With just three components – a beef patty, burger bun and cheese slice – cheeseburgers are pretty simple. But there are many different ways restaurants can go, from using American or Swiss cheese to a brioche or potato roll. Here we take a look at the cheesiest, most flavorful creations in America – read on to find the best cheeseburger in every state. Due to COVID-19, be sure to check local travel restrictions, including state travel advisories, and individual restaurant websites for dine-in, takeout and delivery options before you visit.
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Alabama: Hamburger Fonfon, Chez Fonfon, Birmingham
Perhaps an unexpected place to find the best cheeseburger in Alabama, Chez Fonfon is a beautiful French-style bistro with a front patio that will make you feel like you’re dining on a street in Paris. The restaurant’s Hamburger Fonfon has a thick patty, nutty Comté (a hard cheese made in eastern France) and grilled red onions – it’s one of the best around.
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Alaska: Filet Mignon Cheeseburger, Club Paris, Anchorage
Another French restaurant to make it onto the list, Club Paris is a fancy steakhouse that’s also known for its ground filet mignon burgers. Only on the lunch menu, the 6oz (170g) cheeseburger keeps it simple with lettuce, tomato, mayo and a slice of cheese, and comes with a choice of chunky fries, French fries or coleslaw. Customers say it’s always high quality and cooked to perfection.
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Arizona: The Melty, Monkey Burger, Tucson
If you’re a cheese fanatic, The Melty from Monkey Burger, a cheap and friendly burger joint in Tucson, is the burger for you. It features two 5oz (150g) beef patties layered with melted American cheese, smoked mozzarella, Cheddar and Swiss cheese. There’s also the option to add lettuce, onion and tomato. It’s been described as “tremendous” and “enormously good”.
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Arkansas: Bleu Moon Burger, Hugo’s, Fayetteville
A charming basement restaurant that has been around since 1977, Hugo’s is the place to go for beer, bourbon and burgers. The Bleu Moon Burger, featuring blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, red onion and mayo, is the favorite. You can choose how well done you want it, from “bloody” to “no pink”. Customers say nowhere else compares and the fries it comes with are great.
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California: Famous Drive-In Style Burger, Garaje, San Francisco
A dark and divey Mexican restaurant with diner-style booths and vintage art on the walls, Garaje is renowned for its Famous Drive-In Style Burger. It has a great char; features barbecued onions, dill pickles, lettuce and tomatoes; and is dripping in cheese and thousand island dressing.
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Colorado: The Classic, Border Burger Bar, Colorado Springs
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An old-school, hole-in-the-wall place that has been around since 1959, Ted’s Restaurant is family-owned and run by Ted’s son Paul. It’s famous for its signature Steamed Cheeseburger: a well-done but juicy burger with a thick layer of melted cheese poured over the patty. You can add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayo at no extra cost.
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Delaware: Wise Guy, Farmer & the Cow, Wilmington
Rustic joint Farmer & the Cow is known for its craft beer, cocktails and crazily good burgers. The patties are made in house with a blend of chuck, brisket and filet, and served with gourmet toppings. The crispy, saucy Wise Guy (topped with cured meat, pizza sauce, truffle mayo, Parmesan and fried mozzarella) is a cheese lover’s dream dish.
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Florida: Burger Station Burger, The Burger Station, Hernando
Visitors to The Burger Station, a quirky, retro restaurant in a restored gas station, swear by its burgers. The joint never uses frozen beef and cooks each meal to order so it always tastes hot and fresh. The menu is limited, but the Burger Station Burger with cheese, tomato and lettuce is a no-brainer. Get a milkshake and crinkle-cut fries too, then enjoy the meal on the patio overlooking the lake.
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Georgia: The Tower Of Power, The Companion, Atlanta
This bacon cheeseburger from The Companion, a cool and cozy bar that gets rave reviews, has everyone talking. Called The Tower Of Power, it features two patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, tangy mayonnaise, American cheese and bacon. Numerous people say it’s the best burger for miles.
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Hawaii: 50’s Burger, Chubbies Burgers, Honolulu
Often compared to Shake Shack, Chubbies Burgers is a busy burger truck known for its 50’s Burger, crinkle fries and homemade mayo. The burger comes in a soft potato bun and has a crisp patty made from beef from Kauai, Hawaii. Locals love it because despite this place’s popularity, the food is always hot and fresh.
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Idaho: Cowboy, The Ranch, Boise
Consisting of a 4oz (113g) Scottish Highland beef patty, Cheddar, lettuce, ketchup and pickles, the Cowboy comes from a food truck on family-owned Big Valley Ranch. Open since 2010, The Ranch gets rave reviews for its fresh and flavorful meat. Burgers come with skin-on Idaho fries, which are also said to be excellent, and a drink.
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Illinois: Bad Burger, Little Bad Wolf, Chicago
A rich and cheesy double-patty burger, the Bad Burger from trendy Little Bad Wolf is always a winner. It features two slices of American cheese, homemade pickles and red onion mayo, but customers swear it must have something else in it to make it taste so good. You should also check out the tacos, mac ‘n’ cheese and cocktails.
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Indiana: Breakup Burger, Heartbreaker, Indianapolis
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Iowa: The Dominie, DutchFix, Pella
Voted by Des Moines Register as one of the top 10 burgers in Iowa for 2021, The Dominie Burger is a masterpiece of a sandwich. A must-try for fans of Gouda (a hard Dutch cheese), it features two beef patties, bacon, smoked Gouda, melted Gouda curds, spiced beef, homemade pickles and a toasted bun. You can find it on the menu at DutchFix, an ice cream shack that serves Dutch street food.
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If you love burgers and barbecue, stop by Broadway Burgers & BBQ in Wichita so you don’t have to choose between the two. Here you can get a great-value, juicy, smoky cheeseburger, with a side of ribs and beans. The owner Jeremy is extremely friendly and happy to help you with your order.
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For a classic, juicy cheeseburger with a good sear and the right amount of salad and condiments, head to Bard’s Burgers & Chili and order the All-The-Way. The patty is made with ground chuck; topped with cheese, pickle, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup and mustard; and served on a toasted bun. Many people say it’s the best burger they’ve ever had.
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Once you try the Barbie Burger from Curbside Burgers, a burger truck turned bricks-and-mortar restaurant, you won’t be able to eat cheeseburgers from anywhere else. It’s a huge sandwich with two patties and American cheese. The little touches like pork belly preserve, roasted poblano mayo, sweet heat pickles and a brioche bun make all the difference.
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Maine: Willy Burger, Wild Willy’s Burgers, York
Sleepy coastal town York, at the southern tip of Maine, is where you’ll find Wild Willy’s, a charming restaurant serving one of the best cheeseburgers in the state. What customers love about the Willy Burger, with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, mustard, ketchup, pickles and mayo, is the toasted bun, juicy patty and that it’s always made fresh.
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Maryland: Cheeseburger, Burger Bros, Towson
What customers love about the Cheeseburger at no-frills burger joint Burger Bros is the value for money. You get a whopping 6oz (170g) Angus beef patty and you can customize it by adding extra patties or toppings such as bacon, caramelized onion, onion rings and salad. Everything else on the menu is top-notch too, including the fries and chicken wings.
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Massachusetts: The Craigie On Main Burger, Craigie on Main, Cambridge
A limited number of The Craigie On Main Burgers are made every day so if you want to try this creation, you have to be organized and put your order in early. But it’s worth the effort. The burger is made with three different cuts of beef, bone marrow and dried miso powder, and topped with Cheddar, salad and spiced ketchup. It’s served in a really good sesame seed bun.
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This cheesy, spicy, crunchy creation from Taystee’s Burgers, a family business in Dearborn, has everyone talking. Named Ali’s Notch-Yo-Burger, it’s a jazzed-up cheeseburger with American, Swiss, pepper jack and nacho cheese, plus beef bacon, Doritos, jalapeños, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo and hot sauce, in an onion bun.
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Minnesota: Lowry Hill Meats Burger, Lowry Hill Meats, Minneapolis
Where better to source a great-quality cheeseburger than a butcher? The Lowry Hill Meats Burger is a 4oz (113g) patty with homemade American cheese, caramelized onion, burger sauce, lettuce and pickles, in a brioche bun. There’s the option to add an egg, but it really doesn’t need it. You can also get fresh sandwiches, cured meats and steaks to cook at home at this neighborhood meat shop.
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Mississippi: Bacon Cheeseburger, R House, Columbia
Cute and unassuming country store R House, where you can get homemade jellies, honey and meats, has been bestowed the best burger in Mississippi award for two years running by the Mississippi Beef Council. The burger in question is an old-fashioned, homemade beef burger, with the option to add extras such as bacon and cheese. Two awards and hundreds of great reviews can’t be wrong.
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Missouri: Ugly Cheeseburger, Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes, Springfield
For a sandwich called Ugly Cheeseburger, it looks pretty appealing to us. It features two 4oz (113g) patties, sharp white Cheddar, butter lettuce, pickles, onion and a housemade condiment called “baaahd sauce”. It’s one of Black Sheep’s best sellers, alongside its truffle and Parmesan fries. There are three locations in Springfield.
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Montana: Wildfire, Backcountry Burger Bar, Bozeman
This saucy little burger features Montana beef, caramelized onions, crispy jalapeños, sriracha aioli and pepper jack cheese. You can make it a single or double patty, or swap beef for ground bison or a plant-based alternative. A little spicy but not too hot, it’s recommended by many customers. You’ll find the cheeseburger at Backcountry Burger Bar, a cool burger and beer spot with friendly staff, in Bozeman.
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Nebraska: The Original, Cheeseburgers, Omaha
At this late-night burger joint, The Original cheeseburger, featuring a beef patty, American cheese, mustard, pickle and onion in a toasted brioche bun, is the favorite. It’s cheesy, inexpensive, and always served quickly and piping hot. The place has a cool vibe with good music and welcoming waitstaff. There’s a second location opening on the outskirts of Omaha later this year.
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Nevada: Smoke & Fire Burger, Smoke & Fire, Las Vegas
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New Hampshire: The Wicked Burger, Wicked Fresh Craft Burgers, Conway
Family business Wicked Fresh is known to serve wickedly good cheeseburgers. Made from local, freshly-ground meat, the patties are smashed onto a griddle to sear the edges. The Wicked Burger is served with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and Wicked Fresh Sauce (similar to Big Mac sauce). You can go single, double or, if you’re really hungry, triple.
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New Jersey: The Standard, Diesel and Duke, various
Local chain Diesel and Duke took New Jersey by storm when it opened in 2014, thanks to its simple menu of delicious, cooked-to-order beef burgers. You can’t go wrong with a single or double The Standard. This hearty sandwich features a generous amount of American cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, aioli, ketchup and a toasted bun.
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New Mexico: Rustic, Rustic On The Green, Albuquerque
Like many great burger restaurants, Rustic On The Green started as a food truck but thanks to its popularity, moved to a bricks-and-mortar location. The go-to here is the Rustic, a freshly-ground, smoky beef patty topped with caramelized onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sauce, in a pillowy, soft bun. Everybody comments on how fresh it always is.
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New York: King’s Standard, Kings of Kobe, New York City
For an incredible cheeseburger, head to Kings of Kobe and order the King’s Standard. It’s a single or double 8oz (226g) American Wagyu beef patty topped with marinated, roasted tomatoes, white Cheddar, pickles and cherry pepper mayo. American Wagyu beef has the signature buttery, fat marbling of Japanese Wagyu, but is bred in the States.
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North Carolina: Barcelona Classic, Barcelona Burger, Mooresville
Soon to be your favorite burger, the Barcelona Classic keeps it simple with a thin, charred beef patty, American cheese, salad, pickles, house sauce and a warm, soft bun. It comes with a choice of sides including onion rings, mac ‘n’ cheese, roasted veggies and truffle fries. Find it at Barcelona Burger, a lovely, light, industrial-style restaurant and beer garden.
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North Dakota: ND Bison Burger, 46 North Pints & Provisions, Fargo
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Ohio: Classic, Preston’s, Columbus
Inside North Market Downtown, a food hall and market, you’ll find Preston’s, a great takeaway burger joint with a short but sweet menu of burgers, fries and chicken sandwiches. The Classic is the burger to order – a single or double smashed patty with “special sauce”, American cheese, shaved onion, iceberg lettuce and crunchy, homemade pickles.
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Oklahoma: Tavern Burger, The Tavern, Tulsa
A cheeseburger with a twist, the Tavern Burger features a plump beef patty topped with stilton cheese and mushroom cognac cream, in a challah bun. Challah is soft, fluffy bread that has been enriched with egg. Served at The Tavern, a fancy pub in Tulsa, it comes with skinny fries and gets glowing reviews.
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Oregon: Bless Your Heart Burger, Bless Your Heart Burgers, Portland
The perfect Bless Your Heart Burger features chili, onion, coleslaw, yellow mustard, homemade pickles and American cheese, and is described as having “a high flavor per cubic inch ratio” by impressed customers. Get it from Bless Your Heart Burgers, a cool, casual joint in Portland.
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Pennsylvania: Philly Burger, m2o, Philadelphia
For some of the best burgers in Philadelphia head to m2o, a neighborhood hangout with tons of great options. The Philly Burger, a spicy, saucy burger with Cheese Whiz (processed cheese sauce), fried onions and sliced jalapeños, is a nacho-lover’s dream. There are two other locations in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and Newark, Delaware.
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Rhode Island: Crunch Burger, Harry’s Bar & Burger, various
To make a Crunch Burger, take a Harry’s Classic Cheese, which features a freshly-ground beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, pickles and special sauce in a potato roll, and add fried onion straws. Customers love it, saying it’s the perfect size and not expensive. It can be found at one of Harry’s Bar & Burger locations in Lincoln, Providence or Newport, Rhode Island.
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South Carolina: Classic, Big Gun Burger Shop, Charleston
If you’re after a cheeseburger in Charleston, look no further than the Classic from Big Gun Burger Shop, a biker-style bar with music. A buttery, delicious sandwich, it features a patty, double American cheese, onion, pickles and “big gun sauce” in a toasted bun, and comes with crisp fries. You should also check out the beer selection and root beer.
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South Dakota: The Classic, Black Hills Burger & Bun Co., Custer
Everything about The Classic burger from small town burger joint Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. is perfect according to customers. It features a 6oz (170g) beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and housemade pickles, and you can choose between American, Cheddar or pepper jack cheese. If you fancy it, swap in a buffalo patty or double up. It comes served with baked beans, coleslaw or fries.
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Tennessee: Cheese Burger, The Pharmacy Burger, Nashville
Three types of cheese – yellow Cheddar, Swiss and Muenster (a semi-soft cheese with a washed rind) – plus tomato and roasted garlic aioli make this one of the cheesiest, most flavorful cheeseburgers ever. It’s one of the customer favorites at popular Nashville joint The Pharmacy Burger, which has a beautiful beer garden and cool German beers.
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Texas: BBQ Burger, Tookie’s Burgers, Kemah
A huge state needs a huge burger as its favorite – and the BBQ Burger at old-school joint Tookie’s fits the bill. It features a beef patty, barbecue sauce, pickle, Cheddar and a giant onion ring. The patty is marinated in barbecue sauce and onions to give it extra flavor. You’re sure to love whatever you order off the menu here.
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Utah: c.o. Burger, The Copper Onion, Salt Lake City
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Vermont: Worthy Burger, Worthy Burger, South Royalton
For an amazing cheeseburger, friendly atmosphere and great service, head to Worthy Burger, a rustic joint with three restaurants in Vermont. The burger to order is its namesake, which features a 6oz (170g) beef patty, Cheddar, secret sauce, lettuce and red onion. It gets only good reviews from those who have tried it and comes served with a side of beef tallow fries.
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Looking for a classic cheeseburger in Richmond? Look no further than Beauvine Burger Concept, loved for its Fruity Pebble milkshake, duck fat fries and heated outdoor seating. The Beauvine burger features American cheese, pickles, red onion, tomato, lettuce, Beau sauce and a brioche bun. But what’s really cool is you can choose between a beef, turkey, soy or plant protein patty.
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Washington: The Big Boom, Boomers Drive-In, Bellingham
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West Virginia: Classic Cheeseburger, Blue White Grill, Martinsburg
Serving customers in Martinsburg since 1958, Blue White Grill has had quite a few years to perfect its Classic Cheeseburger recipe. A favorite on the menu here, it features a freshly-ground beef patty, lettuce, tomato and cheese, and is served in a brioche bun alongside fries, onion rings, tater tots or coleslaw. The diner vibe and old-school booths really make the experience.
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Wisconsin: Juicy Lucy, 11:11 Burgers & Beignets, Fond Du Lac
An unconventional cheeseburger, the Juicy Lucy looks like a regular hamburger from the outside, but when you bite into the patty, molten Cheddar and American cheese come oozing out. Plus at local joint 11:11, orders are totally customizable so you can add jalapeños, extra cheese (American, Cheddar, pepper jack and provolone), maple bacon and salad, or swap your bun for a pretzel one.
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Wyoming: The Liberty Burger, Liberty Burger, Jackson
A Texas burger restaurant which moved into Jackson, Liberty Burger is well worth a visit for its flagship offering The Liberty Burger. It comes with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, but you can ask for cheese and bacon to be added. Customers say it’s worth upgrading your patty to a bison one, for a juicy burger with tons of flavor that isn’t greasy.
