A burger topped with peanut butter, bacon, and a side of grape jelly has won a People’s Choice award three times. I’m not even mad about it. Honestly, I’m a little jealous I didn’t think of it first.
That’s the kind of surprise Pennsylvania keeps serving up. One pub here offers a 125-pound burger built for a crowd. Another grill has had the same grill master working the flames since 1987.
None of these spots rely on flashy ads. They lean on hand-formed patties, local bakery buns, and recipes with real personality. One started as a food truck, and another has been flipping burgers since 1935.
From outrageous toppings to decades-old grill traditions, these burger joints prove there’s no shortage of ways to make a classic worth talking about.
1. Lucky’s Last Chance
Peanut butter on a burger sounds like a dare your little cousin would make.
At Lucky’s Last Chance, it’s an award winner that has taken People’s Choice at the Philadelphia Burger Brawl three times.
The Peanut Butter and Bacon burger comes with creamy peanut butter, American cheese, and bacon.
Then it arrives with a side of grape jelly, so you get to decide how far you want to push the idea.
Think of it as a grown-up version of a lunchbox classic.
The salty bacon and sharp cheese keep it from tasting like dessert, which is exactly why people keep voting for it.
Not feeling brave today?
You’ve got plenty of other paths, because the menu lists 13 more gourmet burgers beyond the famous one.
Each burger lands on a butter-toasted Liscio’s bun, a bakery name many Philly eaters already know.
The kitchen cooks patties between medium and medium-well, so plan on a juicy middle rather than a rare center.
Sides keep things simple and fun.
You can pick from a variety of fries and tater tots, and tots are always a smart move when you want extra crunch.
The Manayunk spot on Main Street is known as the birthplace of several of the restaurant’s award-winning burgers.
That makes it the place to go if you want the original home base experience.
There’s also a second location in Queen Village on South 2nd Street.
Both are open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., which is great news for late-night cravings.
Here’s a tip if you’re going with friends.
Order a few different burgers, cut them in halves, and turn dinner into your own mini burger competition.
Manayunk’s Main Street is also fun to stroll before or after your meal.
Walking off a peanut butter burger feels like the responsible thing to do, right?
Lucky’s proves that a strange idea can turn into a local legend in Pennsylvania.
Sometimes the weirdest thing on the menu is the one you’ll still be talking about next week.
Address: 4421 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
2. Cabalar Meat Co.
Few burger joints can point to the exact farm their beef comes from.
Cabalar Meat Co. in Lancaster can, because it works directly with farms like Myer Springdell in Strasburg for grass-fed beef.
That connection makes sense once you learn what Cabalar really is.
It’s a family-owned neighborhood butcher and eatery, so meat is the main event here, not an afterthought.
Since opening in 2018, Cabalar has kept showing up near the top of local burger rankings.
Lancaster Newspapers’ Readers’ Choice awards have placed it among the county’s best burger joints over the past five years.
The headliners are smash burgers, pressed thin so the edges get crispy and browned.
If you like a little crunch with your beef, you’re in the right place.
The Sweet Heat burger brings jalapeño jam, spicy Fresno aioli, crispy onions, and Cooper Sharp cheese.
It’s sweet, spicy, and crunchy at the same time, like a fireworks show on a bun.
Prefer the classic route?
The Smash Burger stacks a double patty with Cooper Sharp, griddled onions, dill pickles, and special sauce on a potato bun.
Don’t skip the sides, either.
The fries are cooked in beef tallow, and there’s poutine if you want your fries smothered and messy.
Save room for something cold.
Milkshakes and ice cream floats are on the menu, which feels like the perfect finish after a salty, savory meal.
Timing matters here, so check the calendar before you go.
Cabalar is closed Monday through Wednesday and opens Thursday through Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
You can eat inside or grab a seat outdoors.
The patio is dog-friendly, so your four-legged buddy can watch you eat with very sad eyes.
Cabalar also runs a food truck for events.
Keep an eye out at local gatherings, because your next smash burger might roll right up to you.
Address: 501 W Lemon St, Lancaster, PA 17603
3. Tessaro’s American Bar & Hardwood Grill
One grill master, one grill, and nearly four decades of practice.
Courtney McFarlane has been working the grill at Tessaro’s since 1987, which might be the most impressive streak in Pittsburgh food.
Tessaro’s has been serving hardwood-grilled burgers in the Bloomfield neighborhood since 1985.
It’s the kind of place that has earned the title of institution the slow, steady way.
The beef gets ground in-house every day by the restaurant’s butcher.
Patties are then formed by hand and grilled to order, so your burger isn’t sitting around waiting for you.
Now for the fire part.
The burgers cook over Pennsylvania hardwood on a custom cast-iron grill, which gives them a smoky flavor you just can’t fake.
You also get to choose your size.
Patties range from four to twelve ounces, so you can go modest or go full champion.
Buns come fresh from Sanchioli Bakery, right there in Bloomfield.
I love that the bread travels only a short distance to meet the beef.
A popular pick is the Gourmet Kelly Burger.
It’s topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon, and your choice of cheese, so it hits a lot of savory notes at once.
The building is a piece of history too.
It dates back to 1892 and became a tavern in 1933, right after Prohibition ended.
Look up when you sit near the bar.
The original tin ceiling and art deco fixtures are still there, giving the room an old-school look that photos love.
Plan for dinner, not lunch.
Tessaro’s opens at 4 p.m. daily, closing at 10 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.
If you’re new to the menu, start with a middle-size patty.
That way you can taste the hardwood flavor without needing a nap afterward.
Address: 4601 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
4. Fountain Porter
Sometimes a burger menu reads like a novel.
At Fountain Porter, the burger story is short, sweet, and seriously easy on your wallet.
This South Philadelphia neighborhood bar sits along the East Passyunk area.
It’s known for keeping its food menu simple and focusing on doing a few things well.
The star is the classic burger.
It comes with melted American cheese, crisp lettuce, and tomato, all on a soft potato roll.
That’s it, and honestly, that’s the point.
When a burger has fewer toppings, the beef and cheese have nowhere to hide.
Fountain Porter has built a reputation for great value.
In a world of fancy burgers with long ingredient lists, this one feels like a friendly throwback.
Pair it with fries for the full experience.
A plain burger and hot fries might be one of the best food combos ever invented.
If you’re sharing with friends, the menu also includes cheese and meat boards.
They’re a good choice when your group wants to snack a little before the main event.
The hours are generous too.
Fountain Porter opens daily at noon and stays open until 2 a.m., so it’s ready for both lunch and late-night hunger.
Here’s a smart move for burger fans.
Try this classic first, then compare it to a fancier burger elsewhere and see which one wins your heart.
East Passyunk is a fun area to explore on foot.
You can grab your burger and then wander the nearby avenue to see the neighborhood’s shops and murals.
Simple doesn’t mean boring in Pennsylvania.
Fountain Porter shows that a soft roll, melty cheese, and a good patty can hold their own against anything.
Address: 1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
5. Bro Man’s Sammiches, Birria & Burgers
Food trucks don’t usually win best chef awards within a few years.
Bro Man’s Sammiches, Birria and Burgers pulled it off in Erie, starting as a truck in 2021.
Since then, the awards have piled up fast.
In 2024, Bro Man’s took Best of Erie honors for best chef, sandwich shop, and burger.
Smash burgers are the main draw here.
They’re made from fresh Angus reserve ground steak and come in plenty of creative versions.
The Sooner is a great place to start.
It stacks a double quarter-pound patty with thinly sliced onion, cheddar and muenster cheeses, and red pepper aioli.
Want something wild?
The Blast Off brings flamin ghost cheese, spicy mayo, jalapeños, birria beef, onion, cilantro, and lime crème.
Then it gets even better.
That burger comes with a side of consome for dipping, so you get a burger and a birria experience in one.
Speaking of birria, the menu offers birria tacos too.
If your group can’t agree on burgers or tacos, this place settles the argument nicely.
Don’t forget the sides.
Bro Man’s serves unique dipper fries and other extras, which are perfect for that leftover consome.
Check the schedule before you head out.
The restaurant opens Tuesday through Saturday and stays closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. midweek, with an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays.
Late lunch or early dinner both work well here.
I love a food truck success story like this one.
It proves that big flavor and a bold menu can grow into a full restaurant people get excited about.
Address: 2614 Glenwood Park Avenue, Erie, PA 16508
6. The Sawmill Restaurant
Out in the woods of northwestern Pennsylvania, the burger names sound like a lumber crew roll call.
The Sawdust, the Sawmill, and the Lumberjack are all waiting for you in Leeper.
The Sawmill Restaurant leans into its name with a spacious dining room and a woodsy interior.
It fits the rural setting along Route 66 perfectly.
Let’s start with the Sawdust.
It’s stacked high with two patties, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, which makes it a solid pick for big appetites.
The Sawmill burger is another double cheeseburger.
This one adds lettuce, tomato, onion, Thousand Island dressing, and bacon for a classic diner-style bite.
Want something smaller?
The Lumberjack is a quarter-pound burger, a good choice if you’re saving room for dessert.
And then there’s the Ghoul Burger.
It’s the spicy option on the menu, so grab a glass of water before you go all in.
Burgers aren’t the only thing on the menu.
The Sawmill is also known for Italian dishes, which is handy if someone in your group isn’t in a burger mood.
Dessert here feels like summer vacation.
You can order soft serve ice cream or a classic banana split to finish your meal.
The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner.
Since hours can change, it’s smart to call ahead before making the drive out to Leeper.
This is a great stop if you’re exploring nearby forest areas.
A big double burger after a day outdoors just tastes better.
I love that the menu has a sense of humor.
Ordering a burger called the Sawdust is half the fun, and eating it is the other half.
Address: 32873 PA-66, Leeper, PA 16233
7. Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub
A 125-pound burger is not a meal.
It’s a group project, and Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield is famous for it.
The pub calls itself the Home of the World’s Largest Hamburger.
That claim has brought it national attention and plenty of curious road-trippers.
The giant Beer Barrel Main Event is designed for sharing.
Gather your biggest-eating friends and plan for a very full afternoon.
Flying solo?
The Ye Olde 96er is a six-pound burger challenge with a three-hour time limit.
Three hours sounds like plenty of time.
Then you see six pounds of food and realize that clock might not be your friend.
If challenges aren’t your thing, relax.
The regular menu has nearly 30 different half-pound burgers with creative toppings.
The patties are hand-formed, which gives them that homemade look and feel.
Half a pound is still a hefty burger, so come ready.
One standout is the Grilled Cheese Burger.
A burger with grilled onions and cheddar sits between two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of a bun.
Yes, you read that right.
Two whole grilled cheese sandwiches are acting as the bread, and I can’t decide if that’s genius or mischief.
The pub is casual, so no need to dress up.
It’s open Wednesday through Sunday starting at 11 a.m. and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Here’s a friendly tip for first-timers.
Watch someone else attempt a challenge before you sign up, so you know what you’re facing.
Address: 1452 Woodland Rd, Clearfield, PA 16830
8. Charlie’s Hamburgers
Charlie’s has been making burgers since 1935, which means its grill was sizzling before color TV existed.
This Folsom spot is a true Delaware County institution.
The menu here is refreshingly short.
You can get a single, double, or triple hamburger or cheeseburger, and that’s the heart of it.
Each patty is made from fresh ground beef prepared daily.
Burgers are cooked to order, so you get yours hot off the grill.
Choosing is easy, but sizing is the real decision.
A single is great for a quick bite, while a triple is for serious hunger.
Now let’s talk about the shake.
Charlie’s is known for its black-and-white milkshake, made with Bassetts Ice Cream.
Bassetts is a Pennsylvania icon with more than 160 years of history.
Pairing it with a burger shop from 1935 feels like a team of old pros.
A black-and-white shake mixes chocolate and vanilla flavors.
It’s a smart choice if you can never make up your mind.
French fries aren’t traditionally on the simple menu.
You can find them through online ordering, so check there if fries are a must.
Hot dogs and sausages are on offer too.
They’re handy for anyone in your crew who wants something different.
Charlie’s opens Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6:30 p.m.
I love places that don’t chase trends.
Charlie’s has stuck with burgers and shakes for decades, and that confidence says a lot.
Address: 237 Macdade Blvd, Folsom, PA 19033
9. SpOt Gourmet Burgers
The capital O in the name is your first clue that this place likes to stand out.
SpOt Gourmet Burgers on West Girard Avenue backs up that style with serious beef.
The beef here is butchered and ground in-house every day.
That’s a big deal for a fast-casual spot, where shortcuts are common.
The signature SpOt Burger built the restaurant’s reputation.
It layers cheddar, bacon, pickles, burger slaw, and the house SpOt sauce.
Burger slaw is a fun twist you don’t see often.
It adds crunch and a little tang that plays nicely with the bacon.
Not into the classic?
The menu includes sirloin burgers and smash burgers, so you can pick thick or thin.
Chicken burgers and veggie burgers are on the list too.
That makes SpOt an easy pick when your group has different tastes.
There’s even more beyond burgers.
You’ll find hot dogs, sausages, and Philly-style sandwiches on the menu.
Fun fact for cheesesteak fans.
SpOt earned a 2014 Best of Philly award for its cheesesteaks, which is no small thing in this city.
So which do you order?
If it’s your first time, try the SpOt Burger, then come back for the cheesesteak.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
It’s closed on Mondays, so don’t get caught out.
Planning a party?
SpOt offers catering, which could make you the most popular person at your next get-together.
Address: 2821 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
10. Burgatory
With a name like Burgatory, you know the menu has jokes.
The shakes are even called Heavenly Shakes, which feels like a fair reward for choosing well.
The North Shore Drive location puts you near Pittsburgh’s riverfront.
It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday.
Burgatory works with local dairies, growers, butchers, and bakers.
That focus on local partners shapes much of the menu.
The Standard Deluxe Burger is the easy starting point.
It has all-natural beef, white American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and house burger sauce.
Feeling adventurous?
The Piggy Butter and Jelly Burger brings candied bacon, peanut butter, and habanero jelly.
That jelly has heat, so it isn’t your typical sandwich spread.
It’s sweet first, spicy second, and memorable either way.
Steak lovers should check out Morty’s Steakhouse Burger.
It’s peppercorn-crusted beef with horseradish cheddar, caramelized onions, haystack onions, and au poivre sauce.
Picky eaters get a win here too.
The Create Your Own option lets you pick from lots of meats, cheeses, sauces, and toppings.
Now for those shakes.
Flavors include Caramel Pretzel and Cookie Monster, and you might want to share one so you have room for your burger.
Stopping by before a nearby game or event?
Leave yourself extra time, since the North Shore can get busy on big days.
Burgatory proves that playful names and careful sourcing can go together.
It’s a fun stop that still takes burgers seriously.
Address: 342 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
11. Gracie’s on West Main
A burger called the Caramel Burger sounds like it belongs in a candy shop.
At Gracie’s on West Main in Leola, it was crowned Grand Champion at the 2024 Taste of Hamburg-er Festival.
That winning burger features American and provolone cheeses with caramelized onions.
Add caramelized bacon and bacon jam mayo, and you’ve got a sweet and savory stack.
Owners Jim Rutolo and Mariella Gracie Volker opened the restaurant in 2013.
They focus on scratch-made comfort food with a twist.
The kitchen smokes its own meats and makes its own jams, sauces, and dressings.
Many ingredients are sourced locally too.
Awards are no stranger here.
LNP LancasterOnline Readers’ Choice voters have named Gracie’s best breakfast for 13 years in a row.
It’s also won for brunch, grilled cheese, and burgers.
That’s a pretty impressive trophy shelf for one Lancaster County spot.
Other burger choices include the All American Burger.
There’s also the Bacon Cheddar BBQ smash burger if you like smoky flavors.
Since Gracie’s opens at 8 a.m., breakfast fans are in luck.
Monday through Saturday it runs until 8 p.m., while Sunday closes at 2 p.m.
The dining area is made up of several semi-connected rooms.
Each feels a little different, which makes finding your seat part of the fun.
Take a moment to look at the walls.
The chalk-paint surfaces hold artwork and quotes collected by Gracie herself.
I love a restaurant where the decor feels personal.
Reading the quotes while you wait for a prize-winning burger sounds like a pretty great Pennsylvania afternoon.
Address: 264 West Main Street, Leola, PA 17540
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