May is National Burger Month, and D.C. is as good a place as any to satisfy your patty cravings, from fine-dining twists with high-quality beef or seafood to classic fast food (or fast-casual) options. DCist has tracked the city’s best burgers over the years (check out our lists from 2014 and 2015), and while many of those—such as Le Diplomate’s Burger Americain or the Proper Burger at Duke’s Grocery—still hold up, a number of new and tasty burgers have emerged over the past couple of years. Here are our picks for the latest version of the best burgers in the District.
(Photo courtesy of Red Apron Burger Bar)
ANCIENT WHITE PARK BURGER AT RED APRON BURGER BAR: Most people are familiar with Black Angus beef—it’s the standard meat texture and flavor associated with a beefy, juicy patty. But Red Apron Burger Bar is exposing diners to Ancient White Park meat, a lesser-known (but surely not less tasty) breed of burger. Ancient White Park cattle are mild on the beefiness with a subtle funk that Red Apron’s head butcher Nathan Anda describes as a “pronounced earthiness.” They’re also 100 percent grass fed. Try it on the house burger, which comes topped with white American cheese, pickles, shaved onions, special sauce, and a single or double patty. Extra toppings such as pimento cheese, chili, bacon, cheese wiz, and gluten-free buns are available for an upcharge.—Travis Mitchell
Red Apron Burger Bar is located at 1323 Connecticut Ave. NW
BRUNCH BURGER AT BAR DECO: If it’s a beautiful weekend morning and you’re seeking a rooftop to enjoy the weather and have a delightful D.C. brunch, Bar Deco is your Chinatown answer. You can grab a seat on the third floor rooftop—complete with heaters if it’s a bit cool—and a full bar. To accompany your mimosa, order the “Breakfast Burger.” It’s a juicy beef patty, melty American cheese, fried egg, avocado, fresh sliced tomato, and lettuce sandwiched between a lightly toasted bun and served with sidewinder fries.—Rachel Mastandrea
Bar Deco is located at 717 6th St. NW
(Photo courtesy of Morton’s)
SURF AND TURF BURGER AT MORTON’S: What fun is a stereotype if you don’t uphold it occasionally? Once upon a time, D.C. was considered an expense-account steakhouse city. Enter the formidable throwback named Morton’s Steakhouse, which has crafted an over-the-top burger to celebrate burger month in May. The surf and turf burger is a Wagyu beef patty with Gruyere cheese and truffle lobster salad on a brioche bun. Add the lettuce, tomato, and onions, and the towering decadence grows impossibly tall. It is served with fries and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon for $39 (or $29 without wine). If it’s elegant beef you crave to celebrate a promotion, tax refund, or other reason to splurge, this burger satiates with abundance. Beyond burger month, Morton’s year-around prime burger is an upscale bacon cheeseburger, also served as a trio of sliders on the bar menu. Entree burgers are served at lunch in the bar and main dining room and in the bar only for dinner. The surf and turf burger month special is available through May 31 at all area locations.—Andrea Adleman
Morton’s Steakhouse is located in downtown and Georgetown, as well as Bethesda, Arlington and Reston.
WOOD-GRILLED BURGER AT RIGHT PROPER BREWING COMPANY: How could it be possible to unseat one of the previous year’s burger picks, the Proper Burger at Duke’s Grocery? Truly, this is one of life’s tough calls. But you have to hand it to Right Proper’s Executive Chef Jonatan Bohr for elevating a no-nonsense ground beef sandwich to perfection. His wood-grilled burger is set off with sharp Tillamook cheddar, along with lettuce, tomato, and pickle. Do yourself a favor and add avocado. It’s so perfect to wash down with whatever’s on tap.—Carmen Drahl
Right Proper Brewing Company’s Shaw Brewpub & Kitchen is at 624 T Street NW.
(Photo courtesy of Ardeo Bardeo)
CHEESEBURGER AT ARDEO BARDEO : Ardeo Bardeo lives in the shadow of its immediate neighbor Bindaas, the buzzy destination for Indian street food. But the cheeseburger on the menu at this elevated American restaurant deserves attention in its own right. It might seem gauche to pass up options like lamb chops, striped bass, or homemade pappardelle for a greasy burger, but your self-assuredness will be rewarded. Chef Kelly Bunkers previously worked at Le Diplomate, and it shows in his juicy and flavorful burger. His variation uses a nice sharp cheddar cheese, house mayo-esque sauce, onion-bacon jam, sesame, and a side of fries. Don’t be surprised if the rest of the table is jealous.—Travis Mitchell
Ardeo Bardeo is located at 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW
SLASH RUN’S MORNING GLORY BURGER: Any of the 13 burgers at this Petworth watering hole are worthy of a write-up, but the Morning Glory burger rises to the top thanks to its unusual pairing of maple syrup mayo and jalapeno cream cheese. This is an unapologetic, thick-slabbed beast of a sandwich with a breakfast bonus: applewood bacon and a runny fried egg. A bucket of napkins is definitely required. One might even call it glorious.—Kate Stoltzfus
Slash Run is located at 201 Upshur St NW
(Photo by Scott Suchman)
HIGH THIGH AT BURGER, TAP, AND SHAKE:
Beef is great, and so are the best veggie burgers. But for a change of pace, there’s the ground chicken High Thigh patty at Burger, Tap, and Shake. The fast-casual restaurant puts all kinds of things between its buns, and this poultry burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, aged cheddar cheese, and a zippy and tangy lemon garlic aioli. The high thigh is juicy and well-seasoned without leaving you feeling overly full or greasy. Pair it with one of the shop’s shakes (boozy options are available, too) or a craft beer on tap.—Travis Mitchell
Burger, Tap, and Shake is located in Tenleytown (4445 Wisconsin Ave. NW) and Foggy Bottom (2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW)
BEETSTEAK AT BEEFSTEAK: From beefy tomatoes to beefy beats, Beefsteak’s gone beetsteak. Heartier and meatier than a slice of tomato is the restaurants gorgeous, hunky slice of beet that’s thick, juicy, and a pleasure to bite into. Just be sure to have napkins handy, as beet stains are a beet-ch. While the beet provides robust density and color, things are lightened up with sprouts, lettuce, and yes, a thin slice of red tomato. It’s all on an olive-oil brioche bun touched up with chipotle mayo. Let the beet drop!—Evan Caplan
Beefsteak has locations in D.C. and Maryland
(Photo by Rey Lopez)
Leave it to one of the city’s favorite burger masters to turn one of France’s favorite soups into a decadent and messy sandwich that’s worthy of a fine-dining restaurant. Chef Frank Ruta’s (who gained fame grilling patties at the now-shuttered Palena) Belleburger draws inspiration from French onion soup, using Madeira caramelized onions and cave-aged Gruyere cheese. Guests can choose to have it served wet (with lots of salty, savory broth ladled on top) or dry. At $28, it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s definitely one of a kind in the city.—Travis Mitchell
Mirabelle is located at 900 16th St. NW
MULEBONE BURGER: Mulebone, formerly Eatonville, is a large restaurant, yet it feels cozy, artsy, and inviting. The menu is full of feel-good Southern classics with a unique twist, from sweet potato biscuits to three-level chocolate cake. In all that, the burger is a stand out. It has a generous smear of pimento cheese, bacon, tomato onion jam, and whole grain mustard aioli. If that’s not enough, it’s served with garlicy French fries. The creamy cheese pairs beautifully with the smoky bacon and slightly sweet onion jam, creating a flavor combination you have got to try. The burger is on both their dinner and brunch menus.—Rachel Mastandrea
Mulebone is located at 2121 14th St. NW
(Photo by Joe Cereghino)
The best vegetarian burgers are the ones that make eating meatless effortless and satisfying. The version at fast-casual Shouk accomplishes just that, with a blend of chickpea, black beans, lentils, oats, flax seed, cauliflower, mushrooms, beets, red onion, parsley, and scallions. It is hearty, filling, and popping with texture and spice. It gets finished off with hits of tomato, pickled turnip, arugula, onion, and tahina. Order it up in a pita (sorry, no buns) or a salad or rice bowl. Even meat lovers won’t feel cheated with this one.—Travis Mitchell
Shouk is located at 655 K St. NW
LOBSTER AND CRAB BURGER AT CAPITAL GRILLE: Capital Grille is another place to have a seafaring burger in the city. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol Building and White House, sit at the bar to get the best view of Washington’s elite. Their lunch lobster and crab burger ($24) steals the show. Tender chunks of jumbo lump crab and sweet lobster meat are both piled on top of a soft, buttery bun delicately smeared with creamy, house-made tartar sauce. There’s a choice of either shoestring or truffle fries. Choose the latter, as they are decadently delicious.—Jai Williams
The Capital Grille is located at 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
