Best Burgers
The 13 yummy, juicy, downright awesome burgers that will change your life—or at least induce a moment of culinary ecstasy.
By Steve Wiecking, Kathryn Robinson, James Ross Gardner, Matthew Halverson, Eric Scigliano, Jessica Voelker, Christopher Werner, and Laura Cassidy
Voilà! Bistrot
People of France, we are not the enemy. You know this. Yet you’ve torpedoed our greatest port city with a weapon most mouthwatering. So overpowering is the KOBE BEEF HAMBURGER, $14, at Voilà! Bistrot in Madison Valley, so tantalizing its juicy goodness, that our own citizenry—witness to millions of backyard barbecues in which the American burger is a totem of national pride—has come to question its loyalties. The seduction starts the moment one marches through the doorway—all-American senses scrambled by the shadow play of candlelight on mustard walls. Things get more compromising as one of your countrymen (androgynous, black-clad) pours a Kronenberg 1664 in a glass, bubbles rising to the surface like lost balloons at a carnival, and delivers the package: a toasted bun cradling a hot slab of Wagyu meat topped with caramelized onions and smothered in brie. The flavors storm the Bastille of our palate and commingle so expertly that one can hardly tell beef from bread, onion from brie, good from evil. The taste buds fire a treacherous message to the brain: Forget the Pledge of Allegiance, burn your passport, and shout, Vive la France! This burger is a violation. There should be a United Nations sanction. A call to our allies…. But first, one more bite. Voilà! Bistrot, 2805 E Madison St, Madison Valley, 206-322-5460; www.voilabistrot.com
Palace Kitchen
With a few subtle tweaks—and without sacrificing its wholesome, everyman qualities in favor of highfalutin gourmet flash—here’s how to elevate the standard backyard burger to an exercise in bovine transcendentalism:
1. Use good beef. A basic yet alarmingly often-overlooked element. Try something sourced locally, like Oregon Country Natural Beef, that chars up nicely over an open flame but manages to stay juicy in the process.
2. Use good cheese. Also criminally neglected, but no less important. Melted Beecher’s Flagship Cheddar is a tasty option with a unique consistency. Instead of forming a rubbery yellow dairy helmet over the patty like your conventional Kraft American Single does, the sharp white cheddar softens and separates into an almost brielike consistency.
3. Use good buns. For once in your life put down the Bunny Bread and try something with honest-to-Giada flavor. Dahlia Bakery gives its burger buns a subtle, smoky-sweet taste by baking roasted onions into (instead of onto) them.
Or, know what? You could just leave the grill covered and drop into Palace Kitchen to get all of the above in the PALACE BURGER ROYALE, $14—accompanied by a tangle of crunchychewygreasy fries—without having to strike a match. Yeah, just do that. Palace Kitchen, 2030 Fifth Ave, Belltown, 206-448-2001; www.tomdouglas.com
Published: June 2009
The same burger at Jaks is also available at happy hour for about $5. Best HH deal around.
The best burgers ever !!!!!
…and that cute little older lady that works there is fantastic too.
We love it !!!!
and great prices too.
So Lunchbox Laboratory didn’t make your top 39? You’ve got to be kidding. http://tinyurl.com/lunchboxlaboratory
All I could do was salivate as I thought of a Zippy’s burger, while racing home to West Seattle, after being gone for several months. The very very best burgers ever, from a guy who vividly recalls the days when everyone in West Seattle knew one another, kids played outside until dark and rode their bikes with no bike lanes or helmets.
how about applebees tortilla burger, or the flame burger, on queen anne or dicks, or red robins teryacki burger?
Blue Moon’s Southwest Burger – Yum!
Absolutely the best burger and veggie burger I have eaten in a long long time,
I tried both. Get Chris to cook the Veggie Burger. Delicious!
I agree with Matthew…… NO LUNCHBOX LABORATORY?? Are you serious? I saw “Best Bugers” on the cover of your mag and thought, ok LL will be #1 and they’ll list a bunch of places vying for distant 2nd. But no mention at all? Wow.
I’m still shaking my head in disbelief.
Oh wait, now Lunchbox Laboratory is listed at #27.
P.S. The Food Network says Scott (at LL) makes the best burger in the state.
Really, no Kidd Valley in this category? They have the best burgers, shakes and sides! If you like chicken, try the chicken club. If you prefer no meat try the Garden Burger, its great! hand battered, onion rings and mushrooms made fresh daily. can’t get sweet potato fries as yummy as these! The shakes are made with real fruit too. You won’t be sorry!
I agree with the recent post about Kidd Valley missing (do they get knocked for being a chain?). They should have said “Gourmet Burgers” or “Burgers by CIA-trained chefs”. Sorry, but I’d take a nice, fresh sloppy burger that’s under $10 bucks than one that will eventually fall apart because it’s kobi beef and needs utensils. I read the Red Mill post on the onion rings — funny. Magic-man Tom Douglas throws in some cayenne to onion rings and they are the best?!? KV Hammy + Milkshake = Goodness.
If Burgermaster is on this, why isn’t Dick’s…Lunchbox Laboratory is missing as well. And if you don’t vote Palace Kitchen then you have not had their burger!
I agree with the magazine’s own rankings – Zippy’s Giant Burgers truly deserves the #1 spot! Best thing on the menu besides the classic “Zip Burger” is the #11 (named after the fire station across the street) featuring Mama Lil’s Hot Peppers. They also have the best veggie burger in town – their own black bean recipe. Worth the drive from anywhere in the city!
are you serious? What about Kidd Valley !!! The Double Bacon Burger w/cheese is the BEST!!
Broiler Bay in downtown Bellevue is probably the best burger joint on the Eastside and a must check out for any burger lover.
Hey guys—I contacted your staff about this, but on your VOTE IN page there’s a huge programming flaw: you cannot deselect any one of the 13 radio buttons; so even if you DID write in a fave, you still end up voting for one of the pre-written in faves…which kinda stacks the deck! Please get a radio button on that “write-in” category so we can throw in more wonderful choices. Kidd Valley cheeseburger with sweet potato fries…or or or the BOKA burger or the “onolicious” Hawaiian BBQ one at L&L. Thank you in advance for making this fix!
Footnote; if it is ONLY to vote on those 13, then the page as it is set up makes sense, but if there’s hope for a write-in contender to trump the others in this BEST OF…then see the above :).
Time to make myself a burger!!
Kidd Valley? Burgermaster? Dicks? Are you kidding?? Get the most delicious burger at the Latona Pub! See what you’ve been missing…
the Lunchbox Laboratory ranking somewhat discredits the rest of the list. somethings not right.
the Lunchbox Laboratory ranking somewhat discredits the rest of the list. somethings not right.
I can’t get over the fact that Lunchbox Laboratory didn’t make the top 13. And then there’s Quinn’s, which also didn’t make the top 13.
Who made this list? Seriously? It makes me question all the lists in the magazine of the best things where I don’t have any experience, because the one time they covered something I know a little about, I think they got it horribly wrong. And yes, I’m a subscriber.
I would suggest that Seattle Metropolitan owes Lunchbox Laboratory a feature story.
Vegan burger. Hillside Quickies. Nuff said.
mmmm….Red Mill has the best for my buck(s). I switch off between The Red Onion Jam and the Verde Burger. Forget ordering fries, and go for the onion rings. The Phinney location needs to kick their neighbor out and take over the whole building – just a little more seating space is all we need.
When the magazine arrived in my mailbox and I saw the cover, I though to myself. Finally Lunchbox Laboratory will get some recognition. And not even in the top 13? It’s like the staff hasn’t even been there.
Red Mill? WAY overrated. Even Kings Hardware makes a better burger. Bugermaster? Well, at least it’s better than most fast food places, but top 13? Not even close.
Arguing over omissions on this list looks like a lot of fun (Lunchbox Laboratory should be #1-5, seriously), but just wanted to thank the author for pointing out a few places worth checking out I didn’t know about.
Nik,
The staff has been to Lunchbox Lab. Check out the editor’s note.
I’ve recent become addicted to Teddy’s Bigger Burgers in Woodinville.
They use a custom fine-ground beef that is extra-super-primo-good.
The 9-oz patty is bigger than the bun!
I like it cooked-to-order (medium rare, please) with their tangy special
sauce, one large leaf of lettuce, a large thin tomato slice,
an optional large thin onion slice, and American cheese.
Their fries are thick and hot.
The 9-oz combo w/cheese (no need to eat again for at least 12 hours)
with large fries and drink is about $10.
What a grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat burger!
The Dock St. Burger at Leny’s Place in Wallingford is great and served late…Comes with a mandatory $4 stein too.
poor cows
The best? That would be Tommy’s at Beverly and Rampart in East Los Angeles!
:-)
All those burger places mentioned are indeed good burgers…Jak’s Grill being one of my favorites. However, the BEST BURGER I have had in was the 520 Bar & Grill burger (located in Old Bellevue, on Main Street)…OMG I eat it twice a week!!! You guys have to go and try it…It’s juicy, it’s thick and it’s the best!
For you non-beefers: Just had the veggie burger at Two Bells Tavern…delish. Lemon-tahini sauce comes on the side. Perfect.
This survey is pointless without Lunchbox Lab… something is screwed up here.
This comment thread reveals what horribly uneducated palates Seattlites have. Lunchbox Lab uses VERY poor quality beef in their beef burgers. Most of you are easily fooled into thinking a burger is good based on size and variety of toppings. To true burger connoisseurs, good beef = good burgers. Also, the very fact that Dick’s and Red Mill consistently appear in these Seattle lists make it very clear this city’s residents have A LOT TO LEARN about what makes a good burger!
Another thing about Lunchbox Lab…. I don’t care HOW good the food is (and honestly I’m not that impressed for the $18.00 that it cost for a sandwich) The dining area is incredibly dirty. I mean like really gross!!! Sorry, but I need to be able to put my napkin down and be able to pick it up again without it being black from whatever filth was on the table.
Good observation Melvidaloca. With the kind of care they take in their dining area. One has to wonder what the food prep and cooking area looks like.
You’re right gastro, obviously the vast majority is wrong and you are right. forgive us for our crappy palates! lol
I still can’t fathom why in hell Red Mill is even listed with these others. Mediocre at best, if it weren’t for the onion rings this place would just be another crappy, unclean, unhappily staffed burger joint.
Hello?!?! Quinn’s?!?!
The burgers are EXCELLENT quality beef with very well done, minimal condiments and the french fries are fried in duck fat. DUCK FAT. They are the most delicious fries in Seattle HANDS DOWN.
red mill doesn’t deserve to be on the list, last time the burger was only just cooked enough and they bread was saturated in grease, at their prices I would expect better.
It wasn’t just the last time either and on both occasions i threw it in the trash.
Yes. QUINNS. So good.
I usually eat on the Eastside, but any excuse will do to go to Seattle for a burger at Two Bells Tavern.
How is it that Lunchbox Laboratory is missing? They must have interns or newbs writing this article.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lunchbox-laboratory-seattle
Pretty good burger at the Burgermaster but you have to try the fish sandwich at the aurora location … it is hands down the best fish sandwich anywhere.
If you like well crafted burgers (i.e., not fast food burgers) try Steelhead diner by Pike Market. It comes with great accompaniments, but you could just eat the burger by itself (even without the bun) and be very happy!
I There are many good places on this list, but I’m with everyone else in that I can’t believe Lunchbox Laboratory didn’t make this list. Anyone who has spent any time scouring the best burgers in the city had to have discovered this place and would see that Lunchbox Laboratory is unlike a burger anywhere else. I’d love to see them reviewed in an upcoming issue!
Lunchbox Labratory in Ballard has all of these burgers beat. Talk about the most amazing burger you will ever have!!! Every day is a new experiment that will make your taste buds go wild!
If you like your burger cooked exactly to order (i.e. medium-rare, etc), then don’t go to Voila. We went there tonight and were a bit disappointed. The fries were good, but the Kobe beef was cooked ’til all the flavor was gone. It also took forever for it to even land on our table.
We recommend SMITH in capital hill. They cook their burgers to order and get them exactly right every time. Their buns come from Columbia City Bakery … deeelicious!
Not to be snarky, but… I’ve never had a Lunchbox Laboratory burger, but they do get the top prize for most planted blog comments, e.g., “How come, how come, LL is not in the top_?” Well done, mgmt. at LL!
I do not work at Zippy’s, I don’t know anyone who works there, but Zippy’s in W. Seattle is the most distinctive, most awesome burger (ever?) in Seattle. The rest are greasy (Kidd Val), boring (Jak’s), or hyper-self-concious (Red Mill). Lunchbox Lab might or might not do a good burger(?), but they definitely lose by choosing a name that sounds completely un-fun, and un-burger.
Thank you Zippy’s, for a true burger original that seethes with nostalgia and gob-smacking, mind-blowing, memorable burger experience. With bonus real burger memorabilia on the walls. You rock, Zippy’s.
I might as well chime in…..what about the burger at 35th St. Bistro in Fremont? Huge…..Quality grass feed blah blah……..it phreaking rocks!
I agree re. the 35th Street Bistro in Seattle. Amazing burgers. always have been.
Seastar restaurant and raw bar – seafood restaurant in seattle, yeah…they do a burger and it recently won some award, so that’s cool. check it out. its surprisingly good.
red mill. done. always so good. the rolling stones, hot girls and good burgers – what else can you ask for lunch? “hyper self conscious red mill” todd p? what are we at esalen describing burger joints? some self help clinic? come guy. you sound like a zippys butt kisser. i mean really. and totally dis agree re. your comment on lunchbox laboratory’s name being boring. its witty.
are you kidding? where in the world is the lamb burger from Matt’s in the Market? hands down top 10!!
glad to see there are meat eaters in the NW.
I have tried most of these burgers but you have missed a big one, Blazing Onion.They are the best burgers in town so good they have opened three locations. The orgiginal location is in Mill Creek then Snohomish and the lucky people in Gig Harbor can now enjoy those great burgers. All you foodies need to give them a try!
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers ARE AMAZING! Great atmosphere, good service, good value!
Lunchbox Lab—- the best.
Todays burger quest led us to the Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard. Although it was not listed as one of the top 13 burgers according to the Seattle Metropolitan, it just may be the best burger I have ever tasted.
Unless you’re really looking for this place, you’ll miss it. We drove by it once before finding it. Go on… a dry, sunny day when you can sit outside (they have nice outdoor furniture), because there’s not much room inside. Also, if it’s cold outside, it’ll be cold inside. There are a lot of cool lunchboxes and funny signs on the walls to view while we waited to order and waited for our food. The food is awesome but was a little pricey. For 2 people it was $30 (burger, tots, & a shake each). The staff is friendly too. I am told they are expanding soon.
So if you’re hankering for a new flavor that is utterly and completely insane, then you may want to partake in a little culinary mad science at the gastro-intestinal laboratory in one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods. You can either order one of their creations or build your own from the impressive list of ingredients hand written on the large blackboard divided into sections where you chose from a wide variety of, meats, toppings, sauces and sides. Chose from beef, buffalo, Churken (Turkey/Chicken) or the infamous duck and pork blend known as the dork burger, and then pick from 10 different types of cheese such as havarti, goat or gorier cheese. Toppings include: maple bacon, balsamic onions, red bell pepper relish. Top it all of with a variety of sauces such as the secret sauce, jalapeno ranch, 7 pickle olive dill tartar, balsamic hoisin or habanera ketchup and you will think you have died and gone to burger heaven. There is an amazing variety of options for your Burger and your side choices. I highly recommend trying a Nutella milkshake. The Mystical Mint also proved to be a blissful taste of perfection and the flavor was good too. There isn’t much on the menu that would actually fit inside a lunch box.
The hamburgers are enormous. After I finished mine I went home and fell into a two hour, burger induced coma. The food here is incredibly rich and flavorful. I have to say that what they are cooking is way beyond a mere hamburger. The bun and meat are just a vehicle for inspired combos of toppings and a foil for side dishes like Mac & Cheese and French Fries. Everything else is over-the-top, rich and good. They piled 3 inches of bacon on my bacon cheese burger. The burger juices ran all the way down to my elbows. This is like no other burger you ever imagined. I have been to the burger mountaintop, and it is the Lunchbox Laboratory. Every burger I eat for the rest of my life will have to be compared to the “Big Game Hunter” I just devoured.
I would have liked to see the Counter make the list of best burgers. The burgers explode with flavor. The 1/3, 2/3 or 1 pound patty could stand on its own as an excellent meal but when paired with the customers hand picked list of ingredients from their massive array of toppings to choose from it becomes a whole new force to be reckoned with, a force you will gladly wrap your hands around.
http://www.thecounterburger.com/
I’m throwing in my 2 suggestions of burgers at the Latona Pub and Frank’s oyster house. At Frank’s they make the bread and add pickled onions, which just adds to the flavor of the fine quality beef. The Latona Pub is just damn good – never had a disappointing burger.
to much food
@gastro
Go back to wherever you are from. You obviously are not from Seattle so go back home you Burger Nazi.
Gotta try Built Burgers! Get them on-line, delivered to your door for home bbq-ing taken to the NEXT level. builtburger.com. yum!
yes, i agree -lunchbox laboratory! but, frank’s oyster house and champagne parlor has an AMAZING burger. soooo, good! if you haven’t tried it.. DO IT!!!!!
It’s not a burger if you can’t put is in your mouth without a knife and fork. Springhill burger is not a burger. Ridiculous novelty like Coors cold activated beer cans.
With all due respect
Snap out of it, people
The best burger is served everyday
at John Howie Steak at The Bravern:
To wit:
USDA Prime Beef Bacon Cheeseburger,
½ pound ground prime sirloin,
Beecher’s Flagship Reserve cheddar,
Kurobuta bacon
served on a house baked bun with “Drive-In” sauce,
with Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle and sliced Red Onion
and oodles of perfect Fries
for
$8.00 during happy hour
or
$10.00 when a side salad is substituted for fries
[which I would suggest]
Lunchbox Lab’s Dork belongs here as well…
Best tasting burger is at Five Guys Burger and Fries, none of these fancy-schmancy places come close with their over-the-top, nouveau, pacific rim, farm-raised, hand picked gourmet toppings.
Best burger I would vote
1) Sport – Downtown Kobe burger is awesome
2) Jaks
3) Red Mill
4) Palace Kitchen
If the list was expanded to best hangover greasy burger the list would be
1) Lunch Box Laboratory in Ballard
2) Zippy’s
3) Spring Hill
I can’t say that I’ve been super impressed with Red Mill, but I was told that the bacon burger is the one you’re supposed to get. The Verde Burger was a little disappointing. I suppose I’ll have to try Lunchbox Laboratory sometime, but I hear it’s a little overpriced. It’s not known as a burger place but the bacon and cheddar burger in CJ’s Eatery in Belltown is awesome.
Its not listed but many best of seattle articles list Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In in Issaquaoh as one of the tops.
Pros – The diner is cool
Cons – The burgers are bland and nothing special.
As with all these list, you could probably make a better burger at home. But if you are a enthusiast of searching or traveling unique burger spots give it a chance once. Very pricey for a burger joint. Time with the family. Priceless. Dull burger. Well, u get the idea!!
Where is the 5 Guy’s?!?!?!? They have the absolute best burgers in the state!
Zippy’s has long since moved from their Holden street address. If Seattle Met is going to continue to post this article, it would be nice if you keep it up to date as well!
How about Lorretta’s in South Park? It’s like Dicks….but good!
I have to say hands down… Quinn’s Burger up on Capital Hill. So good! Their burger place in Fremont, Uneeda has great burgers too! The mushroom burger is awesome!
Spring Hill is a terribly overpriced burger from a terribly overpriced restaurant. Not 5 inches high, soggy bun, and burnt bacon. $17, really?
And all you veggies out there, sorry, but if there’s no meat in it, it ain’t a burger, it’s a sandwich.
The Filet Mignon Sliders at Mongos (eatatmongos.com) in Clearview are wonderful!!
It is NOT A BURGER when you can’t fit it in your mouth. The Spring Hill garbage is a novelty not a practical finger food. lame. However, little kids like that kind of crap.
really……no mcdouble from mcdonalds
its a classic easy on the palate, has a genuine grill flavor.
and its only a dollar + tax amazing I can buy like five of them.
I have to say the double whopper is next up…. took me like a 45 minutes to eat it.
Well it is surprising to seelunch box lab not on your list. But I must insist that all of you go el gouchos for their 1/2 lb hamburger. It is an incredible deal at 1/2 price happy hour forabour $8 with fries.
By far the the best deal and burger in town. I understand they usages primerib. Your survey was very disapointing. It was not complete and poorly researched. It makes me feel that your work cannot be trusted.