If you're an Arkansan who is into burgers, congratulations, you've just stumbled upon the perfect article for your particular interests. We've compiled the ultimate burger bucket list for all your burger needs. From dive bars and diners to restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating and sophisticated menus, these burgers will make your mouth the happiest place in the Natural State.
1. Tusk and Trotter American Brasserie (Bentonville)
Tusk & Trotter focuses on developing a family-friendly, casual atmosphere with a sophisticated menu. Their dinner menu offers three amazing burgers. Where the Buffalo Roam features a delectable bison patty, the "Teeree" Burger features succulent ground lamb, and the TNT Burger is made out of classic black angus beef. Pictured above is a fourth option, the Ratchford Farm Elk Burger with razorback pate and strawberry butter. You’ll find these offerings at 110 Southeast A Street in Bentonville, right off the square.
2. The Original Fried Pie Shop (Jacksonville)
The Original Fried Pie Shop is a Texas-based chain, but don’t hold that against them. They’ve only got locations in Texas and Arkansas, so at least they knew the best place to take their expansion. At the Original Fried Pie Shop, you’ll find they specialize in "Burgers, Fries, and Pies." And they are not wrong. They may have been making fried pies for one hundred years, but they’ve learned the art of the burger beautifully too. You’ll find our favorite location at 1321 T.P. White Drive in Jacksonville.
3. BubbaLu’s Bodacious Burgers & Classy Dogs (Hot Springs)
If you’re looking for a truly bodacious burger, look no further than this Hot Springs favorite. At Bubbalu’s you’ll find cheeseburgers and chili cheeseburgers, dogs and chili cheese dogs. The best part is that they’re all crazy affordable, so get out of that drive-thru line right now and head to the explosive, bodacious flavor at 408 Central Avenue in Hot Springs.
4. Deluxe Burger (Fayetteville)
Deluxe Burger is a small, Arkansas-based chain. There are only three locations, two in Fayetteville and one in Rogers. One of the Fayetteville locations is on Dickson Street, and it’s the perfect place to satisfy your taste for burgers while exploring Fayetteville’s most popular district. Their burgers are intensely delicious, and you definitely need to eat at least one of the nine burger options on their incredible menu. This is a great place to go if you’ve got a vegetarian in tow, too, as they’ll allow the substitution of a black bean patty on any burger they make. You can find the Dickson Street Deluxe Burger at 550 West Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
5. Pig Trail Bypass Country Café (Elkins)
If you’re into grass-fed beef and fresh-made fries, you’ve got to head up the pig trail on Highway 23 to Highway 16 and the town of Elkins. The Pig Trail Bypass Country Café is in an unassuming little building, but don’t confuse that with low quality burgers. These delicious downhome burgers are some of the best in the state. You’ll find them at 4223 Highway 16 in Elkins.
6. Dairyette (Mount Ida)
Dairyette is the adorably named favorite burger stop in Mount Ida, the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. Dairyette has been in business since 1958, and their business is burgers and shakes. With that much tradition, you’d be right to expect excellence from these classic choices. Have a burger and shake at 717 Highway 270 East.
7. Arkansas Burger Company (Little Rock)
You can go back to the basics at ABC. This Little Rock staple, aptly named the Arkansas Burger Company, has made burgers their bread and butter, and they started winning awards after being in business for only two months. The delicious monstrosity featured above is called THE ROCK, and yes, you really do need to say it in all caps. Find double meat, double cheese, and so much more at 7410 Cantrell Road in Little Rock.
8. Hamburger Barn (Arkadelphia)
You’ll find a wide range of food choices on the Hamburger Barn’s menu, but don’t make the mistake of overlooking the "Two-Fisted Burgers." They’re spectacular, and you’ll definitely need two fists to eat one. Find them at 2813 West Pine Street in Arkadelphia. Pictured above is the spicy chipotle burger.
9. Cotham’s Mercantile (Scott)
Cotham’s Mercantile has a history that dates back to 1917, and though the dining experience only goes back to around 1984, they’ve gotten good enough at burgers to make nearly every best burger list in the state. They’re famous for being a place where political heavyweights like Bill Clinton like to eat, but most of all they’re famous for their enormous Hubcap Burger. Pictured above is the Hubcap Jalapeño Burger. Visit this iconic burger stop at 5301 Arkansas 161 in Scott.
10. Feltner Brothers (Fayetteville)
Feltner Brothers was started and is maintained by three intrepid brothers. Their grandfather owned an iconic burger place in Russellville, and the brothers decided to put their own spin on the family business up in Fayetteville. They say their burger joint is the realization of the American Dream, and one thing is for sure—their burgers are truly American dreams. You’ll find them at 2768 North College Avenue in Fayetteville.
11. CJ’s Butcher Boy Burgers (Russellville)
Southern Living calls this the best burger joint in Arkansas, and they’re not wrong. The name of the game at CJ’s Butcher Boys is simplicity. They make a beautifully classic burger, and you won’t want to miss it. You can find them at 2803 North Arkansas Avenue in Russellville.
12. Midtown Billiards (Little Rock)
Besides a gas station, where’s the place most likely to give you a delicious plate of food in a quirky atmosphere? Well, a dive bar, of course. Midtown Billiards is just that, and you’ll find one of the absolute best burgers in the state at Midtown Billiards in Little Rock. Their burgers are frequently featured on lists of the best burgers in Arkansas, and after you’ve consumed that mouthwatering beef on a bun, you can always stay awhile, have a beer, and show off your pool shark skills. Find this place at 1316 Main Street in Little Rock.
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