What's in a great burger? It starts with high quality ingredients (scrimp on your beef or toppings and it shows). From there, it's about creating a balanced flavor profile and ensuring that the execution of that burger (from the toast on the bun to the sear on the burger) is on point. 

Does it matter if the burger is fancy? Or if it has a thin or thick patty?  No. In fact, if I've learned anything over my past four years on the Burger Trail, it's that a great burger takes as much thought as a dish on a fine dining menu.

Here are 10 spots (both old and new) that take their burgers seriously. 

Please note: If you read the linked review for a burger reviewed before 2024, keep in mind that the pricing has likely changed since the review was conducted. 

Archie’s Flat Top 

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6922 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 249-3207
archiesflattop.com

As I've tasted burgers across the city, I've seen good and bad examples of smash-style burgers. Many don't quite meet muster, failing to produce the caramelized coloring and crispy, lacy edges required while still providing a juicy, well-cooked patty.

Archie's is an exception. Just look at all those crispy craggy edges.  They're the tell-tale sign that someone in the kitchen is cooking hard and fast, giving that meat a good pressing as soon as it hits the grill. 

And the meat? There's definitely a difference when folks begin with fresh beef. In this case, it's freshly ground custom-blended beef sourced from Becher Meats next door.  From there, it's about the great ingredients used for the toppings including a classic burger sauce, nicely melted cheese, fresh lettuce and tomato and nicely prepared PBR onions that just might make you nostalgic for the old days.

If you're looking for a hefty two-napkin smash burger, Archie's Flat Top is definitely the place to go. Read the full review.

Birch

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459 E. Pleasant St., (414) 323-7372
birchonpleasant.com

Not only is this burger beautiful but it's filled with details that adeptly tell the story of the magic that's made with Birch's open wood-fired hearth.

From its fire-toasted bun and tender, flavorful wood-fired beef patty to its smoked onion aioli, housemade dill pickles and minced red onions, which are treated to the "old school" steam treatment (atop the burger and beneath the melting cheese, this burger delivers on a burger experience that not only reflects the quality expected from the food at Birch, but a truly memorable eating experience.  And yes, that includes the fresh, dill-dappled potato salad which you can get on the side.

Overall, the Birch Burger is downright crave-able with a balanced flavor that will remind you of the best double quarter pounder you never had. Read the full review.

Bridgewater Modern Grill

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The Bridgewater Modern Grill
2011 S. 1st St., (414) 299-6556
bridgewatermke.com

This namesake burger's menu description is simple: wagyu, coal-roasted shallots, gruyere, roasted garlic aioli, choice of greens or frites. Its flavor profile, on the other hand, is pleasantly complex and deliciously balanced.

The beef patties were beautifully caramelized with the crispy, slightly salty edges that come with a smash burger. From there, it was all about the balance of flavors, from the sweet coal-roasted shallots and the rich garlic aioli to the nutty Gruyere which was melted beautifully, lending its flavor to every bite. 

In the end, The Bridgewater Burger is an adult burger with a flavor profile that’s equally as beautiful as its environs.  Read the full review.

Crave Cafe

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3592 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 204-8778
cravecafe.carry-out.com

If you’re looking for a "crave-worthy" burger, you’ll find it here. I ate my first Crave namesake burger back in 2017 when Crave was still a newcomer on the scene. And I've been back numerous times, tasting through menu items like their smokey, slightly spicey Hamburguesa and their Mushroom & Swiss. 

Their namesake Crave Burger features a one-third pound Angus beef patty, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, arugula and white truffle aioli. Even today, it's sold for under $10, which is an impressive deal.  But that's not what makes it special. 

It's really about both the beef  – which is loosely packed and well-seasoned, rendering it juicy and meaty – and the balance in its flavor, which includes nutty melted Swiss, peppery arugula and sweet caramelized onions.  Even the truffle aioli, which generally gives me pause, was rich and earthy with just enough flavor and aroma to enhance the beefiness of the burger.  Read the full review.

Fox Den

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Fox Den @ Great Lakes Distillery
616 W. Virginia St.,
instagram.com/foxden_mke 

Messy, but tasty. Unique, but delicious. The Fox Den Burger shakes up the world of smash burgers with its unique toppings and massively smashed beef patties. 

I lucked out this month, trying three new burgers. Among them was the Bang! Burger from Fox Den. It's definitely  among the most solid smash patties I’ve tried on the trail in terms of technique. It was also among the more complexly flavored with its crisp, sweet onions, petite pickles and bright, spicy housemade Bang! sauce (which is equally good eaten on fries or onion rings).

Fair warning: Despite my best attempt at eating this burger without getting my hands dirty, I failed miserably.  Be sure to grab a few napkins if you choose to tackle it. Read the full review.

Heirloom 

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2378 S. Howell Ave., (262) 229-1157
heirloommke.com

The Heirloom Burger doesn't hit you in the face with bells and whistles.  It's a relatively simple build featuring a Niman Ranch beef patty, Carr Valley cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and house sauce on a brioche bun.  But it delivers impressively in both quality and flavor.

Even when cooked to medium, the burger has a robust flavor. It's beautifully juicy and the meat showcases a solid fat content, giving the beef a good mouthfeel. Pair that up with the fresh, high-quality toppings and you have a burger that brings together balanced flavors, great texture and intentionality. It's proof that you don't need fancy toppings to produce a great tasting burger.

Simple or not, it ranks right up there with some of the best burgers in town. Read the full review.  

Oscar's on Pierce

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1712 W. Pierce St., (414) 810-1820
oscarsonpierce.com

You gotta love a little spice with your burger to tackle The Big O at Oscar's, which is among my tried-and-true go-to's. And you'd better grab some napkins. This one is loaded up with flavors that range from smokey and rich to spicy and bright.

The chorizo offers up a nice balanced level of spice along with just enough grease to seep down and imbue the burger with a bit of added kick (as well as ensuring you’ll need a napkin to sop the orange from your fingers). There’s a pleasant smokiness and a bit more heat from the cheeses, which double up as a fine way of keeping the fried onions and jalapeños in place, giving you a bit of every flavor with each bite. 

You could dip your fries in the guacamole, which is delicious. But spreading a bit on the burger gives it a nice, fresh zip that lightens up the other bigger, smokier flavors. Read the full review.

Saint Bibiana

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1327 E. Brady St., (414) 988-4629
saintbibiana.com

Neither the gates of heaven nor hell opened when the burger was delivered to my table on its paper-covered tray. But my salivary glands did quiver a bit as my eyes gave the burger a run down, from its golden brown seeded bun and thick-sliced pickles, to its glistening caramelized burger patties cloaked in melted cheese and resting on a bed of thinly sliced griddled onion.  And as I ate, The Bibiana Burger delivered on all it promised.

A great burger is comprised of three elements technique, composition and flavor. When you get all of that (and a bag of fries) for $13, you don’t blink. Or hesitate. You just dig in. Read the full review.

Sweet Smoke BBQ

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Mobile operation
(414) 253-3553
Schedule & menus on Instagram
sweetsmokebbqmke.com

The cut and quality of meat in a burger matters. In fact, Sweet Smoke's burger is proof in the pudding. Made from chopped brisket trimmings mixed with prime ground brisket and smashed to order, their burgers showcase the rich beefy flavor for which brisket is prized, as well as a faint hint of smoke from the trimmings. 

Beyond that, the burger is ultra basic, just a slice of American cheese, pickles and a beautifully butter-toasted bun; but the balance of flavors is spot on.  In fact, you might even choose to eat this one sans condiments. 

The fact that it’s only available for a few hours once a week makes the mystique of this burger even more sweet. Read the full review.

Wild Roots

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6807 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 231-9081
wildrootsmke.com

The expectations were high for Wild Roots' Duck Fat Burger: first because house-ground meat should be superior  to its pre-ground counterparts (however customized); but also because it was fried in duck fat, an element that – when used well – has the potential to not only offer up a crisp exterior (thanks to its high smoke point), but also a rich, silky mouthfeel and complex flavor profile.

Duck fat alone does not a great burger make; but in this case it added to what was already a stellar creation. Read the full review.

Want more?

Here are 180+ Burger Trail reviews to savor.  (Please note that some venues have closed over the years and prices and menus have changed.)