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A dining table featuring a double-paddy cheeseburger on a seeded bun served on a round plate.
The “Mother Rucker” at River Twice.
River Twice.

15 Must-Try Burgers in Philly

From simple, juicy single-patty hamburgers to double-stacked cheeseburgers layered with toppings

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The “Mother Rucker” at River Twice.
| River Twice.

In the city of cheesesteaks, restaurants all over town also offer another carnivore classic: the burger. Juicy, salty, and satisfying — sometimes nothing but a hamburger will do. And maybe fries. And a beer. Here are 15 of the best burgers in Philadelphia.

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Lucky's Last Chance (multiple locations)

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The over-the-top burgers at Lucky’s come with a wide variety of add-ons, including fried pickles, peanut butter and jelly, pierogies, and so much more. Toasted and buttered Liscio’s rolls make for a great delivery system for these messy, oversize burgers.

Middle Child Clubhouse

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While Middle Child Clubhouse used to frown upon any customizations to its cheeseburger — a fairly perfect burger with American cheese, pickles, onions, and cherry pepper mayo — these days you can add an extra patty and bacon if you’re really feeling flush.

A traditional burger with sauce on the side on a silver platter is sitting on top of a green leather diner stool.
The cheeseburger at Middle Child Clubhouse features a KP’s Fine Meats burger patty, American cheese, sour pickles, white onion, and cherry pepper mayo.
Gab Bonghi

Kook Burger & Bar

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This new hotspot is making a name for itself already with their sizzling certified Angus beef burgers that are perfectly complimented alongside their massive truffle fries and margarita flights. With its Instagram-friendly vibe and larger-than-life portions, this is the place to go when your appetite is huge.

Village Whiskey

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Burgers at this Jose Garces restaurant are tall, proud, and almost a little daunting. In a city where truly pricy splurge burgers are a rare sight, the notorious Whiskey King stands out: Topped with blue cheese, bacon, maple-bourbon glazed onions, and foie gras, it carries a $27 price tag and has accumulated no small number of ardent fans.

a.kitchen+bar

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This Ellen Yin-owned restaurant transforms the typical cheeseburger into something spectacular. Prepared with local ingredients and a masterful searing, a burger served at a.kitchen is given the same culinary respect as the rest of their more ambitious dishes.

Oh Brother Philly (multiple locations)

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This burger joint is all thrill without the fuss in a neighborhood surrounded by culinary heavyweights from the likes of Jose Garces and Ellen Yin. Stop by at this spacious BYOB for the juiciest (and generously portioned) ribeye burgers Old City has to offer.

Royal Boucherie

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Royal Boucherie’s burger doesn’t mess around. The grass-fed patty is finished off with a tangle of watercress, nutty gruyere and — wait for it — a dollop of bone marrow for good measure.

Monk's Cafe

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Monk’s is not only an award-winner for its beer selection: The Belgian bar has also won a number of contests thanks to its burger, made with Primal Supply beef. It comes with a generous side of frites and toppings with international flair include caramelized leeks, sauteed mushrooms and Gruyere, and broccoli rabe.

Southgate

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Sauteed kimchi gives SouthGate’s burger signature flair. Here a bulgogi spiced patty is finished off with aromatic perilla leaves, bacon, cheese, and Kewpie mayo. A paired down bulgogi burger is served with a gochugaru-spiked aioli.

M2O Burgers & Salads (multiple locations)

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There is something for everyone at this emerging burger joint that is feeding meat-lovers and vegans alike with their tasty grass-fed beef and black bean patties, respectively. Start with their outstanding “city farmer” burger that’s stacked with angus beef patties, cheddar cheese and topped with baby arugula and fresh mushrooms.

River Twice

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River Twice is known for their expansive tasting menu, but the ultimate stand-out from it has been the “mother rucker” burger — chef Randy Rucker’s tantalizing conception that features quarter-pounders of beef layered with a seasoned mayo, cooper sharp, and pickled onions on an exceptional milk bun that can barely hold its greatness. Fortunately for those who just want the burger — you can now grab one (while they last) during their outdoor dining hours.

Fountain Porter

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The delicious $6 burger at Fountain Porter is a burger for purists, with a juicy and well-charred patty and a no-frills presentation — just American cheese and a potato roll. The perfectly easy side-snack while you grab a few pints.

Burgertime NJ

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With “burger” right in the name, Burgertime in Audobon, NJ is a pretty great option for anyone seeking a beef patty between a bun. The options at Burgertime are seemingly endless, from the Pepperjawni Pizza Burger (with pepperoni, of course) to the Backyard BBQ burger made with baked beans and a hot dog on top. For real.

Charlies Hamburgers

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Venture out to Delco to get a taste of one of the region’s most historic burger institutions. While the 2.0 location on MacDade Boulevard might not have the same retro appeal as its previous address, Charlie’s is still turning out the same skinny patty, greasy-in-a-great-way burgers that they’ve been griddling since 1935.

Rosemary

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The best burger in Ridley Park right now is at a new restaurant that doesn’t hold back from its culinary ambitions. Chef Elijah Milligan’s recipe includes two perfectly seared patties that’s topped with aged cheddar and drizzling with truffle aioli — deliciously sensational.

Lucky's Last Chance (multiple locations)

The over-the-top burgers at Lucky’s come with a wide variety of add-ons, including fried pickles, peanut butter and jelly, pierogies, and so much more. Toasted and buttered Liscio’s rolls make for a great delivery system for these messy, oversize burgers.

Middle Child Clubhouse

While Middle Child Clubhouse used to frown upon any customizations to its cheeseburger — a fairly perfect burger with American cheese, pickles, onions, and cherry pepper mayo — these days you can add an extra patty and bacon if you’re really feeling flush.

A traditional burger with sauce on the side on a silver platter is sitting on top of a green leather diner stool.
The cheeseburger at Middle Child Clubhouse features a KP’s Fine Meats burger patty, American cheese, sour pickles, white onion, and cherry pepper mayo.
Gab Bonghi

Kook Burger & Bar

This new hotspot is making a name for itself already with their sizzling certified Angus beef burgers that are perfectly complimented alongside their massive truffle fries and margarita flights. With its Instagram-friendly vibe and larger-than-life portions, this is the place to go when your appetite is huge.

Village Whiskey

Burgers at this Jose Garces restaurant are tall, proud, and almost a little daunting. In a city where truly pricy splurge burgers are a rare sight, the notorious Whiskey King stands out: Topped with blue cheese, bacon, maple-bourbon glazed onions, and foie gras, it carries a $27 price tag and has accumulated no small number of ardent fans.

a.kitchen+bar

This Ellen Yin-owned restaurant transforms the typical cheeseburger into something spectacular. Prepared with local ingredients and a masterful searing, a burger served at a.kitchen is given the same culinary respect as the rest of their more ambitious dishes.

Oh Brother Philly (multiple locations)

This burger joint is all thrill without the fuss in a neighborhood surrounded by culinary heavyweights from the likes of Jose Garces and Ellen Yin. Stop by at this spacious BYOB for the juiciest (and generously portioned) ribeye burgers Old City has to offer.

Royal Boucherie

Royal Boucherie’s burger doesn’t mess around. The grass-fed patty is finished off with a tangle of watercress, nutty gruyere and — wait for it — a dollop of bone marrow for good measure.

Monk's Cafe

Monk’s is not only an award-winner for its beer selection: The Belgian bar has also won a number of contests thanks to its burger, made with Primal Supply beef. It comes with a generous side of frites and toppings with international flair include caramelized leeks, sauteed mushrooms and Gruyere, and broccoli rabe.

Southgate

Sauteed kimchi gives SouthGate’s burger signature flair. Here a bulgogi spiced patty is finished off with aromatic perilla leaves, bacon, cheese, and Kewpie mayo. A paired down bulgogi burger is served with a gochugaru-spiked aioli.

M2O Burgers & Salads (multiple locations)

There is something for everyone at this emerging burger joint that is feeding meat-lovers and vegans alike with their tasty grass-fed beef and black bean patties, respectively. Start with their outstanding “city farmer” burger that’s stacked with angus beef patties, cheddar cheese and topped with baby arugula and fresh mushrooms.

River Twice

River Twice is known for their expansive tasting menu, but the ultimate stand-out from it has been the “mother rucker” burger — chef Randy Rucker’s tantalizing conception that features quarter-pounders of beef layered with a seasoned mayo, cooper sharp, and pickled onions on an exceptional milk bun that can barely hold its greatness. Fortunately for those who just want the burger — you can now grab one (while they last) during their outdoor dining hours.

Fountain Porter

The delicious $6 burger at Fountain Porter is a burger for purists, with a juicy and well-charred patty and a no-frills presentation — just American cheese and a potato roll. The perfectly easy side-snack while you grab a few pints.

Burgertime NJ

With “burger” right in the name, Burgertime in Audobon, NJ is a pretty great option for anyone seeking a beef patty between a bun. The options at Burgertime are seemingly endless, from the Pepperjawni Pizza Burger (with pepperoni, of course) to the Backyard BBQ burger made with baked beans and a hot dog on top. For real.

Charlies Hamburgers

Venture out to Delco to get a taste of one of the region’s most historic burger institutions. While the 2.0 location on MacDade Boulevard might not have the same retro appeal as its previous address, Charlie’s is still turning out the same skinny patty, greasy-in-a-great-way burgers that they’ve been griddling since 1935.

Rosemary

The best burger in Ridley Park right now is at a new restaurant that doesn’t hold back from its culinary ambitions. Chef Elijah Milligan’s recipe includes two perfectly seared patties that’s topped with aged cheddar and drizzling with truffle aioli — deliciously sensational.

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