Great burgers are unlike most things. They are transformative, umami-spiked sandwiches that can pour nostalgia over you as thoroughly as they can destroy a bad day. You’ll probably agree that a well-made hamburger is the meaning of life itself.
Looking to cross something off the proverbial burger bucket list? Here are 15 of the most historic and iconic places to get a hamburger in America.
Louis’ Lunch
New Haven, ConnecticutEstablished: 1895
Somebody needs to claim the hamburger was born in their restaurant, and Louis’ Lunch is the one to do it. These puppies are made in cast-iron broilers from the 1800s, and served on toasted white bread with onion, tomato and cheese. And please, don’t ask for ketchup.
Dyer’s Burgers
Memphis, Tennessee
Established: 1912
The building itself may be a century old at Dyer’s Burgers, but so is the grease. For over 100 years, the burger grease has been repeatedly strained and reused, giving you a literal taste of the past. This might be the most historic burger bite in the country.
Gilley’s Diner
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Established: 1912
Head into downtown Portsmouth and there won’t be many local lunch spots better than Gilley’s. Located in an old-school hot dog cart that was once carted around town on wheels, Gilley’s burgers and dogs are around over 100 years later for a reason: Portsmouth worships these burgers.
Kewpee Hamburgers
Flint, Michigan
Established: 1923
Kewpee* is one of the oldest fast-food chains in the U.S., just behind Nathan’s, A&W, and White Castle. The square burgers and stocky malts have been kicking around for a century, so get in there and see what all the fuss is about.
*No relation to Kewpie mayo, despite the similar name and mascot — though both were inspired by the Rose O’Neill dolls.Robert’s Grill
El Reno, Oklahoma
Established: 1926
Oklahoma fried onion burgers were born in El Reno, and even though Robert’s isn’t the originator (that would be Homer and Ross Davis at the now-closed Hamburger Inn), it’s probably the place in town that’s been doing them the longest.
The Oklahoma onion burger is, for those uninitiated to the regional burger style, a simple work of wonder: A whole lot of thin-sliced onions are smashed into a burger patty, and then when flipped, begin to caramelize in the grease. If done right, about half your patty is made of onion. Mouth watering yet?
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Brown’s Diner
Nashville, Tennessee
Established: 1927
Even if you took Brown’s Diner out of the equation, Nashville would be a strong player in the burger scene. The fact that the nearly 100-year old trailer is still going strong, flipping the burgers it’s famous for, is only a bonus. Of course you can’t eat a burger without fries, but make sure those hush puppies are on the table, too.
Kaelin’s
Louisville, Kentucky
Established: 1934
You remember how Louis’ Lunch is laying claim to the hamburger? Well, Kaelin’s is here to lay claim to the cheeseburger. Louis is like the manager that discovered the burger’s talent, but Kaelin is like the Berry Gordy that turned it into a star.
Billy Goat Tavern
Chicago
Established: 1934
The Billy Goat will live forever in the hearts and minds of SNL fans, but hordes of Chicago locals will name this burg the best in Chicago. The double patties and kaiser rolls never get old, but be honest, you’re just hearing “Cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheeseborger” in your head right now.
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Swenson’s Drive-In
Akron, Ohio
Established: 1934
Wesley “Pop” Swenson started serving up his famous Galley Boy (a double cheeseburger with two secret sauces) 90 years ago, but even today, Ohioans line up at the 20+ locations for the burger that Pop made famous. The olive garnish is just the, well, olive on top.
Winstead’s Steakburgers
Kansas City, Missouri
Established: 1940
Winstead’s is legendary in Kansas City, known for thin, crispy burgers with perfect lace that predates all Instagram trends. Also: Those extra thin edges will help you save room for one Winstead’s legendary shakes.
White Manna
Hackensack, New Jersey
Established: 1946
All the best sliders come from a place that starts with “White,” eh? The extra-lean patties from this legendary Jersey burger hut are world-famous for a reason, and certain to blow that similarly-named fast food spot out of the damn water.
The Apple Pan
Los Angeles
Established: 1947
Snuggle up to the counter at The Apple Pan and you’ll be in good company alongside LA locals and burger fanatics alike, all of whom have come here for one of the best burgers on the west coast. The Hickory Burger is famous for that smoky, ketchup-like sauce, but one of the Pan’s classic cheeseburgers works wonders all on its own.
Bob’s Big Boy
Burbank, California
Established: 1949
Not many places on this list are as fun as this legitimate historical landmark, and the slammin’ hamburgers only help. Stop by every Friday night for the classic car show, and just grab another Double Decker; these things taste better the later into the night you eat them.
Matt’s Bar
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Established: 1954
If you’ve ever had a burger stuffed with oozing cheese, a beautiful monster known as the Juicy Lucy, you have Matt’s to thank; the Minneapolis institution claims to have invented it. This is a top-tier burger destination, and one that any fanatic shouldn’t miss.
Ted’s Restaurant
Meriden, Connecticut
Established: 1959
Though the original steamed cheeseburger is said to have come from the now-closed Jack’s Lunch in Middletown, Connecticut, Ted’s has been steaming them over in Meriden since ‘59. These burgers are exactly what they sound like, and steamed (read: extra juicy).
Bonus: Hamburger America
New York
Established: 2023
Hamburger America opened two years ago, so it’s not really historic or iconic yet. However, this place is run by a guy named George Motz, the man who literally wrote the book on hamburgers. Nobody with more burger knowledge than this son of a gun exists, nobody, and as such, his burger spot is like 100 years of history wrapped into one, bustling, old-school, counter-service restaurant.
You’ve got three burger options here: his famous take on the Oklahoma onion burger, a smash, and even a burger inspired by our old pals at Swenson’s.
