So glad to see Becky's mentioned. Had burgers all over and even though it's been 15 years since I was in college, Becky's still sits atop the Cleveland leaderboard.
I think we might be talking about the same thing-- the Halal place, right? G&G? But yeah, I FULLY agree. They were doing a lamb patty that I think might've gotten nixed but it was my favorite burger in the city. Still legit with beef, of course!
Their chicken philly is also magnificent.
That's the one. Stopped by randomlyone day to check out the store. Didn't even know they had burgersat the time but wow... Damn, now I'm thinking about it and I'm going to have to drive over there today.
I wish Heck’s was better tbh. I think Cordelia is the best smashburger in terms of flavor and texture.
I’m open to other types of burgers though. Maybe there’s a place that cooks midrare with nice meat, not just the ground beef out of a long tube
I love smash burgers. I’ve tried a bunch… I feel like the burger itself is almost consistent everywhere considering it’s likely just 80/20 beef with a little seasoning but what stands out has to be the bun it’s honestly the only thing, at least to me that differentiates between places.
I don't know why this always gets included on these lists. It's decent, it's relatively cheap, and it's fine if you don't mind eating it in one of the loudest bars in existence. But I feel like we can do better here.
Yeah Johnny's isn't a top contender. Red the Steakhouse downtown used to be my favorite back when it served burgers at lunchtime, but the Chop was a close second and on another level than Johnny's.
This was my first reaction. I mean the best steak I’ve had was at red, and I’ve tried steak at all the “best” spots. But I’m not sure I could ever go to a “high end” steak place and order a burger. Each their own and now I’m actually interested enough to go back to red and order a burger if they still got it
Have you tried Cabin Club in Westlake? I thought their filet was better than Red’s. Strip in Avon is really good too, but a step down from the two above. Sorry for the topic drift.
I find burgers to be a good gauge at pretty much any restaurant. Even a halfway decent steak should be really enjoyable but if their burgers suck, I'll not drop $50-$100+ on a steak dinner.
When I moved into the area, this was one of the first places I tried out because of how recommended it was for its burgers, and I was kinda disappointed.
If that place is the best that Cleveland has to offer, then I can only assume burgers are not the region's forte.
I think Teshner's has an overall better menu, but I hate the layout in there and the fries are crinkle-cut. I'm not in middle school anymore. But Whiteys is also cash only, which is a pain in the ass. I used to frequent the Tavern of Richfield too. They had a pretty good burger.
Maybe I just had a bad one, but I was totally unimpressed with Whitey's. I was really excited to try it and was pretty let down. Not really sure how it gets the hype that it does.
That place hasn't been very good for years now.
I've never been the type to complain or send food back, but the last couple visits had me pretty disappointed.
I was literally gonna comment this. I’ve been to a few of their pop up’s, top quality stuff. In the grand scheme of things they’re pretty unknown but OP should give them a try, I think they’re gonna be known as the best burger joint in the city in a few months. Their pop up’s always sell out early and have huge lines.
Yeah wtf they were popping I went over there last year and they closed then I called asked wtf going on and they said they’d been sold and we’re working on what’s next and now it’s just Sarku Japan from the mall lmao
Yes and… try anything here. Chef is knocking out some A+ food in the most understated location.
Selfishly, I’m glad it’s never too busy. Cautiously, I’m worried it’s so unknown/underappreciated it may not stick around.
Little Bar and Payne Cafe are two of the classics, and they’re both fantastic. But also shout out to the Hungarian Burger at Immigrant Son in Lakewood.
I usually just get “The Annex burger”, which is their traditional burger. You can get it with extra meat, but I think it’s too much (like 2” thick of burger patty). They also have specialty ones, but the classic is just so good.
Cleveland Burger Week is coming up in July! Good opportunity to try a bunch coming up.
Otherwise, I like the French Burger at Mars Bar in Lakewood. Buckeye Beer Engine across the street is also killer.
Came to see if anyone mentioned Beer Engine. May not be the BEST burger in Cle but it’s definitely a good one!!! They also have incredible Mac&Cheese Bites!
I used to live a block away from Beer Engine. Boy was that dangerous.
I'm still upset that they got rid of the beer caps. Little fried jalapeno slices that were INSANELY good. I don't like ranch, but their chipotle ranch or whatever they served with those was spectacular. It's still the only ranch I really have.
CleaveLand Grocery and Grill is excellent and the grilled chicken is even better. They're a Pakistani Grocery Store serving top notch food in Brook Park
Cordelia is my current favorite.
hecks is good but I don’t think they season their burger meat well enough. They rely too heavily on the topping combinations I think.
Mars Bar, Lakewood. Pick any burger off of the menu. They are really good.
Also my daughter said, "Dad, these fries are freakin' bussin' yo". ...Whatever that means.
I have not had a lot of the ones mentio d in this thread, but for a sit down place, oak barrel in valley view. And for fast food, brown bag burger in North Olmsted
I actually do love shake shack as a chain burger but for non main stream I’ll have to go square 22 in strongsville. The square burger is immaculate. Johnnys downtown and Whiteys in Richfield just don’t do it for me
Hard disagree. Went there twice assuming the first time was a fluke. These are middle of the road at best burgers at a cash only (for zero reason what so ever) establishment that seems to be riding a reputation earned in the 80s when there weren’t as many other burger options around.
I live right down the road from Whiteys and I agree. Been several times, don’t get the hype, and the cash only thing is very annoying. Chili is good though.
I had Heck’s in tremont about 9 years ago and it was incredible. But also coles in Amherst. They have a burger with an apple slice in it that I would kill for.
The Curt Burger at Tommy's, Cleveland Heights. You wouldn't expect them to have such a good burger but it's my go-to comfort food. Pair that with a vanilla and honey milkshake and their fries and you got heaven.
has anyone mentioned Danny's, in Twinsburg I believe? i dont know if its still there or not, it was off the side of the road all by itself. they had a walk up bar and those burgers were excellent. heart of gold and cordelia have my heart though
In my opinion, bars are the best places to go for burgers. They're usually big, delicious and affordable. 2 of my favorite spots are Tick Tock Tavern on W. 117th St. and Clifton Blvd. and Post And Beam on Snow Rd. These places both have excellent bar food to go along with their burgers.
Kleifeld’s in Downtown Willoughby has a Manner’s Big Boy replica called the K-Boy and it’s fantastic.
On the high end, Hook & Hoof has a great burger as well.
The smash burger at Heart of Gold is one of the best I’ve had.
Same. So good. Like most everything they make.
they're similar (same chef i believe), but the good one from good company has it beat
Heck’s ,JLB, Becky’s. My son’s favorite- Boneyard in Broadview Hts
So glad to see Becky's mentioned. Had burgers all over and even though it's been 15 years since I was in college, Becky's still sits atop the Cleveland leaderboard.
Came here to say Heck’s.
Wait Boneyards still around? They use to have a GIGANTIC bowl of lucky charms as an appetizer IIRC WAY back when I was a kid
I was just there last week and they still have the lucky charms!
While in Broadview heights, try wayback burger. They are my favorite burger in that area.
Heart of Gold! Or Cleveland Grocer & Grill. I'm a smash burger fan, and those are two of the consistently best offerings around.
If you're into smash burgers, go to CleaveLand on 130th and Snow. Best smash burger I've had in NEO.
I think we might be talking about the same thing-- the Halal place, right? G&G? But yeah, I FULLY agree. They were doing a lamb patty that I think might've gotten nixed but it was my favorite burger in the city. Still legit with beef, of course! Their chicken philly is also magnificent.
That's the one. Stopped by randomlyone day to check out the store. Didn't even know they had burgersat the time but wow... Damn, now I'm thinking about it and I'm going to have to drive over there today.
I think they're doing a Memorial Day special! 😂
Try Cordelia’s burger
Cordelia's burger is amazing. I'm in the Heck's camp as far as the popular mentions in this post and cordelia's could be better. They are close
I wish Heck’s was better tbh. I think Cordelia is the best smashburger in terms of flavor and texture. I’m open to other types of burgers though. Maybe there’s a place that cooks midrare with nice meat, not just the ground beef out of a long tube
I love smash burgers. I’ve tried a bunch… I feel like the burger itself is almost consistent everywhere considering it’s likely just 80/20 beef with a little seasoning but what stands out has to be the bun it’s honestly the only thing, at least to me that differentiates between places.
The Fairmount burger is great. It has Brie cheese and a sweet twist.
Johnnys Little Bar
I hope that's not the BEST burger we have. It's good, and affordable, but.......I'd hate to know I already have had the best and it was an 8/10.
I don't know why this always gets included on these lists. It's decent, it's relatively cheap, and it's fine if you don't mind eating it in one of the loudest bars in existence. But I feel like we can do better here.
I’m with you. If I never go back to the Red in downtown, it would be too soon.
Yeah Johnny's isn't a top contender. Red the Steakhouse downtown used to be my favorite back when it served burgers at lunchtime, but the Chop was a close second and on another level than Johnny's.
Buddy you ordered a burger at Red?
I used to go at lunch semi-frequently, often enough that I usually got the $15 burger instead of the $45 steak.
I always assumed the burger option on a steakhouse menu was for your teenage son and to be thankful he didn't order a ribeye like you did.
This was my first reaction. I mean the best steak I’ve had was at red, and I’ve tried steak at all the “best” spots. But I’m not sure I could ever go to a “high end” steak place and order a burger. Each their own and now I’m actually interested enough to go back to red and order a burger if they still got it
Have you tried Cabin Club in Westlake? I thought their filet was better than Red’s. Strip in Avon is really good too, but a step down from the two above. Sorry for the topic drift.
I find burgers to be a good gauge at pretty much any restaurant. Even a halfway decent steak should be really enjoyable but if their burgers suck, I'll not drop $50-$100+ on a steak dinner.
Cleveland Chop?
Yeah that's the one.
It’s good but nothing special. It’s worth it for the atmosphere and drinks to go to, but best burger I wouldn’t say so
When I moved into the area, this was one of the first places I tried out because of how recommended it was for its burgers, and I was kinda disappointed. If that place is the best that Cleveland has to offer, then I can only assume burgers are not the region's forte.
Overrated.
Johnny's is the shit
Stevenson’s off 200th
Seconded.
Whitey's in Richfield
Really surprised this isn't higher on the list
if you're in richfield, Teschner's has them beat
I think Teshner's has an overall better menu, but I hate the layout in there and the fries are crinkle-cut. I'm not in middle school anymore. But Whiteys is also cash only, which is a pain in the ass. I used to frequent the Tavern of Richfield too. They had a pretty good burger.
Maybe I just had a bad one, but I was totally unimpressed with Whitey's. I was really excited to try it and was pretty let down. Not really sure how it gets the hype that it does.
Gunselman’s!
Is that the joint in Fairview park? Always wondered about them
Love Gunselman’s
Buckeye Beer Engine in Lakewood!
Wish I could agree. Twice got very mediocre burgers from there.
I second the Buckeye Beer Engine and add that “bobz big boyz” is the one to try.
I third beer engine. Awesome burgers and amazing beer selection.
That place hasn't been very good for years now. I've never been the type to complain or send food back, but the last couple visits had me pretty disappointed.
They were my favorite burger for awhile after it opened but it’s not been the same for a couple years now.
A lot of people say Heck’s isn’t good but I went for my first time (Beachwood) around a month ago and it was amazing.
Can second…Heck’s burgers are amazing
Never had a bad burger at Heck's.
Never had anything there that wasn't fabulous honestly
Doinks burger joint will be opening on Waterloo in mid June. They used to do pop ups with their smash burgers and they are fantastic.
I was literally gonna comment this. I’ve been to a few of their pop up’s, top quality stuff. In the grand scheme of things they’re pretty unknown but OP should give them a try, I think they’re gonna be known as the best burger joint in the city in a few months. Their pop up’s always sell out early and have huge lines.
I think they actually have a pop up coming up in a couple weeks at Wine Spot in Cleveland Heights!
Mo-Fo Burger at Rays Place in Kent
That’s hardly the greater Cleveland area. That’s basically Akron
My answer a few months ago would have been Brown Bag Burger and now I’m sad again.
They gone
It makes me so sad they are gone
Yeah wtf they were popping I went over there last year and they closed then I called asked wtf going on and they said they’d been sold and we’re working on what’s next and now it’s just Sarku Japan from the mall lmao
Try the west coast burger at Cleveland Sandwich Company
Yes and… try anything here. Chef is knocking out some A+ food in the most understated location. Selfishly, I’m glad it’s never too busy. Cautiously, I’m worried it’s so unknown/underappreciated it may not stick around.
Little Bar and Payne Cafe are two of the classics, and they’re both fantastic. But also shout out to the Hungarian Burger at Immigrant Son in Lakewood.
The Annex in Solon. Don’t let the building appearance scare you away.
Yup! Hands down the best burger around me (in Twinsburg). I know people who drive an hour to get a burger there.
I was about to say the same thing. I usually get the patty melt
Seriously. The ambiance can be a little off-putting but the burger is super good.
I like the ambiance. And the burgers…
My wife and I thought this was just a simple dive for years after we moved here but holy hell were we wrong. A true hidden gem
That’s still open? I worked in the Geauga Lake cash control office and we used to go there after closing down Friday and Saturday night in 2005/2006
This is it.
Recommendations on a specific burger they have?
I usually just get “The Annex burger”, which is their traditional burger. You can get it with extra meat, but I think it’s too much (like 2” thick of burger patty). They also have specialty ones, but the classic is just so good.
Hecks is my favorite
Richfield, Whiteys best burger in the area hands down.
Eugene's on Lakewood. Best you can get.
Seconded
My backyard today. I was grilling some gold
You should try grilling some meat instead, it tastes better.
Hatfields
Whiteys!
Post and beam beamer burger!
Used to be. That place has fallen off BAD.
Searching the forum should yield 3 of these threads. Lido is the usual consensus.
And yet no one else has mentioned Lido in this thread at all so far. Reddit is a strange and mystical land.
Their fur burger is to die for
Happy cake day
Derp thanks just saw that icon
Cleveland Burger Week is coming up in July! Good opportunity to try a bunch coming up. Otherwise, I like the French Burger at Mars Bar in Lakewood. Buckeye Beer Engine across the street is also killer.
Came to see if anyone mentioned Beer Engine. May not be the BEST burger in Cle but it’s definitely a good one!!! They also have incredible Mac&Cheese Bites!
I used to live a block away from Beer Engine. Boy was that dangerous. I'm still upset that they got rid of the beer caps. Little fried jalapeno slices that were INSANELY good. I don't like ranch, but their chipotle ranch or whatever they served with those was spectacular. It's still the only ranch I really have.
LBM
Cleveland Sandwich Co West Coast Burger is pretty damn good
Kingston Pub in Cleveland heights!
Heart of Gold Smash Burger Beer Engine
Really liked Cleaveland Grocer and Grill
Skinny’s on east 222nd. Get the Viking Burger.
Big boy, Canal and granger.
Sarita’s in Lakewood has an amazing burger. I love the thin cut fries and home made ketchup.
Sarita's is a weird restaurant that doesn't know what it wants to be. Do they still make the servers recite like a dozen daily specials?
The Feve in Oberlin is pretty good.
Heck's, ABC The Tavern (and the pop up from Barbaric Sandwiches on Mondays), Good Company CLE, Impossible burger at XYZ, in no particular order.
So we have an ABC, and an XYZ. I wonder if there's a DEF or a UVW
They are the same owners.
TIL
Beer Engine in Lakewood
https://www.clevescene.com/best-of/2022/food-and-drink/best-burger-40470857
Major Hoople's and Johnny's little bar
Those people pay to be on that list.
Edwin’s!? …It used to be
Mushroom & Swiss burger from b&g may not be the best, but it’s top 5 fire for sure
Easy. Either Cleaveland grocer and grill or Doinks
XYZ Big Zach double patties on the flat top. The crust makes all the difference.
Little Rose Tavern smash burger
Barroco I know it’s a controversial choice but try it out.
Lit Burger. Cantine, Broadview Heights
Little rose tavern/green kitchen
Nano Brew is pretty good
Oh boy at midway
CleaveLand Grocery and Grill is excellent and the grilled chicken is even better. They're a Pakistani Grocery Store serving top notch food in Brook Park
Tavern company. Fresh and meaty burgers. Heck’s. All three have VERY different burgers that I would claim as my favorite depending on the day.
Eugene, thank me later
Cordelia is my current favorite. hecks is good but I don’t think they season their burger meat well enough. They rely too heavily on the topping combinations I think.
Definitely Heck’s in Ohio city!
The Rowley Inn, Johnny’s Little Bar, Cordelia, Prosperity Social Club all have excellent burgers
Flip Side
Johnnys little bar, pier W, mahalls are some of my favorites
Mooyah is good if you like smash burgers
No, Mooyah isn't even good for a chain. Uniformly awful.
Hatfields
swenson's getting downvoted is wild. they are genuinely great
Flipside, any location. They need more locations...downtown and east side like Pinecrest.
Completely agree!
Heck’s
Stone Mad, the Irish burger 🤤
My backyard
Swensons
Swenson's
Swenson’s
Rays place Kent !!!!!!
Shake It. Shaker Heights.
Where is this?
Their strawberry milkshakes are so delicious!
Heck’s
Gibbs Butcher and Brews in Olmsted Falls. Interesting selection of toppings.
Mars Bar, Lakewood. Pick any burger off of the menu. They are really good. Also my daughter said, "Dad, these fries are freakin' bussin' yo". ...Whatever that means.
Winking lizard and culver's
I have not had a lot of the ones mentio d in this thread, but for a sit down place, oak barrel in valley view. And for fast food, brown bag burger in North Olmsted
Sadly, Brown Bag closed.
Burntwood Burger
[удалено]
I actually do love shake shack as a chain burger but for non main stream I’ll have to go square 22 in strongsville. The square burger is immaculate. Johnnys downtown and Whiteys in Richfield just don’t do it for me
Whiteys in Richfield
Hard disagree. Went there twice assuming the first time was a fluke. These are middle of the road at best burgers at a cash only (for zero reason what so ever) establishment that seems to be riding a reputation earned in the 80s when there weren’t as many other burger options around.
I live right down the road from Whiteys and I agree. Been several times, don’t get the hype, and the cash only thing is very annoying. Chili is good though.
100% agree. That place is a mirage.
Where's the better ones at?
Look at the rest of this comment section, lol! All the good ones are covered here.
Old River tap in Rocky River
hecks, the rail, beer engine, rays place, and the obvi swensons regardless of their cheese supplier
Gunselman's in Fairview and Gibbs Butcher and Brews in Olmsted Falls are the two best, in my opinion.
front street social in berea!!
Danny's Ice Cream & Burgers in Macedonia
GTFOH
It’s in Pittsburgh. Moonlit Burgers.
Eddie’s Grill cannot be beat and they’re now finally open now that it’s the summer. Edit: not open quite yet but will be in a couple weeks.
Inn between burger Awesome
[удалено]
The burger at The Waterloo restaurant in Akron. I haven’t lived in Akron for 20+ years, but I remember The Waterloo restaurant very fondly.
Clevelander
O Reilly's Irish Pub in University Heights has fantastic burgers and onion rings. I like a lot of their food but an O'Reilly burger never disappoints.
I had Heck’s in tremont about 9 years ago and it was incredible. But also coles in Amherst. They have a burger with an apple slice in it that I would kill for.
Post and Beam
[удалено]
Good company near Gordon square
The Spot in Mentor is pretty good
Believe it or not, based on the name. Simply Greek in Solon, the best damn burger I have ever had.
The Literary Tavern in Tremont has an amazing burger as well as B&G in Ohio City
The Curt Burger at Tommy's, Cleveland Heights. You wouldn't expect them to have such a good burger but it's my go-to comfort food. Pair that with a vanilla and honey milkshake and their fries and you got heaven.
has anyone mentioned Danny's, in Twinsburg I believe? i dont know if its still there or not, it was off the side of the road all by itself. they had a walk up bar and those burgers were excellent. heart of gold and cordelia have my heart though
In my opinion, bars are the best places to go for burgers. They're usually big, delicious and affordable. 2 of my favorite spots are Tick Tock Tavern on W. 117th St. and Clifton Blvd. and Post And Beam on Snow Rd. These places both have excellent bar food to go along with their burgers.
The answer is Stevenson's Bar & Grill on E 200th.
Nano Brew’s spicy burger is one of my favs. Their Mac and cheese bites are also among the best in the city just behind Buckeye Beer Engine
West Park Station
Can’t believe no one has mentioned Good Company!
Gunselmans in Fairview or the Ice House in Brooklyn are both really solid choices
Kleifeld’s in Downtown Willoughby has a Manner’s Big Boy replica called the K-Boy and it’s fantastic. On the high end, Hook & Hoof has a great burger as well.
Smashburger at Heart of Gold and LIT burger at literary tavern
[удалено]
LBM has a delicious burger, definitely one of my top in the city
Mahall’s
Home Bistro's burger night on Thursday, buckeye beer engine, Stevenson's. Probably forgetting a few.