instant craving. And honestly, you should give in. One bite is all it takes to understand why Amboy Quality Meats has earned a reputation for doling out one of the best smashed patties in the game. Served on a perfectly toasted sesame seed bun and layered with gooey American cheese, tangy pickles, rich burger sauce, and deeply caramelized onions, this burger is a masterclass in balance and flavor. The real magic, though, is in the meat – a deeply savory blend of ground rib-eye trim, short rib, and brisket that delivers unmistakable depth.

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