Best Bars For Burgers in Washington D.C.
Did you know that May 28th is National Hamburger Day? Well now you do. Burgers may have originated in Hamburg, Germany, but the idea to put the patty in a bun? All-American. Short of the Fourth of July, no day could be more patriotic than one dedicated to thick, juicy burgers. Forget the chains — here’s our list of the bars with the best burgers in DC.
Desperados Burgers & Bar: Locals know to come to this U Street dive for simple but delicious burgers. Try favorites like the Desperados Burger (ground chuck patty with slow roasted pork, swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard and remoulade sauce) or the Cajun Burger (ground chuck mix with cajun spice, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, cajun sauce, spicy mustard and mayo). Wash it down with $2.50 PBR or try the beer and mystery shot combo for $6. (1342 U St NW; 202-299-0443)
Black Squirrel: Adam’s Morgan’s Black Squirrel is known for it’s amazing beer selection - over 30 taps pour a diverse selection of harder-to-find brews like North Carolina’s Lonerider and Vermont’s Otter Creek. They’re also known for their great burgers, made with Hereford beef and half-off every Thursday. you can’t go wrong with the Classic Burger, but don’t miss the Big Bison Burger — a nine-ounce bison patty with the works. (2427 18th Street NW; 202-232-1011)
Kangaroo Boxing Club: Though It may only have two burgers on the menu, the Michigan pals who run Kangaroo Boxing Club offer up some heavenly barbeque-influenced burgers. Start with the Costanza (ground angus chuck mixed with pastrami), or upgrade to the Big Bad Wolf (Costanza and peppered ham, pulled pork and bacon). Brunch? No problem. They’ll throw a fried egg on top. Wash it down with some Bell’s on draft or take a Rye Flight. Burgers are only $6 during happy hour. (3410 11th St NW; 202-505-4522)
Stoney’s Bar & Grill: Stoney’s is usually known for it’s Super Grilled Cheese, but their burgers are also some of the best in the city — they even have their own “special sauce.” Fortunately for you, National Burger Day falls on a Wednesday, which also happens to be $4 off burger night. Get a Chili Cheese, Black & Bleu, or go all out for the Boss of the Sauce Burger with swiss, Thousand Island, pastrami and coleslaw. Pitchers of Fat Tire are $15 and all drafts are $4. (1433 P St NW; 202-234-1818 and 2101 L St NW; 202-721-0019)
1905 Bistro & Bar: Shaw’s 1905 Bistro offers half-off its local Angus burgers, and also conveniently on Wednesdays. You might not think burger when you arrive at this gorgeous hidden-gem of a lounge but you’ll thank us when you order up the double patty beauty topped with American cheese, BBQ mayo, bacon-fried onions, salad, house and pickles. You can also get it upgraded with a sunny up egg or house-cured pork belly! Pair it with one of 1905’s specialty absinthe cocktails for a truly classy ode to National Burger Day. (1905 9th Street NW; 202-332-1905)
Boundary Stone Public House: Boundary Stone is the quintessential neighborhood bar, and all neighborhood bars need a good burger. The Bloomingdale outpost steps it up a notch with their bacon jam (!) and cheddar burger, and the ketchup is always homemade. Great beer selection, and an even greater whiskey selection. They’ve got nearly 30 different bourbon selections alone, so ask the always friendly bartenders to make a recommendation. (116 Rhode Island Ave NW; 202-621-6635)
Satellite Room: Tucked away behind the 9:30 Club, Satellite Room is the perfect mix of 60s retro vibe and classic dive bar. Go before a show or go just because sometimes you need a juicy burger and a sweet boozy milkshake. Try one of the house burgers like the Smokestack (chipotle bbq bacon cheeseburger) or you can build your own. Just make sure to pair it with one of their classic shakes like the Lucy Ricardo (chocolate with Johnnie Walker Black). (2047 9th Street NW; 202-506-2496)
Lindy’s Red Lion: GW students know something you might not — no, not Poli Sci or English lit — but where to find almost 30 different burgers in one hole in the wall dive. Students can wax poetic about all the varieties of delicious burgers at Lindy’s with favorites like the Burl Ives (cheeseburger with a grilled hot dog, bacon, pickles and barbecue sauce) and the Monterrey (refried beans, onions, cheese). Happy hour runs from 4-8PM with $3 drafts and pitchers of Yuengling under $15. (2040 I St NW; 202-466-6000)
Photo: Stoney's Bar & Grill via Burger Days
