Burgers are one of America’s favorite comfort foods — and one with a particularly fascinating history — even outranking hot dogs for some people. From California to Connecticut, local eateries serve up versions both classic and inventive for prices in the same neighborhood as a Whopper or Big Mac. We looked into the nooks and crannies of the country to find inexpensive, crave-worthy burgers in every state where you can pick-up an order, get it curbside, or even have it delivered.
Related: Where to Order Good Cheap Burritos in Every StateAlabama: Hamburger Heaven
BirminghamKnown for burgers for more than 30 years, Hamburger Heaven has kept prices low. A cheeseburger with pickles, onions, Hamburger Heaven sauce, and mayo goes for under $5. Each of the four locations in Birmingham is locally owned and operated, but at the Gardendale location, you can order online for pick-up or curbside delivery.
Related: Best Hole-in-the-Wall Burger Joint in Every State
Alaska: Burger Queen
Ketchikan The hamburger runs $7.50, but this roadside stand is famous for its oversize portions. It also boasts free delivery, for when you want the burger to come to you.
Arizona: Lenny’s Burger Shop
Phoenix and vicinityAt $5 for a cheeseburger, this burger shop with six outposts in the Phoenix area is a staple for local burger lovers. At Lenny’s Burger Shop, everything on the menu is fresh and never frozen, and the ’50s-style decor attracts nostalgia buffs. You can also order online at most locations.
Arkansas: BubbaLu’s Bodacious Burgers & Classy Dogs
Hot Springs Who wouldn’t be enticed by a restaurant offering “bodacious burgers?” But the affordable prices are just as alluring. Hefty one-third pound burgers go for $5.50 at BubbaLu’s, while the chili cheeseburger is only $6.25. Not surprisingly, lines form fast at the ’50s-style diner (order online to bypass them) but it’s a restaurant that’s worth the wait.
California: Olympian Burgers
Los Angeles Olympian Burgers sells burgers for as little as $4.11, as well as inexpensive stuffed breakfast burritos and omelets. The restaurant also takes pride in its special recipes for salsa, Thousand Island dressing, and onion rings.
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Colorado: Snarfburger
Boulder and DenverThis little burger hut is popular among university students looking for cheap and tasty comfort food. Snarfburger’s small $4.95 burgers come fully loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and sauces, including mayo and hot sauce. Avocado, mushrooms, A1, relish, and Thousand Island dressing are also available. Order online and get it delivered through DoorDash.
Connecticut: Merritt Canteen
Bridgeport Featured on Food Network and in business since 1942, Merritt Canteen specializes in burgers. Small burgers start at $2.75, and third-pounders go for $4. In addition to extra toppings such as fried peppers and chili cheese, turkey, bison, and veggie patties are available. Order online and someone will bring your order to your car.
Related: 30 Wild and Wonderful Burger Toppings for Your Next Cookout
Delaware: The Dog House
New Castle This bare-bones greasy spoon boasts $2.95 hamburgers and $3.15 cheeseburgers. It’s not fancy, but it is dependable American comfort food. Bring cash, because credit cards are not accepted at The Dog House.
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Florida: The Burger Place
Melbourne The Burger Place is a no-frills, patty-flipping outpost that serves all its burgers on homemade buns. While it may not be a tourist attraction, it is a beloved spot for locals to enjoy burgers starting at $5.19 for a quarter-pound patty. Order online for pick-up.
Georgia: Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Atlanta Specializing in Southern hospitality and house-ground burgers, Grindhouse has junior burgers for $4.99, with cheese for 75 cents and grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms available for 50 cents each. The Grindhouse empire now includes seven outposts. Order online for pick-up or get your food delivered through DoorDash.
Hawaii: W&M Bar-B-Q Burger
HonoluluThis bare-bones spot in Honolulu is a local go-to for inexpensive, fast-food-style burgers that are purported to be a step above the big chains. Tourists in the know can pop in at W&M to try a cheeseburger for $5.10. Order take-out, and social distancing is encouraged in the pick-up line.
Idaho: Frankie’s Burgers
Mountain Home Frankie’s is a straightforward joint offering a burger for $5.95, including fries, as a Monday special. The menu has many of the usual suspects for toppings, including pickles, tomatoes, and onions. Almost everything is under $10.
Illinois: Big & Little’s
ChicagoForget ketchup and mustard — at Big & Little’s, try spicy Thai sauce, Samurai sauce, chili aoli, or sweet and spicy chili sauce. A classic burger, which costs around $8 at all four locations, can still come with the usual condiments if preferred. Order online for delivery or pick-up.
Indiana: Hinkle’s Sandwich Shop
Madison It’s almost hard to believe the prices are so low at this sandwich shop, which opened in 1933. Hinkle’s offers burgers for $1.75 and cheeseburgers for 10 cents more, although lettuce and tomato are an additional 45 cents each.
Iowa: Jim’s Coney Island
Des MoinesFamily-owned for 40 years, this burger joint pays homage to New York’s Coney Island. The restaurant offers plain hamburgers for $2.85 and “Coney style” burgers with chili for $3.35. Call ahead to place a carry-out order.
Kansas: Broadway Burgers & BBQ
Wichita Broadway Burgers & BBQ sells basic hamburgers for $3.99, and a cheeseburger combo with fries and a drink is $6.25. The family establishment always serves up friendly hospitality on the side. The burger joint is currently offering delivery with Postmates and DoorDash and a new website accepting online ordering is in the works.
Kentucky: Home Run Burger
Louisville This humble Louisville spot is beloved by locals and people passing through for honest food at cheap prices. At Home Run Burger, the basic burger goes for $4.69, and a bacon cheeseburger is $6.19. The original has won a number of “Best Burger” awards over the years. Order online for curbside service or take-out.
Louisiana: Judice Inn
LafayetteThe Judice Inn is a local institution that has been around since 1947, when the owners built the original building themselves with the help of friends and family. Hamburgers have the distinction of a “secret sauce” made daily on the premises and run $3.75 — including sales tax. Order online for pick-up or delivery.
Maine: Burger Boy
Caribou Burger Boy is a seasonal fast-casual place with the look of an old-fashioned drive-in burger stop. A quarter-pound burger starts at $4.26 and can be upgraded to include fries and slaw for $7.05. Try the drive-thru for easier pick-up.
Maryland: Sunshine General Store
BrookevilleThe small Sunshine General Store is an unassuming culinary hotspot, charging $6.40 for a half-pound burger and $6.95 for a cheeseburger. Go early and call in your order to avoid a wait. Good news: they ended the longtime cash-only policy to accept debit and credit cards.
Massachusetts: The Fill-A-Buster
Boston Insiders know this Boston cafe offers great value, with a burger and fries for only $5.25, or $5.50 if you want to add cheese to your burger. Serving the neighborhood for more than 35 years, the Fill-A-Buster has a loyal following.
Michigan: Laura’s Little Burger Joint
Decatur A Decatur staple, this seasonal, no-frills walk-up shop sells burgers starting at $4.95. Typical add-ons such as bacon and cheese are available at Laura’s, with a focus on consistency over creativity.
Minnesota: Matt’s Bar
MinneapolisThis Twin Cities landmark has a $8.50 Jucy Lucy, but budget seekers can get a burger for $3.95 and a cheeseburger for $4.50. Be prepared to wait (and to pay with cash or local checks) for a take-out order, as Matt’s has many devoted followers.
Mississippi: Stamps Superburgers
Jackson This greasy spoon is a bare-bones place serving burgers for $5.45 and cheeseburgers for $5.95. The small sign and plain decor inside and out might not catch the eye, but Stamps Superburgers is worth a visit for great, cheap burgers.
Missouri: Booches Billiard Hall
Columbia This college-town pool hall serves a legendary burger that has been named to a national top 10 list. Served unceremoniously on wax paper and starting at $4, it’s a deliciously unpretentious bargain. But be forewarned — due to an increase in the cost of beef, the restaurant has informed customers prices may go up — but only temporarily.
Montana: Nap’s Grill
Hamilton Located in the tiny town of Hamilton (pop. 4,809) at the far western edge of the state, Nap’s earns high praise for the quality and the size of their burgers. Diners can enjoy 3-ounce, 6-ounce and 12-ounce burgers for $3.75, $6.25, and $9.25, respectively. There’s even a Belly Buster for $17.50.
Related: These 20 Cheeseburgers Have More Than 1,000 Calories
Nebraska: Louie M’s Burger Lust
Omaha Louie M’s is an Omaha favorite for American classics. Score a half-pound hamburger for less than $6 every day for lunch. Other options under $7 include a taco burger and a Cajun burger.
Mom’s Diner
PahrumpThis family diner makes its $5.85 hamburgers and $6.45 cheeseburgers exactly how you’d expect Mom’s Diner to: with a quarter-pound of fresh-ground chuck, formed by hand, with fries included. The Slam Dunk Burger comes on grilled Parmesan sourdough.
New Hampshire: Lexie’s Joint
Portsmouth and three other cities This upbeat restaurant with a “Peace, love, and burgers” motto now has four locations across New Hampshire. The menu features a basic burger for $5, though you can get muenster, blue cheese, pepper jack, American, or cheddar cheese for a little more.
New Jersey: White Manna Hamburgers
Hackensack This burger joint in Hackensack (not to be confused with White Mana in Jersey City) sells hamburgers for $1.70 and cheeseburgers for $1.99, is the stuff of myth and legend in New Jersey, and has enjoyed visits by Guy Fieri and Anthony Bourdain. With an almost cultish following, White Manna offers take-out or delivery for online orders.
Related: 30 Celebrity Chefs’ Favorite Burger Recipes
New Mexico: Sparky’s Burgers
Hatch There’s no better place to try a green chile cheeseburger ($10.99, but that includes one side order and a drink) than at Sparky’s Burgers in Hatch, the town that provides the namesake to the famed New Mexican chile. The colorful art deco restaurant has also become a major roadside destination for its exceptional wood-fired barbecue dishes.
New York: The Starlight
BrooklynHalf old-school diner and half hipster joint, the Starlight offers a 5-ounce burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion for $5 during the daily happy hour. The beef patty on a soft bun is a throwback to classic diner fare, in an atmosphere to match. While the Starlight isn’t accepting online orders for delivery yet, it will be soon.
Related: Cheap Places to Eat in NYC
North Carolina: Only Burger
Durham This food truck-turned-restaurant (with two locations, no less) specializes in all types of burgers, from beef to vegan and even lamb. At Only Burger, a classic hamburger with traditional toppings costs $5.58. Fried green tomato with pimento cheese sliders are also available. Order online for pick-up.
North Dakota: Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews
Fargo and four other citiesWith two locations in North Dakota, this roadside stand with a biker vibe offers a Garage cheeseburger for $8.49 and “supercharged” burgers starting at $11.49. At Sickies, you can choose from a Jameson burger (made with Jameson whisky barbecue sauce), a pizza burger, and more. Free delivery and guaranteed low prices are available when you call in your order to Sickies directly.
Ohio: The Hamburger Inn Diner
Delaware Burgers at this humble restaurant go for as little as $4.25. Double and triple versions are available for more per patty. A classic luncheonette-style diner, the Hamburger Inn has been owned by the same family since 1932 and is also the home of the Monster Hangover Burger. Call in your order for curbside pick-up and carryout.
Oklahoma: Tucker’s Onion Burgers
Oklahoma City This burger joint pays homage to the 1920s tradition of including onion in the patty to stretch the beef. These days there’s no shortage of high-quality beef, but the onion remains in the recipe. At Tucker’s Onion Burgers’ three Oklahoma City locations, a basic burger starts at $5.75, which includes a long list of free toppings. Order online for curbside pick-up or choose delivery from Postmates.
Oregon: Little Big Burger
Portland Starting with locations around Portland and expanding into Washington and North Carolina, Little Big Burger features local and natural products. It offers $5 hamburgers and $7 Beyond Burgers, and the $3 truffle fries are also a bargain. Order online for delivery or pick-up — the restaurant is waving all delivery fees for DoorDash and Uber Eats, but only for those who order through the Little Big Burger website.
Pennsylvania: Coney Island of Scranton
Scranton This New York-themed restaurant has been operating continuously in the same location since 1923, and although the prices likely have gone up since then, they haven’t gone up much. A Texas hamburger at Coney Island of Scranton costs $3.50, and a cheeseburger sets diners back $3.75.
Rhode Island: Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers
Central FallsThis retro joint has been open since 1932, and it’s won multiple awards for its burgers and fries. The price can’t be beat, either — $2.19 for a hamburger and $2.89 for a cheeseburger. The prime mission of immigrant Stanley Kryla was to give Depression-era consumers an honest, affordable hamburger. It’s a slogan that makes just as much sense today.
South Carolina: Steve’s Classic Burgers
Columbia Steve’s Classic Burgers is a faith-based food ministry and restaurant that offers daily low prices across its menu, with junior burgers starting at $3.99. Burgers are marinated overnight to ensure a juicy and flavorful patty. Order online for pick-up.
South Dakota: Lewie’s Saloon & Eatery
Lead Lewie’s slings half-pound burgers for $5.50 every day. The restaurant cultivates a fun, community vibe with trivia nights and free Wi-Fi, but there is social distancing for both inside and outside seating since the restaurant re-opened in May. Not far from Sturgis, bikers are welcome!
Tennessee: Tony B’s Fresh Hamburgers & Fries
DicksonOpen since 2010, Tony B’s has become a local staple for grilled burgers and fresh-cut fries. Starting at $6.25, the burgers come with the basics (tomato, lettuce, onion, pickle, mayo, and mustard). Be warned: Tony B’s is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Texas: Freiheit Country Store
New Braunfels Located between Austin and San Antonio, this “burger joint with German heritage” earns praise for its reasonable prices and its truly Texas-sized portions. Basic quarter-pound burgers start at $6, but there’s also a hefty menu of special “Freiheit Burgers” that weigh at least a half pound and top out at the Feiheit Extreme ($12) which weighs in at a full pound. Diners can eat indoors or out at Freiheit Country Store, which also hosts live music. Since reopening, the restaurant is making sure that hand sanitizer is available, the dining area is frequently sanitized, and seating is according to social distancing guidelines.
Utah: California Burgers & Deli
Salt Lake City This humble eatery is known for inexpensive burgers. At California Burgers & Deli, prices start at $3.50 for a hamburger and $4 for a cheeseburger. Best of all? There’s a drive-thru.
Vermont: Burger Barn
Jeffersonville This seasonal stand — open spring through fall — is easy to miss but a local favorite for takeout. The Burger Barn’s grass-fed burgers start at $6, with three pages of specialty options such as a Reuben burger with kraut and Thousand Island dressing. Call ahead for take-out.
Virginia: Carytown Burger & Fries
RichmondLocated in a 19th-century house, this quirky burger joint offers one-third-pound hamburgers for $7.49 and cheeseburgers for $7.69. With three locations, Carytown Burger & Fries takes pride in using fresh meat, never frozen. Order online for carryout or delivery.
Washington: Rain City Burgers
SeattleOpened in 2010, Rain City serves only fresh and natural beef patties with no added hormones, no antibiotics, and 100% vegetarian-fed diet. It has about 14 burgers on its menu, ranging from a classic with no cheese for $5.99 to the 12th Man: two beef patties, four slices of bacon, and two slices of American cheese on a special bun for $9.99. Order online for pick-up.
West Virginia: Crockett’s Lodge
Morgantown With prices starting at $7.95, this pub serves up classic burgers with a few twists, like a grilled cheese bacon burger. In addition to good burger prices, Crockett’s Lodge offers a full bar with equally low drink prices.
Wisconsin: Mary’s Place
Wisconsin DellsThis Wisconsin Dells outpost is beloved for straightforward sausage sandwiches and hot dogs but also serves up burgers. A basic hamburger starts at $3.95 and a cheeseburger is $4.25. At Mary’s Place, the menu is simple, the atmosphere is homey, and the prices can’t be beat.
Wyoming: Broadway Burger Station
Rock Springs This longtime favorite offers a homemade alternative to fast food chains. Broadway Burger Station’s basic burger is a “juicy patty on a warm bun” for $5.29. Add-ons and specialty burgers include toppings such as cheese, pastrami, and bacon.
