Local Cow
Local Cow in Gresham is a popular choice among burger enthusiasts. Known for its diverse menu, standout options include the Chupacabra Burger and the Rockwood Burger, which features fried peppers [1:3]
[1:4]. The establishment also offers dirty fries and fried pickles that complement their burgers well
[1:2]
[1:5].
Slow Bar
Slow Bar is frequently mentioned as a top spot for burgers in Portland. Their burgers are noted for hitting the perfect medium cook every time, with recommendations for pairing them with onion rings or loaded fries [5:9]
[5:10]. The atmosphere at Slow Bar is also praised, making it a favorite destination for many
[5:12].
PDX Sliders
PDX Sliders offers a variety of burger options that can be ordered as sliders or full-sized burgers. The Steele burger is particularly recommended [4:3], and their truffle fries are a must-try
[5:4]. The Hawthorne burger and chicken sandwich are also popular choices
[5:3].
Tulip Shop Tavern
Tulip Shop Tavern has earned accolades for its satisfying burgers, especially during late-night cravings [3:5]. It is often considered one of the best burger spots in Portland by locals
[3:1].
Fireside Grill
Located just outside of Portland, Fireside Grill is worth the trip for what some claim to be the best burger they've ever had [4:1]. The Shorty burger is particularly recommended for its quality
[4:5].
Other Notable Mentions
Several other establishments have been highlighted for their burgers, including Canard for its steamburger sliders [4:4], Mike's Drive-In for old-school drive-in style burgers
[3:4], and Tabor Tavern on Burnside for thick, juicy burgers
[5:1]. Each offers unique flavors and experiences that cater to different tastes and preferences.
I am a huge burger and fries fan. What's the best in Portland or surrounding areas? Looking for not only locations but also the particular burger on the menu there if there's more than one.
Local Cow in Gresham, I like their pastrami topped burger and also the fried pickles.
The Local Cow is absolutely divine. I had the Chupacabra Burger a couple weeks ago, downed some fries, then went across the street to Pie vs. Pie and had warmed marionberry pie. It was a magical afternoon.
My go to at Local Cow is the Rockwood. Love those little fried peppers on the burger.
Love the burgers at the Local Cow. A pint on shared on the patio from Hoppy Brewer is perfect in the summertime. They just 86'd the tacos from their menu, which to me says more focus on what they are good at already. But Gresham logic says I can't believe they don't serve tacos anymore, well their burgers went down hill, we're going to red Robin. I didn't even know they used to serve tacos, my eyes didn't wander from the burger menu.
Lardo’s double burger with herb and parmesan cheese fries.
Personally I say get the dirty fries, but this is the best burger by far, OP.
So many, I couldn’t decide. I moved out of the city years ago, but Slow Bar on MLK made this crazy tasty burger once upon a time. It had crisp butter leaf lettuce, blue cheese(?) and onion ring incorporated into the magnificent stack.
The Double Brie Burger at Little Bird is "fancy" but outstanding. And during happy hour it's only $7.
Charburger out in Cascade Locks
It is actually a really good burger, I was pleasantly surprised when we stopped there for lunch.
If you went 2 years ago, it was a decent 6/10 burger. If you go now, it's about 8/10
I like Sebago Brewing Co’s burgers a lot actually. Also their waffle fry nachos are amazing.
It's a shame they closed the Portland location. Service ended on Jan 29. but they are still operating their other brewpubs
The waffle fry nachos are really good. Awesome to share with friends at trivia.
Woodford Food and Bev!
Highroller and Black Cow are solid picks too.
Woodford burgers are to die for. As well as literally everything on their menu.
I’m a Black Cow guy myself. It ain’t fancy but is just my style.
Agreed. Their dirty fries are pretty tasty as well
Oh mash tun for sure, best bang for your buck. Put some Chipotle Maple aoli on it and your golden. The only people who complained about it being greasy took the pickles or pickeled red onions off.
I’ve never actually gone there, I found them on CarHop for delivery. Everything I’ve had is amazing.
Ten years ago their beer was very meh. I held it against them for a long while but was pleasantly surprised when I finally gave them another shot recently. They have officially moved to underrated in my mind now
Shhh - don’t let anyone else know. Shay’s burgers are all mine!
Their salads are SO GOOD
I’ve been dying for a really great burger lately. Being the food paradise that it is, Portland seems like it should have tons of options! Though, surprisingly, I’ve really struggled to find anything decent :( the best so far has been Farmer & The Beast. Killer Burger was recommended a few times but I find it really underwhelming and extremely greasy (even for a burger).
So, what’s your go-to burger spot?
I like the old-school drive-in style burgers at Mike's Drive-In or Roake's
I'm not too big on Killer Burger either
Yeah Milwaukie comes through in the clutch for burgers
Mike's buffalo burgers are amazing.
Mike’s is always so satisfying
I recently moved very close to Tulip Shop and their burger has come in clutch on so many late work nites
Midcity smash burger, bless your heart burger, tulip shop tavern.
Got to second bless you hear burger, one of my favorite no frills burgers
This person knows burgers.
Nice, Slow Bar isn’t too far from me at all! What do you like about their burgers?
I tend to disagree on slow bar burgers. Last time i had one, it wasn’t good at all. In fact i think their quality has gone way down.
The Lighthouse. 9$ happy hour price cooked to perfection.
Tulip Shop seems to be everyone’s favorite. If that’s the best available to buy then the best burger in Portland may actually be the one I make myself once or twice a week.
I’ve lived here all my life, but been very sheltered & never really got to go around to different neighborhoods. Now I’m hunting for the best burger joint in town. Please help me on my mission.
Personally.... I think the Steele from PDX Sliders is the best in town.
I took your advice today & it was amazing! Thanks for commenting!
Sweet.
I love the entire menu at PDX Sliders. Also someone mentioned killer burger...."the bender" is my 2nd favorite one in town.
The steamburger sliders at Canard are awesome if you want a "White Castle, but not shitty" burger. Not cheap though.
Burger Stevens and Hit the Spot are my favorites for just a burger. Bless Your Heart is solid. Ate-Oh-Ate has a really good burger that's like 6 bucks on HH, or it used to be. Not sure how that's shaking out with Covid.
A little out of Portland, but Fireside Grill has the best burger I've ever had. Don't let the strip mall deter you. https://www.thefiresidegrillpdx.com/
Can second this, "The Shorty" might be the best burger I've ever had. Fireside's the only place around there open after 11pm, and the burgers are truly excellent at night. Beware the high curb when parking in front.
Killer burger is so good for a grubby pup burger with all the fixings. Makes me fall asleep for an afternoon nap within 30 minutes
Mmm burger
Hey all! I'm looking for a burger in/near Portland! The thing is, I'm not a big fan of smash burgers. I'm looking for a thick juicy single patty burger cooked medium rare.
Where should I go?
I’m a big fan of PDX Sliders. You can get any burger normal size or as a slider.
The burgers/sliders are awesome but it's worth it for the truffle fries alone!
Totally agree. Chicken sandwich and the Hawthorne are great burger choices as well. That place rules.
Loaded fries are amazing.
Same! I haven't been to the Downtown Portland one since spring, but I thought it was great! ( right near the MAX lines as well as the FX2 bus line....which is important to me...)
Slow Bar, Jake's Grill, and Bullard Tavern all have solid, 1/2lb burgers.
Yur's is one of my favorites, too. Not a smash patty, but not massive, either.
+1 slow bar. The only place I’ve been to that hits a perfect medium every time. I don’t know why so many places struggle with medium.
Edit: Kay’s also gets it right. Great burger.
Another +1 for Slow Bar!
Slowburger, medium; onion rings on the side; side salad PLUS an order of small fries with stinky cheese with ketchup and their horseradish mustard for dipping. Man I love that place.
Seconding Slow Bar. Excellent burger over there. Stellar atmo too
Another unapologetic KB fan here. I only eat half a dozen burgers a year but half of them are from KB.
Which is your favorite? The Black Molly was mine but they took it away. I usually get the PBPB, or the Barnyard.
I enjoy tabor tavern on burnside. But I rarely go out for a burger. Dicks kitchen on Belmont has never done me wrong.
Edit: looks like dicks kitchen on Belmont is no more :(
I've lived here for about 3 years now, a transplant from Atlanta. I live in the joint area where Northwest/Alphabet/Slabtown meet. There's some really great restaurants around, but I've had a craving for a really good, old fashioned burger. Little Big Burger was a go-to on 23rd but just closed...Any recommendations???
Bless Your Heart on NE 33rd is my go-to. Bottle Rocket, Monster Smash, Mid City Smash Burger, and Sure Shot are all great. Killer Burger is kind of a dice roll, but better than Burgerville, LBB, Portland Burger, and Shake Shack. McDonald's, with shame.
For a consistently great experience but maybe not the best in town (which my god must change weekly around Portland), Bless Your Heart is my favorite and a definite major step up from OP's Little Big Burger. LBB started as a nice concept way back when but now it's $30 for two people to get gross truffle oil fries and a 1 oz overcooked patty. Its day came and went.
tempted to still try portland burger cuz it looks like they have crispy onion rings. Nothing beats having a crispy onion ring on my burger. Not enough places have onion rings. Its a bad move.
Tulip Shop is mentioned here, I wholly agree they are a legit, solid burger in a comfy, sit down bar. Really friendly staff there too. Damn, I love that place. And their burgers.
I just had Mike’s for the first time, excellent drive-thru burger. Might be my new favorite for an old school, straight forward, fresh to order, fast food cheeseburger.
Third category is trucks, and Sure Shot is my go to. Smashed and crispy, the smell of the air around it is so magical, by the time you’re walking up to it, you’ll understand the recommendation.
I think we're bffs.... My list is identical, but I would also like to submit Haymaker for best "backyard cookout" style burger but with top quality ingredients.
Agree with Tulip & Sure Shot, but i do not for the life of me understand the love for Mike’s. I don’t think they season their burgers. Or the patties cook from frozen. But it just has no flavor whatsoever.
Another bar spot that doesn’t get enough love for their burgers is Kay’s Bar in sellwood. Fantastic burger. And very cheap on happy hour.
Agree on the Mike’s front and yet I’m looking forward to the Milwaukie location to reopen. Their soft serve and chocolate peanut butter shakes are excellent. Food wise, I dunno, I’d definitely take them over Burgerville.
Definitely give Portland Burger a shot. I like then better than Killer Burger.
I haven’t been there yet. But I’ve been to the place they modeled their burger after and it was terrific.
Their veggie black bean burger is to die for. Crispy tortilla strips on it!
There might be better ones that I haven’t had, but the burger I had at PDX Sliders was pretty damn good.
Agreed! I never crave red meat, but the idea of a burger from there sounds soooo good 👍
What is the best burger place and the best onion ring place (not ringside!!) plus if it has good cocktails/good beer!!
Really depends on what type of burger you're looking for. Rough Draft (cart) in far SW has some really great simple burgers (Burger Stevens is great, too). Grain & Gristle in NE has my favorite "elevated" pub burger. Reverend's BBQ in Sellwood has a really interesting one with brisket burnt ends mixed in and pimento cheese. Bullard/Abigail Hall downtown has great burgers.
I'll be watching for comments on onion rings.
Killer Burger Downtown is open for dine in. They have won best burger in Portland a few years in a row now.
Pdx Sliders is open for dine in if you want something a little more “Hip” and upscale. Full bar and great bartenders, awesome drinks and by far the best truffle fries in Portland.
As far as onion rings go, Saylers Country Kitchen has them and they’re my very favorite. They are also open for dine in.
I do support you, and our city, and the regular people out here trying to make a LIVING. Go out, eat, try the food, leave a good tip and BE KIND.
People like “I have read it” probably don’t have a clue what good food is anyway.
I’ll bet they were gonna recommend a nice locally sourced “organic” impossible burger from some b- health inspection food cart
Take your “hot tip” and shove it
HHaha thank you! This is super helpful!! I have actually have been so many times to PDX sliders and went yesterday! I was only posting this because it sucks but they seem to be going downhill a bit. Some days I go and it’s great but like some days (like yesterday) it just wasn’t good like it used to be! I love rough draft I need to go there more often! Burger stevens Is on the list of places to go next and I have literally been wanting to try Grain and Gristle but I read on Oregon live that it was inconsistent?? Is that true you think?
I'm guessing this was a reply to my comment. A couple years ago I think there was some inconsistency at Grain & Gristle, but they've been great since then--even during the pandemic. Doesn't travel well (like most burgers), so if you can eat it there in their nice outdoor seating area, it's best.
They have frizzled onions they call "onion rings" that I really like. Not traditional rings, but it might scratch that itch.
Sliders is struggling because they lost a large portion of their workforce. Definitely some quality control issues with the recent conditions, but they will bounce back.
Dunno about onion rings, but Expatriate's cheese burgers are incredibly good, and they have solid (albeit pricey) cocktails as well.
I read in an article that they were good. Would you say they would be worth an hour drive? That’s about how long it would be to get there but I’d do it if it’s worth it!
They're seriously delicious (probably the best burger I've had in Portland). Nothing fancy, but so well executed. I'd say it would definitely be worth an hour round-trip, especially if you get some of their fries as well. I live like 20 minutes away, and I thought the 40-minute round-trip was 100% worth it, and would have thought the same if it took an hour. The food traveled well and everything tasted hot and fresh when I got home. If you're talking an hour each way, that's a harder call. I personally probably wouldn't drive two hours for most food, and as good as these burgers are I'm not sure they'd be an exception. But if you'd be willing to drive that much for really, really good burgers, these do fit that description.
Renner’s pub always overcooks their burgers but their onion rings are outstanding
Tulip Shop Tavern on Killingsworth, near the PCC Cascade campus, fits the bill nicely.
I'm visiting Portland with some friends next month and we're on a mission for a good burger. What are some of the best options? They all live in Seattle and visit fairly often, but I'm coming over from Chicago, so I want to make sure we nail it. Thanks!
Little bird is my go to. Eater keeps on top of it pretty well. https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-best-burgers-restaurants-pdx
Someone asked the same question in the r/Portland subreddit here a couple of months ago and it got a ton of great responses! That being said I'm a Portland native who resides near Chicago for parts of the year! (Small Cheval is one of my favorite burgers hands down!!) Anyways, I commented in the other thread but as someone who loves savory and flavor-packed burgers PDX Sliders is a really tasty (you can opt for slider size and try a bunch of different burgers) and Trifecta Tavern (Pimento Double Cheeseburger- make sure to pair it with the Ember Charred Salad) during happy hour is a great deal!
Thanks, I'll check out that thread! Small Cheval is great! Lots of awesome burgers here in Chicago.
Ate-oh--Ate has the best for my $$. Same people as Laurelhust Grill.
Super Deluxe is one of my faves. It's like a similar but completely better version of In-N-Out and SD's fries are a million times better.
Slow Bar is a constant win for me.
Where’s the best place to get a burger in Portland? Prefer smash style burgers. Late night would be a plus. TIA!
Black Cow has great burgers, although idk what it is but the food there gets cold FAST. i've never had a bad thing to eat there, but i don't think i've ever eaten fully hot food either.
cbg has pretty good burgs too and big portions. i also genuinely love becky's burgers.
Black Cow makes the best mushroom and swiss burger I've ever had
Currently at black cow the AC is blasting
Just outside of Portland, but Harmons Lunch makes a pretty great burger for a decent price.
The burgers are a 6/10. Onion rings are 7/10. Fries are 5/10. Hot dogs are disgusting 1/10 and that's only if you get it loaded.
I didn't even know they had dogs tbh, I only ever see people get the burgers.
Unpopular opinion, but a Harmons burger ain’t worth it…THE ONION RINGS THO
They are the best onion rings I’ve had.
See I feel the opposite, the rings are usually too greasy for me (I still eat them tho)
People they ain't wrong. Plus you can place bets at the same time. It's great.
Mash Tun, hands down
Best price too
Shoutout to Zandos for delivering and then some. It was literally one dude running a food truck. Top 5 burger I’ve ever had - perfectly cooked, excellent crust, melty cheese, red onions, house made pickles, house made mayo.
The fries are genuinely the best I’ve ever had. SO thick, pillowy soft, and a solid crunch on the outside without being greasy at all. Straight up black magic, I don’t understand it.
Those fries look so good. Luckily a place by me has great Belgian fries like that.
Had it, was mid as hell. 5/10
dam i need a good burger rite now but then i'd have to hit the gym bc i am off work today 🫠
Fuck.
Aww. I grew up in Eugene. We used to get a slice at Sal’s then climb the fire escape behind the movie theater to sneak in the men’s bathroom window and watch the R movies. That was in the 80s and I haven’t been back for 25 years. Thanks for the memories. That sandwich looks amazing.
best burgers in portland
Key Considerations for Finding the Best Burgers in Portland:
Local Favorites: Look for places that are well-reviewed by locals and have a loyal following. Word of mouth can lead you to hidden gems.
Quality Ingredients: Check if the restaurant uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients, as this often enhances the flavor and quality of the burger.
Variety of Options: Consider places that offer a range of burger styles, including vegetarian and vegan options, to cater to different dietary preferences.
Unique Toppings and Flavors: Seek out burgers that feature unique toppings or house-made sauces that set them apart from the standard offerings.
Ambiance and Experience: The overall dining experience can enhance your meal. Look for places with a fun atmosphere or outdoor seating if you prefer.
Top Recommendations:
Killer Burger: Known for their "Killer" burgers with a variety of toppings and a great selection of sides. Their "Peanut Butter Bacon Burger" is a must-try for adventurous eaters.
Little Big Burger: Offers a simple menu focused on high-quality, delicious burgers. Their truffle fries are also a fan favorite.
Lardo: Famous for their "Pork Belly Burger," Lardo combines unique flavors with a casual dining experience.
Burgerville: A local chain that emphasizes sustainability and local ingredients. Their seasonal offerings and commitment to quality make them a beloved choice.
The Observatory: Known for their gourmet burgers and creative toppings, this spot offers a cozy atmosphere and a great selection of craft beers.
Takeaway: Portland has a vibrant burger scene with plenty of options to explore. Don't hesitate to try different places and ask locals for their favorites to discover the best burger that suits your taste!
Get more comprehensive results summarized by our most cutting edge AI model. Plus deep Youtube search.