You can tell who someone is by how they order a burger. Are you team smash with lacy edges or team thick with a juicy center that drips down your wrist. Across America, these choices are more than cravings. They are rituals, rivalries, and memories pressed between a bun that you will want to chase immediately.
Shake Shack Madison Square Park – New York, New York
You hear the sizzle first, a whisper that says smash is the way. The ShackBurger lands with craggy edges, American cheese melting into a glossy sheet, and ShackSauce giving a peppery, tangy lift. Lettuce crunches, buns are potato-soft, and the line feels like a neighborhood parade.
Here, thin patties prove finesse can outshine bulk. The edges carry smoke, while the center holds a beefy burst that disappears too quickly, making another bite inevitable. If you crave thickness, add a double and create a satisfying middle ground.
Grab a bench, watch dogs zigzag, and let city air season each bite. The choice becomes habit. By the final fry, your team feels permanent.
Smashburger – Denver, Colorado
Smashburger makes its stance obvious in the name. Patties hit the griddle with a decisive press, locking juices while building a lacey crust that crackles at first bite. Butter-toasted buns hug mustard, pickles, and cheese like a greatest hits album.
Denver’s altitude adds crisp air to each patio bite, but the flavor stays grounded in caramelized beef. Go single for pure crust, or double to stack texture with a richer center. Fries, thin and seasoned, echo the smash philosophy through every salty shard.
You may come for speed, yet the ritual feels deliberate. Watch the smash, inhale the steam, choose your side in the debate. Here, thin wins by design, not accident.
Culver’s – Sauk City, Wisconsin
ButterBurger might sound indulgent, but it tastes like Midwestern hospitality on a butter-brushed bun. Patties are pressed thin, yet juicy, with edges that curl slightly under melted cheese. Add pickles and onions for a bright snap that lifts the richness.
The thick option here is a double, not a softball. It leans into balanced beef flavor rather than sheer volume. Crinkle fries and custard make the choice feel like a complete ritual, where sweet and salty trade smiles.
At the original Sauk City location, the pace is friendly and unhurried. Sit, sip root beer, and let the butter perfume the table. Smash techniques, gentle and confident, carry the day.
In-N-Out Burger – Baldwin Park, California
The Double-Double is a manifesto written in mustard and onions. Thin patties sear fast, building a bronze crust that partners perfectly with American cheese. The spread adds tangy sweetness while lettuce and tomato keep things clean and bright.
Ask for Animal Style and watch onions caramelize into jammy depth. Thickness is optional here, achieved by stacking rather than inflating one patty. The result is control over bite dynamics, from crust to juicy center in precise layers.
Baldwin Park feels like origin story ground. Palms sway, trays glow, and paper hats become uniforms of allegiance. One burger in, you start speaking fluent smash.
Whataburger – Corpus Christi, Texas
Texas gives you options the size of the sky. Custom builds let you chase thick, single, or double patties, with grilled jalapenos and mustard cutting through with a sharp kick. The bun is wide, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough for midnight cravings.
Smash is not the headline, but sear is respected. A double brings heft without losing pace, letting the beef shine under American or Monterey Jack. Patty melt fans find thick, buttery satisfaction on Texas toast.
Pull into Corpus Christi and feel coastal air mix with griddle smoke. The orange stripes promise comfort at any hour. Here, the lifestyle is customization, and your burger tells your story.
Five Guys – Alexandria, Virginia
Five Guys treats abundance like a love language. Patties are hand-formed, seared hot, and stacked if you dare, creating thick-in-spirit burgers built from multiples. Toppings load out like a grocery list, from mushrooms to jalapenos to extra pickles.
The smash effect is light, not paper-thin, so juices stay lively while edges caramelize. Cheese melts generously into every crevice, bonding layers into one decisive bite. Fries, cooked in peanut oil, become a crunchy side quest that often steals the scene.
In Alexandria, the original vibe lingers in the sizzle and chatter. You order big, you eat big, you grin bigger. The lifestyle is messy hands and zero regrets.
The Chuckbox – Tempe, Arizona
Char is the currency at The Chuckbox, paid in mesquite smoke. Thick patties ride open flames, building a bark that smells like campfire adventure. The Big One lands hefty, juices threading through toasted buns as cheese softens every edge.
If you crave smash, the smaller patties provide that quicker sear. Still, the house specialty celebrates volume, texture, and that primal grill snap. Green chiles add a desert kick that pairs beautifully with the woodsmoke.
College crowds keep the energy loud and fun. You lean into the counter, watch sparks fly, and pick a side with confidence. In this room, thick patties take the crown proudly.
Diablo Burger – Flagstaff, Arizona
Diablo Burger champions local beef with a skillet-seared intensity. Patties are thicker than typical smash, marked with a DB brand that crackles under the crust. Toppings lean seasonal and herbaceous, letting the meat stay front and center.
The texture rides a middle path, not giant, not thin, just confidently juicy. Fries arrive as Belgian-style frites, crisp and soulful, begging for aioli. The mountain air outside makes everything feel a notch cleaner and brighter.
You taste grass, sun, and skillet smoke in every bite. Choose a single for balanced richness, or double for decadence. Either way, you walk out loyal to the thick-leaning camp.
Au Cheval – Chicago, Illinois
The double cheeseburger at Au Cheval is a legend that arrives glistening. Patties are thin but intensely seared, layered with American cheese until molten. Add the egg and thick-cut bacon, and the stack becomes a swaggering tower of richness.
Despite the layers, bites feel controlled and rhythmic. The bun compresses beautifully, capturing juices without surrender. Pickles and dijonnaise play referee between fat and acid, keeping everything in delightful focus.
Lines are long, conversation buzzes, and every plate looks like a photograph you can eat. Smash wins here through precision and patience. Walk out floating, already plotting your return.
Kuma’s Corner – Chicago, Illinois
Kuma’s Corner turns volume up on both music and burgers. Thick patties anchor towering builds named after metal bands, with toppings that crash like cymbals. Fried egg, crispy pork, and fiery sauces push bites into headliner territory.
The sear is dark and confident, while the interior stays rosy and juicy. Smash fans can ask for tighter sear, but Kuma’s is a cathedral for heft. Buns are sturdy, sesame-kissed, and ready for the mosh pit.
You rock the plate, nod along, and chase bold sips between bites. The energy is unapologetic and thrilling. Choose thick here, and you will not regret the commitment.
Hodad’s Downtown – San Diego, California
Hodad’s does not whisper, it shouts. Thick patties stack with lettuce and tomato in a playful avalanche, while bacon crunches through like a drum fill. The bun strains, the paper soaks, and you grin with sauce on your cheek.
Smash edges are not the mission here. Instead, you get a beach-town feast with personality and swagger. Onion rings and milkshakes punch in as perfect side players.
Downtown crowds bring energy and stories from the surf. You claim a booth, unwrap a tower, and take a deep breath. This is the thick lifestyle, sandy, sunny, and gloriously messy.
Joe’s Farm Grill – Gilbert, Arizona
Joe’s Farm Grill tastes like sunshine on a bun. Patties meet the griddle with a respectable sear, while farm produce adds brightness that pops. Tomatoes are sweet, lettuce crisp, and pickles snappy, creating balance without heavy sauces.
Go single for smash-leaning texture, or double for a thicker, juicier core. The bun is airy yet resilient, keeping every bite tidy and pleasant. Sweet potato fries with herb dip feel like a garden nod.
Sit outside under citrus trees and breathe in Arizona air. You will leave feeling refreshed, not weighed down. The lifestyle here is seasonal, crisp, and quietly confident.
Zinburger – Phoenix, Arizona
Zinburger pairs burgers with wine, nudging the debate into sophisticated territory. Patties are medium-thick, seared to a blush center, and dressed with cheeses that melt elegantly. Truffle fries deliver aroma before they even hit the table.
Order a classic for balance or go bold with spicy toppings to tease out the wine pairing. The bun stays glossy and soft, cushioning every bite like a well-made pillow. Juices land gently, never chaotic.
You sip, you bite, you nod. Smash fans will still enjoy the crisp edges, but the heart belongs to thickness. It feels like date night without losing burger joy.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers – Andover, Kansas
Freddy’s turns smash into lacework art. Ultra-thin steakburgers caramelize to the edges, giving each bite a fragile crunch that melts into beefy richness. Two patties with cheese create harmony without heaviness.
Shoestring fries echo the texture theme, salty and addictive. Dip them into fry sauce, then pivot to frozen custard for a creamy finale. The experience feels like driving with windows down on a warm night.
In Andover, the roadside charm is the point. Everything moves fast, yet nothing feels rushed. If you believe crust is flavor, this is your forever team.
BurgerFi – Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
BurgerFi brings a beachy polish to the smash tradition. Branded buns cradle thin patties with strong sear and clean beef flavor. Toppings lean fresh, with bright tomato and good pickles cutting through the cheese.
Go double for satisfying heft without losing that delicate crust. Onion rings arrive towering and shatteringly crisp, a fun counterpoint to the juicy burger. Shakes swirl nostalgia into the salty breeze outside.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea gives each bite a relaxed rhythm. You stroll out to palm-lined sidewalks still tasting peppery edges. Smash feels sunlit, easy, and perfectly timed.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – Charlotte, North Carolina
Bad Daddy’s embraces customization with swagger. Thick, hand-pattied burgers arrive seared and juicy, ready for bold sauces like bacon jam or Carolina mustard. You can scale toward smash by choosing smaller patties or staying single.
Tater tots steal hearts with golden crunch, especially under green chile queso. The buns hold structure without overshadowing the beef. Craft beers pair easily, smoothing out spicy choices and smoky notes.
In Charlotte, the room buzzes with game day energy. You stack flavors until the burger mirrors your mood. The lifestyle here is playful, thick leaning, and proudly personal.
Slater’s 50/50 – San Diego, California
Slater’s 50/50 rewrites the rulebook with bacon blended into the patty. The result is thick, smoky, and undeniably decadent, with cheese sealing the sizzle. Toppings can get wild, yet the bun stays steady under the weight.
Smash fans might miss the lacy edge, but the interior offers juicy snap and salty depth. Add avocado or chipotle mayo to lean into California comfort. Fries or tots complete a crunchy chorus.
San Diego’s relaxed sunshine contrasts the burger’s serious attitude. You slow down, savor, and accept napkins as part of the uniform. Here, thick means celebration from first bite to last.
Stella’s Bar & Grill – Bellevue, Nebraska
Stella’s has a seasoned griddle that tastes like history. Burgers come big, with cheese cloaking the sides and onions steaming into sweetness. The bun presses softly, keeping all that juice in line enough for another bite.
Smash is not the headline, yet the crust is respectable and fragrant. The thickness lands squarely in two-hand territory, perfect with a cold beer. Add jalapenos if you want heat to cut the richness.
Locals talk sports while you map out your approach. It is comfort, memory, and beef in one tall stack. By the end, you will swear by thick.
Lucky’s Last Chance- Manayunk – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lucky’s Last Chance leans creative without losing burger soul. The famous PB and Bacon with jelly sounds wild, but the salty-sweet combo hugs a juicy patty perfectly. The build is medium-thick, giving enough center to carry bold toppings.
Order classic if you want a more straightforward sear. Either way, the bun stays tender and supportive, absorbing sauce without collapse. Fries or tots with cheese sauce keep the fun rolling.
Manayunk’s rowhouse energy hums outside the door. You try a bite, laugh at the surprise, and keep going. Thick wins here through personality, not just size.
White Castle – Columbus, Ohio
White Castle defined smash before the term trended. Paper-thin sliders steam over onions, pulling sweetness into every pore of the beef. The soft bun and pickle create a gentle snap that disappears in two bites.
You do not chase thickness here. You chase rhythm, stacking multiples for a satisfying cadence that builds without heaviness. Crinkle fries and a shake bring classic comfort to the table.
In Columbus, the nostalgia feels fresh, not dusty. The ritual is simple, deliberate, and oddly soothing. Team smash claims this castle with quiet confidence.
Superdawg Drive-In – Chicago, Illinois
Superdawg is famed for hot dogs, yet the burger scene has retro charm. Patties lean thicker than smash, with a steady sear and old-school seasoning. Carhop trays turn dinner into theater, best enjoyed under neon glow.
The bun is soft and nostalgic, the cheese uncomplicated and satisfying. Fries arrive in tidy boxes, crisp enough to stay lively during car conversations. Everything tastes like the golden age of drive-ins.
Chicago nights make the air hum while you choose your allegiance. If you favor thicker patties with diner soul, this fits. The show, the bite, the glow make memories.
The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe – Phoenix, Arizona
The Stand Arcadia brings desert sunshine to smash excellence. Thin patties develop a lacey edge, while cheese fuses everything into a unified, salty-satisfying bite. House sauce brings tang, and the buns feel fresh and feather-light.
Order a double to balance crust with a juicy midpoint. Shoestring fries and thick shakes make the meal feel classic yet modern. Service moves fast, but never feels hurried.
Palm trees sway as you eat in the lot, windows down, music low. The lifestyle here is simple and crisp. Smash wins with grace and everyday joy.