Head to The Hound in Auburn, Alabama, for a whole range of tasty burgers. They're famous for their house bacon and extensive bourbon selection, and the vibe is rustic and warm. The menu is intriguing, including bison patties and meatloaf burgers, both served with house-cut fries. Look out for specials like a duck confit burger which also comes highly recommended.

A colourful diner in Anchorage, Tommy’s Burger Stop has an incredible selection featuring beef patties seasoned with Cajun spices and served with either fries or giant onion rings. Pick from classic American combos or hearty speciality burgers, all with rave reviews. The R.L.E Hello Burger is particularly decadent, with two 5.5oz (0.3lb) patties loaded with bacon, grilled mushrooms, onions, jalapeño peppers and American cheese.

With joints in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is not to be missed on your trip to Arizona. The small chain (which also has locations in six other states) serves made-from-scratch patties, using fresh, all-natural ingredients. Meat is ground in-house and served on buns made in the on-site bakery, and there are several options for vegetarians. But it's the El Diablo, with habaneros, salsa and chipotle aioli, and the Magic Shroom, a beef patty, mushrooms, goats' cheese and pesto, that have people coming back for more.

Since they opened in Russellville in 2005, CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers has picked up numerous accolades. Their winning formula is to keep it simple with handmade patties (customers note they're "seasoned to perfection"), freshly cut fries, drinks and shakes on the menu. Don't skimp on the extra toppings: grilled onions, mushrooms, jalapeños and bacon are a few of the options. Get one of their great shakes while you're there too.

HiHo Cheeseburger in Santa Monica and LA's Mid-Wilshire is a casual burger and fries joint, serving exclusively grass-fed Wagyu beef. Go for a double or triple-stacked burger, with the option of having it grilled in mustard and served with ketchup, American cheese, onion jam, lettuce and house-made pickles. The patties are highly praised for being tender, juicy and flavourful, and you shouldn't forget a side of fries – they're super crisp and fluffy on the inside.

At Big Al's, the 60/40 Burger is a must-order. It's a patty made with 60% beef and 40% bacon so you get a meaty, salty, juicy hit in every bite. It's topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and sauce. Another porky burger that gets the thumbs up from customers is the Bacon Guacamole Burger that comes with chopped bacon. Push the boat out with the truffle fries too.

Recognised by the Library of Congress as the birthplace of the hamburger, Louis’ Lunch in New Haven is perhaps the most historic place in the States to enjoy a burger and fries so we had to include it on this list. Family-owned and operated since 1895, it’s also one of the oldest family-run businesses in the USA. Burgers are freshly ground and hand-rolled each day, and served on toasted white bread. Garnishes are simple but tasty, with cheese, onion and tomato on the menu. It might be a no-frills joint but it gets the thumbs up from customers – the burger is described as "big, juicy, cooked to order perfectly."

Since first opening its doors in 1956, Wilmington’s Charcoal Pit has been a favourite burger and fries joint, and is reportedly loved by politician Joe Biden. Barack Obama even ate there during his term, on Biden’s recommendation. Others agree, recommending the cheeseburger and the chocolate milkshakes.

If you love sports, beer and cool design, head to Grease Burger Bar in West Palm Beach. There's a huge selection of burgers on the menu, from pretzel burgers and seared tuna burgers to Jack Daniel’s BBQ burgers and meatloaf burgers. It's not all about the meat though as the Kipper's Housemade Veggie Burger, a black bean patty with green onions and cilantro-lime mayo, is a favourite too. Don’t miss the truffle parmesan fries, either.

Choose your meat – a grass-fed beef patty or grilled chicken breast (or a veggie patty if you're going meat-free) – then decide on toppings at Green Truck Pub in Savannah. We like the sound of the Rustico with goats' cheese, caramelised onions and roasted red peppers or The Blue Ribbon with griddled ham, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and pickles. People love the joint since so many items are made from scratch –including the tomato ketchup – and the fries are delicious and hand-cut too.

At retro-style diner Cool Cat Cafe there’s an extensive list of burgers to choose from, from vegetarian options to meaty extravaganzas featuring bacon, cheese, onion rings, chilli and more. The Luna burger with bacon, melted Jack cheese, avocado, mayo, pickles and thousand island dressing is a popular order.

The clue's in the name here at Big Jud's – go big or go home. The joint serves huge 1lb cheeseburgers that are larger than your head – but don't worry about tackling it on your own, they're supposed to feed two to four people. Despite the size, Big Jud's doesn't scrimp on quality. There are regular-size burgers on the menu too – the Ortega Burger with green chilli, sour cream, onions and cheddar comes recommended.

Kuma’s Corner is a gourmet burger bar with five locations that has named all its menu items after heavy metal bands. Opt for Slayer – a 10oz (0.6lb) burger on a bed of fries, chilli, caramelised onions, andouille, cherry peppers, Monterey Jack and scallions. Customers say that even burgers cooked well done are still juicy and tender.

Take a trip to Carmel where you'll find Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream's Big Ugly: a giant 1lb cheeseburger. It gets high praise from customers who comment that the bun is toasted to perfection and the patty is well seasoned. There are also elk burgers on offer, and the deliciously crispy sweet potato fries can be ordered waffle-style with marshmallow sauce on the side.

Head to Zombie Burger for tasty burgers in a “post-apocalyptic chic” setting. The names of the burgers follow the theme with the Dawn of the Dead (bacon, egg, American cheese, red onion and mayo) and the 28 Days Later (blue cheese, caramelised onion, red onion and mayo) on offer. The taste is anything but scary as people rate the use of quality toppings and ingredients. Fries are à la carte and we highly recommend the garlic, bacon and blue cheese offering which will surely scare any vampires away.

For a relaxed vibe with gastropub-style food, visit The Anchor, a locally owned bar and grill in downtown Wichita. As well as having a range of craft beers on offer, it also serves excellent burgers made from meat which is ground in-house daily. Go classic with their House Burger, which comes with lettuce, tomato and onion, or push the boat out with the Haystack, which is piled with fries and queso on Texas toast – it gets the thumbs up from guests.

If you’re looking for burgers with a quirky twist, visit White Squirrel Brewery in Bowling Green. A particular customer favourite is the Hot Jam Burger which combines a beef patty with homemade strawberry jam, creamy goats' cheese and jalapeños in an English muffin. Looking for something more classic? There’s also a beef burger with sharp cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, house-pickled onion chutney and poached apples.

At New Orleans’ two upmarket The Company Burger restaurants, it's hard to go wrong with any of the burgers on offer, from their signature bun with two thin patties, pickles, red onion and American cheese to the falafel burger with lemon mayo. It's the lamb one that stands out though: a juicy, succulent lamb patty is paired with feta, mayo, red onion and a chilli-mint glaze.

Come for the unusual setting of Palace Diner in Biddeford, then stay for the food. The diner is located in a trolley car and is one of two surviving Pollard diners in the country. But the Palais Royale and fries is the real star of the show. The double burger with cheddar, iceberg lettuce, pickles, mayo and mustard has been described as "an elevated Big Mac, with all the same ingredients, only sourced and executed dozens of times better."

Find more unusual roadside diners in America here

Abbey Burger Bistro has three locations in Maryland – two in Baltimore and one in Ocean City – so there’s no excuse not to try it if you visit the state. People love the wide variety of burgers on offer – there's a Spicy Korean Duck Burger, Southwest Bison Burger and Blackened Shrimp Burger to name but a few. The build-your-own option is popular, but if you're ordering à la carte, customers rave about the Peanut Butter Burger with applewood bacon in a classic bun.

For the best burger in Massachusetts, head to the family-owned and operated KKatie’s. There are three locations across the state, each serving their signature half-pound burgers and fries. The Vermonter with caramelised apples and onion, smoked bacon, Vermont cheddar and maple mayo is a hit. We also love the sound of their special sweet potato fries that come dusted in cinnamon chipotle spices.

A nod to well-known California chain In-N-Out Burger, California Burgerz in Hamtramck serves a moreish range of burgers and fries. Keep it classic with their signature combo of Angus beef patty, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, American cheese and CB Sauce on a brioche bun. Or, go all out with a portion of Gorilla Fries topped with half a pound of beef and bacon. Customers love the fact everything is made to order.

It may be located in the tiny town of Miesville, but the menu at King’s Bar and Grill is huge (there are more than 100 options) and people rave about the food. A couple of standout options include The Perfect Game with sautéed onions, green peppers, cheese and a hash brown, and the Pickoff Burger with smoked Gouda, coleslaw and pulled pork.

The speciality at Latham's Hamburger Inn is the Slugburger but don't worry, there are no slippery creatures involved. It's actually a burger made with beef, spices and dough, and then deep-fried, and it has won many fans over the years. The loaded fries with cheese, bacon and ranch dressing are also worth ordering.

Beefcakes' burgers are made by hand every morning from ground Angus beef, while fries are hand-cut and double fried. The creative names of the burgers will also put a smile on your face. The Longhorn – a double patty with cheddar, onion straws and barbecue sauce – gets rave reviews and one of the best things about the joint is that the fries are bottomless.

It's hard to decide which burger to choose at The Burger Dive in Billings but there's one that several customers say is the best they've ever had – the I'm Your Huckleberry. The Angus beef patty is covered in the chef's chilli barbecue sauce, bacon, goats' cheese, roasted red pepper mayo and rocket (arugla). Don't miss out on trying the garlic fries either.

With four locations in Lincoln, Honest Abe's has some of the state's most talked-about burgers. Their menu is large, with six permanent burgers and five specials on rotation so there's always something for everyone. The Fireside, which comes with jalapeño, bacon, sriracha ketchup, cumin lime mayo, pepperjack cheese and romaine lettuce, is a popular option. Make sure you get a side of parmesan truffle fries while you're there.

When in Sin City with a burger craving, head to Burger Bar in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. While there are staples like the American Classic with a Black Angus beef patty, American cheese, crispy bacon, tomato and onion on a sesame bun, it's the Parisian Lamb that comes highly recommended by guests. The patty is a 50/50 mix of Angus beef and Australian lamb with Moroccan spices, spicy ketchup and tzatziki on a baguette. People also love building their own burger, choosing their meat (or plant-based patty), bun and toppings, and rave about the buttermilk zucchini fries.

People come back again and again for the burgers at Black Mtn. Burger Co, set in the picturesque White Mountains town of Lincoln. A repeat hit is the Swiss Mushroom Burger with melted Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms and caramelised onions – apparently it's the most popular item on their menu. Don't forget about fries, though, as both the chilli-cheese and the Cajun offerings are delicious.

Stuffed Grass Fed Burgers pride themselves on, you guessed it, using meat only from grass-fed animals. There's a great selection of burgers and loaded fries on offer but there are two clear winners according to customers: the Bacon Jam Burger and the Bacon Jam Fries. The former is a beef patty stuffed with cheese, and smothered in bacon jam and roasted garlic aioli. The fries come topped with cheese, bacon jam plus chipotle and garlic aioli.

If there's one burger you should order in New Mexico, it's a green chile cheeseburger and Buckhorn Tavern serves one of the best. Customers describe it as big, juicy and cheesy, with plenty of green chile and loads of flavour. If you can't get enough of the heat, order a portion of chile fries too.

A film star in its own right, New York City’s classic Empire Diner has featured in a number of movies, including Manhattan, Men in Black II and Home Alone 2. The diner serves typical American dishes with a touch of extra sophistication. Its herbed fries and Empire Special Blend Burger, with double patty, American cheese, pickles and aioli, is a must-order.

Discover more restaurants from film and TV you can actually eat in

With three locations in Chapel Hill, award-winning Al's Burger Shack is the place to go for a patty and bun in North Carolina. Get the Classic burger with lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion, pickle, AL sauce and American cheese, and you won't be disappointed. They're juicy, cooked to perfection and patties have a great depth of seasoning and flavour.

Customers love the absolutely mammoth burger menu at Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, which has five locations across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. It’s hard not to go back again and again once you’ve tasted one. Particularly indulgent options include the Glazed Doughnut Burger, the Jalapeño Peanut Butter burger and the Macaroni & Cheese burger.

The gigantic burgers at Columbus’ The Thurman Cafe all come with 12oz patties and are piled high with toppings, so make sure you go hungry. Customers recommend The Thurman Burger loaded with ham, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, American cheese and pickles, as well as the Mushroom Burger with mushrooms and mozzarella. The fries are given the thumbs up too.

The story of Tucker’s Onion Burgers, with four Oklahoma locations, is intertwined with the history of the Oklahoma onion burger, which was created by chefs to help cafés stay in business during the Great Depression – and this mini-chain is the place to try it. Customers can't get enough and say the onions and jalapeños are caramelised to perfection, patties are juicy and fresh, and portions are generous.

For simple, tasty, gigantic burgers, visit Hwy 101 Burger on the Oregon Coast. Customers love it for its "fresh, no-nonsense, old-school" burgers at reasonable prices, and people go out of their way for a made-to-order patty and bun. Choose from the 101 Burger (one patty) up to the 404 Burger (four patties), and pair with hand-cut fries. The friendly service is the cherry on the top.

With locations in and around Pittsburgh, Burgatory is well-known and well-loved for its custom burgers. Pick your patty (with options like beef, chicken, bison, wild crab and Vegan Veggie) and a bun (including brioche, pretzel and a lettuce wrap) then pick different rubs, cheeses, sauce and toppings. If you want to stick to à la carte, the Piggy Butter & Jelly comes recommended.

At hip Mission in Newport, burgers and hot dogs are ground in-house. The cheeseburger and the Mickey D are the big hits here but it's the fries that almost steal the show. Customers say they're thick, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Make sure to ask for the joint's special Mission Sauce (aioli with ketchup, cornichons, capers, herbs and brandy) for dipping.

Take a trip back in time with Sno-Cap Drive In in North Augusta. It's been open for more than 50 years and eating here feels like going straight back to the 1960s, with an original neon sign, red booths and monochrome tile floor. When it comes to the burgers, all the components – the meat, bread and toppings – are spot on and the chilli cheese fries are well worth indulging in too. 

Take a look at the best retro diner in every state here

For a friendly atmosphere and incredible burgers in South Dakota, head to Black Hills Burger and Bun Co in Custer. The patties here are homemade and ground daily in-house, with quality ingredients and home-baked buns. People love the amusingly named Hot Granny burger served with bacon, cream cheese, fresh jalapeños and sweet-spicy jalapeño sauce. It's also worth upgrading the patty in any burger to buffalo meat.

Emmy Squared might be known for its pizzas but the burgers are exceptional too. The go-to order among customers is Le Big Matt with two beef patties served in a pretzel bun with American cheese, greens, pickles and Sammy Sauce. It's one of the more pricey burgers on this list but it keeps people coming back. All burgers arrive with waffle fries which you can upgrade with added kewpie mayo, okonomi barbecue sauce and bonito flakes.

There are six Rodeo Goat locations across the state and each one will wholly satisfy that burger and fries craving. There's something for everyone as you can switch the patty to ground beef, chicken, salmon, black beans and more. Go with the theme of the restaurant's name and get the highly recommended Nanny Goat with goats' cheese and garlic-herb mayo. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, people also rate the Sugar Burger with grilled peaches, candied bacon, caramelised onion and jalapeño jam.

Attached to a brewery in Salt Lake City, Proper Burger Co. lets guests choose their type of patty then a style. Go Proper Style with caramelised onion, American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato and Proper sauce or try customer favourites Flyin' Hawaiian and Rising Sun. The former comes with pineapple, ham, Swiss cheese, jalapeño and aioli, and the latter comes with kimchi, miso aioli, fried egg, sriracha and cucumber pickles. Best of all, fries come with delicious fry sauce.

The friendly service, the cool atmosphere and, of course, the delicious burgers at Worthy Burger all have people talking. The must-order here is the signature Worthy Burger – a classic combination of a grass-feed beef patty, cheddar, red onion, lettuce and their secret sauce. Fries are hand-cut and cooked in beef tallow.

There will likely be a special of the day on the menu at Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint, with locations across Virginia and a handful of other states. But one à la carte item that keeps customers pouring back is the Greg Brady burger, which is topped with mac 'n' cheese, American-cheddar cheese and BBQ potato chips. Everyone raves about the fried Oreo too, so make sure you leave space for something sweet.

Li’l Woody’s is a Washington staple and its four Seattle locations are not to be missed. The burger joint is committed to using local ingredients, serving 100% grass-fed beef on fluffy brioche buns. The Big Woody is great but, if you love bacon, make sure to order the Pendleton – it comes with a beef patty, onion rings, cheddar, BBQ sauce and bacon (for an extra $1). The queso and fries are a treat too.

Head to Wheeling to try Avenue Eats' patties, which get solid local reviews. The place offers a comprehensive list of fresh grass-fed beef burgers with inventive topping combinations, which all come with fresh-cut fries, salad or kettle chips. The Steakhouse burger with fried onion straws, sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, house steak sauce and garlic aioli is a real crowdpleaser. People comment on the friendly service too.

A charming little pub in Milwaukee, Oscar's Pub & Grill has a good selection of juicy burgers and tasty homemade fries. Customers rate The Big Gringo with Wisconsin white cheddar, American cheese and hickory smoked bacon. The parmesan French fries are always a good idea too.

For American-grown ingredients and a friendly vibe, visit Liberty Burger in Jackson (which also has locations in Texas). There's a great range of burgers, including the tasty Chillerno with queso blanco and flame-roasted poblano peppers – and one thing people agree on is that it's worth upgrading to a juicy bison patty. Fries are served hot and fresh out the fryer too.

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