Best burgers in Portland

93 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Tulip Shop Tavern is one of the most-named burger spots, mostly for its smash burger. Several commenters call it their favorite or the best smash burger in town, and one says the standard burger goes well with beer. Not everyone agrees: some commenters criticize the service, it is described as busy with a long wait, and one finds smash burgers like these salty.

63 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood, r/Portland

Sure Shot is among the most-recommended burger names, and many commenters single out its smash burgers as the best or a favorite. The location shown is the NE 42nd Avenue spot, which commenters name; another commenter mentions its cart at a brewery in NE. Some commenters praise the value. One visitor found it solid but thought the double patty had too many crispy edges.

NE 42nd

50 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Portland, r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Wolf's Head is a smash-burger spot that many commenters recommend, and several rank it among the best burgers they have had in Portland. A couple of commenters single out a chili crunch or chili crisp special. Not everyone agrees: one found it really bad, and another called it overpriced but still a good meal.

44 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood, r/Portland

Monster Smash is a smash-burger food truck at Belmont Station, and most commenters recommend it. Many rank it among the top smash burgers in town, and its crispy patties get praise. Some commenters are less impressed: one finds it too salty, and another finds the burger too greasy and crusty with too little meat.

Belmont Station

43 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland

PDX Sliders has Sellwood and Hawthorne locations, and the location shown is the Sellwood one. Many commenters recommend its burgers; one calls the Sellwood burger nearly perfect, and another names the Hawthorne and Sellwood locations as favorites. A couple of commenters praise the Steel double slider, and the black bean burger gets praise too. Caveats: one finds it overrated, one says portions have shrunk in recent years, and one says it is not cheap.

Sellwood

35 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/PortlandFood

Bless Your Heart Burgers is recommended as a brand, and the location shown is its NE 33rd Avenue branch, which one commenter calls the top burger in Portland. Many commenters call it a favorite or go-to, and one likes its cheeseburgers. A couple of commenters dislike the zucchini pickles, though one loves the burger without them, and one says the burger is not really smash-style.

NE 33rd

32 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Lo's Burgers is a smash-burger spot on N Williams Avenue that many commenters recommend, and several call it a favorite or among the top smash burgers in town. One commenter found a burger very salty on a single visit, and one used to love it more before the bread got thicker.

Williams

31 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/PortlandFood

Killer Burger is a local chain, and the location shown is its downtown outlet on SW 3rd Avenue, which one commenter names; many recommenders name only the brand. Many commenters recommend it, and a couple praise the peanut butter pickle bacon burger. One says its house-made veggie patties are surprisingly good, and one that the fries are top notch. Critics: one finds the burgers so-so, one overrated, one finds the house sauce funky, and one says the menu has shrunk.

30 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood, r/Portland

Champs is a smash-style burger cart operating out of Away Days Brewing, and several commenters name it among Portland's best. Several call it their favorite, and several point to its thick-patty burger on Thursdays. One advises arriving early because it can run out.

Away Days Brewing

28 people recommendvia r/Portland, r/askportland

Kay's Bar in Sellwood is named by many commenters, often when asked for cheap bar burgers, and several call its burgers great, solid or excellent. One commenter keeps returning to Kay's instead of trying new burgers and never regrets it, and one points to its double-stacked option with American cheese and onion.

Sellwood

25 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters praise the smash burger at Botto's BBQ, and several call it Portland's best or one of the best. A couple name the brisket in the double smash, and one clarifies that thick pub-style burgers appear as a special. Several call it good value. One found it not super impressive on an earlier visit, and another likes it but finds the burgers too sweet.

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood, r/Portland

Most commenters recommend this burger bar, and a few name the NE Killingsworth branch, calling its burgers solid or very good. One loves the thick patty with a rosy middle, while one commenter says the burgers have mostly moved to smash patties, with thick ones only occasionally offered as specials. One commenter warns others off, and a regular says they have not seen the inconsistency others mention.

NE Killingsworth

22 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters recommend Tabor Tavern for its burgers. A few mention the bacon jam burger, and some name the Tabor Burger. One commenter feels quality has slipped over the years but still enjoys the burgers, and another who eats there often finds it consistently solid though not especially wowing.

22 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland

Many commenters recommend Pleasure Burger, and several name its downtown location. One calls it the clear top choice, one the likely top quick burger downtown, one a classic smash burger that delivers, and one ranks it a close second behind Sure Shot. A couple praise its chicken nuggets as well, and one notes it is not the cheapest option.

Downtown

22 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood, r/Portland

Slow Bar is named by many commenters as a burger pick, and several call its burger excellent or among the best; one says its black bean and corn veggie burger is their top burger in town. Four commenters say it has declined, one adding that the patty is no longer thick, and one says it is pricey but among the best if cost is no concern.

21 people recommendvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Wilder is a bar that many commenters recommend for a burger, including when someone asks for a thick one. A couple describe the burger as very thick or oversized, and one calls it the best thick burger in Portland. One praises the happy hour value, one recommends its house-made veggie burger.

20 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Farmer and the Beast is a burger food cart in the Nob Hill pod on NW 23rd, and many commenters name it when asked about good burgers in Portland. One calls its albacore burger excellent, one calls the cart solid, and one ranks the Nob Hill cart as the city's best burger.

NW 23rd

19 people recommendvia r/askportland

JoJo is a chicken-focused spot with a burger menu, and the location shown is its Pearl location. Many commenters recommend it, and a few praise the smash burger, one calling it among the most overlooked in town. One says it is the first Portland burger that reminded them of home, one that the burger is better than expected for a chicken place, and one rates it positively but wanted a more extreme style.

17 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Several commenters recommend Güero's hamburguesa as a burger. One says the patty comes out cooked as ordered but the toppings are not classic American, so ketchup-and-mustard fans may look elsewhere, and one calls it very good but says the patty is smash-style. One found it underwhelming after eating part of another dish first.

16 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Most commenters recommend Hit the Spot, a spot on Sandy Boulevard, and many say its burgers are very good. One also likes its chicken and another its tenders. One diner was let down and says the patties seemed pre-formed rather than fresh smash, and one dislikes the vibe and the ordering screens.

15 people recommend, 3 warn against itcounted across its outletsvia r/askportland

Mike's Drive-In is a local drive-in with several outlets, and the location shown is the North Portland one on Lombard, which one commenter names and another calls their worst experience, with weaker food than the others. Many commenters name Mike's as a burger pick, and some call it decent or good. One made it a regular quick-burger stop. Caveats: one used to like it but has heard it is declining, one finds it pricey for what it delivers, and one would rank it low.

North Portland

14 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters recommend Creepy's for burgers, including its smash burgers. One calls its Impossible smash heavenly. One says the burger is good overall but the clown style crowds in too many flavors.

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/oregon

Most commenters recommend Grand Fir Brewing, and many praise its burger as outstanding, excellent or quite good. One found it solid with strong barbecue flavor. A few have reservations: one finds the burgers undercooked, one finds the food decent rather than special, and one says the last visit was not as good.

12 people recommendvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

A few commenters say Higgins' burger is served in the back bar, and a couple call it excellent. Many recommend it, and a few rank it among the top burgers in the city. A couple like the old-school character of the bar.

12 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters recommend Thunderbird Bar for burgers, though much of the praise is brief. One says the burgers are tasty, one finds it affordable with the burger coming with a side, and a few list it among their favorites or top picks.

12 people recommendvia r/askportland

Roake's has a location on NE Lombard and is known as a coney dog spot, and a few commenters say its burgers are good too. One calls the small cheeseburgers the best, another says the burgers are sized like satisfying sliders, one says it always hits the spot, and one says it is not the top option but reliably solid. One notes it is not a bar.

NE Lombard

12 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Most commenters recommend Face Plant, a vegan spot. Opinion is split on the fancy burger: one found it really good, another found it underwhelming with a mushy texture. A couple of commenters say the patties are Impossible meat, and one is disappointed by that. One judged Burgerville's veggie burger better.

11 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland

Next Level Burger, also called Next Level Veggie Grill, is a vegan burger chain, and the location shown is its SE Hawthorne branch, which a few commenters name. Many commenters recommend it as a plant-based burger spot; one loves its artisan burgers. One is less keen on its Impossible-style addition but notes the house veggie burgers remain.

Hawthorne

11 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Several commenters name C-Bar PDX for burgers, and one gives it as a cheap bar burger. A couple call the pineapple teriyaki burger excellent or their regular order, one calls the burger very juicy, and one describes one of its burgers as thick and hefty. One praises its fries too.

SE Gladstone

10 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters name Slingshot Lounge for burgers, and a couple count it among their favorites. One says it was great when asked for a thick burger, one names it for a veggie burger, and another likes the veggie burger's flavor but finds the texture off.

10 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Canard is known for its steamed bun sliders, a White Castle-style burger, and many commenters recommend them. One calls them an elevated take on fast-food burgers, one excellent, and one a good-value item with good fries. Not everyone agrees: one found them too sweet and not much like White Castle apart from size, one called the food bad and overpriced, one says it does its own style well but calls the result bad, and one says it is good but not the greasy dive meal they wanted.

9 people recommendvia r/Portland, r/askportland

Skyline Restaurant at Cornell and Skyline in Northwest Portland is a spot that many commenters name for a burger. One calls the classic burgers amazing, one recommends the Skyline burger with a shake and says it has stayed good for decades, and one notes the burgers come with lettuce, tomato and onion by default in an old-timer diner setting. One says the monthly burger special is not winning them over.

NW Skyline

9 people recommendcounted across its outletsvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

John's Marketplace has several outlets, and the location shown is the Multnomah Village one, which a few commenters name. Commenters recommend its smash burger, with a couple calling it solid or decent, and a couple like its veggie burger. One says its pricing is good.

Multnomah Village

9 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters name Lay Low as a cheap bar burger, and one calls it their clear favorite among the budget-friendly picks. One ranks it among the yummiest options, and one says its shadow burger comes close to a burger they hold as a benchmark.

9 people recommendvia r/askportland

Fresh N Funky is a food cart at the Heist pod on Woodstock, and many commenters recommend it for burgers. One had a wonderful smash burger there, one says the Heist location's burger is great, one ranks it a close second and visits often, and one names it as their Southeast Portland pick.

9 people recommendvia r/askportland

Old Gilbert Road Tavern is named by many commenters as a cheap burger spot, with one calling it the best deal around. A few recommend its small burgers, such as smash sliders and cheeseburgers, and one calls it their go-to and likes the upgraded cheeseburger.

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Super Deluxe is a burger spot, and many commenters recommend it: a couple call the burger solid or decent, one calls it a good example of a traditional American-style burger, and one says it is far better than Burgerville. One finds the fries unremarkable and one calls it good but pricey. Critics: one says results are inconsistent, and one calls the place terrible with very dry burgers.

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itcounted across its outletsvia r/askportland

Dick's Primal Burger has several outlets, and the location shown is the Woodstock one, named by a couple of commenters; another says their visits were to the Belmont outlet. Many commenters recommend it, and one likes that you can build your own protein, bun and toppings. One says the Woodstock outlet's vegan burgers are good, and one calls it the city's worst burger spot with dry, bland patties.

Woodstock

8 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters name Black Water for veggie burgers; a few call it their favorite or the top vegan burger in town. One says the veggie patty is good and the fried-onion veggie burger stands out. One commenter says its burgers did not win them over personally, though they think another eater might enjoy them.

8 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland

Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl is recommended for its burgers by many commenters, and a few single out the elk burger; one calls the medium-rare elk burger their go-to, and another found it mild with a horseradish sauce that did not overpower it. One loves the classic pub burger, one enjoyed a pork belly burger on a past visit, and one says the veggie burger is good. One says the food and beer are good but the place is pricey and noisy.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters recommend Laurelhurst Market's burger. Several call it top tier, excellent or the top choice, and one says the dinner-menu burger is not cheap but excellent. One says it was once great and may still excel at dinner, but the lunch burger looks to have gone smash-style.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters recommend Bar Bar for its burgers. One suggests it for a plain, traditional American-style burger, one finds it unexpectedly good, and one says the bean burger is great when the place is slower. A couple say it is good value, and a couple say they have not been in a while.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters recommend Steely's for burgers, and a couple call it the top local smash burger. One calls it their all-time favorite, one says it is the best burger they have ever had, and one says it is tasty and near the top of their list.

7 people recommendvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Bamboo Sushi is named by several commenters for its burger. One passes on a friend's strong recommendation of the wagyu burger, one finds it very juicy and advises skipping the egg on a first visit, one calls it genuinely good, and one remembers it as great from years ago.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters name Bar Maven as a burger pick, though most mentions are short suggestions with little detail about the food. One who has been says the burgers are great, and one calls the newer smash burger a real treat at an already well-liked bar.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Many commenters name Normandie for a burger in Portland. One who tried it calls the burger fantastic and possibly their favorite in the city, one would pick it for a thick, upscale patty with melty Gruyère, and one says it has the best burger hands down. One passes on a friend's view that the burger is top-tier despite complaints about the rest.

7 people recommendvia r/askportland

Most commenters recommend The Observatory in Montavilla, and a couple single out its elk burger, and a couple point to the quinoa and mushroom veggie options. One remembers a good bison burger but is unsure it is still offered.

Montavilla

7 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters recommend The Old Gold for burgers, and a couple single out its smash burgers as amazing or tasty. One calls the burger top notch, one says the happy hour burger is decent, and one says the fries are even better than the burgers. One names it while saying they dislike the smash burger trend.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland

Paymaster Lounge is a dive bar, and many commenters recommend its burgers. One finds it a satisfying burger every time, one calls the fancy burger their pick, and one rates the smash burger highly. One likes the veggie burger but says it is not the best, and a Northwest resident says its dive-bar burgers are not worth a special trip.

NW

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/oregon

Loyal Legion is a bar that many commenters recommend for burgers. One likes the McLoyal, and one praises the happy hour smash burgers. Caveats: one liked the flavor but wished for more meat, one found the Peachy Keen's bun poor and the patty too small, and one says it is far from cheap.

6 people recommendvia r/askportland

Several commenters name Iron Strike Smash Burgers, mostly in short answers; one says you cannot go wrong with it. Two are mixed: one found the burgers over-sauced and the fries over-seasoned and says that may only be their own experience, and another calls it decent but only really worth it if someone in the group skips burgers.

6 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/PortlandFood

Free House is recommended by many commenters, and the location shown is its Fremont location. One likes the burger and the atmosphere there, one says the burger is big with a large pile of fries, and one rates the quality as high but dislikes the spices in the house-made ketchup.

Fremont

6 people recommendvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Several commenters suggest RingSide Steakhouse for a burger, and a couple suggest it for a thick one. A couple call the burger great, one says the bar serves a great burger though unsure it fits the style being discussed, and one suggests it for people who like onion rings alongside.

6 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland

Meatstuff, formerly Proletariat Butcher, is recommended by many commenters for its butcher burger, which is a periodic special. One calls it the best burger, one ranks it among the two best in town alongside Higgins, and a few mention waiting in line.

6 people recommendvia r/askportland

Many commenters recommend Schmunch Burger, a food cart on NE Prescott. One calls it phenomenal, one ranks it among the city's top burgers, and one says it is excellent for smash-style burgers. One finds the burger juicy and fairly good but says smash burgers don't always hit the mark, and one praises the veggie burger.

5 people recommendvia r/PortlandFood, r/askportland

Clyde's Prime Rib is a steakhouse bar, and two commenters suggest it for a thick or non-smash burger. One calls the Lounge Burger great, one calls the pub burger a favorite, and one lists it among places serving charbroiled burgers. One names the bar as a burger pick but has not been in a while.

5 people recommendvia r/askportland

Alphabet Burger Co. is a burger spot at Chill 'n Fill on N Lombard, and many commenters recommend it. One who has tried several burgers found them all excellent, one calls the Juicy Lucy their favorite, one likes the inventive patties and the onion rings, and one likes the burgers and freshly baked buns at the St. Johns cart.