Regional Burger Styles You Should Try

There are many American dishes that have questionable origins, but with the classic American burger, there is no doubt. Burger is the ultimate Americana dish born and shaped on U.S. soil. Though it went on to conquer the world — only rare cities in the world don't have at least one burger shop — it managed to build and retain the almost cult-like status in the American culinary narrative. As the burger tradition spread across the country, the process naturally resulted in numerous regional varieties.

Regional burger styles mainly evolved due to the abundance of local ingredients that were eventually partnered with other elements and implemented in the classic burger combination. However, some examples were merely a result of modified techniques that ultimately created a novel burger style. Of course, all regional burgers fit the local framework and were built to satisfy local tastes.

Some of these have long crossed their native state's borders, but several remain strictly confined to their birthplace and are virtually non-existent in other places in the U.S. Ideally, this list can be used as an inspiration for a food trail or your next food-inspired bucket list, but if you are not so lucky to experience all of these at the source, most are easily recreated at home, so have a go and pay homage to these regional burger icons.

The Juicy Lucy is possibly the best-known regional burger variation on the list. This Minneapolis legend has been around for over 70 years and is probably the cheesiest burger ever created in the U.S. In its basic form, the Juicy Lucy consists of a thick beef patty stuffed with cheese. As the meat is grilled, the cheese heats up and melts, providing an oozing spectacle as you cut through the patty. This burger does not call for any elaborate additions or condiments, but fried onions are usually offered as an optional add-on, along with pickles.

As it's usually the case with these legendary dishes, the origin of Juicy Lucy is often disputed. It most certainly originated in Minneapolis, but two local joints can't seem to agree on who was the first to put it on the menu. The late Matt Bristol, who used to run Matt's Bar, claimed he made the original version and accidentally misspelled it without i — as "jucy." Another place often credited is the 5-8 Club, a local bar that can't precisely corroborate the person who first made it or when the dish was created. Regardless, this cheese-stuffed variation is the ultimate burger style in Minneapolis and should be on the list of every passionate burger aficionado.

The onion burger from Oklahoma enjoys quite a good rep outside the state's border. And it is easy to understand why it became such a coveted combination. This burger stands out not only for the addition of onions but the cooking technique, which dictates that onions are nestled under the patty as it grills, allowing the meat and caramelized onion to blend into a perfect medley. The burger is made with a classic bun, and American cheese is the only additional element in this combo, though pickles and a touch of mustard are not considered blasphemous.

The local lore claims that the onion burger first appeared in the local joints sometime in the 1920s, during the Great Depression. The onions were supposedly added to the patty to stretch the meat during these difficult times, but it proved to be a winning combination as it managed to stay relevant a century later and is still one of the must-try specialties in Oklahoma.

As its name suggests, this sloppy regional variety uses chili as the star ingredient inside the burger. Though there is consensus that the chili burger was invented in California, there are several accounts of who was the first to introduce it to the public. Though some reference the old and non-operational Ptomaine Tommy's as the first who made the chili-covered burger, most agree that the title belongs to the Original Tommy's, a local institution opened in 1946 by Tom Koulax.

What started as a single shack in Los Angeles soon expanded into a local chain currently operating in approximately 30 locations throughout California and Nevada. Tommy's popularity is best seen in the fact that many still try to imitate it by using similar names and décor that tries to replicate the original. The LA Times covered the story in 2019, and at the time, 67 locations in Los Angeles County used a similar name and approach, possibly trying to copy the original. A chili burger is your classic beef patty burger served with a ladle of beef chili. Perhaps it is not the prettiest burger on the list, but it is certainly one of the more extravagant variations.

The name of this variation can easily indicate the quirky ingredient that makes this burger unique. If you haven't guessed already, this burger uses the feather-light marshmallow spread — Fluff being the most popular version, whose name is sometimes colloquially used for other varieties — as a garnish on top of the patty. The screamer part of the name is inspired by the inclusion of chili paste.

The original elements inside the screamer include a burger patty, sliced onion, a heap of house-made spicy sauce, some butter, cheese, and a dollop of marshmallow spread. The combination was invented at Tony's Lunch, an unassuming burger joint in Girardville, Pennsylvania. The place has been operating since the 1940s, and though it changed hands from the original proprietors, it still bears the name of its founder. Tony's Lunch is best known for its quirky invention that was allegedly inspired by a local teen who continually asked for marshmallow cream on the burger. Her request was initially rejected, but the servers eventually agreed to proceed with the order, and the combo unexpectedly became a customer favorite and local tradition.

Though this list is filled with burger combos that might have you lost for words, this might be the most controversial item you'll find. A burger that is not grilled? Apparently, this is an entirely acceptable idea, and how they roll in central Connecticut, where steamed burgers first gained momentum.

Sometimes referenced as a cheeseburg, this steamed burger does not diverge much from the classic version, at least regarding the ingredients. The typical cheeseburg will consist of a soft burger bun topped with a beef patty, all adorned with a slice of melted steamed cheese. The sandwich is topped with lettuce, tomato, and optional garnish, and the whole thing is locked with a top side of the bun. The patties for this burger are steamed in special containers where the meat is suspended over water. As the steam is released, the patties are slowly cooked. Though this burger misses out on the charred, caramelly bits, it does compensate with incredible juiciness and concentrated flavors. It is also worth mentioning that it is by far the healthiest burger preparation technique.

Apart from the luscious butter burger, Wisconsin has another regional variation that is fit for this list. As the name suggests, this is a burger version in which the patty is poached, but unlike the classic poaching technique in which the ingredients are dropped into boiling water, this is a slightly different method that does not plunge the whole patty into liquid. Instead, the patty is fried in a pan, and just a little bit of water is added to cook and fry simultaneously. Apart from water, some restaurants will use broth for an additional flavor kick.

Poached burgers are a tradition in Wisconsin that probably started at local fairs. The method proved ideal for keeping the burgers nice and warm between orders. This is a simple burger, and apart from the meat, it is usually dressed with plenty of stewed onion, though you can leave them out. Ketchup and mustard are the standard condiments.

The Midwest has its fair share of quirky food combinations — just think of Watergate salad, a sweet dish that combines marshmallows, pecans, and pineapple — and this burger is no different. As you may guess from the name, olives are the star ingredient in this burger combo. The dish is assembled on a classic burger bun and made with a standard beef patty that is grilled until it's caramelized. The sandwich usually includes cheese and mayonnaise, and the final touch is a garnish made with a heap of chopped olives stacked on top of the meat. Olive brine is also often added to the burger and used as a sauce-like condiment, sometimes mixed with mayonnaise.

The Michigan-style olive burger most likely originated in Flint, but these days Lansing — which hosts the annual olive burger festival — and Grand Rapids seem to be the go-to places to get the best version of this local specialty. Though the olive-burger combination might sound strange, the flavors probably work together as the burger remains an ultimate favorite among the locals. It is worth mentioning that the version of an olive burger from Weston's Kewpee was crowned as best in the show at a Miami burger festival, so there has to be something more to it than merely local pride.