Meat, patty, cheese, bun. ¶ It never seems as if there can be that much to say about the humble burger, but every year we surprise ourselves. There are some really great burgers in these cities! ¶ This year’s annual guide includes some that rise to the top of our very long list of favorites, including a burger from a seafood joint and one from a restaurant that’s back from the dead.
Here’s our annual ode to the humble burger, helpfully grouped, as usual, into categories that might help you choose what you’re in the mood for. New or updated entries are marked with an asterisk.
We cover new burgers and those that have been around a while. Did I miss your favorite? Let us know at eat@pioneerpress.com.
Cheffy burgers
When some of the city’s best chefs put their minds to making a burger, the results are nothing short of amazing.
* Forepaugh’s >> If you haven’t been to see the glow-up this historic mansion of a restaurant has received since the pandemic, it’s worth a visit for at least a drink and we can’t recommend their burger — a juicy, beefy wagyu double smashie with a bright sauce, acidic pickles, sweet griddled onions and a squishy grilled bun — enough. Don’t sleep on the perfectly crispy, super skinny fries, spiked with rosemary and garlic. The price is up there with the most expensive on this list at $18 ($23 with fries), but it’s worth it for this burger in that atmosphere.
Forepaugh’s >> 276 Exchange St., St. Paul; 651-666-3636; forepaughs.com
* St. Paul Grill >> This venerable space in the historic St. Paul Hotel is finally fully back after the pandemic, and so is its burger, though it’s changed a bit. This burger is a super juicy wagyu patty, topped with pepperjack cheese, lettuce and avocado relish and nestled into a nice, squishy pretzel bun. I often have problems with pretzel buns being too stiff, but this one does not suffer from that issue. Girlfriends and I devoured it, along with one of the best wedge salads in town and a few martinis, during a recent happy hour. The burger — another pricey entry at $25.95 — is served in the dining room only during the dinner hour, but you can get it anytime in the swank bar. It comes with deep golden, skin-on fries that are pretty stellar, too.
St. Paul Grill >> 350 Market St., St. Paul; 651-224-7455; stpaulgrill.com
* Burger Daddies >> Chefs Nikki and Brian Podgorski have been hustling in the Twin Cities culinary scene for the past few years — first as hot-sauce purveyors, selling delicious The Salsa Collaborative sauces at every event and market that would take them, and now as Burger Daddies, a pop-up burger operation that recently added a food truck to its repertoire. And the burgers? Excellent. Best in class. Worth seeking out. Just really, really good. My favorite is the Earth & Vine, a variation on the mushroom and Swiss with herby mushrooms and a red wine bordelaise sauce, but each one I’ve tried has been outstanding. They’re often at BlackStack Brewing on Saturdays and are serving most days of the week at different places in the Twin Cities. Stalk them on social media — I promise it’s worth it.
Burger Daddies >> Location varies, follow them at facebook.com/thesalsacollaborative or @eatburgerdaddies on Instagram.
* Baldamar >> This swank steakhouse in Rosedale Center’s parking lot has what might be the most expensive burger in town on its dinner menu at $32. But we are going to gently suggest that you head here during their stellar happy hour instead, and grab a beefy, juicy double smashie for the relative steal of $14. Bring friends so you can share a massive order of house-cut, deep golden fries, served with three sauces for dipping. Weekday happy hour is on the early side — it ends at 5 p.m. — but on Sunday, it’s happy hour all day.
Baldamar >> 1642 W. County Road B2, Roseville; 651-796-0040; baldamar.com
* Dexter’s >> A Daniel del Prado sports bar feels a bit like a contradiction in terms, and the price — $85 before tip for a pair of burgers (no fries included), a pair of cocktails and cheese curds to split — certainly reminds you who’s in charge around here. That said, Dexter’s signature burger knocks it out of the park, with two uber-beefy, coarsely ground patties and a lightly sweet and super fluffy bun, plus American cheese, thin pickle slices, red onion and dijonnaise. Those curds are tossed in cheddar powder, which is a stroke of genius, and the ‘Osaka to Ya’ cocktail, with Japanese whiskey, yuzu curaçao and elderflower liqueur, is among the best drinks I’ve had recently.
Dexter’s >> 3717 W. 50th St., Minneapolis; 612-200-9047; dextersmpls.com
Juche >> Chef Chris Her and owner Eddie Wu have made some burger magic in this dark, comfortable space. The bulgogi burger has a very slight Korean flavor — what mostly comes through is the delicious Peterson beef, topped simply with American cheese, aioli, romaine and caramelized onion and nestled into a squishy brioche bun. The spicy Korean burger is for the more adventurous among us, but the piquant pickled slaw on top is super addictive. It’s paired with tangy cheddar and spicy mayo and is somehow still over-the-top on the spice level. My teen boy — who has been making his own list of favorites for the past few years — even loved it. The fries here, hand cut and fried until deep golden brown, are exceptional, and you should definitely ask for the Korean hot sauce for dipping them in.
Juche >> 1124 Payne Ave., St. Paul; 612-490-3380; juchestpaul.com
Chloe by Vincent >> Chef Vincent Francoual’s Vincent Burger, a standout on the menu of his now-closed Vincent A Restaurant (that’s a lot of Vincent!), is back. Francoual’s downtown Minneapolis restaurant, Chloe, offers his famed Juicy Lucy spin-off, stuffed with braised short rib and smoked gouda. The burger, first of all, is absolutely massive. The short rib inside is so flavorful and keeps the burger from drying out, and the smoked gouda is the perfect cheese choice. And thanks, Vincent, for the lettuce on top; we appreciate you considering our health. People have been waiting years for this burger, and Francoual told us that bringing it back makes him “excited like a little kid!” He has mixed feelings on burgers in general, he said cheekily, but, “this burger with Coca-Cola? The best hangover food.”
Chloe by Vincent >> 700 Third St. S., Minneapolis; 612-200-8041; chloebyvincent.com
Apostle Supper Club >> If you’re looking for a burger with a side of mid-century-modern/tiki atmosphere, the Apostle is your spot. Theirs is a behemoth of a double smashie, properly seasoned, extremely juicy and classically topped with American, shredded lettuce, pickle, caramelized onion and your typical burger sauce on a sesame bun. The plank-like crinkle fries are tasty, too. We are not fans of their tiki drinks (too sweet, not enough fresh-squeezed juice), but they do make a mean martini, which honestly pairs pretty well with this burger.
Apostle Supper Club >> 253 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; apostlesupperclub.com
Blondette >> The award for prettiest surroundings in which to eat a burger definitely goes to Blondette, the retractable-roof French-bistro dining experience at the Rand Tower Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. This thick patty of wagyu beef infused with duck fat (yes, really) is so insanely juicy and flavorful that it wouldn’t need any accoutrement, but a tarragon mustard and a slab of smoked cheddar do nicely. We’d expect nothing less from chef Daniel del Prado, who has become a west metro fine dining darling in recent years. Maybe it’s time to come east!
Blondette >> 527 S. Marquette Ave., Minneapolis; 612-224-3750; blondettempls.com
Angry Line Cook >> This food truck rose from the ashes of Just/Us, the chef collective restaurant that existed in two St. Paul locations. The truck focuses mostly on its very good smash burger, which features two Peterson beef patties smooshed on a griddle, which produces a crispy meat skirt. There’s also plenty of house-made American cheese, a beef-stock aioli for extra umami goodness, house-made pickles and a nice, squishy bun. If you like things spicy — and we do — opt for the Angry Burger, which consists of the same smashed patties kicked up with house-made pepper-jack cheese, “angry sauce,” chili oil, and pickled Fresno peppers.
Angry Line Cook >> Location varies, find them at theangrylinecookfoodtruck.com
Herbie’s on the Park >> In a world full of double-smash burgers, Herbie’s is an unapologetic half-pound thick patty. The juiciness of these behemoths, made from a brisket, short rib and chuck blend, cannot be overstated. Choose the patty adorned simply with melty American-Swiss, caramelized onions and house-made pickles; go for a fancy bacon-bleu, gilded with a blueberry/gochujang jam and arugula; or really mix it up with a French onion and Brie situation. It’s all good. And so are the garlic-herb fries, or the simple side salad, something we’ve come to love, especially in the thick of burger-reporting season. We have to get our veggies somehow.
Herbie’s on the Park >> 317 Washington St., St. Paul; 651-726-1700; herbiesonthepark.com
Holman’s Table >> This pretty, midmodern-style restaurant in the St. Paul airport features a view of runway action without having to go through security. The menu has lots to offer, including a few burgers at lunch and a different set of burgers at dinner time, including the $300 burger, which isn’t actually $300, but it does clock in at a not-so-wallet-friendly $27.50. For that price tag, though, you get a juicy, beefy patty on a soft bun, topped with nutty gruyere and foie gras butter. The entire thing is then doused with a madeira truffle demi glace. It’s a fork-and-knife burger that one of our dining partners said tastes like “fancy Salisbury steak.” He’s not wrong, but we also happen to love that nostalgic dish.
Holman’s Table >> 644 Bayfield St., St. Paul; 612-800-5298; holmanstable.com
Estelle >> This southern European spot updates its burger nearly every year, but they are always, always good. Chef Jason Hansen created one of our other favorites in town — the burger at Stewart’s, now Gus Gus — and his commitment to a juicy, interesting burger cannot be understated. The current iteration is a double smash with American cheese, bacon and char-broiled tomatoes, topped with a typical burger sauce and served with the restaurant’s delicious patatas bravas. Bonus.
Estelle >> 1806 St Clair Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-9648; estellestp.com
Sonder Shaker >> The buzz around this burger remains strong, for good reason. Two wagyu beef patties are smashed and griddled until they develop a nice, crispy meat skirt. They’re topped with melty American cheese, house-made pickles and a fairly standard burger sauce. There’s nothing really outrageously different about this burger, it’s just executed perfectly. Though at $19 ($20 with the restaurant’s crisp, hand-cut fries) the price tag is not for the faint of heart or light of wallet. That said, the cocktails here are top-notch, too.
Sonder Shaker >> 130 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis; 612-353-6557; sondershaker.com
Gus Gus >> We’ve given lots of love to chef Jason Hansen’s burger mind, and this double smash burger is based off the one at Stewart’s, which occupied the space before Gus Gus moved in last year. The two patties are juicy and beefy and crispy around the edges; exactly what we’re looking for. The caramelized onions and mustard aioli are both great. The burger’s one possible downside is the too-thick American cheese, which makes things so slippery that eating the burger is a challenge. The fries are served with ketchup, but hot tip: Ask for a side of the bagna cauda aioli, which comes with the fries when you order them as an app.
Gus Gus >> 128 N. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul; 651-645-4128; gusgusmn.com
Everywhen Burger Bar >> This burger spot, from restaurateur Jami Olson and executive chef Jose Alarcon, shares space with taco-centric Centro. Their Nicollet Burger is a single smashed patty with the fixings: American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo. And it rocks. The meat itself is perfectly seasoned and crispy. And with just one patty, it’s a good lunch burger — not so heavy that it weighs you down for the afternoon. Nothing over-the-top; a classic done right.
Everywhen Burger Bar >> 750 S. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul, 612-489-5558 or 2412 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, 612-452-9785; everywhenburgers.com
DeGidio’s >> This burger was created when the 88-year-old West Seventh Street Italian institution hired chef Shane Oporto, formerly of La Belle Vie and Octo FishBar, to consult on some menu items. Owner Jason Tschida knew he couldn’t change any of the old-school Italian favorites, so they “worked around the edges” of the menu, starting with this absolute stunner of a burger. It’s two patties, recently upgraded to wagyu beef, enrobed with nutty taleggio cheese and topped with a proprietary special sauce and a few crisp pickles before being nestled in a pillowy egg bun. And the fries are cut in-house and worth
every calorie.
DeGidio’s >> 425 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-291-7105; degidios.com
Chip’s Clubhouse >> Previous Chip’s chef Gina Mangiameli worked for the Chicago restaurant group that includes Au Cheval, which is the place that inspired our local double-smash-burger trend. You can order this one with one patty or two. I recommend a second, mostly for the meat-to-bun ratio. Share it if you must. The patties are wider than the (properly buttered and toasted) bun, and brought to a perfect crisp on a griddle. Thinly sliced onion and just the right amount of pickle bring the crunch and a mustardy sauce perks things up.
Chip’s Clubhouse >> 272 S. Snelling Ave., No. 200, St. Paul; 651-330-1617; visitchipsclubhouse.com
Kyndred Hearth >> Did you know Ann Kim, queen of pizza, created a burger? Consider yourself informed. And as with everything else Kim makes, it’s delicious. It’s a trendy double-smash, adorned with American cheese, deeply caramelized onions, lettuce and fresh pickles and served on a soft bun. I went with friends, and we split the burger and some pizzas, because if you go to an Ann Kim pizza restaurant and don’t get pizza, were you even there?
Kyndred Hearth >> 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan; 651-689-9800; omnihotels.com/hotels/viking-lakes-minnesota/dining/kyndred-hearth
Tongue in Cheek >> Chef Leonard Anderson might be known for catering to vegans, but he knows his way around (sustainably raised) meat, too. The restaurant’s deceptively simple cheeseburger starts with a properly seasoned, juicy patty that is topped with just the right amount of melty American cheese, a great pickley sauce, crisp, shredded romaine and fresh pickles, all nestled in a lovely, squishy bun. The fries are good, too. While you’re there, balance things out with some vegetables, because the chef’s vegan and vegetarian dishes are some of our favorites in town.
Tongue in Cheek >> 989 Payne Ave., St. Paul; 651-888-6148; tongueincheek.biz
Petite Leon >> Chef Jorge Guzman is a master of flavor building, so it’s no surprise that his creation is frequently on the lips of those who obsess about burgers. Guzman is on the double-smash train, but he gives it the Oklahoma twist, which involves smashing some thinly sliced onions into those juicy (Peterson beef) patties. There’s melty cheese, but not too much, house-made pickles for pucker and a toasty milk bun. The cocktails and the rest of the menu items here are fabulous, too.
Petite Leon >> 3800 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-208-1247; petiteleonmpls.com
Stepchld >> Most everything on this Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood restaurant menu is slightly askew — like, Ethiopian spiced birria tacos or garlic noodles with Japanese flavors — but the burger is pretty straightforward. It’s also delicious. Another double-smash, it has good beef flavor and proper char, crisp house-made pickles, and a squishy bun just like most of the others. Two things set it apart though: Super melty Cooper’s sharp American cheese and a swipe of smoky chipotle aioli. The shoestring fries that accompany it are also delicious. I will warn you that I got a little sticker shock at the $18 price tag, though.
Stepchld >> 24 University Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-354-7409; stepchld.com
Saint Dinette >> If this restaurant’s decision to add plenty of butter to its burger’s beef grind is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. This simple, juicy, two-patty beauty, slathered with American cheese made in-house from Wisconsin cheddar, Wisconsin gruyere and champagne, is absolutely one of our top three burgers. The burger comes unadorned, with a pile of sweet, house-made pickles on the side. You should order it while sitting at the bar, where the talented, friendly bartending staff takes care of all your drink needs and then some.
Saint Dinette >> 261 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-800-1415; saintdinette.com
Revival >> The care that Chef Thomas Boemer puts into all his food is absolutely apparent in this burger. Boemer grinds grass-fed beef in-house, using 80% short rib and 20% brisket. That specific grind, tested over many months, gave Boemer the mouthfeel he was looking for. It’s purposely split into two patties to double the char flavor, but it’s somehow still pink in the middle. The meat is so good it almost doesn’t need cheese, but it doesn’t hurt, either. Even the slightly undersized bun is designed to put the focus on that fantastic meat. You can top it with really thick-cut bacon for an extra $2, but it doesn’t need it. At all. We could go on, but we’ll stop with this: Go get it.
Revival >> 525 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-340-2355; 4257 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-345-4516; revivalfriedchicken.com
The Lexington >> Our love for this half-pound behemoth cannot be overstated. Dearly departed chef Jack Riebel’s recipe — house-ground steak trimmings to create a simple, beefy, juicy, stupid delicious burger that really does taste like steak — is still going strong. It’s topped simply with Swiss cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, onions and the Lex “special sauce.” The swanky atmosphere of the Lex only adds to the experience.
The Lexington >> 1096 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-289-4990; thelexmn.com
Borough/Parlour >> The Parlour Burger is served unadorned, save for what looks like a few slap-dash sliced pickles on the side, but it would be a mistake to judge this sandwich by its cover. Two thin, perfectly seared patties (made from freshly ground sirloin, rib-eye and brisket) absolutely drip with cheese and are contained by a grilled bun. In Minneapolis, if you want it for lunch, you’ll have to hit the upstairs stunner, Borough, or get it downstairs at the cocktail-centric Parlour in the evening. But at Parlour St. Paul, you can get it whenever they’re open.
Borough >> 730 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-354-3135; boroughmpls.com
Parlour St. Paul >> 267 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-207-4433; parlourbar.com
Dive bar burgers
They may not all have a website, but they have regulars, pull tabs, and griddles that have been around long enough to give their burgers a little extra seasoning.
* Coastal Dive Bar >> Although this little outpost in the back of Coastal Seafoods’ cool new spot on Snelling Avenue still doesn’t have its liquor license (come on, city of St. Paul, they opened this spring!), it’s still serving up a menu of seafood shack favorites and this ridiculously good smash burger. Two wagyu beef patties are seasoned perfectly and smashed just enough to give them a little crisp outside while remaining juicy inside. They’re topped with just the right amount of melty American cheese and a bright dijon mustard sauce on a sturdy brioche bun that holds up to the juiciness. This one rose to near the top of my list — and my very discerning teenage son’s.
Coastal Dive Bar >> 286 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651-698.4888; coastalseafoods.com
* 620 Club (formerly Keenan’s) >> A few employees and a regular bought Keenan’s this summer after four generations of the Keenan family decided to call it quits. The 620 Club was quietly born, but it’s pretty much exactly the same as Keenan’s, and that’s how regulars at this comfortable West Seventh bar like it. The burgers here are thin and well-seasoned and served on a fresh bun. Eight varieties are offered, from a classic California to the Blue Ox, topped with pickled red onions, blue cheese and horseradish mayo. Prices are reasonable ($12-$16, includes fries) but scoring a seat during the dinner hour can be a bit of a gamble. I’d argue it’s worth a little wait — the friendly bartenders will take care of you while you stalk a table or bar seat.
620 Club >> 620 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-227-3840
* Alary’s >> We’re so glad this downtown sports bar is back, even more so since it added excellent barbecue and burgers from Petey’s BBQ! The smoked burgers are smoky, but not too smoky, totally juicy and really worth seeking. Order some traditional barbecue sides, like traditional mac and cheese, crisp coleslaw or bacon beans, and you’ve got a really hearty meal. The folks behind Alary’s would like to remind you that they have free parking in the Block 19 ramp next door after 4 p.m. and on weekends, and that they offer shuttles to most downtown events.
Alary’s >> 139 E. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-493-9725; alarys.com
328 Grill at the Legion >> Chef Mik German brought his bar-food operation to the St. Paul Park American Legion and infused the place with new life — and new customers. Burger lovers have found their way to this off-the-beaten-track locale that serves creative, delicious burgers, sandwiches and sides. Though it’s hard to pick a favorite, we recommend whatever the burger of the week is, but also The 328, a juicy patty topped with American cheese, crisp, shredded iceberg, tomato, housemade dill pickles and an herb-infused mayo. And if you’re a fan of hot peppers, the Jalapeno Bizness, infused with smoky bacon, jalapeno peppers and cheddar jack and topped with smoked cheddar and spicy mayo, is a real treat.
328 Grill at the Legion >> 328 Broadway Ave., St. Paul Park; 651-459-8016; 328grill.com
Station No. 6 at Rosetown American Legion >> This popular burger-centric food truck followed the 328 Grill model, opening a food operation within the Rosetown American Legion. This is definitely a trend we can get behind — an important community space gets delicious food, and an operator gets a steady stream of new customers while also bringing its fans to the joint venture. Rosetown is very lucky to have Station No. 6, which produces one of the best, crisp-edged smashies in town. Since each patty is 5 ounces, one is definitely enough for me, but you do you. They’re served topped in a number of ways, on a good bun and with fast-food fries that are actually golden brown instead of pale yellow, as the burger gods intended.
Station No. 6 >> 700 W. County Road C, Roseville; stationno6foodtruck.com
Bay Street Burger Dive >> With a name like Burger Dive, the burgers had better be good. And they are. Chef Nick O’Leary, who has a long résumé working at some finer-dining restaurants in town, serves burgers and other bar food here, and each item on this menu gets proper attention. As for the burgers, try the Wedge, a burger play on the popular wedge salad, which is a gloriously messy and delicious concoction; or the Onion, with onions in raw, fried,
onion dip and onion jam forms. The latter is definitely only for onion fans, but if you’re one, you’ll love it. Go with friends and order all the sides — from the pierogies to the curried cauliflower to best-in-class fried mushrooms, jalapeno cheese curds and onion rings — they’re all good. In fact, I prefer any of them to the fairly ho-hum fries.
Bay Street Burger Dive >> 731 Randolph Ave., St. Paul; 651-294-3240; burgerdivemn.com
Shantytown Bar and Grill >> We’d heard about this awesome suburban dive bar, where the burgers are good and the conversation is better, for years before we checked it out — don’t make our mistake. The space and the burger do not disappoint. We love the simple bacon cheeseburger, served without any pesky lettuce or tomato to muck things up. The tater tots are extra crispy and served with seasoned sour cream, but we’d come back just for the lightly battered, perfectly tender onion rings.
Shantytown Bar and Grill >> 8512 Pillsbury Ave. S., Bloomington; 952-881-7223
Half Time Rec >> The Rec’s award-winning, half-pound burgers are made with good beef, cooked through but still plenty juicy, and topped with a number of options, but we prefer the one with tangy, pickled green tomatoes, and a flavorful house-made sauce. It’s a three-napkin affair that goes great with a Guinness, which is usually what we’re drinking at this long-standing, appropriately dingy Irish pub.
Paddy Shack at Half Time Rec >> 1013 Front Ave., St. Paul; 651-488-8245; halftimerec.com
Bull’s Horn >> Oh, how we wish that Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley’s dive bar was in our neighborhood! Flicker, an award-winning fine-dining chef, has put all his know-how into making juicy fried chicken, bologna sandwiches and a really nice, reasonably sized burger made from Peterson beef. It comes with lettuce, pickles and special sauce, and we highly recommend adding the house-made American cheese and some righteous, smoky bacon.
Bull’s Horn >> 4563 34th Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-208-1378; bullshornfoodanddrink.com
Neighborhood burgers
These spots close to home serve a crave-worthy burger.
* Smorgie’s >> This downtown newcomer is a great place to get in and out of quickly before an event, and they have a tasty, inexpensive burger to boot! The pretty basic double smash is well-executed, if a little overly crispy, but is served on a fresh bun with good burger sauce and is a steal at $12, and that included perfectly crispy tater tots.
Smorgie’s >> 127 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-204-3730?; smorgiesbar.com
* Wrestaurant at the Palace >> This restaurant next to the Palace Theatre is a real boon to downtown. The Detroit-style pizza is great — but so is the burger! With its thin patties, American cheese, pickles and sauce, it’s not exactly reinventing the wheel, but it’s a solid burger. It’s decently priced at $13, too (comes with chips, upgrade to waffle fries for an extra $3).
Wrestaurant at the Palace >> 33 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; 952-600-5611; wrestaurantatthepalace.com
* Emmett’s Public House >> I’m loving the remake of this Irish pub, with its new, yet lived-in look, fun cocktail menu and plenty of bar seating. Our “Big E” burger was a bit dry, but we were enamored with the Big Mick, a Big Mac copycat with two quarter-pound patties, American cheese, a triple bun, tasty burger sauce and crisp iceberg lettuce. It’s a lot of food, so I recommend sharing, though my twenty-something son had no problem polishing it off.
Emmett’s Public House >> 701 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-225-8248; emmettspublichouse.com
* Local Rumor >> We’re loving this affordable little neighborhood gem in the former Blue Door Pub space on Selby, and the perfectly seasoned, hand-pattied double burger for just $12 is no exception. It is topped with melty mild cheddar, pickles and a generous dollop of garlic aioli, but no fries. No matter, that means you can order a side of kicky broccolini instead. You know, for health reasons. (They do have a shareable portion of rosemary-spiked fries for $7 if you prefer.)
Local Rumor >> 1811 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 612-790-0614; instagram.com/localrumor
* Lynette >> Lynette, which opened this summer in Minneapolis’s Longfellow neighborhood, has pedigree; it comes courtesy of the guys behind the former Lyn65 in Richfield and Petit Leon and Little T’s in Minneapolis. And hey, they’ve got a pretty good burger. Two juicy, slightly irregular patties with cheese and pickles on a well-griddled bun, and they’re not shy with the dijonnaise, which helps amp up the savoriness of the beef. If you want fries, you can get a cone of duck-fat fries for $10; the portion is large enough to split. But on a recent evening, the fries were not hot nor crispy enough and maddeningly inconsistently salted, which all felt like a disservice to both us and the duck, really. The patio is gorgeous for any remaining warm fall evenings we might get, though, and little soft-serve ice cream cones that come free with the check are a delightful touch.
Lynette >> 3753 42nd Ave S., Minneapolis; 612-223-8060; lynettemn.com
MyBurger >> Although this local chain is dangerously close to fast food, the burgers themselves are a big step up from what you can get in a drive-through. Properly seasoned, smashed on a griddle but still juicy enough, with quality toppings and reasonable prices, it’s a family-friendly option for busy nights. The fact that the St. Paul location is on a busy corner without much parking kept us from trying these burgers for too long.
My Burger >> Multiple locations, including 1580 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-7816; myburgerusa.com
Tiffany Sports Lounge >> The first time we tried a burger at Tiff’s, it was probably a decade ago, and we were, to put it politely, unimpressed. Since then, the neighborhood bar and restaurant has upped its game, succumbing to the double-smash trend and doing it pretty well. We are especially big fans of the Tommie Smash, which involves a queso-like pepper-jack sauce, jalapenos, bacon and chipotle ranch. It’s a juicy, spicy, delicious mess in a beloved neighborhood spot.
Tiffany Sports Lounge >> 2051 Ford Parkway, St. Paul; 651-690-4747; tiffanysportslounge.com
Groveland Tap >> This restaurant, known for its great burgers and a tap beer list a mile long, was recently renovated to add a bar to sit at while you wait for a table, which was a great move. The single-patty burgers here are just the right size, loosely pattied with a perfect amount of crisp on the outside without being overcooked. Though we’re not always a fan of distracting from a great burger with too many toppings, the stroganoff burger with its sauteed mushrooms, melty swiss, sour cream and chives is undeniably awesome.
Groveland Tap >> 184 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul; 651-699-5058; grovelandtap.com
Pillbox Tavern >> This downtown St. Paul spot opened just before the pandemic closures took place in 2020, and it’s still chugging along, even without the full downtown workforce. And for burger lovers, that’s a great thing. All burgers start with six ounces of juicy, properly charred meat and a Grandma’s bakery bun — so really, it’s all about your preference of toppings, of which they have plenty.
Pillbox Tavern >> 400 N. Wabasha St., St. Paul; 651-756-7566; pillboxtav.com
Foodsmith >> This little gastropub, which has a great beer list (but also decent wines and a craft cocktail menu), is one of our favorite spots for a casual, weeknight nosh, and the burger is one we crave. It’s a single, juicy patty, topped with crisp iceberg and lots of pickley remoulade sauce on a pillowy milk bun. Simple, well-executed, delicious. The skin-on deep-golden fries are worth the calories, too.
Foodsmith >> 973 S. Smith Ave., West St. Paul; 651-330-0896; foodsmithpub.com
Yum! Kitchen and Bakery >> If you’re at this bakery and cafe, you might not think to order the burger, but we’re here to tell you that you absolutely should. It’s two juicy
patties with really fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and a special sauce on a house-made bun. It’s served with a crisp pickle and the cafe’s thin, crisp and addictive house-made potato chips. This is one of our favorite lunch spots, especially if we have a meeting, because the space is bright and airy, and we never feel rushed to give up a table because there’s plenty of space.
Yum! Kitchen and Bakery >> Four locations, including 164 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul, 651-615-1230; and 8340 City Centre Drive, Woodbury, 651-603-4444; yumkitchen.com
Destination burgers
City dwellers, these burgers are worth the drive.
* Wells Roadside >> The former Galaxy Drive-In is serving burgers so good and so cheap that I contemplated putting them in the cult burger category — and they opened just a month ago! Seriously, you get a well-seasoned single wagyu (!) smash burger for just $6. It’s topped with American cheese and served on a super squishy, delicious potato bun. But for the same price, I’d opt for the Oklahoma version, which has thinly sliced onions griddled into the burger. Hand-cut fries are extra, but come in portions big enough to share, and they’re excellent. Get the fry sauce to dip everything in and if you’re drinking, an adorable root beer old-fashioned (yes, they have cocktails as well as beer and wine), garnished with a root-beer barrel.
Wells Roadside >> 3712 Quebec Ave. S., St. Louis Park; 952-277-7777; wellsroadside.com
LoLo American Kitchen >> The burgers at this riverside spot are all one good, loosely pattied puck of juicy beef served on a fresh bun and topped with Boston lettuce and an heirloom tomato if you want it. It’s like your neighbor who is a good cook invited you over for burgers. The thin-cut fries are deep golden and salty in the best way, too.
Lolo American Kitchen >> 175 S. Second St., Hudson, Wis., 715-808-8025 or 233 S. Main St., Stillwater, 715-808-8025; loloamericankitchen.com
Churchill St. >> We love this bright, airy suburban restaurant for a million reasons, including its killer coffee and cocktails, its simple, well-executed menu, its perfect old-fashioned doughnut and its cute little market, which has tempted us on every visit. And the burger here? It’s great. Two well-seasoned patties, fully cooked for the squeamish among us, but still plenty juicy. There’s caramelized onion for sweetness, an aggressive (but welcome) amount of tasty house-made pickles, melty, high-quality Cooper American cheese, and a malted fry sauce, which is awesome for dipping, though the fries are probably my second choice here, as the simple side salad, with a good vinaigrette and some crystally sea salt, is the perfect foil to all the fatty richness of the burger.
Churchill St. >> 4606 Churchill St., Shoreview; 612-466-2596; churchillst.com
The Better Half >> This hip finer diner in downtown Lakeville can get very busy (they don’t take reservations, but you can join the waitlist from their website). Still, it is worth the trouble to score one of their burly, juicy double-smash burgers. We prefer the classic, which is smothered in melty American cheese and topped with house-made pickles for crunch and acid, diced caramelized onions for sweetness and a “fancy sauce,” which is basically spiced mayo, and encased in a squishy bun that somehow holds everything together. The on-tap, house-made old-fashioned here is definitely the move, especially as the temperatures drop.
The Better Half >> 20851 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952-214-7402; thebetterhalfmn.com
Feller >> Fall is the best time to visit scenic Stillwater, and if you need a break from browsing one of the town’s many cute boutiques, a burger at Feller is just the thing. Two patties, a baked-in-house brioche bun, house-made American cheese — everything on this plate is cheffed-up in just the right way. We also love the addictive little shoestring fries, served in a cute bag, that come with the burger.
Feller >> 402 S. Main St., Stillwater (in the Lora Hotel); 651-571-3501; fellerrestaurant.com
B-52 Burgers and Brew >> The rooftop patio at this Inver Grove Heights mainstay is one of the most hopping places in the south suburbs. Live music, a full outdoor bar and cushy furniture make it a great place to hang out, especially with one of the restaurant’s awesome burgers. Now there’s a second location in Lakeville, too.
B-52 Burgers and Brew >> 5639 Bishop Ave., Inver Grove Heights, 651-451-3838; 20751 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville, 952-213-4150; b52burgersandbrew.com
Burgers and Bottles >> There’s a burger for every taste at this suburban strip-mall storefront, and all of them are nicely flame-grilled outside and juicy in. The bacon cheeseburger, with plenty of thick-cut bacon, suits us just fine. The hand-cut fries are delicious, too.
Burgers and Bottles >> 1278 Lone Oak Road, Eagan; 651-340-7175; burgersbottles.com
Dick’s Bar >> This lovable dive just off the main drag in downtown Hudson has a dark, day-drinking friendly bar, a lighter, appropriately care-worn dining room and a cute little patio. The burgers here are just the way we like them, with a squishy bun and nice griddle char. The Ricky, with American cheese, griddled (not caramelized, there is a difference) onion, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce, is a winner, but we were surprised by just how much we loved the French onion burger, which is an oniony take on a patty melt, made with a nice, tangy sourdough bread and served with au jus for beefy, salty dipping.
Dick’s Bar >> 111 Walnut St., Hudson; 715-386-5222
King’s Bar and Grill >> It’s best to leave for remote Miesville when there’s plenty of daylight, and preferably when there are some fall colors to enjoy. This roadside eatery attracts lots of motorcyclists, because the drive is a pretty one. The restaurant is worth the trek, too, with relatively small, tasty burgers that are topped with all manner of craziness, from peanut butter to giardiniera to sauerkraut to pineapple. Though there are more than 90 varieties, we are fans of the relatively simple Knight: sauteed mushrooms, onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo. You should also upgrade to the thin, crisp, skin-on fries to go with that burger (they are usually served with chips).
King’s Bar and Grill >> 14460 240th St. E., Miesville; 651-437-1418; kingsplacebar.com
Tavern Grill >> If you look around the sprawling dining room at this suburban outpost, probably half the diners are chowing down on thick, juicy burgers served on fresh buns. We’re often put off by barbecue sauce on a burger, but the house bourbon red sauce on the Tavern Style Burger here is less sweet than most, and pairs beautifully with smoked gouda and crispy bacon.
Tavern Grill >> Multiple locations, including 772 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, 651-578-3000; 10950 Club West Parkway Suite 280, Blaine, 763-398-8100; 3561 Lexington Ave., Arden Hills, 651-478-4450; 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley, 952-683-1222; 6740 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-358-6100; thetaverngrill.com
Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon >> This local chain has a ginormous menu, but the thick, fresh burgers are really where it’s at. We’re partial to the “Feelin’ Gouda,” which features plenty of gouda cheese, some garlicky aioli and crisp bacon on a griddled egg bun, preferably while watching a football game, because the place is lousy with televisions and has special events every Sunday. The outfit took over the former Liffey space in the Holiday Inn in downtown St. Paul last year, too.
Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon >> Six locations, including 175 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, 651-556-1420; 546 Commons Drive, Woodbury, 651-357-1050; and 15020 Glazier Ave., Apple Valley, 952-432-2455; wildbillssportssaloon.com
Cult burgers
These are the burgers for which people are willing to wait — sometimes an hour or two. And they are worth the hype.
Bebe Zito >> Can a burger become a cult phenomenon in less than four years? In this case, yes. The folks behind this Uptown Minneapolis ice cream shop started slinging an inexpensive burger during the pandemic, and almost immediately, lines began to form. It was only available on weekends, which was part of its allure.
But lucky for us, they now have counters at The Market at Malcolm Yards and Eat Street Crossing, and a sparkly new Woodbury spot in the Woodbury Lakes shopping district, so we can all get our hands on this bacon-infused, thinly smashed, properly cheese-enrobed burger, which gets extra flavor from kicky pickled cukes and onions. It’s a cult burger for a reason, folks. The ice cream is amazing, too.
Bebe Zito >> 704 22nd St. W., Minneapolis (Friday-Sunday only); The Market at Malcolm Yards, 501 30th Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; Eat Street Crossing, 2819 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 9000 Hudson Road, No. 620, Woodbury; bebezitomn.com
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