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There are a lot of restaurants making burgers in Austin, but only the best of the best stake a claim to our bucket list.

Pool Burger


A lot of Austin newbies are experiencing their first taste of our soggy summers. It’s an adjustment for sure, but these near-constant sunny days bring about some of the best outdoor activities. <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/austin/austin-s-most-underrated-hiking-spots" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Hikes,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/austin/best-scenic-running-trails-paths-in-austin-texas" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">running around</a> with your dog at Zilker, and <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/austin/best-patios-in-austin-outdoor-dining" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">eating outside</a> underneath those little misting fans that work overtime to keep us cool. Embracing the sweat is the way to go—and there are few better ways to do so than sipping on a refreshing beverage (adult or not) while going to town on a great burger. Whether you’re looking for something fast and casual, high quality and indulgent, beef patties or faux-meat, here are some of the best burger joints in town.

A lot of Austin newbies are experiencing their first taste of our soggy summers. It’s an adjustment for sure, but these near-constant sunny days bring about some of the best outdoor activities. <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/austin/austin-s-most-underrated-hiking-spots" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Hikes,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/austin/best-scenic-running-trails-paths-in-austin-texas" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">running around</a> with your dog at Zilker, and <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/austin/best-patios-in-austin-outdoor-dining" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">eating outside</a> underneath those little misting fans that work overtime to keep us cool. Embracing the sweat is the way to go—and there are few better ways to do so than sipping on a refreshing beverage (adult or not) while going to town on a great burger. Whether you’re looking for something fast and casual, high quality and indulgent, beef patties or faux-meat, here are some of the best burger joints in town.

JewBoy Burgers combines a seemingly odd mix of “US/Mexico Border Culture and a traditional Reform Jewish upbringing” that manages to blend together flawlessly in its burgers, burritos, latkes, and other fried sides and toppings. Those rare offerings have made this place a bit of a powerhouse in the Austin restaurant scene. One look at its unique creations, it’s easy to see why. Its impeccable burgers feature sauteed onions that are smashed right into the patties, served on bouncy potato roll buns, and topped with a wide mix of flavorful options from chile con queso to a green chile and cheddar-studded latke. How to book: Stop by for counter service.

JewBoy Burgers


Jewboy Burgers

JewBoy Burgers (Jewboy Burgers)

A family-friendly joint with nice outdoor patios, the Oakmont Food Company’s signature Oakmont Burger is simple and delicious. Two smashed patties are served with your standard fixings but with the added zest of garlic aioli and B&amp;B pickles. Those who prefer to avoid beef can tag in some Beyond Meat for a small additional fee. To wash it down, Oakmont offers a wide assortment of beverages including cold-pressed juices, seasonal beers, and signature cocktails (some frozen) to help keep things cool. Make sure to check out their happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm Wednesday through Friday and all-day Monday. How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Oakmont Food Company


This Austin institution has been serving burgers and shakes since 1946. You’d be hard-pressed to find an old-school Austinite with a poor opinion of Sandy’s. It's nothing fancy but they know what they’re doing and do it extremely well. The no-fuss snack bar serves dogs, shakes, malts, and some of the best old-fashioned burgers in town. These classic patties are simple with just lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and mustard with a handful of optional extras including bacon, jalapeno, and chili. How to book: Stop by for counter or drive-through service.

Flickr/powerplantop

Sandy's Hamburgers

This inventive food truck on the lawn of Cosmic Coffee and Beer Garden sources all their meat from small, responsible Texan ranchers before firing them to perfection. The L&amp;L is their richest and tastiest, made with a smoked, reverse-seared half-pound Texas Akaushi brisket patty, melted American cheese, house made pickles, chopped and grilled onions, and housemade beet barbecue mayo, all on a Martin’s potato roll. A side of Kale Caesar Slaw should help fan the flavor. How to book: Stop by for counter service.

LeRoy and Lewis

LeRoy & Lewis

This butcher shop and salumeria serves up quality local and sustainable meats at their 7th street patio, where it’s totally acceptable (and encouraged) to pair wine with your burger (their lineup of Texas-born wine deserves special shout out). The Signature Burger was such a hit that it spawned two forthcoming spinoff properties—both called The Butcher Burger—set to open in Austin and Houston later this year. It features a half-pound beef patty, prepared daily with steak trimmings, layered with mayo and sour pickles and tucked into a sweet-yet-savory brioche bun. An order of deliciously crispy beef fat French fries sweetens the deal.&nbsp; How to book: Reserve via <a href="https://resy.com/cities/atx/salt-and-time-butcher-shop?date=2021-06-24&amp;seats=2" target="_blank">Resy</a>, order take-out&nbsp;<a href="https://saltandtime.revelup.com/weborder/?establishment=2" target="_blank">online</a>, and get delivery via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.favordelivery.com/order-delivery/salt-and-time-8295/1912-e-7th-st-austin-tx-78702-15471/" target="_blank">Favor</a>.

Salt & Time Butcher Shop and Salumeria

Salt & Time

Texan grad squad Saad, Zain, and Isha launched Buddy’s in June 2020 and subsequently got a generation of burger addicts, well, addicted. The trio harnessed trusty family recipes for Smack sauce and seasoned fries using 11 homegrown spices, and focused on creating quality to-go options during lockdown. The menu is short and simple, using natural stunners like 100% Angus beef patties handmade fresh daily. Go for the Spicy Burger with Jack cheese, jalapeños, and Smack sauce if you like a kick with your meat, then cool down with an Oreo milkshake. How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or call 512-401-3325 for take-out.

Buddy's Burger

Buddy’s Burgers

With friendly owners and staff, potent cocktails, and great Southern-inspired fare, there’s a lot to love about The Cavalier. We adore The Cavalier Burger, with your choice of beef or veggie patty in an Easy Tiger bun, topped with white American cheese, house pickles, and house mayo. Happy hour runs every day from 3 pm to 7 pm and it’s extended until 10 pm on Sundays for sweet deals on drinks and fries.&nbsp; How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

The Cavalier ATX

The Cavalier

Hopfields’ Pascal Burger, with its toasted Challah bun, poignant-smelling Camembert cheese, cornichons, grain mustard, and caramelized onions—not to mention pommes frites and aioli—is the answer for those in search of the bougiest burger in town. Pro tip: Hopfields boasts one of Austin’s best beer selections so be sure to grab a growler to-go.

Hopfields

Better Half is the all-day hang out for downtowners, complete with a trio of brilliant burgers up for grabs. There’s the Better Half Cheeseburger (44 Farms ground beef, dijonnaise, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion), a vegan option with Beyond Meat patty, and a Better Half Chicken Burger (house ground chicken, Duke’s mayo, swiss, lettuce, tomato, and onion). What a treat.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

Dai Due is a butcher shop and supper club that makes indulging feel oh-so-good. The menu is littered with fresh local ingredients, including the dry-aged Wagyu double cheeseburger, made with two 4-ounce Wagyu beef patties, Stryk cheddar from Stryk Jersey Farm in Schulenburg, white onions, dill pickles, and sauce ‘especial.’ Accompanying French fries come with beet ketchup.

Dai Due

Dai Due Butcher Shop & Supper Club

Hopdoddy’s is to Austin what Shake Shack is to New York, but better (well, we think so). Staples include the Classic with Doddy mayo, the Buffalo Bill featuring a free-range bison patty, a Japanese-style Ahi Tuna burger, and the extra meaty Bacon Double Jam (two quarter-pound beef patties, tomato-bacon jam, and two cheeses). Big boozy cocktails like The Skinny Dip—a mini Corona beer dunked into a goblet brimming with frozen margarita—make for a stellar night out. How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Kalimotxo, Hestia’s casual Basque-inspired sister restaurant, offers the hearty Kali Burger, a thing of beauty spanning 44 Farms beef, Pedro Ximénez-spiked onions, mushroom aioli, Mahon cheese, and a housemade bun served with patatas bravas or a refreshing garden salad. Grab a spot along the gorgeous stand-up bar or hit the breezy outdoor patio overlooking Shoal Creek for the ultimate experiece. How to book: Reserve or get delivery via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.favordelivery.com/order-delivery/kalimotxo-26879/607-west-3rd-street-105-austin-tx-78701-73210/" target="_blank">Favor</a>.

This might be where Austinites come to satisfy their pesky midnight cravings, but rest assured the burger here is prime-time meal worthy. The decadent stack includes two four-ounce Ranger Cattle Wagyu ground beef patties plus special sauce, housemade pickles, and American cheese on a sesame bun, fries included. How to book: Reserve or&nbsp;call 512-628-0144.

Nightcap

The Peached Tortilla’s signature Asian fusion style is on full display with their JapaJam burger, a complex mound of savory tomato jam, pepper Jack cheese, a fried egg, tempura onion strings, and Chinese BBQ sauce supported by a hefty six-ounce all-beef patty. If that’s too adventurous for you, they also have the Social Burger, which limits twists to peached sauce and Japanese pickles. How to book: Reserve,&nbsp;order&nbsp;<a href="https://direct.chownow.com/order/20520/locations/29668" target="_blank">take-out via ChowNow</a>, or get delivery via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.favordelivery.com/order-delivery/the-peached-tortilla-2535/5520-burnet-road-100-austin-tx-78756-5802/" target="_blank">Favor</a>.

The Peached Tortilla

Pool Burger, the burger-and-tiki combo near Deep Eddy Pool, is a true midsummer's day dream. Step up to the vintage airstream trailer for The Deep End: a Triple Pool Burger (AKA three quarter-pound patties) layered with Swiss cheese, bacon, fresh jalapeños, and dijonnaise. Or go tropical with the Blue Hawaiian, complete with griddled pineapple, bacon, blue cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Regardless, be sure to wash it down with a Frozen Hurricane—you only live once, right? How to book: Stop by for counter service, order take-out via <a href="https://www.toasttab.com/poolburger/v3" target="_blank">Toast</a>, or get delivery via <a href="https://www.favordelivery.com/order-delivery/pool-burger-15220/2315-lake-austin-boulevard-austin-tx-78703-38149/" target="_blank">Favor</a>.

Pool Burger

This vegan food truck has a huge local following, thanks to burgers so ridiculously packed with flavor you’re guaranteed to forget you’re not actually eating meat. Go for the munchie-worthy Bac'n Cheeze Burger, decked out with housemade seitan bac’n, melted cheeze, vegan mayo, ketchup, and veggies and snuggled into a gluten-free bun. See for yourself by tracking down an Arlo’s truck stationed at Cheer Up Charlies or Spider House. How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out via <a href="https://arloscurbside.com/order" target="_blank">Toast</a>.

Arlo's

<a href="https://admin-preview.thrillist.com/authors/jade-fabello" target="_blank">Jade Fabello</a>&nbsp;is a contributor for Thrillist.

Burgers

The 16 Best Burger Joints in Austin

Best Burgers in Austin: Essential Spots to Try Right Now

Move over tacos—it’s the patty’s time to shine. 

A lot of Austin newbies are experiencing their first taste of our soggy summers.

Kalimotxo

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