The best burgers in St. Louis

Hear more about St. Louis’ best burgers on the Arch Eats podcast.

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ST. LOUIS CITY

Downtown & Midtown

Farm Spirit. Blue Jay Brewing’s award-winning lagers are reason enough to stop into its Midtown brewery, but the double-patty smashburger from Farm Spirit makes it an essential dining destination. The brainchild of chef Ryan McDonald, this gooey concoction is the embodiment of the smashburger form. When topped with the signature Yucky Sauce—a caramelized shallot and garlic condiment—it’s positively transcendent. 2710 Locust, Midtown.

Intergalactic Burgers. For a burger that will make you lose all notions of space and time, the Big Bang at Intergalactic Burgers inside City Foundry’s food hall can’t be beat. This stellar concoction is like a Southwest-inspired breakfast feast between two buns, complete with guacamole, cheese, bacon, a fried egg, and piquant red-hot aioli—a heavenly event indeed. Pair the Big Bang with an order of loaded waffle fries, whimsically named Rocket Fuel, Nebula, Close Encounter, and Wookiees. 3730 Foundry Way, Midtown.

The Midwestern. A saucy, two-hander piled with fry sauce, tomato jam, and soft pub cheese offers glorious messiness and shameless comfort. 900 Spruce, Downtown.

Soulard & Lafayette Square

Jack Nolen’s. Owner Jim Grindstaff once traveled the country in search of the best burger. The result of that quest is a classic smashburger made with a blend of brisket, short rib, and chuck; seasoned with his proprietary Three Kings blend; layered with a slice of American cheese; and wedged into a Martin’s potato roll. For a more adventurous bite, try the rotating burger of the month—The Firecracker even earned a permanent spot on the menu. 2501 S. Ninth, Soulard.

Planter’s House. A bar known for bespoke cocktails crafts an equally dialed-in burger with bone marrow onion marmalade and gruyere pub cheese. 1000 Mississippi, Lafayette Square.

Polite Society. Onion straws and smoked tomato glaze layer sweetness and crunch over a plush patty in a bookish, warmly lit setting. 1923 Park, Lafayette Square.

Central West End

Wildflower Saloon. The former BBQ Saloon recently rebranded, but it’s still a great spot for a smashburger. Tracy Czarnec, of the former Wildflower Restaurant & Catering, is spearheading the new concept. 4900 Laclede, Central West End.

Brasserie by Niche. Given the splendid array of brasserie specialties here—cassoulet, roasted chicken, croque-madame—ordering a burger seems like asking for a bottle of Mateus Rosé in a four-star Parisian café. Take a spot at the beautiful bar and dig into a classic burger, grilled to perfection, topped with American cheese, and served with a knife and fork in proper brasserie fashion. (Pass on the Mateus and go with a good pinot noir.) 4580 Laclede, Central West End.

Dressel’s. A jewel in the crown of authentic pub experiences, Dressel’s lamb burger is a big ol’ puck of buttery, tender ground meat, dressed with a dollop of goat cheese and apricot chutney. It’s a singular local burger adventure. 419 N. Euclid, Central West End.

Retreat Gastropub. This cozy corner spot was the flagship for Travis Howard and Tim Wiggins (now of Yellowbelly, Lazy Tiger, and Extra Wavy). It earned a devoted following for next-level cocktails and elevated pub fare. In the hands of two former employees, the restaurant is newly energized and arguably better than ever. One claim to fame is the Farmhouse Burger—two smashed beef patties layered with candied bacon, a sunny-side egg, and white cheese sauce on a sesame brioche bun. Pair it with tasty garlic-Parmesan fries or, at Sunday brunch, deep-fried house potatoes. 6 N. Sarah, Central West End.

The Hill & Dogtown

Anthonino’s Taverna. American, Greek, and Italian comforts converge on The Hill, including a burger that swaps in pancetta, feta, and tzatziki for a Mediterranean detour. Anthonino’s is also known for their toasted ravs, the perfect sharable. 2225 Macklind, The Hill.

Joey B’s on The Hill. On a menu where big portions are the norm, the 10-ounce burger comes a dozen different ways, with a choice of six cheeses and an equal number of side dish options. 2524 Hampton, The Hill.

Marconi Mercato. Nothing hits better than a late-night classic burger—except maybe The Hill Burger, with caponata siciliana, mascarpone mayo, and giardiniera. Also try the bison burger with onion jam or the Italian-influenced Wagyu sliders with basil aioli. 2030 Marconi, The Hill.

Pat Connolly Tavern. A family-run Irish pub turns out an 8-ounce Angus chuck (or Hungry Planet veggie) burger crowned with fried pickles, pub cheese, pickled jalapeños, and chipotle remoulade; kids eat half-off with a $25 purchase. 6400 Oakland, Dogtown.

Seamus McDaniel’s. A chili cheeseburger magnet for people who mean it when they say “comfort food.” All burgers are 10 ounces and come with crinkle cut fries. 1208 Tamm, Dogtown.

South City

Baileys’ Range. Since 2011, the flagship has championed Missouri grass-fed beef, veggie, and Match patties with house-made buns and a roster of condiments that reads like a pantry of small obsessions. Bacon jam, smoked pulled pork, and IPA cheddar sauce headline the build-your-own fun. Seeing what Dave and Kara Bailey did with a former service station is worth the trip alone. 4175 Shaw, Shaw.

The Golden Hoosier. The rustic tree stump stools, Smokey Bear sign, overturned canoe, and dark-brown campground shelters may transport you back to your favorite state park, but the perfectly lacy-edged smashburgers—including the bestselling Hoosier Burger—and crispy rosemary-Parmesan fries are a far cry from your usual campfire fare. Add a mini cooler of Stag for good measure. 3707 S. Kingshighway, South City.

Grace Meat + Three. Two dry-aged patties with a fragrant char and gooey white cheese on a toasted Companion potato roll team up with “comeback sauce,” a spicy remoulade that coats the bun just right. 4270 Manchester, The Grove.

Iowa Buffet. There’s no buffet, just a dive-bar flame-grilled burger with magical char from an ancient machine that’s earned its patina. 2727 Winnebago, Gravois Park.

Jovick Brothers Burgers. Casey Jovick’s menu includes chicken and veggie sandwiches along with deep fried all-beef hot dogs, but the headliner is the smashburgers, with five options including the Destroyer, a triple cheese, triple bacon monster with cheese curds and all the trimmings. 4993 Loughborough, Princeton Heights.

Mac’s Local Eats. The Captain, a four-patty masterpiece, is widely regarded as the beefiest-tasting burger in town, largely because Mac’s goes where other burger joints won’t. The secret starts with a whole-animal grind, pricey cuts included, dry-aged for 28 days before being smashed into thin patties with crisp, lacy edges. Its low fat content delivers maximum crunch and concentrated beef flavor. It is bottom-dressed with mandoline-shaved white onions, Mac’s not-too-sweet bread-and-butter pickles, and served on a three-inch Vitale’s Bakery egg bun. Ordering a quad burger anywhere else might seem excessive. Here, it’s the only way to go. 5656 Oakland, Cheltenham near Forest Park.

The legendary cheeseburger at O’Connell’s Pub

O’Connell’s Pub. O’Connell’s is St. Louis’ quintessential watering hole, “a pub back when most St. Louisans needed the word explained to them,” as the late Ann Lemons Pollack once put it. During its Gaslight Square days in the 1960s, it was known for its London broil, bagpipers, and hulking hamburgers. In 1972, the restaurant relocated to a former Anheuser-Busch saloon near The Hill, where it became synonymous with arguably the city’s best burger. The pandemic’s long shadow took a toll, and the restaurant is now for sale. For now, however, O’Connell’s remains one of the few places in town where a burger is still cooked to the specified temperature, from edge to blissful edge. 4652 Shaw, Shaw.

The Royale. Two 4-ounce grass-fed patties with sharp white cheddar, bacon, and fixings tuck neatly into brioche, a compact griddle charmer tuned for craft beer or a rye Manhattan; vegans can swap in Hungry Planet and dairy-free options. 3132 S. Kingshighway, Tower Grove South.

SOHA Bar & Grill. Ten iterations of double smash patties served on the classic Martin’s potato roll. The Hangover with American cheese, bacon, Tabasco mayo, and a sunny-side egg cures more than its namesake. 2605 Hampton, Dogtown.

Tree House. A vegetarian stalwart turning out a Beyond Burger kept crisp with lettuce, onion, and house pickles. 3177 S. Grand, Tower Grove South.

CLAYTON, LADUE & UNIVERSITY CITY

5 Star Burgers. White-tablecloth dining, burgers and fries, tapas and cocktails—for three decades, Steve Gontram has helped define St. Louis’ restaurant scene. After leaving the lauded Harvest in 2012, Gontram opened beloved burger joint 5 Star Burgers in Clayton and, in 2024, debuted No Ordinary Rabbit, serving tapas and cocktails. At 5 Star, the green-chile cheeseburger that inspired the concept is still Gontram’s favorite. Made with Hatch chiles flown in from New Mexico, the burger captures the unexpected flavor at the heart of Gontram’s restaurants. 8125 Maryland, Clayton.

Blueberry Hill. Eight burgers (two vegan), but the famous 7-ouncer—charred and juicy—remains the icon; dart boards, memorabilia, and a deep local beer selection round out a Delmar Loop pilgrimage. 6504 Delmar, Delmar Loop.

The Crossing. At lunch, a grass-fed burger with aged white cheddar and horseradish-romaine slaw battles for attention with the kitchen’s craveable house made beef tallow French fries—and often wins. 7823 Forsyth, Clayton.

Fitz’s. The Bourbon Burger—mayo-aioli, smoked cheddar, bacon—pairs naturally with one of 20 ice-cream floats (kids love the Cookie Monster), and bottling views on Delmar add a fizzy thrill. 6605 Delmar, Delmar Loop.

Frida’s. The plant-forward menu offers two veggie burger options. The signature Station Burger has a house-made meatesque patty, while the black bean burger is vegetable bliss topped with grilled jalapeños, red peppers, and Cajun aioli. 622 North & South, University City.

Half & Half. Known for breakfast but quietly excellent at lunch, where a burger with caramelized onions, jalapeño, and cheddar cozies up to breakfast potatoes and great coffee. 8135 Maryland, Clayton.

Lester’s. With 64 TVs and overstuffed sandwiches, the Certified Angus burger still stands out—just like Stan Musial, whose bronze likeness greets you outside. 9906 Clayton, Ladue.

Seedz Café. The DeMun fave has a reputation for healthy vegan fare that still feels indulgent. Its signature burger is a case in point. 6344 S. Rosebury, Clayton.

Truffles. A mile-high white American cheeseburger with house-smoked bacon and caramelized onions sets a fine-dining bar for indulgence, complete with herb Parmesan fries. 9202 Clayton, Ladue.

Wright’s Tavern. Everything about the burger at Wright’s Tavern drips with indulgence. Yes, the $26 price tag, but also, quite literally, the melty Prairie Breeze Cheddar and the thick Black Hawk Farms Wagyu beef patty, both tempered by the mellow acid of white onion. The towering burger conjures the golden age of luxury steakhouses and reminds you that some meals are just more magical when they’re served hot from a restaurant kitchen. 7624 Wydown, Clayton.

WEBSTER GROVES & KIRKWOOD

Balkan Treat Box. The pljeskavica is Balkan Treat Box’s answer to the juicy lucy, where 9 ounces of seasoned chuck, brisket, and short rib are pressed into two thin patties, stuffed with vegetables and gooey cheese, and pressed together before they’re grilled over wood and tucked into a pocket of soft, fluffy somun and garnished with a dollop of rich, creamy kajmak and sweet and smoky ajvar. 8103 Big Bend, Webster Groves.

Big Sky Café. The grass-fed bleu-cheese burger with balsamic reduction is a cult favorite, but the quinoa-lentil option with smoked mushrooms, fontina, and harissa aioli deserves a turn. 47 S. Old Orchard, Webster Groves.

The Block. An 8-ounce grass-fed burger with farmhouse cheddar begs for a fried egg and house bacon jam; a nightly patio happy hour adds an $8 slider special. 146 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves.

The Frisco Barroom. Before a quarter-pound smash, share poutine or buffalo tempura cauliflower, then grab a Frisco 1501 Historic Lager and migrate to the patio or rooftop for sunset. 8110 Big Bend, Webster Groves.

Olive + Oak. The O+O burger, tucked into a pretzel bun, balances richness with a bracing pickle snap like a trumpet line cutting through a swing band. Soccer fans can enjoy this beefy masterpiece at Energizer Park, where you get to experience it the way executive chef Jesse Mendica Risk likes it best: wrapped, which steams the beef, white American cheese, pickles, and bun for an extra-melty bite. 216 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves.

The Parkmoor. If you were born in St. Louis, there’s a good chance that the first Parkmoor figured into your origin story. Perhaps only the old Lambert Field’s airplane-watching spot instigated more romantic interludes. And it was probably The Parkmoor’s King Burger that instigated the whole shebang. Every bite oozes American cheese–coated, crispy-edged nostalgia. And yes, the onion rings are mandatory. This isn’t just a burger—it’s a legacy. 220 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves.

Perennial on Lockwood. Perennial is located in the same building as Olive + Oak, where a little of that burger magic rubbed off. Unlike O+O’s smashburger, the LW burger is a classic-size patty with pickled red onion and dijonnaise, but you can add thick-cut bacon and American, Gruyere, or pub cheese. 216 W. Lockwood, Ste. B, Webster Groves.

Spencer’s Grill. These smash burgers are an absolute bargain, whether you’re enjoying a single patty, the Jucy Lucy (double beef patties with American cheese melted between them, served on sourdough bread) or the triple Diner Smashie with white cheese and garlic aioli. 223 S. Kirkwood, Kirkwood.

Burger from The Blue Duck — The Blue Duck

MAPLEWOOD & BRENTWOOD

The Blue Duck. The Sam Elliott goes full Western with a spiced rub, redeye mayo, barbecue sauce, and a green-chile brioche bun. 2661 Sutton, Maplewood.

Carl’s Drive-In. This Route 66 institution may be best known for its crispy-edged smashed burgers and frosty mugs of root beer (made from the original IBC recipe), but regulars visit just as much for the banter with sisters Kelly McFerrin and Pam Martin, who have each clocked nearly 30 years behind Carl’s Formica counters. Grab one of the 16 shiny red bar stools to watch as they perform a carefully orchestrated ballet in the tight, 980-square-foot spot. News flash: effective spring 2026, Carl’s accepts credit cards. 9033 Manchester, Brentwood.

Michael’s Bar & Grill. The Michael’s Burger has been a local favorite for five decades—and it’s still made the old-school way. The 10-ounce patty is shaped from a special blend of chopped sirloin, then charbroiled to order and served with lettuce, pickles, onion, and tomato on a toasted bun. With a heap of tallow-cooked fries alongside, it’s a quintessential American dish on a menu that’s famous for Greek options, such as moussaka, gyros, and spanakopita. 7101 Manchester, Franz Park.

NORTH COUNTY

Chuck-A-Burger. The Triple Chuck may run a little bit more than it did when the restaurant opened in 1957. But $7.50 for the three-patty classic is still a bargain. 9025 St. Charles Rock Road, St. John.

Narrow Gauge Brewing. The burgers—including a playful PB&J riff (a bacon-Swiss burger with salted chipotle peanut butter and jalapeño-blackberry jam on pretzel)—find balance with hoppy pours. 1545 N. Highway 76, Florissant.

WEST COUNTY

Annie Gunn’s. Don’t let the giant pig sign fool you—burger lovers gravitate to this long-standing St. Louis favorite for The Legend, a beef extravaganza that beggars the imagination. Lovingly dry-aged ground beef patties are swaddled in bacon and a whole garden salad; then there’s Gorgonzola and a squirt of juices that recalls the flavor profile of a fine Lafite Rothschild. 16806 Chesterfield Airport, Chesterfield.

Clancy’s Irish Pub. At this sixth-generation establishment, choose from a classic thick or smashburger, dressed several ways. The patty melt and Frisco melt are also worthy contenders. Note the limited hours: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Monday through Friday (with the kitchen closing at 9 p.m.) 40 Old State, Ellisville.

Clancy’s Pub at the Barn. Clancy’s burgers use beef ground on site and come in three sizes: 6, 8, or 12 ounces. They’re also seasoned, with a choice of cheese. 930 Kehrs Mill, Ballwin.

Cobalt Smoke & Sea. The Duck Fat Burger turns quirky into craveable with bacon, arugula, grapes, and Boursin—a surf-and-turf mentality without the surf. 12643 Olive, Creve Coeur.

The Hive. This West County staple has blues-bar vibes, and serves eight char-grilled burgers, including the Flamin’ Raymond, dipped in hot sauce, pepper cheese, and jalapenos. 609 N. New Ballas, Creve Coeur.

Larry’s Tavern. Step into Larry’s Tavern, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported via wormhole to South City. This Wildwood institution is a bastion of old-school watering-hole culture, down to the vintage Budweiser décor, Bob Seger–blaring jukebox, and irreverent bartender who can pour four shots of Jack Daniel’s while talking smack and cooking a flawless char-grilled burger. Larry’s thick, backyard-cookout-style burger is delicious on its own—a thick, juicy patty kissed with grill smoke, topped with either American or pepperjack and garnished with some sliced white onions. Paired with the delightfully raucous energy of this West County gem, it’s one of the best bites in town. 16833 Manchester, Wildwood.

Mia Sorella. Trattoria Marcella’s sister spot hides a surprise show-stopper: the Peppercorn Burger with crispy fried onions, Fontina, applewood bacon, and aioli on a sesame-semolina bun, best enjoyed on the lively back patio. Bonus: the ketchup for your fries is house made. 14426 Clayton, Ballwin.

Pierce Creek. It stands to reason that the restaurant partner of the Pierce Creek Cattle Company butcher and market would have a fantastic burger. Fans of its MOObile food truck may already be familiar with the double smash patty with American cheese on a toasted potato bun. 10405 Old Olive, Creve Coeur.

SuWaller’s Bar & Grill. Beyond the solid half-pounder, the Fat Bastard—two grilled-cheese sandwiches bookending a quarter-pound patty—wins best name and a cult following. 2101 N. Warson, Unincorporated St. Louis County.

The Village Bar. The Village Bar traces its roots back to 1872, when the building housed a post office and general store. Order the signature Better Burger, served with Swiss on a kaiser roll, with a side of house-made onion rings. Save time to browse the memorabilia lining the wood-paneled walls of this scrappy tavern, including historic menus from beloved St. Louis restaurants of yesteryear. 12247 Manchester, Des Peres.

Westport Social. A sirloin-brisket-short-rib blend topped with cheddar and bacon fuels an evening of bocce, Pop-A-Shot, and ping-pong without breaking the bank. 910 Westport Plz, Westport.

SOUTH COUNTY

Concord Grill. Fifty-plus burger styles ensure a choose-your-own adventure—and yes, the deep-fried Twinkies are a thing. 11427 Concord Village, Concord Village.

Twisted Tree Steakhouse. Dinner may steer you toward a USDA Certified Prime, house-cut, dry-aged steak, but Twisted Tree’s custom-blended beef burgers deserve center stage at lunch, brunch, and on the patio. Choose a half-pound classic, offered five ways, or a double smashburger, with a choice of six sides, from house-made onion rings to poached-lobster whipped potatoes. A veggie patty can be swapped in for either burger. 10700 Watson, Sunset Hills.

METRO EAST

Cleveland-Heath. Mouton à cinq pattes—“rare as a sheep with five legs” is a byword for French hamburgers where the kitchen aspires to include some unique ingredient that sets its burger apart from the competition. At this celebrated Edwardsville joint, an aromatic black-garlic aioli is one special twist, as are the potato bun from La Bonne Bouchée and house-made pickles. The result: a burger you won’t find anywhere else, except Market & Main, Cleveland-Heath’s sister location opening this spring in Troy, Illinois. 106 N. Main, Edwardsville, Illinois.

Ed’s Delicatessen. With roasted bell peppers, mozzarella, marinated mushrooms, arugula, and pesto served on house-made focaccia, this stunning veggie burger showcases James Beard Award–nominated chef Eric Ed Heath’s knack for elevated flavor pairing. 222 N. Main, Edwardsville, Illinois.

Fast Eddie’s Bon Air. A half-pound cheeseburger for $3.99 is already a deal. But when coupled with the debauchery at this classic dive, it’s a jaw-dropping price for dinner and a show. 1530 E. Fourth, Alton, Illinois.

Sneaky’s Bar & Burger Joint. Wagyu from Miller Wagyu Ranch fuels classics and riffs like the Aunt Babette with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, fresh jalapeños, and house sauce. In the former Recess Brewing space, the beer haul (75+ cans plus rotating drafts) and vintage campaign signs make it an easy hang. 307 N. Main, Edwardsville, Illinois.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

BC’s Kitchen. Burger royalty status is earned with Angus beef, Swiss and cheddar, and a plush roasted-garlic aioli that ties the whole thing together. Bill’s Meister Burger (named after founder Bill Cardwell) includes blue and cheddar cheese, spiced tomato relish, applewood bacon, lettuce, onion, and tomato, but is only available at lunch. 11 Meadows Circle, Lake St. Louis.

Cottle Village Farmstead + Distillery. Stephen and Emily Savage’s little slice of Kentucky’s bourbon country in the heart of Cottleville has become a community gathering place, thanks to its transportive vibes, which invite you to pair a glass of bourbon on the rocks with the thick and juicy bacon-topped Tavern Burger that’s just as smoky as the distillery’s world-class spirits. 6470 State Route N, Cottleville.

Duke’s BBQ Shack. The Wentzville joint leans luxe with American Kobe beef in the Big Doobler double cheeseburger, a smoky-savory splurge that eats like a pitmaster’s secret. 100 Ash, Wentzville.

Tattooed Dog. The Porkonator piles bacon, greens, double American, and roasted-garlic aioli on a Kaiser roll, with revolving taps and a fried-Oreo sendoff. 11 Wentzville Bluffs, Wentzville.

Tony’s on Main. Known for having some of the best steaks in St. Charles County, this popular spot is the place on Main Street for a burger—especially during happy hour, when its thick, cheesy masterpiece with fries is $8. 132 N. Main, St. Charles.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

Gordon’s Stoplight Drive-In. Since 1948, Crystal City’s nostalgia hub has sizzled its way to legend; go Jumbo with slaw, chopped onion, and barbecue sauce, and tack on a hand-dipped chocolate shake for the full time-machine effect. 500 Bailey, Crystal City.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Basso. With arguably the best happy hour deal in town (from 4–6 p.m., Monday through Friday), Basso serves the same mouthwatering giardiniera and fontina-capped thick burger that’s beloved at dinnertime, complete with a side of fries, all for a mere $10.

Circle 7 Ranch. An Impossible Burger arrives on a signature branded bun, while gourmands test their mettle with the G.O.A.T., a custom blended double cheddar burger with avocado, onion straws, goat cheese, and a fiery honey BBQ sauce.

Corner Pub & Grill. Nine burger options include The Backyard ’Q, a half-pound patty with barbecue sauce, bacon, cheddar, and gluten-free onion rings on brioche. Others are topped with fried pickle chips, crushed tater tots, candied bacon bits, and pub cheese/grilled onions/bacon.

Hi-Pointe Drive-In. Giddyup to any of the local chain’s locations for a Cowboy Burger, which has only gotten better since winning the World Food Championships’ burger category five years ago. The 2026 version features double smash patties with cheddar and pepper jack cheese, plus bacon, onion straws, and barbecue sauce on a potato bun. If grass-fed, grain-finished beef isn’t your thing, then Hi-Pointe can also customize an Impossible patty to be vegan, kosher, and halal.

Mike Duffy’s Pub & Grill. Half-pounders are the house style, best prefaced by Buffalo chicken wing Rangoon.

Salt + Smoke. Bacon and beef double down in a barbecue-house burger built for hunger, best enjoyed on the St. Charles location’s tiered brick patio along historic Main Street.

Schlafly. When the weather turns crisp, few things hit the spot like an Oktoberfest stein and a burger from one of Schlafly’s three locations. Each outpost of St. Louis’ original craft brewery serves its own take on the burger, giving you every reason to try them all.

Shake Shack. Danny Meyer’s hometown hit keeps winning converts across the metro; a double SmokeShack—applewood bacon, chopped cherry peppers, ShackSauce—delivers that signature potato-bun snap.

Stacked Burger Bar. Carondelet’s risk-friendly burger lab pairs goat cheese with onion jam and leans sweet-heat with jalapeño-peach marmalade; even the turkey burger gets a flavor-amp. A sturdy whiskey selection rounds out the experience. The sophomore location occupies a prominent corner location (the former Pi Pizzeria) in the CWE.

Steve’s Hot Dogs. It was big news when owner Steve Ewing added gourmet smashburgers to the menu in 2024. The 3-ounce patty combines ground chuck, brisket, and sirloin. It’s seasoned with salt and pepper and flat-grilled. In keeping with the hot dog joint’s commitment to “bold, creative, over-the-top items that bring serious flavor and serious fun,” the burgers are topped with everything from fig jam to candied jalapeños to ranch.

Sugarfire Smoke House. The daily ground chuck-brisket-short rib blend proves so compelling it spun off a burger concept of its own, underscoring how well barbecue chops translate to beef on a bun.

SweetArt. The café and bakery moved to new digs in Grand Center and added a City Foundry location, though the plant-based Throwback Burger and Alice Walker’s Black Bean Burger are as juicy and delicious as ever.

Three Kings Public House. The Southwest Chipotle Burger brings jalapeño heat, pepper Jack, pico, guac, and chipotle mayo on brioche, supported by a deep rotating beer list and a sleeper lineup of cocktails.

Trainwreck Saloon. The roadside bison out front points to the right order: a lean, flavorful bison burger enjoyed under gazebos at Rock Hill or on the Westport patio during weekday happy hour.

Twisted Tavern. Half-pound, 100 percent Black Angus custom tri blend beef smash burgers from Creekstone Farms come five different ways, or customize it as you please.

Tucker’s Place. Tucker’s tagline is “The Place for Steaks,” but its burgers may be the best deal in the house. They’re thick, flawlessly cooked to temp, glazed in the restaurant’s signature steak sauce—and a steal at $10.99.

Urban Chestnut. Known for brats and poutine, UCBC quietly turns out a tidy smashed burger and frites worth a stop between liters.