There is no food more American than the burger. From gourmet to the sloppy, who knew a beef patty stuffed in between breads could illicit so much joy and other positive emotions. And here in Denver, we have a very deep love affair with the burger. After all, even if the 303 can embrace food from all over the world, there is still nothing better than a good ol’ burger.

To help you find the best burgers in the city, here is our guide.

Champa St Burger Works

Affordable, fast, and delicious. They could use that tag line for their store because that is what customers of this fast food come here for.  The patties are cooked fast but it retains its juice and does not get dry. You also don’t have to limit yourself to beef, try the elk and bison for a more gamey type of meat. I personally love the toppings bar and abuse the hell out of it. The best part is you can pair your burger with $1.5 craft beers including Fat Tire.  

17501 Lincoln Ave. Unit N Parker, CO 303.805.3616

7085 W Alaska Dr. Lakewood, CO 303.742.9000

Teds Montana Grill Downtown Denver

While other joints insert some bison beef patties in the menu, Teds’ made it a specialty that customers come back for. They have several burger choices and you can choose between beef and bison. Choose bison. You can have beef burgers anywhere but the bison burgers here are the best.

1401 Larimer Street Denver, CO 303.893.0654

Cherry Cricket Cherry Creek

So while the other joints around the area have gone upscale, the Cherry Cricket stayed with their winning formula: delicious burgers and cold beers. Get your ½ lb. cricket burger for just $7.5 then add your favorite toppings priced from free (red onion) to $3 (corned beef). I personally like peanut butter, some green chile, and an egg on my cricket burger.

2641 E 2nd Ave, Denver CO 303.322.7666

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

A lot of burger joints let you make your own burger, but Big Daddy’s take it a step further with their wide selection of choices, it is enough to make your head spin. You can choose your own patty from beef to chicken to buffalo. You can then choose your bread, which also includes gluten free buns or lettuce wraps. Then you choose the toppings: different types of bacon, several types of cheese, spices, etc. After you are done constructing your burger, you can even name it. It could get a bit pricey but it is all so worth it.

240 Milwaukee St., Denver, CO 303.377.3032

City Grille

There is a sign outside that says “Denver’s Best Burger.” Well, their steakburger certainly makes a strong argument. Voted as the best burger by the Rocky Mountain News, the steakburger has become a favorite by locals. Why? Because of the juicy ground sirloin patty. Partner it with probably the best green chile in town and you are set.

321 E. Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 303.861.0726

Larkburger

A burger so good it created a new chain of restaurant. Brief history, the Lark burger was invented in Chef Thomas Salamunovich other fine-dining restaurant, Larkspur. Because of the strong demand for the burger, a new restaurant was established around it. Now it is one of the fastest growing chains in the city. Thrillist actually voted it as the “Best Burger in Downtown Denver” in 2014.

1617 California Street, Unit B, Denver, CO 720.250.0533