Last week we wrote about 15 of the best pizza places in Cleveland– this week we’re tackling Cleveland’s best burgers.

We know: narrowing down Cleveland’s finest burger joints to a list of 15 is no easy task. Luckily, we’ve had years of experience (and hundreds of burgers) to help us make our selections.

Rather than a flashing a “Most-Creative” burger theme or “Best Burgers Under $10”- though we might whip up those lists later – we decided to simply celebrate the places that have the best overall burger experience.

So we hope you enjoy (we certainly have). Here are 15 of the best burger joints in Cleveland, East to West.

This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 3, 2013.

Jason Beudert has had a dynamic career as a leader with The Walt Disney Company, ESPNZone, The Cleveland Indians, and as a restaurant entrepreneur. He is utilizing his twenty years of hospitality experience along with his love for the Cleveland food scene to contribute exciting and insightful food pieces for Scene. Along with being one of our food writers, Jason is also the food critic for WOIO 19 Action News, and makes a weekly appearance on Q104's Fee's Kompany radio show to promote food and the Scene. Jason is also a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Alaina Nutile is the Web Editor who oversees all digital content and social media initiatives for Cleveland Scene Magazine and Detroit Metro Times. Before joining the staff in June 2013, she interned at Business Insider in New York City, and at La Hora in Quito, Ecuador. Alaina is a graduate of Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where she double majored in English and Spanish. Her interests include Japanese food, Breaking Bad, and career development advising.

8 replies on “15 of the Best Burger Joints in Cleveland, East to West”

  4. Umm not on lake shore no more and not the same according to my cousin who was a lake shore patron for years. Bun and burger size not the same fries and wings I guess are different too. 🙁

  5. Are you kidding me? I really didn’t want to give a shit about this article because normally I just don’t care but there are only 10 places on the list that are actually in Cuyahoga county and even then only 5 of those places are in Cleveland. “Looking for a great burger in Cleveland? Try Akron! or Elyria.” What a goddamn joke.

  7. Flip Side in Rocky River is amazing and so far my favorite burger joint. I google and try all the top burger places listed with my boyfriend, and so far flip side in Rocky River is the best. Juicy beef burgers with toasted buns(very important),and the sweet potato fries are savory and cut thick. Amazing and for bodybuilders looking for a well worth cheat meal this is the place to go!

  8. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt that this list was made before Clevelanders “discovered” Five Guys. From your list I’d have to pick Whitey’s and B Spot (Strongsville is the better B Spot, IMO. The casino one is not good!) but Whitey’s and B Spot have entirely different vibes. So, yeah, I’d rank them both number one. I’m gonna assume the other joints have decent burgers. I know BBB, Heck’s and the Hot Dog Diner do, but I still think Five Guys is the go-to in their class of cazh fast food. Yeah, every Five Guys is pretty much the same (my first experience was years and years ago in the DC area when they first started expanding from Balto). But that sameness makes them appealing. You KNOW the service is way friendly, no matter how busy they are! The music selection is great! It’s always sparkling clean and bright! And, the food? The food is GREAT for a burger and fries joint! Everything is freshly made to order, there are enough kinds of toppings to satisfy without being over the top. Seriously, some of the combinations at Hot Dog Diner make me cringe. I’m waiting for them to just name one The Garbageburger! Not because the stuff is garbage but because it’s overloaded with way too much of the stuff, oozing all over the place. (When I get the kinda dog I grew up with in NE, mustard, relish and onion, I always have to scrape half the stuff off!) Do we really need THAT many options? And the kitschy names? BBB isn’t as bad, but simpler is often better, so go with Five Guys. The only thing I wish they’d add to their toppings list is a fried egg. DAMN YOU B Spot! You have spoiled me forever with the Lola sans pickled onions!

    Oh, and Swenson’s Galley Boy burger is decent (I like the sauce) and they have GREAT O-rings! Try the Xanga (zhanga) for dessert. I get the hot fudge on the side. It’s like a cheesecake and a cannoli had a love child. In Mexico. In fact, this is the first time I’d seen a Xanga in anything other than a Mexican restaurant. The upside to Swenson’s, in addition to the food, is fast and cheery drive-in service! No ordering through a speaker (I’m talking to you, Sonic), and they have never gotten my order wrong (again, you Sonic). The downside is eating in your car! They do have a coupla picnic tables but since so many people keep their cars running while they eat, I’m not inclined to dine within breathing space.

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