A.J. JacksonGreenville News
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How many patties and toppings a person puts between two buns is a personal preference. If there were any day not to judge, it should be National Hamburger Day, as the unofficial holiday kicks off on Tuesday, May 28.
What better way to conclude Memorial Day weekend than to sautée or grill one of the most iconic American handhelds: the cheeseburger? According to the website NationalToday.com, the cheeseburger's origins are in Hamburg, Germany, but the juicy and succulent patties we all know and love started in Seymour, Wisconsin.
The Habit Burger Grill and Whataburger have recently come to the Upstate within the past year, so trying a West Coast-style burger or finding a taste of Texas are finally available options within the area. Although a franchise, Wayback Burger features a taste of home as the Carolina Burger, which has American cheese, slaw, chili, and other buy-one-get-one promotional deals on May 28. Wendy's also offers their bacon cheeseburger from May 28 through June 2 for only a penny.
But as we all know, some of the best burgers come from a small diner or a family-owned restaurant. Here is our extensive guide to finding a burger that suits your taste buds within the Upstate for the 2024 unofficial National Hamburger Day:
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Best traditional hamburger and cheeseburgers to try in the Upstate area
The options for a tasty traditional burger in the Upstate are endless.
Every gourmet burger experience in Greenville should begin at The Velo Fellow. Their pub burger contains a half-pound of beef, smoked applewood bacon, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese, which combine for handheld heaven.
Bistro Passerelle has tweaked its Bistro Burger over the past year, as it once contained bone marrow. While now less fancy, their signature burger is piled with red onion jam and Swiss cheese and made with fresh black Angus beef. Add in the views of Falls Park while dining out, and you may have the best seat in the Upstate. Hip Burger, in Mauldin, also makes an excellent smash double bacon cheeseburger for those who love fast food but with an added touch of care.
Arden's Burger & Grill in Anderson offers a traditional "Tiger Burger," but its house mayo elevates it to the next level. B&B Restaurant along Williamston Road is also an excellent destination for an affordable and tasty cheeseburger combo plate.
In Spartanburg, Ike's Korner Grille has been in business for over 50 years. Their specials, stacked burgers, and handheld favorites are some of the best in the state.
Other Burger Options: Perfect Buns, 20 E. Broad St. — Carolina Bagel Burger; Northgate Soda Shop, 918 N. Main St. — Pimento Cheeseburger; Mac's Speed Shop, 930 S. Main St.— Black n Bleu Burger with applewood smoked bacon; Larkin's, 32 E. Broad St. — Smash Burger with white American cheese; Bohemian Bull, 1 E. Butler St., Mauldin — Truffle Burger with gouda cheese and grilled baby portabella mushrooms.
Best specialty burger options in Upstate?
There's a burger for everyone out there; it's just a matter of finding the right thing.
The GOAT GVL has a chorizo burger marinated with adobo, jalapeño, shaved cabbage, and GOAT sauce, which combines Hispanic and American cuisine. If you're a seafood lover, Jones Oyster Company has continually improved its Charleston shrimp burger, which contains a house-made shrimp patty with charred lemon caper tartar sauce on a brioche bun.
If sweet and savory are on your mind, Bourbon Street Burgers at The City Market at Bridgeway Station recently premiered a doughnut burger topped with cheddar cheese and bacon. Windy City Burger, in downtown Greenville, has a selection of burgers that can satisfy any foodie. However, their Marshfield Burger, which contains goat cheese and pesto sauce, is a must-try at least once.
In Spartanburg, Cribbs Kitchen is locally known for its cheeseburger competitions and specialty burger options and is loaded with many options. Their most intriguing concoction is a "berry poppin' smash burger" with beer-whipped cream cheese, bacon, and raspberry sauce. Also, the "belly dancer" is a great option, as it contains pork belly, wasabi aioli, and a sweet soy glaze. Chef Ae's Restaurant has an interesting take on a "Cognac peppercorn burger" with parmesan cheese and peppercorn sauce made with Angus beef.
New Groove Artisan Brewery in Boiling Springs offers a Salisbury burger on its menu. It is topped with provolone cheese and a scoop of garlic mashed potatoes.
Anderson hosts two classic burger locations: Fresh Burger has the "Old #7", also known as the whiskey burger, and The Local Uptown has "The Hawaiian," which comes with Swiss, teriyaki, and pineapple.
Other Specialty Burger Options: Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, 1922 Augusta St. Suite 100 — Bad Daddy's Bacon Cheeseburger; Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, 19 Augusta St. Suite H — Greg Brady Burger topped with house-made mac n' cheese, American cheese and BBQ chips; Nose Dive — Caprese Burger with turkey patty pesto aioli, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. The Beacon Drive-In, 255 John B. White Sr. Blvd. (Spartanburg), Adam's Bistro, 221 Pelham Road, Suite 100 — The Heat burger made with a house-made buffalo sauce and sautéed jalapeño.
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Where are best vegan, vegetarian burger options in Upstate?
For those who do not participate in the consumption of animal products, there are options available, as well.
Sun Belly Cafe will offer a rotating vegan burger of the day, which has a base of black beans and black-eyed peas, while Naked Vegan has the "All Gone burger," made from Beyond Meat with a toasted pretzel bun, smoked gouda, vegan mayo, and all other veggie options.
Farm Fresh Fast hosts a "Backyard Bacon Cheeseburger" made of Beyond Meat, sweet potato bacon, and vegan cheese.
Other Vegetarian/Vegan Burger Options: Grill Marks (multiple locations) — The Herbivore Burger made with black beans and cowboy sauce; Bar Margaret, 1269 Pendleton St. — Damn Good Hippie Burger with mushrooms/veggie/falafel patty on focaccia.
Did we miss your favorite burger stand? Feel free to contact ajackson@gannett.com or on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened.
– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
