Many states and restaurants claim to be the birthplace of the hamburger. However, we believe the exact origins are less important than the results: Flavorful meat patties sandwiched inside a soft roll, with an almost endless array of possible toppings. From the simplest burger at a cookout to an over-the-top creation at a specialty restaurant, burgers come in varieties to suit ever taste and temperament.
So we’ve rounded up 12 must-try versions of this most iconic of American foods for National Burger Month.
Sweet & Salty at A&B Burgers, Beverly
As the name suggests, A&B knows a thing or two about burgers. The regular menu includes eight options and specials can expand that count. The Sweet & Salty is a perennial favorite, topping a beef patty with burrata, bacon, fig jam, arugula. If you’re cutting back on red meat consider substituting a turkey patty or veggie burger, of if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, upgrade to the tender, flavorful wagyu beef.
Elm Square Oyster Co., Andover
A burger might seem like a more casual dish, but this one has definitely earned its place among the crudo, charcuterie, and seafood on Elm Square’s menu. The eight-ounce, all-natural, certified angus beef chuck patty is ground in-house, placed on a toasted brioche bun, and finished off with watercress, charred onion, grain mustard aioli, and cloth-bound farmhouse cheddar.
Pavilion Burger at 1606 Restaurant & Bar, Gloucester
No matter how much the menu at 1606, the restaurant inside the Beauport Hotel, evolves, the quality of the burgers remains constant. The Pavilion Burger is an impeccable take on the classic cheeseburger, with tomato jam and a roasted garlic aioli. Grab a table near the window to enjoy scenic views of Gloucester harbor – if you can tear your attention away from your plate.
Double Burger at Ledger, Salem
Riffing on that iconic fast food classic the Big Mac, Ledger serves up the Double Burger. Patties are cooked over a wood fire and topped with American cheese, lettuce, special sauce, charred onion, pickles, on, of course, a sesame seed bun. Available for dinner or brunch, when you can add eggs or bacon for a unique meal.
The Smash at Rev Burger, Beverly
Rev Burger opened last year as a spin-off of Rev Kitchen & Bar right up the street, and the focus on the art of the burger has had a flavorful payoff. We love The Smash: two smashed patties in a potato bun, topped with sharp American cheese, griddled onion, Grillo’s pickles, and dijonnaise. For true indulgence, add an order of Bacon Wizz Waffle Fries, topped with housemade cheese cause, bacon jam, and buttermilk ranch.
Alchemy Burger at Alchemy, Lynnfield
The Alchemy Burger is always a standout, even on a menu stacked with creative and tasty choices. Set in a brioche bun, the burger is topped with chipotle aioli, Vermont cheddar, double-smoked bacon, little gem lettuce, and marinated tomatoes. Then you can customize it with avocado, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or even a sunnyside-up egg.
Urban Cowgirl at Lexie’s, Newburyport
The only Massachusetts location of the New Hampshire-based mini-chain, the Newburyport Lexie’s serves up an impressive range of creative and delicious burgers. We suggest the Urban Cowgirl, which layers cheddar, bacon, avocado, crispy onions, herbed aioli, and BBQ sauce atop a beef patty cooked to your specifications.
Little Sister Burger at Little Sister, Rockport and Gloucester
The fast-casual sibling to Gloucester’s acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant Talise, Little Sister serves up comfort food with culinary cred. Little Sister will be opening up at a new location on Bearskin Neck in Rockport later this month. You can also find the Little Sister at its takeout window at The Cut in Gloucester. The namesake Little Sister burger, topped with American cheese, griddled onion, spicy pickles, pickled peppers, and garlic aioli is a favorite. With a side of flavorful waffle fries, of course.
Poblano Ranch at The Double Bull, Peabody
In addition to food, the Double Bull offers games to spice up your night out, so it makes sense that its burger menu should also have a bit of a kick. If you can take the heat, try the Poblano Ranch, which is topped with roasted poblanos, cheddar, arugula, bacon jam, and poblano ranch.
Sin Burger at The Blue Ox, Lynn
Why has the Blue Ox’s Sin Burger won Boston magazine’s Battle of the Burger three times? It could be the hand-packed patty or the applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, truffle aioli, and Swiss cheese. It is such a beloved staple at the Lynn restaurant that when Anthony Caturano (owner of award-winning Tonno) took ownership of The Blue Ox in 2019, he kept it on the menu. And keep an eye out for specials that riff on the original, like the Sin & Surf that piles lobster onto the already decadent burger.
Mac Attack at Boston Burger Company, Salem
The Boston Burger Company’s Salem location has more than 20 burgers on the menu (plus the option to build your own), but we’ll point you to the Mac Attack, which tops a burger with bacon and, yes, homemade mac and cheese. TV’s Guy Fieri – who knows a thing or two about casual eating – has called the mac and cheese “pretty rockin'” and featured the burger on his show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
Crave Bistro, Amesbury
Crave Bistro offers its signature Crave Burger, a grass fed beef patty, apple wood bacon, Vermont cheddar, pickled red onion, mixed greens, truffle aioli, on a brioche bun. Want a vegetarian option? Try the Veggie Burger with Pepper jack cheese, garlic puree, mixed greens, and tomato jalapeno jam. Wash it down with their house-made sangria or a coconut lime margarita.
Do you have a favorite spot to get a burger on the North Shore? Let us know down below!