Sometimes, the only way to fix a bad day is a thick, juicy, oh-so-decadent cheeseburger. Fortunately, America has a ton of restaurants serving mouthwatering cheeseburgers. But when you really want to experience next-level burgers cooked perfectly and made with the finest ingredients, where can you go?
To help you find your perfect cheeseburger, we’ve put together this list of places that serve extraordinary cheeseburgers. From seemingly humble stands to the hottest houses of haute cuisine, these burgers turn heads and fill bellies like no others.
1. The Balboa Bar & Grill: San Diego, California
It may not be San Diego’s most famous fine dining establishment, but the Balboa Bar & Grill is a locally beloved institution for their flat-top grilled burgers dressed with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, garlic aioli, and loads of American cheese. For something even meatier, try their barbeque bacon burger, loaded with bacon, grilled onions, and Balboa’s house-made sauce.
2. Au Cheval: Chicago, Illinois
For years, food critics and burger fanatics have sung the praises of Au Cheval and their mind-blowing burgers. One favorite, their “double cheeseburger,” defies its name with three patties enveloped in melted cheddar and topped with creamy dijonnaise and house-made dill pickles. The restaurant offers a fried egg and their famous thick-cut bacon to make this gourmet burger even more delicious.
3. Holstein’s: Las Vegas, Nevada
Is it really a surprise that a Vegas burger joint makes this list? In this case, Holstein’s at The Cosmopolitan casino resort most definitely deserves it because they whip up Sin City’s most wildly and gluttonously delectable burgers, such as the “Billionaire Burger” with a foie gras-prime beef blend patty, provolone cheese, onion marmalade, and truffle aioli.
To make your meal even more sinful, order the garlic-parmesan fries with garlic aioli and one of their famous boozy shakes.
4. Cherry Cricket: Denver, Colorado
For over seven decades, Cherry Cricket has wowed Colorado burger lovers with their massive, easily customizable half-pound patties. The Cricket offers a remarkable collection of toppings, such as chile relleno, grilled pineapple, herb cream cheese, and roasted garlic and jam. If the thought of choosing your own toppings from their extensive menu is too daunting, The Cricket also offers some of their own favorite creations.
5. Matt’s Bar: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Though there’s ongoing controversy over who really invented the Jucy Lucy, Matt’s Bar’s fantastic rendition of the uniquely Minnesota cheeseburger twist is to die for. The Jucy Lucy is a cheeseburger with cheese stuffed inside the beef patty itself. When you come to Matt’s, you should expect a no-frills experience that includes cash-only payment. But for Jucy Lucy purists, this is simply part of Matt’s charm.
6. Peter Luger Steakhouse: New York, New York
Since 1887, Peter Luger has defined the American steakhouse experience, and that includes the American-style burger. It’s simple: a half-pound-plus thick and juicy patty on a sesame seed bun, topped with cheese and bacon. While some foodies might be let down by the simplicity, burger purists appreciate Peter Luger’s commitment to serving a cheeseburger that’s perfectly executed from top to bottom.
7. H&F Burger: Atlanta, Georgia
Once upon a time, Atlanta culinary institution Holeman & Finch announced nightly burger specials that led to long lines and fierce competition just to get one of their prized 24 burgers. But ever since Holeman & Finch launched this spinoff, fans have had a much easier time getting their hands on these burgers, known for their crispy beef patties, bread-and-butter pickles, and generous layers of cheese.
8. Slxtty Vegan: Atlanta, Georgia
It’s easy to roll your eyes whenever anyone praises the great flavors of a vegan burger. But in the case of Slxtty Vegan, another buzzy Atlanta-based mini-chain that’s known for turning conventional wisdom on its head, their vegan burgers are good enough that even some carnivores will have their heads turned.
For the ultimate in plant-based decadence, try the Ménage à Trois with (plant-based) cheese, imitation shrimp and bacon, “Slxt Sauce,” and an expertly cooked Beyond Meat patty.
9. Sparky’s: Hatch, New Mexico
When you head to Hatch, New Mexico, you’re entering prime chile country. Naturally, when you hit local diner Sparky’s for a burger, the extra beefy seven-ounce patty comes loaded with American cheese and Hatch green chiles. When you’re ready for an even bigger flavor punch to your palette, you can opt for “The Oinker” with four ounces of house-smoked pulled pork.
10. Henry’s Majestic: Dallas, Texas
What makes Henry’s Majestic so majestic? Start with their insistence on using high-quality Akaushi beef, then add aged cheddar, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a soft set of brioche buns. The result is an incredible burger that only tastes better once you realize it’s paired with house-made potato chips, not to mention an expertly curated list of topping options.
11. Corner Bistro: New York, New York
Why are so many New Yorkers so obsessed with this West Village dive bar? Take an eight-ounce beef patty, add a generous helping of American cheese, then add crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and tasty onions and pickles. The final product might look and sound basic, but once you actually taste it, this burger is anything but.
12. TK Burgers: Newport Beach, California
Over the years, TK Burgers has become a Southern California favorite thanks to their expertly flame-grilled creations. These burgers might not look all that special at first glance, but upon tasting them, you suddenly understand the meaning of “charbroiled to perfection.”
13. Nation Kitchen & Bar: Cincinnati, Ohio
Named for the early 20th-century temperance movement leader Carrie Nation, Nation Kitchen & Bar actually practices anything but. In addition to their fully stocked bar, Nation serves delicious burgers featuring brisket-enhanced patties, smoked cheddar, fried onion straws, and additional intriguing toppings like Guinness-braised onions, bacon aioli, and sriracha.
14. Triple X: West Lafayette, Indiana
Despite what the name suggests, Triple X is a family-friendly establishment. Ever since Guy Fieri came here for an episode of his Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, families have been coming from all over to try Triple X’s famous cheeseburgers, including the “Boilermaker Pete” with a ⅓ pound chop steak patty, two slices of cheese, and grilled onions.
15. Kopp’s Frozen Custard: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Though the name suggests Kopp’s specializes in rich, creamy frosted desserts (and they do), their burgers are also not to be missed. While all their burgers are delectable, their “KRK Burger” really stands out thanks to mountains of cheese, a combination of fried and raw onions, pickles, ketchup, and two flavors of mayo (regular and spicy).
16. Five Stars Family Burger: Cornelius, Oregon
Late in 2023, Yelp declared Five Stars Family Burger Oregon’s best burger joint due to the ongoing torrent of rave reviews. They start with prime locally sourced ingredients, including Carlton Farms beef and Tillamook cheddar cheese, then add Korean-style Bulgogi meat to their signature Bulgogi Burger for an extra meaty punch. Now that word’s getting out that Five Stars lives up to their name.
17. Datz: Tampa, Florida
There’s a cheeseburger, then there’s Datz’s cheeseburger. If you’re into a cheeseburger with extra cheese, Datz really gets extra with their “Cheesy Todd,” which ditches the standard bread buns for two deep-fried discs of bacon and jalapeno macaroni and cheese!
Tampa locals have known about this culinary curiosity for a while, but since ABC featured Datz on Good Morning America in 2016, many more Americans have been coming to taste the “Cheesy Todd” for themselves.
18. Causwells: San Francisco, California
Nestled in San Francisco’s posh Marina District, Causwells specializes in “Farm to Fork” creations that showcase Northern California’s home-grown bounty. They only use Five Dot Ranch beef for their patties, and they dress up this meat with locally sourced lettuce and onions, lacto-fermented pickles, and plenty of cheese. This might seem like a lot, but once you taste the final product, you’ll appreciate them going the extra distance to make it happen.
19. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab: Des Moines, Iowa
While some might be revolted by the thought of a “Trailer Trash Zombie Burger,” Zombie Burger’s signature offering really does taste better than it sounds. You can try their “special grind,” consisting of their proprietary beef and other meats. Get it loaded with American cheese, fried pickles, “chicken-fried bacon,” cheese curds, and ranch dressing. It may not be the healthiest burger, but it certainly delivers big hits of all-American flavors.
20. Block 16: Omaha, Nebraska
In 2015, Food Network star Alton Brown surprised fans and the elite foodie scene when he named Block 16’s Croque Garcon his favorite burger in the country. Since then, fans have flocked to taste for themselves. Once they bite into this half-pound burger patty dressed with cheese, ham, a sunny-side-up egg, mustard, and truffle mayo, it all starts to make perfect sense.
21. Palace Diner: Biddeford, Maine
At first glance, the Palace Diner appears to be yet another “greasy spoon” diner. But when you take a closer look at this diner, you can see and taste why Mainers consider this diner with just 15 seats at the counter such a hidden gem.
Their signature cheeseburger includes a crispy smash patty, cheddar cheese, and a special “secret sauce” packed into sesame buns. The original version is great, but for a next-level burger experience, double it up with the Palais Royale.