10 Midwest Restaurants Serving Burgers Done Right

Few foods in the U.S. are as iconic as a burger, and there are so many wonderful places to find them that it would be darned near impossible to single out the best in each state. So, we asked you—our readers—to help us out.

After carefully perusing all the submissions we received, we're pleased to present your top choices for the best burgers in each of the Midwestern states. You'll definitely want to give them a try!

1. The Workingman's Friend: Indianapolis, Indiana

The Workingman's Friend has been an Indianapolis institution for more than a century and is renowned for its hearty American classics—like hamburgers. The double cheeseburger with onion rings is a Hoosier State favorite, making this joint's burgers some of the best in the Midwest. This being Indiana, you will, of course, find a pork tenderloin sandwich on the menu, as well, if you're not feeling the burger vibes. Be sure to hit the ATM before you stop in, because The Workingman's Friend only accepts cash.

2. White Grill: Nevada, Missouri

Another decades-old institution, Nevada, Missouri's White Grill, has been satisfying customers since 1938. They start with fresh-ground beef, pat the burgers by hand, and serve them up with their signature Suzie Qs: crispy curly fries, fresh-cut and made to order. A long-time customer, Janice, recommends the "cheeseburger with grilled onions and the Suzie Q's, [paired with] a handmade chocolate shake."

3. The Outsider: Manistee, Michigan

You'll find the most-recommended burger in Michigan at The Outsider in Manistee. Best known for its smash burgers, you'll find several variations on this classic, including the Oh My! Smash, topped with two onion rings and BBQ sauce, and the Nordhouse Smash, with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and spicy mustard. Eat in the al fresco beer garden, then work off some energy on the eatery's vintage pinball machines and arcade games.

4. Zip's Cafe: Cincinnati, Ohio

Senior Only In Your State Editor and lifelong Ohioan Sarah McCosham fully supports our readers' choice for Ohio's best burger, Zip's Cafe. Sarah was first introduced to their cult classic Zip Burger by her father more than three decades ago, but folks from all across the Buckeye State have been making the trip to this Cincinnati institution for a century.

5. Valley Burger Co.: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Eau Claire's Valley Burger Co. is home to your favorite burgers in the Badger State. Known for its playful twists on the classic—like the Wisco Whiz, with cheddar, whiz, bacon, and dijonnaise—as well as some head-turning specials, like the PB&J burger, this eatery is a destination-worthy dining experience. And yes, cheese curds and old fashioneds are on the menu.

6. Big Head Burger: Waterloo, Iowa

Another smash burger temple, Big Head Burger is a locally-owned joint in Waterloo that's become beloved among burger-loving locals. The menu of burgers offers nothing too fancy or over the top: just classic, perfectly seared burgers with combinations of the toppings you want. Always say "yes" to the fries and milkshakes here, as well.

7. The Blue Door Pub: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Folks love the burgers at The Blue Door Pub, which has two locations in Minneapolis, as well as an outpost for burger-loving travelers at MSP International. The most popular burger at Blue Door is the Blucy, which is the eatery's entry into the Ju(i)cy Lucy minefield of the Twin Cities burger scene. The Blucy, as the name implies, is stuffed with bleu cheese, which adds a tangy, salty counterpoint to the crispy, caramelized sear of the burger. As with any lucy, mind that first molten bite and have a cold beer at the ready.

8. Kuma's Corner: Chicago, Illinois

Kuma’s Corner is a Chicago favorite known for raucous metal music and off-the-chain burgers that carry through with the heavy metal theme. With an additional location in Schaumburg, Kuma's serves up big burgers with creative, hearty toppings, all of which are named for legends of the metal genre.

9. Do-B's Burgers, Phillys and PoBoys: Emporia, Kansas

You'll find Do-B's Burgers, Phillys, and PoBoys in charming Emporia, where they serve up hearty sandwiches, as well as your favorite burgers in the state of Kansas. To say Do-B's riffs on this Americana classic are creative would be an understatement. Take, for instance, the OMG burger, which is a burger layered with pastrami—yes, pastrami—grilled onions, and pepper jack cheese. One fan, Hannah G., suggests the Creole Gouda Burger, as well.

10. Nick's Hamburger Shop: Brookings, South Dakota

Folks in South Dakota love the burgers at Nick's Hamburger Shop in Brookings. This beloved, all-American diner has kept folks coming back for more than a century with hearty, comfort fare and classic food like, of course, its burgers, which Nick's encourages you to buy "by the bag."

11. Old 281 Tavern: Minnewaukan, North Dakota

A North Dakota stalwart in a log cabin setting, Old 281 Tavern serves up burgers in Minnewaukan that locals can't get enough of. The menu is handwritten, and the vibe is no-nonsense, so you know this eatery is focused on what it does best: making food that people love, like the Au Jus Burger, which the owners assure us is "everyone's favorite!"

12. Stella's Hamburgers: Bellevue, Nebraska

A Nebraska favorite since 1936, Stella's has long reigned as the top burger in the Omaha area. The burgers start with massive, 6.5-ounce patties of fresh, never-frozen ground beef stacked high with the freshest toppings and lovingly cradled in a Rotella's hamburger bun, which are delivered to the eatery every morning. Aficionado Bob O. recommends "The Stellanator, [which] makes Stella's unique all by itself. Voted best burger numerous times for many years...it won't disappoint."

Did any of your favorite burger spots in the Midwest make the list? Which spots would you have chosen? Be sure to visit our nomination page and let us know. Head over to our full list of the 50 best burgers across the U.S. to see the favorites in other regions. You could even use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to plan a burger-centric road trip.