Utah's Top 10 Burger Joints
Perfectly seasoned ground beef, fragrant red tomatoes, and crisp romaine lettuce all sandwiched between a buttery cloud of freshly baked bread makes for a well-balanced and truly patriotic meal. Ask anyone, there is nothing more American than a good old fashioned hamburger. Fortunately, what Utah lacks in housing availability, it makes up for in exceptional burger joints. Whether you are seeking a quick and affordable takeout option, or a classy evening spent table-side, you’re guaranteed to find an option that appeals to your taste buds on this comprehensive countdown.
Burger Stop
An inspiring tribute to the 1950s, Burger Stop channels the era with show-stopping Hot Rods and fresh, local beef served in a retro diner that’ll be sure to take you back in time. This family-owned burger joint located in Layton, UT is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is outfitted with a functioning Juke Box that boats all the best hits. Their prized burger, The Deuce, features two pounds of the freshest ground beef, 5 slices of melty delicious cheese, 4 meaty strips of thick-cut bacon, the Burger Stop signature sauce, and is topped with crispy onion rings fresh out of the fryer. Anyone who can conquer this beast in under 30 minutes receives the highest praise and a shirt!
Lucky 13
Lucky 13 Bar & Grill is a noteworthy find in the heart of Salt Lake City, nestled next to Smith’s Ballpark. This unique eatery is owned by three upstanding men – Rob Dutton, Ron Lay, and Jason Stuki. Ron and Jason met in 1995 while working as firefighters in their local community. The duo brought on a bartender, Rob Dutton, to help navigate their explosive growth shortly after opening in 2003. Together, they have created a widely known bar and grill that features unlikely flavor combinations that are sure to keep you guessing. One of their most talked about burgers, The Nut Butter Burger, is loaded with the savory taste of bacon, oozing with creamy peanut butter, and is finished off with sharp cheddar cheese to create quite the masterpiece.
Block Restaurant
This posh farm to table establishment is located south of the Riverwoods in Provo, UT. The owners, Erika and Jason, feel passionate about slowing down to enjoy food and supporting the locals through meaningful vendor partnerships. To promote sustainability and resident farmers, their menu changes seasonally to offer the freshest local produce and ingredient-inspired cocktails. One of the main highlights on their menu is the Block Burger. This burger features a flaky buttery brioche bun, house-made pickles bursting with tang, Heber Valley smoked cheddar, and the sweet taste of caramelized onions. For those who prefer a little something extra, and have plenty of napkins on hand, you can add a perfectly fried egg to take your burger totally over the top.
Chom Burger
This hidden gem is located just off the main road across the street from the original Sodalicious in Provo, UT. Their boldly lit sign and decor is hard to miss, which often leads to some high expectations. CHOM’s menu doesn’t just include delicious burgers served on pillowy potato buns, this joint also offers a vegan burger, a variety of exciting tacos, and velvety shakes with mind-numbing flavors like caramel biscoff. The mastermind behind this restaurant, Colton Soelberg, is also known for his other successful ventures found throughout the Provo area: Communal, Mountain West Burrito, and Pizzeria 712. His proven expertise is obvious in the creativity and attention to detail found throughout this restaurant.
Beerhive Pub
This Salt Lake City staple not only has a variety of burgers that are sure to delight your taste buds, but they also offer over 200 refreshing beers from around the world and are well known for their legendary ice bar. One of the restaurant’s most unique offerings, The Beerhive Burger, comes fully loaded with sweet and nutty Muenster cheese, fragrant caramelized onions, tangy Russian dressing, and peppery pastrami that will melt in your mouth. Regardless of how hungry you are, passing up their crispy beer-battered fries would be nothing short of a sin.
Burger Bar
Located 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, Burger Bar has been serving classic burgers made fresh to order since 1956. This family-owned drive-in offers an “Exotic Meat of the Month” and was even featured on season 3 of Food Networks “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”. The Big Ben burger is easily one of their most popular options, but no menu item is complete without their mouth-watering salty fresh fries and a creamy shake made with perfectly ripened fruit.
Chubby’s Neighborhood Café
If All-American is what you’re after, Chubby’s is sure to fit the bill! This casual joint has all of your favorite fried foods, a creative variety of burgers, and sandwiches that will leave you dying for a nap. While Chubby’s is famous for its Chubby Cheesesteak, its Creekstone Premium Angus Beef makes every burger a tough competitor. Crispy hushpuppies, homestyle banana pudding, and a Guacamole Bacon Burger dripping with pepper jack cheese set this restaurant apart from the standard.
Salt City Burger Co.
Another Downtown favorite, Salt City Burger Co. acts as a tribute to the historic Fred’s Burger Chalet by mimicking the oversized, char-broiled burgers and offering a Smorgasburger Bar of the freshest condiments. This eatery features three different sections to their burger menu – Gourmet Burgers, Bacon Burgers, and The Other Burgers. Some of the most unique options include the Mexicali Jack Burger with the mild smooth taste of cream cheese, peppery Anaheim chilis, and melted together with buttery pepper jack; the Garlic Burger with minced garlic-infused directly into the burger; and the bacon burgers with bits of flavorful bacon mixed right into the freshly ground beef. Be sure to finish your meal with onion rings cooked to crispy perfection and a creamy old-fashioned raspberry shake.
Asado Argentinian Grill and Café
Asado Argentinian Grill and Café is a seemingly unassuming restaurant located in Orem, UT beneath the eye-catching Midtown 360 apartments. This cultural find diversifies the restaurant scene with traditional Argentinian foods alongside some of the best (and largest) burgers in the Valley. They also feature a startling display of Argentinian desserts that will have you staring all throughout your visit. Because everything is cooked to order, you can expect to wait a while for your entrée; but ordering the Asado Fries and chatting with the friendly owner will be sure to keep you entertained. Presentation, taste, and the friendly staff are the stars of this remarkable café.
Cheddaburger
Nick Watts originally started Chedda Burger in a 154 square foot food truck but has since expanded into three storefronts across Utah with opportunities for growth on the horizon. Nick prides himself in challenging the hamburger status quo with combinations like ooey-gooey mac and cheese; crispy bacon; smokey green chilis; and peppery whole grain mustard, which can be all be found on his Green Mile burger. Many customers have also mentioned the tasty goodness of the Chedda Tots and the unexpected combination that is Fried Brussels. Another attention-grabbing menu addition is the Urban Camp Fire shake with sugary toasted marshmallows, creamy chocolate fudge, thick swirls of PB, and crumbly graham crackers. Can you just taste it now?
While none of these contenders were chosen at random, they are listed randomly in this article. With each restaurant having its own unique take on a traditional burger, there is just no possible way for us to compare or rank them! You’ll have to do the dirty work and give them each a visit for yourself! Be sure to tag us @mylocalutah to let us know your favorite burger spots, or if you get a chance to try out any of our local favorites.