Mark your calendars for National Cheeseburger Day every Sept. 18! Whether you’re craving a classic burger or a hearty brioche with bacon and brie, celebrate at one of these Pennsylvania burger joints. Header image credit: Visit Clearfield County
1. The Sawmill Restaurant
Leeper
It’s definitely worth making a trip to this small town to experience one of The Sawmill Restaurant’s famous burgers. Fan favorites include the Sawdust – two patties stacked high with melted cheese and crispy bacon, the Sawmill – a double cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, Thousand Island dressing, and bacon, and the quarter-pound Lumberjack. If you’ve somehow managed to save room for dessert, check out the soft serve ice cream flavors or enjoy a classic banana split.
2. Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub
Clearfield
As seen on numerous national food shows, Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub is known across the land as “Home of the World's Largest Hamburger” challenge. Several versions of the challenge are available, including the six-pound Ye Olde 96er and its three-hour time limit. Don’t want to go it alone? Gather a bunch of your burger loving pals to partake of the “Beer Barrel Main Event.” Though not an official challenge, this 125-pound behemoth of a burger is topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise and made to be shared. Their regular menu also features nearly 30 delicious, half-pound burgers each with its own creative toppings.
3. Standard Tap
Philadelphia
Along with its impressive array of locally produced craft beers on tap, Standard Tap is also known for its decadent burgers. The Standard Burger features seven ounces of a grilled patty blend of PA brisket and chuck, topped with raw red onion, Cabot cheddar, leaf lettuce, aioli, and house pickles on a brioche bun from Merzbacher’s, an old-school Philadelphia bread bakery with a new-school approach and delicious buns!
4. Village Whiskey
Philadelphia
As the 2009 winner of the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic” award and one of only a few chefs in the country to hold the coveted title of “Iron Chef,” Chef Jose Garces is known for serving up delicious burgers alongside great drinks at his restaurant, Village Whiskey. His Village Burger is served on a sesame roll with tomato, Boston bibb, and house-made Thousand Island dressing, while his VC Mac features a double patty topped with their Thousand Island dressing, pickles, American cheese, and romaine on a potato roll. Customize your own burger or let the chef surprise your palate with the Burger of the Moment.
5. A. Kitchen+Bar
Philadelphia
Located in the heart of Rittenhouse Square with a focus on seasonally inspired ingredients, a. kitchen + bar’s classic cheeseburger is simple yet delicious. Served with cornichon, American cheese, and dijonnaise (a blend of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) on a sesame bun and a side of fries, this meal pairs perfectly with one of their craft cocktails or local brews. Their cocktails and selection of distinctive wines are so good, the restaurant has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for its innovative wine and spirits programs.
6. Burg’hers Brewing
Zelienople, Lawrenceville, South Side, Millvale
Burg’hers Brewing is a self-described, “chef-driven, smash burger joint and craft brewery focused on locally sourced, ethical, and sustainable food and drink.” Named after various sections of Pittsburgh and with four locations near downtown, their burgers offer an interesting take on the easy, all-American backyard burger. For example, their Polish Hill burger is topped with a pierogi, while the Mexican War burger features chilies and cilantro, and the Morningside is topped with an egg and bacon. They also offer meatless and gluten-free options, and you can even turn any of their smash burgers into a hot dog for a fun twist.
7. Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse
Ligonier
Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse is not your average burger joint, adding a new spin to the traditional burger concept with their bun-less, eight-ounce “no bun fork & knife burgers.” Their Black & Blue Fork & Knife steak burger is topped with sautéed onions, bacon, blackened seasoning, dry bleu cheese, and buffalo sauce, while the Portobello is served on spinach, topped with a Portobello mushroom, red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, and blackened tomatoes. Bun lovers need not despair! Their classic char-grilled steak burger – half or full pound, your choice – is served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and fries.
8. Union and Finch
Allentown
Burgers take center stage at Union & Finch – an American style bistro focused on comfort foods and familiar favorites with a twist. Their inviting menu of burgers ranges from the classic made with Pat LaFrieda beef and topped with iceberg lettuce, red onion, and a tomato to their Gold Label Burger featuring a custom blend of prime, dry-aged Pat beef cuts topped with caramelized onions and is known to sell out quickly. They also feature a burger of the month with unique toppings and fixings guaranteed to stretch your burger boundaries!
9. Building No. 9 Grille
Troy
With burgers perfectly juicy and grilled-to-perfection, Building No. 9 Grille is known as one of the best burger joints in Bradford County. Crafted with Creekstone Farms certified Black Angus beef, their burgers come in a variety of classic styles. The Cue Ball is a tasty hamburger, the 8 Ball a classic cheeseburger, and the 8 Ball Deluxe their delectable bacon cheeseburger may have you coming back for seconds. All are served with onion, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, and a side of French, curly, cheese, or sweet potato fries.
10. Buttonwood Grill
Lahaska
A favorite among locals, the Buttonwood Grill is known for its half-pound burgers, ground and each served “Between the Buns” or “Naked,” your choice. Burger purists may want to opt for the Plain Jane – a simply great tasting burger on a bun and that’s all. The more adventurous burger connoisseur may want to try the Little Italy with its toppings of sundried tomato and olive tapenade, spicy cherry peppers, provolone, and Italian greens, or their Guinness BBQ onions, sharp cheddar, and creamy horseradish – definitely yum on a bun!
11. Bowman’s Tavern
New Hope
Burgers crafted from all natural, hormone free, grass fed beef and served on a toasted brioche bun are a definite fan favorite at Bowman's Tavern. The Bowman Burger is heaped with bacon, aged cheddar, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion, and their own special “secret sauce,” while their Chili Crisp Burgers is a delicious combo of cooper sharp cheese, iceberg lettuce, grilled portobello, calabrian chili crisp, and kewpie scallion mayo. Stop in for their weekday happy hour from 4–6 p.m., and don’t miss the $10 Smash Burger
12. Brick & Brew Gastropub
Malvern, Media, and Havertown
The Brick & Brew is an authentic gastropub serving not only amazing burgers but an array of homemade dishes, including wood fired pizzas, handcrafted cocktails, and local craft beer. Top sellers include their Classic Burger with its custom beef blend and stacked with lettuce, tomato, onion, house pickles, and cooper sharp cheese. Be sure to check out each location’s weekly specials, which often feature a tasty burger with innovative toppings.
13. Burgatory
Pittsburgh
No question of what’s on the menu of Burgatory! This eclectic restaurant on Pittsburgh's North Shore offers gourmet burgers, unique milkshakes, and a variety of cocktails and brews. Burgers range from their Standard Deluxe all-natural beef burger with white American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and House Burger Sauce to the more inventive, such as their Piggy Butter & Jelly topped with candied bacon, peanut butter, and habanero jelly. Feeling crafty? Create your own, unique burger from their extensive selection of meats and veggies, cheese, sauces, and toppings.
14. Charlie’s Hamburgers
Folsom
Serving up made-to-order burgers and classic milkshakes since 1935, Charlie’s Hamburgers’ is a veritable Delaware County institution! Nothing fancy here; the menu is pretty simple (you won’t even find French fries listed), but their incredible burgers are made fresh each morning with meat sourced from local butchers. Be sure to order their famous black-and-white milkshakes to wash down your burger for the true Charlie’s experience – homemade with Bassetts Ice Cream, another southeastern PA icon and celebrating more than 160 years as America’s oldest ice cream company!
15. The Grille at the Train Station
Sayre
The Grille at the Train Station invites you to “Get Your Grille On.” Supporting local growers, their juicy, half-pound, grilled-to-perfection burgers are made with a blend of steak and brisket and come with all of the fixings. Fan favorite, the Frickle Burger, is dressed with fried pickle chips, Cheddar jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, red onion, and the self-proclaimed best ranch dressing in the area. Add a bit of zing for your taste buds with the Firehouse Burger featuring house wing sauce, house-pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Menu sides include fries, chips, tater tots, seasoned waffle fries, or grilled pickles so you’re guaranteed to never leave hungry!
16. The Brickhouse
Orwigsburg
The Brickhouse Grill offers exciting, innovative, and homemade dishes with seasonal local ingredients sourced from a variety of local farms and their own gardens. These tasty ingredients are reflected in all of their menu offerings, including their 28-day dry aged burger: a custom blend of dry aged chuck, brisket, and short rib, caramelized onions, smoked gouda, bacon jam, and a dijon aioli. This tasty sandwich pairs perfectly with their all‑day craft cocktails.
Craving more Pennsylvania flavor? Dive into the commonwealth’s tastiest spots on our Food & Drink page and keep the adventure rolling