Hear more about St. Louis’ best burgers on the Arch Eats podcast.
ST. LOUIS CITY
>> Downtown & Midtown
Farm Spirit. This culinary business was built around the double patty smashburger featuring local beef. Whether you’re ordering it at a market stall or at the kitchen inside Blue Jay Brewing, you’ll want to upgrade to the “yucky” version with caramelized onions in the house sauce. 2710 Locust, Midtown.
Intergalactic Burgers. The team behind Polite Society, Bellwether, and Sub-Division Sandwich Co. brings a smashburger shop to City Foundry Food Hall. The Big Bang—stacked with cheddar, guac, bacon, a fried egg, and red hot aioli—lands with exactly the fireworks you want. 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. Soulard’s thicker-than-usual smashed burger arrives with the confidence of a new classic and the garnishes to match. 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. An intimate room, American cheese, and perfect frites make the bistro burger sing—try it with a cool, plummy Malbec. 4580 Laclede, Central West End.
Retreat Gastropub. The Farmhouse stacks candied bacon, a runny egg, and cheese sauce on an alehouse bun; Parmesan-garlic fries with Parmesan aioli and ketchup complete the ritual. 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. Southside smashburgers wear white American cheese and ride shotgun with rosemary-Parmesan fries, while the draft list tips a cap to Busch. The whimsical interior gives way to a backyard patio that feels like a cozy Missouri state park. 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.
Little Lucy. The LL Cheeseburger features double smash patties with American cheese, tomato jam, and aioli on a brioche bun. Add a side of triple-cooked potato wedges and bask in the hot-pink glow of ultimate diner satisfaction. 4158 Manchester, The Grove.
Mac’s Local Eats. Chris “Mac” McKenzie’s dry-aged, whole-animal grind is smashed into lacy-edged patties that taste as beefy as they look. The Captain, a four-patty masterpiece shows off that meat-first elegance in a neat stack. 5656 Oakland, Cheltenham near Forest Park.
O’Connell’s Pub. One of the city’s most beloved options is a thick, sesame-seed-bun cheeseburger—American, cheddar, or Swiss—keeps its balance with an amber ale brewed by Schlafly; battered mushrooms with lemon and Mayfair dressing steal fries’ thunder. 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.
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CLAYTON, LADUE & UNIVERSITY CITY
5 Star Burgers. A flattop sear followed by an open-flame finish delivers a Maillard-blessed crust and smoky depth. Seven-day-a-week happy hour draws regulars for sliders, sides, and well-priced beer and wine. Don’t miss the $1 ice cream cone for dessert, in three flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel) but few people order the first two. 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 namesake burger with tahini-chipotle slaw shares billing with an Impossible option topped with white cheddar, grilled onions, arugula, tomato, and buffalo-seasoned mustard. 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. At this vegan cafe in DeMun, The Big Kahuna Burger with house made chorizo patty, grilled pineapple, grilled red onion, arugula, melted cashew cream, and orange teriyaki glaze is also gluten-free. 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. The Tavern Burger is a masterpiece of American Wagyu beef with local Cheddar atop a thick slice of white onion, all on a sesame bun. Even the sides of condiments (not to mention the pickle spear) are stellar at this handsome steakhouse. 7624 Wydown, Clayton.
WEBSTER GROVES & KIRKWOOD
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. 216 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves.
The Parkmoor. The Parkmoor’s King Burger is a generational steady-hand, but there are five other options that are just as tempting. Fork over the extra $1.25 for onion rings and thank us later. 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.
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. Since 1959, the counter stools and cash-only register frame smashed burgers stacked one to three patties high with molten cheese between, best chased by a house-made root beer float. Open daily. 9033 Manchester, Brentwood.
Michael’s Bar & Grill. A 10-ounce chopped-sirloin classic slathers on soft cheddar spread; cozy booths, an enclosed patio, and a lineup of Greek staples make it a perennial favorite. 7101 Manchester, Franz Park.
Schlafly Bottleworks. When fall hits, an Oktoberfest stein and a brioche-bound Bottleworks Cheeseburger feel like the most St. Louis pairing imaginable. 7260 Southwest, Maplewood.
NORTH COUNTY
Chuck-A-Burger. A ’50s time capsule where the Chili Cheese Chuck dares you to embrace the mess and thin, crispy fries make it worth it; classic car shows chrome-plate the nostalgia. 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)—finds balance with hoppy pours. 1545 N. Highway 76, Florissant.
WEST COUNTY
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. A Wildwood institution that would be as much at home in South City as it is in West County, Larry’s has a cult following for its fresh, juicy, thick burgers. The flavor makes them cravable, but what makes them even more special is that they are cooked to order by the same bartender pouring your Jack and Coke and settling up your Keno winnings—all at the same time. 16833 Manchester.
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.
Veritas. Southern roots show in a half-pound patty with pimiento cheese, pickled onions, quick pickles, onion jam, and greens, with optional braised pork jowl; a quarter-pound version keeps it flexible. Note that the restaurant will be closing in late December 2025. 15860 Fountain Plz, Ellisville.
The Village Bar. A red-and-white landmark with a 140-plus-year burger legacy; the Sourdough Burger—cheddar, bacon, grilled sourdough—captures the spirit as well as any pint. 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. At lunch, brunch, or on the patio, have it your way indeed, with a choice of half-pound classic or double smashburger, made from a custom beef blend from Creekstone Farm. For a decadent side dish, dial up to the Poached Lobster Whipped Potato. 10700 Watson, Sunset Hills.
METRO EAST
Cleveland-Heath. A grass-fed beef-and-pork blend on a potato bun elevates the familiar, while thin, crisp russet-sweet-potato fries prove irresistible. 106 N. Main, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Fast Eddie’s Bon Air. A $5 half-pound burger anchors a famously affordable menu—think peel-and-eat shrimp, fries, and a Big Elwood on a Stick for under ten bucks—served with live music, neon, and no-kids, cash-only attitude. 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.
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.
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
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. circle7ranch.com.
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. cornerpubandgrill.com.
Hi-Pointe Drive-In. Joyful chaos and griddle discipline meet in the Toklahoma, a double cheeseburger with mustard-seared pickles and grilled onions. The Dreamsicle shake, scented with orange blossom, is a playful, creamy counterpoint. hipointedrivein.com.
Mike Duffy’s Pub & Grill. Half-pounders are the house style, best prefaced by Buffalo chicken wing Rangoon or mikeduffys.com.
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. saltandsmokebbq.com.
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. shakeshack.com.
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. stackedstl.com.
Steve’s Hot Dogs. The home of the official hot dog of St. Louis also grills a mean smashburger at select locations. The classic version is just the start; as with the hot dogs, the magic at Steve’s is in the creative add-on toppings. steveshotdogsstl.com.
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. sugarfiresmokehouse.com.
SweetArt. The bakery-café riffs multiple ways, with the Make It Funky—house barbecue sauce, vegan bacon, and caramelized onions—leading the pack. sweetartstl.com.
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. threekingspub.com.
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. trainwrecksaloon.com.
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. twistedtavernstl.
Urban Chestnut. Known for brats and poutine, UCBC quietly turns out a tidy smashed burger and frites worth a stop between liters. urbanchestnut.com.
