In such a foodie city, it’s unlikely that any cuisine won’t be well done (don't worry, though, the meat in these burgers isn't). To help you find the perfect burger for your cravings, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites.
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photo credit: Jessica Attie via Austin Monthly
Double Cheeseburger
201 Lee Barton Dr
After nine holes of pitching and putting at Butler, be sure to stop and refuel at the on-site food truck, Gimme Burger. With two wagyu patties cooked to perfection and covered in melty cheese, topped with tangy mustard, lettuce, tomato, and pickle, it's highly possible that this could become your favorite burger in ATX. No worries if you're not into golfing; the food truck is open to the public.
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photo via instagram
Smash Burger
5608 Menchaca Rd
Austin is known for having some of the best BBQ out there, but a hidden gem at many of these barbecue spots is their burgers. Moreno offers a few burgers that are all delicious, but we especially love their Smash Burger, made with two 1/4 lb freshly ground all-natural patties crafted from their brisket trim that get smashed on the griddle, along with grilled onions and your choice of cheese. Veggies are also optional, so you can customize your smash burger exactly how you like.
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photo via instagram
L and L Burger
5621 Emerald Forest Dr
Leroy & Lewis is known around town for being one of the Best BBQ joints in Texas. While it's hard to pass on their more traditional BBQ items, we suggest making the sacrifice at least once to try the burger. Their smoked brisket patty is covered in a blanket of melty cheese, and topped with grilled onions, pickles, and burger sauce, all nestled in between a toasted potato bun.
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photo via instagram
NADC Burger
Various Locations
Ever had a smashburger from a Michelin starred chef? Well good news is you can, right here in Austin. Not a Damn Chance Burger is a collab between pro skateboarder Neen Williams and Chef Phillip Frankland Lee of Sushi by Scratch Restaurants and Pasta Bar. Their burgers are made with wagyu beef from Iron Table Wagyu in Gatesville, Texas, and topped with American cheese, secret sauce, onions, pickles, and jalapeños.
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photo via INSTAGRAM
Amarillo Burger
517 E 6th St
If you like a heaping plate, Casino El Camino’s is the burger for you. This Sixth Street bar is beloved by Austinites for its classic dive vibes with three pool tables, a jam-packed jukebox, and of course, the menu item you came here for: a juicy ¾ pound Angus beef burger. We recommend the Amarillo Burger (roasted serrano chiles, jalapeño jack cheese, and cilantro mayo) on a jalapeno cheddar bun if you like a burger with a kick, but you can’t go wrong with any of Casino’s burgers.
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photo via instagram
Ranger Cattle Wagyu Cheeseburger
1917 Manor Rd
For a dang good elevated gastropub burger, head to Salty Sow in East Austin. They get their meat from local farms, which is one of the reasons their Wagyu burger is so delicious. It comes topped with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, pickles, Salty Sow special sauce, and of course a side of duck fat fries to make your meal a bit more indulgent.
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photo via DAN'S
Cheeseburger with Bacon
Various Locations
If you have ten seconds to spare right now, please go to Dan’s Hamburger’s website and watch the burger stacking load animation. No high-brow innovations here, just reliable hot burgers at a zero-guilt price that makes adding bacon and cheese a no-brainer.
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photo via yelp
Buddy’s Spicy with Cheese
9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101
This North Austin spot has only been around for a few years, but it’s already earned a place on the burger rotation. Classic smash burgers with a killer house sauce and the option to add grilled onions? It’s not hard to see why folks love it there. We’re into the Buddy’s lemonade, but If you really want to indulge, go ahead and make your beverage order a Mexican Vanilla shake.
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photo via facebook
Plancha Burger
2115 Holly St
A fluffy toasted challah bun and a side of crunchy house pickles elevate this simple burger to a menu stand out at Launderette. This New American restaurant is a good option to keep in your pocket for those times when you’re trying to agree on where to eat with someone who doesn’t want a burger (the fool) – there’s a wide variety of other options, from beet hummus to fried shrimp, on the menu. But you can absolutely just go for the burger.
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photo via instagram
Loro Cheeseburger
2115 S Lamar Blvd
Loro isn’t a burger joint first and foremost. We came to love them for their Asian-influenced smoked meats which, on a lucky day, you can smell for half a mile in either direction from their location on South Lamar. This spot brought a lot of buzz when it first opened because it’s the brainchild of two other Austin food darlings: Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue. We haven’t forgotten Loro, though, and mainly that’s because of their cheeseburger, which is also available for only $9 during happy hour 2-5 pm Monday through Friday. This decadent handful of a sandwich features red onion-brisket jam, muenster cheese, and a crispy leaf of lettuce. It’s a nearly perfect burger.
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photo via Hungry Hana Instagram
The JewBoy
5111 Airport Blvd
JewBoy Burger’s menu highlights both Texan Border and Jewish culture and cuisine, and is considered to be "the best burger in Austin" by many. This means you can get both burritos and latkes, or burgers topped with queso or pastrami. For an introduction to this burger joint, we’d recommend starting with the classic JewBoy burger. Grilled onions, cheese, and a Martin’s potato roll? Can’t be beaten. For a mini version, make sure you check out their newest locations of JewBoy Sliders.
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photo credit: @Biguglyburgers Instagram
Big Ugly Burger
Pop-ups only, check their Instagram for updates
Oh lord forgive this burger, for he may be ugly on the outside, but he is beautiful with each bite we receive. Like a burger at a backyard pool party on any given three-day weekend, these smashed patties are salty, savory, smothered in sauce, and hit the spot every time. Found all around town, you can bet you'll enjoy this one as well as probably stain your shirt with these messy lil uggos, and of course be chomping at the bit to bite into one again.
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photo credit: Bad Larrys Instagram
Cheeseburger
Pop-ups only, check their Instagram for updates
A burger you have to hunt for is a burger well-earned. Bad Larry is a roaming rogue patty flipper popping up around Austin at various locations making a burger worth chasing. One bite, and you'll join the growing caravan of followers getting lost in Austin looking for their next chance to bite into a Bad Larry Burger.
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Cavalier Burger
2400 Webberville Road
Inspired by Louisiana culture and flavors, The Cavalier's menu includes everything from po boys to deviled eggs. But if you want a bar burger that will knock your socks off, the Cavalier’s house option is a great place to begin. It’s a classic beef patty (or veggie patty!) on a brioche bun, topped with American cheese, house mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.