Burgers in the 'Burgh

Pittsburgh loves burgers. Almost as much as we love pierogies. (I said, ALMOST.)

After all, a perfectly assembled burger is all of the best ingredients wrapped up in one heavenly sandwich. A soft, toasted bun supporting a juicy patty, fresh vegetables, crisp pickles, gooey cheese, and a specialty sauce. If, according to famous Chef Samin Nosrat, objectionably delicious meals require a perfectly balanced flavor profile of salt, fat, acid, and heat, then I don’t understand why more burger places aren’t awarded Michelin stars.

We visited a mix of burger spots across the city to determine the best burger in town. Some of them were institutions who have been serving up perfect burgers for decades, and some are new kids on the burger block. But while tastes may vary as to which is the perfect burger experience, I can promise you that grabbing a burger at any of these spots will not disappoint!

Tessaro’s | Bloomfield

This is the institution of burger institutions. Tessaro’s American Bar and Hardwood Grill has been serving up their nationally famous woodfired burgers in Bloomfield for 25 years. Servers are dressed in classic bistro bowtie, white shirt, and apron, and will gladly recommend their favorites off the menu. The restaurant layout offers a number of different ways to enjoy your entrée. The bar feels like a neighborhood joint, the dining room offers cozy tables throughout, and the outdoor patio is perfect for a warm night. Check out the tin ceiling that’s been in the building since it was a wallpaper store in 1893!

The ambiance is great, but let’s be honest, we’re here for the burger. The Gourmet Kelly Burger is covered in grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon and your choice of cheese. We decided on a classic cheddar and added the traditional fixings on top – lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, and mustard. The fresh patty was grilled perfectly to order and the vegetables piled on top were fresh, crisp, and sweet. Every burger comes with ruffled potato chips but you can choose another side if you’re not feeling that. You can taste the quality of the meat with every bite. Finally found your burger loving lover? Take them to Tessaro’s for a date night that won’t disappoint.

Pictured |
Gourmet Kelly Burger at Tessaro's
Pictured |
Gourmet Kelly Burger at Tessaro's

Burgh’ers Brewing | Lawrenceville

As with most places in Lawerenceville, this place was cool. After all, who says a smash burger place can’t have a focus on regional, high-quality ingredients? The restaurant itself almost feels like a fun cafeteria with a large space, four-top tables, and alternating black and yellow metals chairs. The bar features craft beer, brewed at their other location in Zelienople, in an array of styles including a “pre-prohibition” lager.

For my burger I decided to build my own. A patty of local grassfed beef was layered on a classic bun with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Then came the hard part – which premium toppings should I use?! Ultimately, I decided to top it with Burgh’ers’ sauce, caramelized onions, and fresh horseradish. Instead of fries, a side of fried pierogies rounded out the meal. A perfectly constructed burger arrived to the table within minutes. Hot and juicy, each bite was as satisfying at the last! In terms of pierogies, I prefer mine boiled as fried versions tend to be too hard. But these pillows of potato dumpling goodness were incredible! Burgh’ers Brewing is a modern take on the neighborhood bar and it’s the perfect spot to begin a casual night out with friends.

Pictured |
BYOB (build your own burger) at Burgh'ers
Pictured |
BYOB (build your own burger) at Burgh'ers

The Beerhive | Strip District

A narrow bar tucked into Penn Avenue in the Strip District, the Beerhive offers a clean version of a dive bar atmosphere. Multiple TVs in the small space offers great views of any Pittsburgh game you’re there to watch. Rotating taps of craft beer serves as a satisfying addition to whatever bar food you choose to order but, of course, I recommend the Classic Smashburger.

For this signature dish, two patties are stacked with white American cheese, burger sauce, and caramelized onions. Every burger is served with fresh-cut fries. It’s classic. It’s simple. It’s delicious. Other menu features include a Sloppy Joe, a beer battered Fried Cod Sandwich, and an array of tempting Wings. So, head dahn to the Beerhive to watch the next game!

Pictured |
Classic Smashburger at The Beerhive
Pictured |
Classic Smashburger at The Beerhive

Hemlock House | Regent Square

Diane, if you ever get up this way, that burger at Hemlock House is worth a stop. Maybe it's the Twin Peaks-inspired design, the friendly owner that is happy to pour you a beer and sit next to you while you enjoy the meal, or just the incredible food, but Hemlock House is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in the city.

Available for brunch or dinner, The Jeremy Burger is mentioned in seemingly every review for this place, and for good reason. When you create the ideal cheeseburger with a perfectly grilled patty, kewpie mayo and a fresh challah bun, it gets people talking.

But don't sleep on the The Delmonico, their brunch creation which takes the Jeremy and adds a fried egg, tarragon hollandaise and bacon for the best of breakfast all in one bite.

Pictured |
Kimchi Burger at Hemlock House
Pictured |
Kimchi Burger at Hemlock House

Eleven | Strip District

I know what you're thinking. Eleven has so many amazing, refined entrees and the best brunch in town, and you're recommending I get a burger!? And to that I answer: absolutely.

Literally every part of their signature ELEVEN Burger has been elevated and refined. From the braised veal patty and black pepper bacon bringing the salt and the savory, the crunch of the crispy onions and the fresh brioche bun holding it all together. The hardest part of this burger is deciding between the goat cheese or the bleu to make this perfect.

Butterjoint | Oakland

Maybe it's the locally sourced beef. Perhaps its the secret sauce. Or maybe it's just the right amount of brine from the sour dill pickles. But pound for pound, the Butterjoint burger is at or on the top of my list when I'm asked where my favorite burger is.

The burger is so huge (and comes with a healthy amount of tallow fries) it's perfect to cut in half in share, which frees up your friend or date to try something else delicious on the menu. Butterjoint also has a top tier pierogi entree and the Jamaican pulled goat is an out-of-this world dish you can only find here.

City Kitchen | East Liberty

I've written extensively about why I love City Kitchen in other blogs, but for this one I want to focus solely on Charred, one of this galley concept restaurant's newest offerings focusing on gourmet burgers.

Their secret starts with the patty. Using a blend of brisket, short-rib and chuck you're starting off with an elevated burg that's then piled high with inventive toppings that complement without overwhelming the palate. The Cowboy Burger here is always a crowd pleaser (mostly to watch people decide how best to smash down the tower of onion rings and eat it) but recently the Moroccan Lamb Burger (the combo of their charred aioli with the spices and mint is outstanding) and sweet and spicy bleu (think a bleu cheese burger with a kick of sweet chili) are my go-tos.

Moonlit Burgers | Uptown/Dormont

Moonlit is my pick for a burger place that pleases everyone I'm with, every time. Before I head into PPG Paints? Moonlit. Out with the kids and need all my picky eaters satisfied? It's smashburger time.

Here, I'm all about just getting the Classic. A double smashburger patty with griddled onions, cheese, pickle and secret sauce on a Martin's potato roll. It's simple, delicious and everything a burger should be. Parents, make sure to grab a draft or a boozy shake too while your kids are asking for ice cream.

Lot 17 | Bloomfield

I don't imagine Lot 17 is going to show up on the top of your Google results, so your reward for reading to the end of this blog is one of my favorite hidden gems in Pittsburgh for more than a decade.

Always filled with Bloomfield locals, the friendly bar staff, great draft list and insanely good food make this a place I return to as often as possible. Not to show my age, but when I was a regular, this was my favorite place to try craft beer when I barely knew what an IPA was. And it's also home to the Lot 17 Burger, a tantalizing patty topped with bacon, pickled onions, swiss and chipotle mayo that made me a fan for life.

Nox's Tavern | Blawnox

"Oh no, I said 'steamed hams'. That's what I call hamburgers." No matter what you call them, Nox's Tavern offers up their signature Steamers: ground beef patties steamed to perfection with white cheddar cheese and the usual toppings, served with steak fries and their famous slaw on the side.

Want to jazz it up a little? There's versions of their steamer for every taste, including:

  • The Lumberjack with fried egg, spicy bbq and bacon
  • The Morganator with roasted red peppers, bacon and sriracha mayo
  • The Cheezy Jalapeno Pretzel Burger that's exactly what it sounds like on a delicious toasted pretzel roll

Shake Shack | Strip District Terminal

Yeah, we know it's a chain, but the excitement for Shake Shack has taken over the entire city with lines wrapping about this beloved burger institution since it's grand opening in May 2024.

Start with the og Shackburger, an Angus beef cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and their signature Shake Sauce, then branch out into other exciting options like their vegetarian friendly 'Shroom Burger or seasonal specials.

The Bonfire | South Side

I discovered this South Side hidden gem during the pandemic and have been back for dinner and brunch so often I think I've now tried everything on the menu. This wood-fired, chef-led hotspot will make you a fan in one visit, and I crave their chicken & waffles and huevos rancheros, both of which are top versions of this dish I've had anywhere.

And there's a reason a giant photo of their BONFIRE burger emblazons their menu page online. Unhinge your jaw, smash down the grilled bun and feast on the mushroom duxelles, truffle aioli and goat cheese that take this burger to the next level.

Whatever your burger tastes, there’s a restaurant for you in Pittsburgh!

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Elaine Z.

Author

Elaine Z.

Elaine is a graduate student in the Food Studies program at Chatham University. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her loved ones, and having a book in her hand. Pittsburgh passionate, Elaine loves showing out-of-towners new places to go and restaurants to try.

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