Photograph by Pablo Sosa
Lettuce help you prepare for National Cheeseburger Day September 18. This list of beloved cheeseburgers from local joints will introduce you to modern menus and specialty flavors worth trying, as well as tasty classics that have been citywide favorites for years. You may even recognize a few from our 2015 Best Burger list.
Dirty French Burger—Sacred Beast
If you enjoy smashburgers, then Sacred Beast may be worth a visit this month. All of its burgers are cooked on a flat-top grill, giving the beef a nice caramelization that defines its flavor. The restaurant is well-known for its Dirty French Burger, which was recently named one of the 10 best burgers in America by USA TODAY. We won’t lie—the cheeseburger is messy, but when it’s topped with gruyere cheese, an au poivre and mornay sauce, and caramelized onions, who minds the greasy fingers? The Dirty French was also featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where the host touted that the cheeseburger “has the richness and umami of French onion soup.” 1437 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 213-2864
Black & Bleu Burger—MOTR Pub
Prepare for a full sensory experience when dinning at MOTR Pub—its blaring live music might just be the perfect side to your burger. Its intimate barroom stage has featured artists and bands from across the globe. Its Black & Bleu Burger is hand-packed angus beef, bleu cheese, blackening seasoning, beer-battered onion rings, romaine, tomato, pickle and chipotle mayo all on a toasted bun. 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 381-6687
Steak Burger—SwingLine
If you’re hungry for a bite of history, SwingLine will satisfy both brain and gut. Its name comes from the former electric railway that once traversed through Madeira and Indian Hill, but the real attraction here is its steak burger. Featuring a half-pound blend of ground sirloin, brisket, and chuck, what really makes this burger legendary is its topping choices. You can rewrite history every time you visit depending on your choice of cheese, bun, sauces, and sautéed veggies. Take a walk around Madeira after your meal, and you may find some remains of the railway that supported the line. 7710 Railroad Ave., Madeira, (513) 407-7444
El Jefe Double Burger—Delwood
Delwood brings a Latin American flavor profile to the American staple with its El Jefe Double Burger. The two, four-ounce patties are served with salsa criolla, avocado, and huancaína, all between a toasted potato bun. The restaurant is also known for its craft cocktails—we recommend trying out the pineapple daiquiri with your cheeseburger. 3204 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout, (513) 260-9580
Cheeseburger Special—Quatman Café
Quatman Café is a family-owned and operated joint committed to its promises of high-quality food at an affordable price. You can get its award-winning cheeseburger for as low as $7.50, and if you come on any a day they have a burger special, you can get that cheeseburger with fries and a beer for just $3.50 more. 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood, (513) 731-4370; 224 W. Main St., Mason, (513) 229-0222
Photograph by Pablo Sosa
Double Cheeseburger Weekend Special—Gas Light Café
Founded in 1940, the Gas Light Café’s regulars know well now to visit during the restaurant’s weekend special. The crowd favorite includes a double cheeseburger that comes with two quarter-pound beef patties, tartar sauce, lettuce, pickle, and crinkle fries. 6104 Montgomery Rd., Pleasant Ridge, (513) 631-6977
Classic Cheeseburger—Main Street Café
Fresh beef every day of the week. Main Street Café keeps it simple with classic and well-seasoned, cooked-to-order beef patties with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo on a white-bread bun. The restaurant offers a classic cheeseburger, a double, and a blue cheese burger that won’t starve your wallet. 6903 Main St., Newtown, (513) 272-2030
The Metropole Cheeseburger—Metropole
Seasonal ingredients from local farmers gives Metropole deep ties in to its community. These high-quality local ingredients also lend themselves to its signature burger, The Metropole Cheeseburger, served on a challah bun with goat cheese, caramelized onion, ham, tomato aioli, arugula, and fries. Its community ties reach the neighboring 21c Museum Hotel, which has rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and site-specific installations that carry over from the adjoining hotel into the restaurant space. 609 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 578-6660
Tavern Double Cheeseburger—Herb & Thelma’s Tavern
Herb & Thelma’s Tavern is rich in history, having served the Northern Kentucky community for more than 85 years. The restaurant gets all of its products locally, and the hamburger patties are made fresh every day. The double cheeseburger is made with American cheese, and for an extra few bucks you can add a homemade regular or spicy sauerkraut. 718 W. Pike St., Covington, (859) 491-6984
Cheeseburger—The Echo
The Echo’s loyal customers have been coming back time and time again since 1945 for founder Louise Schwartz’s original recipes. The cheeseburger is a double burger served with cheese, lettuce, and tartar sauce. While there, try out one of the diner’s seasonal specials, a homemade spring chicken salad pumpkin pie pancakes. 3510 Edwards Rd., Hyde Park, (513) 321-2816
