USA – A country in burgers

Over the last 2+ years I have been traveling a lot through the United States and Canada. During that time I tried a lot of burger places. It took me a while to go through my photos, to sort and annotate them. Here are my top three locations. A lot of pictures and impressions are featured in the gallery below. I will continuously update this post, add new pictures and maybe expand the list of top locations.

#3 Paradise Pup, Des Plaines, IL [Facebook | Yelp]

I am not the first reviewer to rate this as a top location for burgers. Every time we landed at O’Hare International Airport we made sure to have cash since there are no cards accepted here.

#2 Octave Grill, Chesterton, IN [ Website | Yelp]

This place features craft beers on tap and one of the best burgers I have ever had. Loved the goat cheese on it. I can’t wait until I can come back. The only downside is that this place is not open every day during lunch hours. However, their sweet potato tots with the honey mustard sauce are unmatched.

#1 The Thurman Cafe, Columbus OH [Website | Yelp ]

Seriously the best burgers in North America. I went there several times and every burger I tried was fantastic.

Photo Gallery

• THE ORDINARY BOB, Crusade Burger Bar, Yorkville, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170111_131535.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Address: 209 S Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560

• Hub 51

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20161223_140626-1.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Terminal 5, 10000 West O'Hare Avenue, Chicago, IL 60666 Located in: O'Hare International Airport

• Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20161222_114552.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  620 S Main St, Zionsville, IN 46077 bubsburgersandicecream.com

• The Burger Don, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170207_193019.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Yes I know... Canada is not the USA. But it was a delicious Burger! 7 Great Northern Rd Unit 11, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4Y4, Canada Menu: burgerdon.ca

• Bru Burger Bar

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160804_192703.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  410 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202 bruonmass.com

• Bru Burger Bar

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160804_192645.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Illegal burger, Denver, CO

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171012_175451.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Highly rated, but was a huge disappointment. The burger was just dead dry.

• Burger of the week, Crusade Burger Bar, Yorkville, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170213_184746.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Been there many times since it is so close to home. Never been disappointed. Address: 209 S Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560 Website: crusadeburger.com

• Slyder's Tavern, Dayton, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170220_183237.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Paradise Pup, Des Plaines, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170328_151402.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Two Burgers & Large Fries

• Slyder's Tavern, Dayton, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20161208_191755.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• American WildBurger, Des Plaines, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170201_183124.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  The blue cheese!

• American WildBurger, Des Plaines, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170201_183120.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  I would be here more often if Paradise Pup was not that close.

• Illegal Burger, Denver, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171012_175459.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Lamb Burger, Flavor 91 Gourmet Burger Bistro

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171005_191819-1.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Absolutely fantastic. The owners are great, they make EVERYTHING from scratch and serve local craft beer. Amazing place! 5186 E Main St, Whitehall, OH 43213 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flavor91/

• DAY OF THE LORDS, Crusade Burger Bar, Yorkville, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170111_131548.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Address: 209 S Bridge St, Yorkville, IL 60560

• Dyer's Burgers, Memphis, TN

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160919_183845.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  205 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103 dyersonbeale.com

• Home Team Sports Bar & Grill

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160921_101855.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Not recommended. 2419 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38116 Located in: Memphis International Airport

• The Thurman Cafe, Columbus, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170119_161932.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Fantastic!

• Stadium Sports Bar & Grill at Belterra Casino Resort

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160809_202800.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  777 Belterra Dr, Florence, IN 47020

• The Thurman Cafe, Columbus, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170119_161938.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Slyder's Tavern, Dayton, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20161220_161004.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Paradise Pup, Des Plaines, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170328_151405.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Close to O'Hare airport. This is our first stop when flying into the US. Address: 1724 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018

• Burger

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160804_192640.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Burger Antics, Brookfield, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170429_133716.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  3740 Grand Blvd, Brookfield, IL 60513 burgerantics.com

• Octave Grill, Chesterton, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170908_125035.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  They also have craft beer on tap. What a pity I was there during lunch break. Address: 137 S Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304 Website: http://www.octavegrill.com/

• Illegal burger, Denver, CO

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171012_175447.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Highly rated, but was a huge disappointment. The burger was just dead dry.

• Burger of the week, Octave Grill, Chesterton, IN

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170908_125039.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  They also have craft beer on tap. What a pity I was there during lunch break. Address: 137 S Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304 Website: http://www.octavegrill.com/

• Double Cheeseburger, Museum Tavern, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_20171019_154911902.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Not in the US - but this was supposed to be the best burger in Toronto according to a guy who ate a burger every day for a whole year.

• North Ave Grill, Milwaukee, WI

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_132607.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Great diner burger. Loved the locally produced blue cheese crumbles. Fantastic fries.

• Family Restaurant, Oswego, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_20171018_130704848.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Chili Cheese Burger with Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

• Max & Erma's Restaurant

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/DSC_0130-003.jpg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1

  https://www.maxandermas.com/menu/

• Ram Restaurant & Brewery

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/DSC_0472.jpg?fit=525%2C350&ssl=1

  http://www.theram.com/locations/in-indianapolis/

• Billie The Goat Cheeseburger, Chicago, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_20171018_203113030.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  This is an established Bar and Burger place in Chicago. This one I got at the airport and it was surprisingly tasty, but my expectations were pretty low.

• The tree acomplices, Illegal Burger, Denver, CO

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171012_1754541178212202.jpg?fit=197%2C350&ssl=1

  The Three accomplices were the best part of the meal. Liked the dipping sauces a lot.

• Crusade Burger Bar, Yorkville, IL

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170904_194103.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Slyder's Tavern, Dayton, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170809_223337.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  836 Watervliet Ave, Dayton, OH 45420 slyderstavern.com

• ThirstyBear Brewing Company

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20150828_194157.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Paducah Beer Werks

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170506_213832.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  N 42001, 301 N 4th St, Paducah, KY 42001 paducahbeerwerks.com

• The Urban Tap

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160515_154752-2.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• 20160616_203202

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160616_203202.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Fire by the Monon

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20160406_211532.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

• Brentwood, TN

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170507_200346.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  I do not recall if it was Murff's Craft Brew & Burgers or somewhere else...

• Sun Diner, Nashville, TN

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170510_110313.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  105 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 sundinernashville.com

• The Thurman Cafe, Columbus, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170625_200510.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  Address: 183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 Menu: thethurmancafe.com

• The Courtyard Grill

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/burgers/20170705_191327.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  321 Jefferson St, Madison, IN 47250

• Smashburger, Cincinnati, OH

  https://i0.wp.com/peintinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171006_193607.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1

  This is a big chain and only my last resort. So I got this one at the airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is OK for what it is.