When it comes to steak, we’d prefer a fancy place. But with burgers that’s totally not necessary. Sometimes, the best burgers come in unexpected spots: hole in the wall diners, dive bars and counters. Just as long as its juicy and meaty, we’re good. Here are 21 places serving up delicious burgers that aren’t exactly the fanciest places in town.
Southside Diner
10705 West Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma
The shiny, smile-inducing red and white decor bursts with 1950s kitsch, and while they do the old-fashioned bacon, eggs and toast pristinely, it’s the burgers we love. Try the Ranchero, a ½ pound Angus beef burger topped with grilled mushroom, peppered bacon, provolone cheese and ranch. Yum.
Photo via South Side Diner/FacebookAround the Corner
18616 Detroit Rd., Lakewood
The popularity of the Lakewood dining scene and the newest bistro or gastropub can often cause visitors to overlook neighborhood spots like Around the Corner. That would be a mistake, as they have one of the better bar menus in town, including their burgers. We prefer the cheddar melt but they also have a delicious black bean burger for all you non-meateaters around.
Photo via The Corner/FacebookCharlie’s Dog House Diner
2102 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
The kitschy roadside attraction has been in the exact same spot since 1952, when it began life as the Dog House, part of a national chain of shops that offered walk-up service to customers who ordered hot dogs and hamburgers through a window. While they may be known for their dogs, the burgers are just as good — especially the patty melt and double cheeseburgers.
Photo via Charlie’s Dog House Diner/FacebookGus’s Family Restaurant
4377 State Rd., Cleveland
This all-day breakfast joint has been serving up customers in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood for over 25 years. The home fries are really the star of the show here and we love the corned beef hash but just because it’s known more as a breakfast joint doesn’t mean they don’t make a mean burger — they do.
Photo via Gus’s Family Restaurant/FacebookBearden’s
19985 Lake Rd., Rocky River
Bearden’s has been around a long time — in fact, it says it right in their slogan, “Always fresh, never frozen, original recipe since 1948” — so you know their burgers (with optional and recommended chili topping) have been completely perfected. Plus, it looks like you’ve transported back to 1948 when you step inside … in a good, nostalgic way!
Photo via Bearden’s Rocky River/FacebookGeorge’s Kitchen
13101 Trisket Rd., Cleveland
Breakfasts here are great, with a number of egg dishes served all day at this iconic Cleveland diner that’s been open for almost 40 years. But if you venture here anytime after breakfast, the ½ pound mouthwatering burger is the way to go. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms, it’s exactly what we want in a burger.
Photo via George’s Kitchen/FacebookPayne Cafe
3528 Payne Ave., Cleveland
You can find this dive in Asia Town, but there’s no lo mein or dumplings on the menu. Payne’s Ruby Burger, whose namesake owns and operates the bar, has received national attention; for five dollars, you get a palatial burger heaped with cheese, tomato, lettuce, ham, bacon and a slew of condiments — totally worth the trip.
Photo via Scene ArchivesWhitey’s Booze N’ Burgers
3600 Brecksville Rd., Richfield
You know a place means business when they’re cash only in the year 2020. And that’s the case at Richfield’s Whitey’s, home to some of the most beloved burgers in the Cuyahoga Valley. With 15 burgers and monthly specials, this place runs the gamut from traditional delicious cheeseburgers to more unique burgers like the Italian Stallion topped with provolone, pepperoni, marinara and Italian seasoning and the B.O.M.B. smothered with Mac N’ Cheese, topped with bacon, served on a Pretzel roll bun.
Photo via Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers/FacebookWest Side Market Cafe
1979 West 25th St., Cleveland
For price, ambience, and first-class people-watching, no place tops the West Side Market Café in the venerable West Side Market’s southeast corner. And their burgers are no joke. Don’t mess around here and just go for the classic — it’s that good.
Photo via West Side Market Cafe/FacebookThe Place To Be
1391 Warren Rd., Lakewood
Good food, great prices and a family atmosphere is the name of the game at this Lakewood greasy spoon. The omelettes and gyros may be the most popular items here but don’t sleep on their burgers. The Godfather Burger is a half pound burger topped with salami and is definitely worth the calories.
Photo via The Place To Be/FacebookThe Annex Bar and Grille
36200 Pettibone Rd., Solon
You might not expect some of the best burgers in town to be located in what looks like a small house on a suburban corner of Solon but boy would you be wrong. The Annex’s “Famous” burgers are really worth the trip. For a little spice try the Flaming Burger, topped with hot peppers, grilled onions, pepper-jack cheese.
Photo via Annex Bar/FacebookThe Tavern Company
2299 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
The Tavern Company has been a Lee Road staple for over ten years. In 2014, they took over the space that the iconic Colony operated in after owner Jim Brennan’s tragic passing. Ask any Heights native and they’ll tell you that The Tavern Company or TavCo, is the place to go for burgers.
Photo via The Tavern Company/FacebookStevenson’s Bar and Grill
800 East 200th St., Cleveland
No burger list could be complete without the beloved Stevenson’s. They may be no-frills and straight to the point, but they’re one of our favorites in town. Just look at that thing.
Photo via Stevenson’s Bar and Grill/FacebookBecky’s
1762 East 18th St., Cleveland
Located half a block from Cleveland State’s main campus, Becky’s is always packed wall-to-wall with students downing $2 domestic beers and and chowing down on delicious burgers. The music, emanating from a small jukebox in the corner, tends toward ’80s faves like Bon Jovi. The bartenders, most of whom are CSU students themselves, mingle freely with the crowd. The partiers linger till closing time, when bartenders have to shoo out the patrons.
Photo via Becky’s Bar/FacebookJohnny’s Little Bar
614 Frankfort Ave., Cleveland
Right around the corner from the popular Warehouse district white tablecloth Italian joint Johnny’s, you’ll find Johnny’s Little Bar, an iconic Cleveland spot. The bar boasts a “world famous” burger, giving the traditional Italian menu at the main restaurant a run for its money.
Photo via Scene ArchivesJoe’s Deli
19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River
Joe’s is a comfortable, tidy restaurant with a large menu of homey standards, including excellent burgers, homemade soups, and freshly made Middle Eastern specialties. Try the patty melt – you won’t be disappointed.
Photo via Joe’s Deli Rocky River/FacebookHerb’s Tavern
19925 Detroit Ave., Rocky River
Run out of a building from the 1930s, Herb’s is a rustic Rocky River gem dishing out what Scene has previously deemed “The Best Burger in Town.”
Photo via @Herbs_Tavern/Instagram
