Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Looking for another excuse to enjoy a burger this week? This Thursday, August 25, is National Burger Day. St. Louis, of course, has no shortage of great spots to celebrate. The most quintessential of American comfort food comes in many shapes and sizes, from the patties to the buns to the toppings. Whatever your preference, the 10 spots below are sure to point you in the right direction. And of course, there are many more noteworthy options to consider: Carl's Drive-In, Burger 809, Blueberry Hill, Intergalactic Burgers at City Foundry STL... The list goes on.
When a fine-dining chef as acclaimed as Steve Gontram decides to open a burger joint, it’s worth checking out. 5 Star serves the only burger whose patty is first seared on a flattop grill (imparting a gorgeous crust Maillard himself would be proud of) and then finished on an open flame. The result: a classic, charred, juicy burger of the thicker variety. The happy hour, offered seven days a week, is wildly popular, with sliders and sides costing just a few bucks, as well as discounted craft beer and wine specials. 8125 Maryland.
Choose from Missouri grass-fed, all-natural beef, veggie, or Match patties. Load your burger with such toppings as bacon jam, smoked pulled pork, and IPA cheddar sauce. Everything from the dozen condiments to the beer buns are made in house. While its two-story, 6,000-square-foot flagship downtown location has been open for more than a decade, Baileys’ Range recently renovated an old auto garage to open a second spot, in the Shaw neighborhood. See website for addresses.
Last year, Ryan O’Day (a.k.a. Chappy) opened a new concept in Edwardsville: a car-themed fried chicken-and-burger joint that's especially kid-friendly. (A Hot Wheels car comes with every kids meal.) All of the burgers at Chappy’s—including the STL 66 burger, topped with Provel, bacon, pickle, and a “Super Secret Sauce”—are made from a proprietary steak and brisket blend from Creekstone Farms. 1031 Century, Edwardsville.
Whether you choose to eat at the original location (in a converted shipping crate with a neon rocket ship and a cow named George on the roof) or downtown (under the gaze of a two-story mural of a friendly space alien), dining at Hi-Pointe means motley smashed burgers served with an altogether silly, joyful approach. You can’t go wrong with the Arch D-Lux, a double burger with American cheese, bacon, ketchup, the restaurant's “special d-lux sauce,” and LTOP on a sesame seed bun. Milkshakes, notably the creamy orange blossom–scented Dreamsicle, go hand in hand with the burgers and fries. See website for addresses.
Before the pandemic, if you wanted to enjoy one of Chris “Mac” McKenzie’s popular smashed burgers, then you had to get in line. “We already need a bigger boat,” says McKenzie, who moved from Tamm Avenue Bar to Bluewood Brewing to a dedicated space in the former Brew Hub Taproom location south of Forest Park. The reason for the lines? The patties are ground from every cut of the animal and dry-aged, then smashed into a thin, crisp burger. Stacked as high as you desire, each cheeseburger is topped with only the condiments that complement the rich, intensely beefy flavor of the meat. As close to a perfect cheeseburger as you’re likely to find, Mac’s Classic (with ketchup, mustard, house-made pickles, onion, and American cheese) is as elegant as it is delicious. We go all in with the four-patty, half-pound Captain (pictured above). 5656 Oakland.
Located in the same space as Tamm Avenue Bar, Nomad has been delighting folks with a variety of new American fare, including burgers, since opening in 2020. The menu offers five burgers, including a build-your-own grass-fed burger option and a veggie burger made with a 100 percent vegetable base using local ingredients. Adventurous patrons might opt for the Dumpster Fire, a burger featuring two heritage pork patties, bacon, pimento cheese, lettuce, onion, and pickles on brioche. 1221 Tamm.
For the more classic burger variety, visit O’Connell’s. The family-owned bar has been in business for more than 50 years and keeps it simple but high quality. The bar itself is charming and historic (the building was built by Anheuser-Busch in the early 1900s), but the 9-ounce ground sirloin burger has its own multi-generational following. 4652 Shaw.
This Carondelet spot isn't afraid to take risks with wild topping combinations. Match-ups such as grilled pineapple with ham, sauerkraut with an entire bratwurst, or a strawberry-maple jam–daubed sunny egg amp up the flavor to 11. And the lengthy whiskey selection offers a little imbibing with your burger. 7637 Ivory.
For a fancier destination, consider this Sunset Hills steakhouse. You could order the 16-ounce ribeye, but consider the Stout Burger, made with beer-caramelized onions, manchego, and sriracha aioli, along with the signature onion rings. 10700 Watson.
Known for breakfast and lunch, Winslow’s Table is also a gem for burgers on Thursday evenings—which just so happens to line up with National Burger Day this year. Every Thursday from 4–7 p.m., the University City restaurant offers a classic diner-style burger made using grass-fed beef, your choice of one or two smashed patties, as well as American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and thousand island dressing. Every burger is served with a side of crispy shoestring fries. 7213 Delmar.
Courtesy Winslow's Table
A double cheese smashed burger at Winslow's Table in U City
