Great Burgers Around the USA

May is National Burger Month.

Let that sink in.

An entire month. To celebrate burgers.

Well, let’s get to it. Here are some of my burger suggestions followed by burger recommendations from very well-traveled burger expert friends.

Great Burgers Around the USA

After a brilliant California road trip drive through the San Bernardino Mountains between Redlands and Big Bear Lake, my wife and I ate some great burgers at Broadway Cafe. Blue skies and massive burgers make for a happy traveler.

Great burgers for National Burger Month. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
massive burger from Broadway Cafe in Big Bear, California

Earlier in that same California road trip, after exiting Big Sur in the south, our burger fix was taken care of by a place simply called The Cafe in the cute town of Cambria. Served with tortilla chips (how cool is that?), my burger had green chiles, pepper jack cheese, and a spicy BBQ sauce.

Great burgers for National Burger Month.
burger at The Cafe in Cambria, California

You know it is a serious burger when the chef presents it with a steak knife protruding from it. Served with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and French fried potatoes (cue Jimmy Buffett), this bacon cheeseburger in paradise is from Timber Stone Grill in Hammondsport, New York (on the shores on Keuka Lake).

Please also read Big Sur California Road Trip

Great burgers for National Burger Month
great burger at Timber Stone Grill, Hammondsport, New York

Please also read Things To Do Near Keuka Lake

Citizen Burger Bar, on the pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia, call themselves a “burger-obsessed bunch.” They use local beef and other ingredients from nearby farms. So good!

Great burgers for National Burger Month. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Citizen Burger Bar in Charlottesville, Virginia

Please also read Casual Places to Eat in Charlottesville

Do not try to eat this next burger. It is made of glass and resides in the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York (near the above Timber Stone Grill).

burger made of glass from the Corning Glass museum in Corning, New York
glass burger art, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York

Carl Hedinger of Travel Through Life

“If I want a burger in Durham, the only place to go is Only Burger. This monstrosity is called “The Texan.” Just order it and don’t ask any questions, okay?”

Great burgers for National Burger Month.Only Burger in Durham, NC
The Texan at Only Burger in Durham, North Carolina. Photo credit: Travel Through Life

Read the McCool Travel interview with Carl Hedinger

Kim Orlando, Traveling Mom

Umami infused turkey burger with fig jam and goat cheese at Eureka in Indian Wells, California. Juicy flavorful fresh with a dash of sweetness. Best. Burger. Period.

Great burgers for National Burger Eureka in Indian Wells, CA.
turkey burger at Eureka in Indian Wells, California. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Read the McCool Travel interview with Kim Orlando

Johnny Jet, Johnny Jet

In-N-Out Burger near LAX. They not only taste great but you get incredible plane spotting.”

Great burgers for National Burger Month
Double-double from In-N-Out Burger

Read the McCool Travel interview with Johnny Jet

Andrea Feczko, AndreaFeczko.com

“My favorite burger joint is hidden in the Parker Meridien hotel. Details are in my “Go or No?” segment about New York City.” See the video.

McCool Travel note: The former Le Parker Meridien NYC has rebranded as Thompson Central Park and the Birger joint remains!

Read the McCool Travel interview with Andrea Feczko

Sue Reddel of Food Travelist

“When you think of Chicago you might think of Da Bears and great steaks. Leave it to “Da Coach” Mike Ditka to come up with the perfect Steakhouse Burger. Cheddar, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, mayo, lettuce, and tomato cover this all meat delicious patty. I order this Angus beef burger medium rare for a perfectly moist and magnificent burger. There are four Ditka’s Restaurants locations in the Chicagoland area as well as spots in Phoenix and Pennsylvania.”

Great burgers for National Burger Month
Ditka Steakhouse Burger. Photo credit: Sue Reddel.

Read the McCool Travel interview with Food Travelist

Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel

“I just ate the most delicious burger at House Wine & Bistro in McAllen, Texas that was voted one of the 50 Best Burgers in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine! This Rio Grande Valley dining establishment has a fresh ciabatta bun that soaks up the juices from the grass-fed McAllen Ranch beef—along with sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, and topped with pepper jack cheese. It had an order of crispy thin-cut russet and sweet potato fries seasoned with Parmesan Cheese and a side of roasted garlic aioli for dipping. It was perfection, as it melted in my mouth and was the perfect combination of cheese to meat.”

Great burgers for National Burger Month.Only Burger in Durham, NC
House Wine & Bistro burger, McAllen, Texas. Photo credit: Cacinda Maloney

Read the McCool Travel interview with Cacinda Maloney

Lori Moreno of AmbassadorsVIP

The cheeseburger aka “Big Mec” and everything in Petit Trois in Los Angeles is fabulous. Visit during off eating hours as the restaurant is very small.

Great burgers for National Burger Month.Only Burger in Durham, NC
The Big Mec at Petit Trois. Photo credit: Lori Moreno

Read the McCool Travel interview with Lori Moreno

James Hills of Mantripping

“”Mother Burger” from Cowgirl BBQ in Santa Fe is a secret blend of all-natural beef, local buffalo, and applewood smoked bacon patty, topped with melted brie, truffled green chile, a slice of heirloom tomato, topped with a cheddar and green chile bun. It is f’ing amazing.”

Great burgers for National Burger Month.Only Burger in Durham, NC
Mother Burger at Cowgirl Cafe, Santa Fe. Photo credit: James Hills

Read the McCool Travel interview with James Hills

I am not even sure this last sandwich is truly a burger but, oh my goodness, look at it!

Christina Thomas of Go Epicurista

““The Big Floyd” is the crowd favorite at Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa in Orlando. A carnivore dream, piled high with flavorful Oakwood smoked brisket and pulled pork  (smoked for 12 hours) and Fred Stokes sausages on a sweet Hawaiian roll. House-made sweet BBQ sauce, tangy citrus peanut slaw and French fries on top complete the delicious journey through The Americas and Asia.”

Great burgers for National Burger Month.Only Burger in Durham, NC
The Big Floyd at Pig Floyd’s in Orlando, Florida. Photo credit: Christina Thomas

Read more about Christina Thomas and others in Food Travel Bloggers to Follow

Burger anyone? Tell me your favorite burgers, in the US or anywhere in the world. I might head out on a road trip and “meat” you there!

Looking for great burgers for the USA for National Burger Month? Here are some of my burger suggestions along with contributions from prominent and frequent travelers.

Sharing is caring!

3 thoughts on “Great Burgers Around the USA”

  1. Pingback: Epic Foodie Travel Bucket List Experiences Around The World - Go Epicurista
  2. I am a burger fan, 1000%. In each city I’ve ever visited, I’ve tried their most recommended burger. One of my favorite burgers was from Vortex in Atlanta.

Comments are closed.