It’s National Burger Day, but every day in Tennessee, burger joints around the state serve up juicy burgers you can really sink your teeth into. From big city eats to small town, mom-and-pop restaurants, here are just a few places to go when you’re craving a finely-made burger.
The bacon double cheeseburger will be calling your name when you step foot inside Brownsville Burger Basket. With a side of fries and one of the homemade desserts like chocolate pie, lemon square or a brownie, this is one meal you won’t soon forget.
Urban Stack - Chattanooga
Take a seat at Urban Stack and feast on The Steakhouse, a burger topped with barbecue sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese, green onion, crispy onion and bacon. Add a side of mac & cheese or the traditional house-cut fries. Elevate your burger with the Kobe beef or chicken breast. You can even make any burger, a lettuce wrap if you want to take the healthy route.
The Pour House - Crossville
Get some of the best burgers here in Crossville, locally sourced from Hidden Valley Farm. You have the choice of the Farmhouse Burger - fried egg, cajun mayo, bacon, cheddar, tomato, romaine, the Bacon Cheddar BBQ Burger and The Pour Burger - romaine and tomato on top of a beef patty on a potato bun. If you want a tasty surprise, try the Burger of the Month.
Honey’s Restaurant - Fayetteville
Home to the original slawburger, Honey’s has been serving up these delicious burgers at the same location since 1923. The restaurant began as a pool hall with quite small menu. Started by Weston Jame Stubblefield, it became known as the Pool Room Slaw and locals and visitors alike would flock here for the slawburgers - a beef patty with lettuce, tomato and coleslaw. Honey's is center stage during the Slawburger Festival each April in downtown Fayetteville.
Tinsley-Bible Drug Store - Jefferson City
Step up to the counter and order lunch at this old-fashioned soda fountain. Tinsley-Bible Drug Store & Soda Fountain has been serving the public since 1911. Be apart of tradition by having a taste of the famous Bible burger and a hand-dipped ice cream cone or milkshake.
Mid-City Grill - Johnson City
Locals love coming to Mid-City Grill to get their burger fix. Choose the Heater Burger if you can handle the sriracha mayo, cheddar, jalapeño bacon, sautéed jalapeños lettuce tomato and onions. Add a side of sweet potato fries to complete your meal.
Pal’s Sudden Service - Kingsport
Pal’s is iconic in Northeast Tennessee, so while you’re in the area, add Pal’s to your list. Order the Double Big Pal or the Sauceburger that comes with Pal’s famous, ketchup-based sauce (add cheese and bacon) with a Frenchie Fry and milkshake in classic flavors (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry).
Stock & Barrel - Knoxville
Voted “Best Hamburger” by Metro Pulse, locals and travelers alike pack the restaurant for the burgers, bourbon and great atmosphere. Order the Free Bird, a turkey burger dressed with Tennessee Honey, mustard, pressed avocado, bourbon onions, tomato and greens. If you have a large appetite, The Big Nasty may be for you: double meat, bacon and cheese with fried onion straws, tomato jam and mayo. Try the Nutella shake to crave your chocolate fix.
The Burgers - Lenoir City
The Burgers' hand-pattied beef will make your tastebuds sing. Order the CP Burger - pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, tomatoes and jalapenos with mayo and chili. The Freedom Burger puts you in control as you build your own burger from a variety of toppings. Enjoy sides like Southern slaw, onion rings, fried pickles and French fries and, if you have room, don't leave without trying the banana pudding.
Soda Pop Junction - Lynnville
Travel to this small Tennessee town for a half-pound double bacon cheeseburger, onion petals and your favorite flavored milkshake served up at Soda Pop Junction, established in 1860 that also has the original pharmacy and the original 1950s soda fountain.
Hog & Hominy - Memphis
The culinary masters at Food & Wine salivate over the John T. Burger with its onion, pickled lettuce, American cheese and mustard trimmings, served with perfectly crisped fries. Did we mention Food & Wine also named this one of the best burgers in the U.S.?
Dyer’s Burgers - Memphis
Touted as one of the best burgers in the U.S. by Food & Wine, these thin patties are tossed in a cast-iron skillet for a crispy edge and topped with pickles, onions and mustard (with chili, extra cheese and bacon offerings as well). Served since 1912, travelers get a good bite on Beale Street.
Huey’s - Memphis
Winning ‘Best Burger in Memphis’ since 1984, you can guarantee each burger is certified Angus beef, topped with the special Huey’s seasoning. Order the Bluff City Burger that’s chargrilled and slathered in barbecue sauce, decorated with bacon, cheese, lettuce, onion straws, and pickles.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor - Nashville
Home to Nashville’s original Biergarten and the city’s “wurst-burger” joint, The Pharmacy serves up delicious German wurst and soda fountain treats, including phosphates. The Pharmacy uses 100% Tennessee-raised beef and even has vegetarian options like the scrumptious Black Bean Burger and Falafel Burger.
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