As I’m sure you know, May is National Burger Month. This has me feeling pretty nostalgic thinking about all the great burgers I’ve tasted over the years, many right here in our local area. Below is my list of favorite burger joints – ranging from cheap eats to fine dining. While I grouped them, the burgers spots are in no particular order. Most are in Chester County, though a few are further afield. Don’t see your favorite spot on the list? Write a comment below about your favorite burger place. I’m always looking for the next great burger!
Burger Joints
Billy Burger and Bakery
Chef Bill McConnell char-grills each burger only after you place your order – and he does it with a smile. This little burger joint is retro and each week Bill offers a special burger of the week with names such as the “Rango” burger. Check the big board upon entering to see what the daily specials are. A Billy Burger with Cheese is $5.25. Billy loves all his customers, but he loves you more when you pay cash. They have a great bakery also. Located at 2 North Five Points Road, West Chester.
Buddy’s Burgers, Breasts and Fries
The best value burger in downtown West Chester. Great fries too. Note that the Buddy burger has two patties. Order the Little buddy if you only want one patty. $5.30 for the Buddy with Cheese. $3.90 for the Little Buddy with cheese. Feel daring? Try the Widow Maker – a buddy burger with bacon, fried egg, chili and cheddar cheese. We love their fries also. Located at 11 West Gay Street, West Chester. They also have a Buddy’s at Main Street at Exton.
Butcher’s Burger
Theo and George took over this little Eagleview area retro burger joint late in 2011. They create beautiful and delicious burgers, with so many specialty burgers to choose from. I tried the Gorgonzola burger in January when I visited. A cheeseburger is $4.59. They are a popular spot for those who work in the Eagleview Corporate Center. Located at 221 Eagleview Boulevard, Exton.
Wimpy’s
I enjoy stopping here as I drive from West Chester to South Philly for a baseball or hockey game. Savory, excellent burgers and friendly quick service. Roy Halladay and family are sometimes spotted here also. The original with cheese is $4.19. Try their Cowboy Burger – a bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, fried onion rings and BBQ Sauce. Owner David Pallandrino is working to open a second shop at the old Stadium Grill in West Chester. Also – try the WAM! Spiced fries. Located at 1015 North Providence Road, Media.
Zac’s Hamburgers
I’ve eaten at two of their five Delaware County Locations. The Aston location is definitely old school and draws kids who’ve just played ice hockey at IceWorks rink. Great cheap burgers, you might want to order two. Zac’s Aston is located at 3600 Concord Road, Aston. Zac’s Media is located at 301 State Street. Same burgers, but not as old school but still retains a retro feel.
Charlie’s Hamburgers
Delaware County’s most well known burger stand. Who remembers when it used to be located in Springfield right off of Baltimore Pike? Charlie’s is definitely old school, with small fresh hamburgers and shakes, but no french fries. Located at 336 Kedron Avenue, Folsom.
Burgers and Beer
Iron Hill Brewery, West Chester
The gourmet eight-ounce burgers are delicious and this month they are featuring a different specialty burger every day! A cheeseburger runs $10.95 and includes choice of fries or salad. Of course, this is the place if you want to pair great craft beer with your burger also. Located at 2 West Gay Street, West Chester. All Iron Hill locations are participating in the burger of the day promotion.
Firecreek Restaurant
Pull up to the bar and order a charbroiled Angus burger with blue cheese. Served on a ciabatta roll, this is a big juicy burger. Served with skin-on straight-cut fries for $12. Decent craft beer selection rounds out the fine dining experience. Located at 20 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown.
Good Dog Bar & Restaurant
The hipster spot in Center City for getting a burger. It’s basically a neighborhood tavern, small, cramped, and fun. The half-pound burgers are satisfying and filling. I chose the Good Dog Burger, $12.50, which was infused with Roquefort cheese and comes with caramelized onions on a Brioche bun. Located at 224 South 15th Street, Philadelphia.
Cheeseburger in Paradise
My family and I have been fans of Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar & Grill for several years. We’ve celebrated everything from hockey wins to birthdays there, and we’ve always ordered their awesome burgers and the side of sweet potato chips. They serve juicy Brave Heart Black Angus Cheeseburgers, offering the burgers in a number of delectable combinations, including a Baja Burger which has avocado, sour cream jalapenos, onions, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo. They also offer Black Angus sliders–four mini-burgers that are great for sharing. There’s always domestic and premium beer specials on hand that pair well with your burger of choice. Located at 116 North Pottstown Pike, Exton.
Transcendental Burgers
Village Whiskey
After reading Philadelphia Inquirer Food Critic Craig LaBan rave about these burgers, I logged this destination in my contact list. A few months later, during my short stint at Federal Jury Duty, I walked the twelve blocks in the January cold for lunch. It was well worth the frigid trip. Village Whiskey is a retro saloon created by Jose Garces, and he maintains high standards. I’ve since returned with the family to share the experience, only to be mocked when they saw a tear fall from my eye as I dived into my burger. Must be ordered with blue cheese–as LaBan recommends. Expect a wait if you don’t go during off hours. My favorite all-time burger. Located at 118 South 20th Street, Philadelphia.
Midnight Express
Maybe it was the fact I was jet-lagged, but the night I arrived in Chamonix, France, I walked through the town and stumbled onto a take-out window of this small eatery. I ordered a cheeseburger which came in a pocket-like fold of bread and I ate it out in the street. It could have been the altitude, or the fact that I knew I was experiencing the trip of a lifetime, but each bite of this burger was as breathtaking as the view from the summit of the Vallee Blanche. Years later, I picked up a ski magazine in the dentist’s office to see Midnight Express had been chosen as one of the best apres ski burgers in the world. It was a transcendental burger moment.
