Connecticut’s Best Burger Shop Gets the Fundamentals Right Every Single Time

There's no gimmick at Zack's Burgers and Shakes. The menu is burgers, shakes, and fries. The beef is fresh-ground and never frozen. The milkshakes are hand-spun.

Zack's at 797 Farmington Avenue in Berlin has built a loyal following by getting the fundamentals right rather than chasing whatever's trending. Patch.com named it Connecticut's best burger, citing its inclusion in Only In Your State's 50-state burger roundup.

The mission statement on the Zack's website reads: 'Fresh local ingredients, fresh ground burgers and delicious hand-spun milkshakes.' That's not marketing language. That's a description of the daily operation.

Connecticut's dining scene rewards the kind of focused, quality-first approach that Zack's has taken since opening. The state has produced some of the country's best locally owned restaurants. This one earns its place at the top of that list.

What to Order

The build-your-own smash burger is the starting point. A double patty with Swiss, sauteed mushrooms, and onions is the recommendation from regulars who've worked through the full menu.

The milkshakes are the other reason many people make the trip specifically for Zack's. Strawberry and peanut butter lead the rankings among reviewers. They're thick enough that sharing one makes sense.

Parmesan fries are crispy and seasoned without overreaching. Onion rings hold their own. The classic single cheeseburger is the low-key benchmark order for a first visit before you start customizing.

The dining room is small and intentionally so. The kitchen stays focused because the menu stays focused. That's how a place this size produces consistently excellent food. For more on the local food scene, see the best diners and burger joints in Connecticut.

Berlin's Low-Key Burger Standout

Zack's started in Kensington before moving to its current Farmington Avenue address near Coles Road Brewing. The move expanded seating and improved visibility without changing anything about how the kitchen operates.

The restaurant has stayed small and family-owned by design. Every decision, from the sourcing to the menu length, reflects a commitment to quality over scale.

The move from Kensington to Berlin positioned Zack's in a Hartford County corridor with strong foot traffic and proximity to Coles Road Brewing. For anyone planning an afternoon in central Connecticut, the combination makes for a natural pairing.

The dining room fills quickly on weekend lunch service, so a quick phone call ahead is always worth the effort. The kitchen is small, and the staff is attentive, so the experience feels quaint but still memorable. For more of the state's dining history, see Connecticut restaurants every local should visit.

Plan Your Visit

Zack's Burgers and Shakes is located at 797 Farmington Avenue in Berlin. Hours of operation run Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Zack's is closed Sundays.

Call (860) 357-2089 for reservations. The dining room is small; groups of more than four should call ahead. While you're planning the trip, make sure to check out iconic small-town restaurants in Connecticut to make every meal a worthwhile adventure.