Best Burgers in Philly
Your Guide to the Best Burgers in Town
Philly isn't necessarily thought of as a "burger town". We're famous for the cheese steak, as well as several other regional delights - soft pretzels, hoagies and water ice, just to name a few. There's no reason Philly shouldn't be just as well-known for its burgers. The best burgers in Philly might just be among the best burgers in the world.
1500 Walnut St.
Butcher & Singer is simply beautiful. This steakhouse belongs to the Starr Restaurant Group, responsible for many of Philly's hottest restaurants including Alma de Cuba, Fork and Buddakan. Stepping into a Starr restaurant is almost like not being in a restaurant at all. They've mastered the art of developing an atmosphere, so that dining there truly becomes an experience. Each of the Starr restaurants is designed to a particular theme. At Butcher & Singer, it's old-Hollywood glamour - and it's executed beautifully. Pair that beauty with excellent food and (usually) good service, and I'm a happy diner.
The menu reflects the old-Hollywood look too, offering dishes I'd heard of in movies but never actually seen anywhere - like Crab Louie and Baked Alaska. But as long as the Butcher Burger is on the menu, I won't be ordering anything else. Topped with caramelized onions and English cheddar cheese, it's heaven from the first bite. To recreate my experience, order yours with horseradish - it's really something. Currently, the Butcher Burger is offered only at lunch and comes in just under $10. As far as best burgers in Philly go, this one gets the gold medal.
205 S. 18th St.
Rouge is primarily a French restaurant and sidewalk cafe. It's located only a few blocks from City Hall in the busy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, making it a convenient location whether you're downtown during the day or at night. I love the way Rouge is decorated - I've never been to France, but I imagine this is what a "real" French restaurant. The inside is opulent, but not overdone, and the outside looks to me like a picturesque Parisian cafe.
The food at Rouge has the same quality. Fancy, but not pretentious, and relaxed enough to qualify as comfort food. The burgers are huge, and the fries - ahem, pommes frites - are amazing. I guess it makes sense that a French restaurant would have great fries, huh? The trademark Rouge burger features Gruyère cheese and caramelized onions, making it savory with hints of salt and sweetness at the same time.
I'm not the only one who thinks Rouge has great burgers. A trip to their website will show some of the praise they've received, for both the burgers and the restaurant itself. There have been quite a few "Best Burgers in Philly" lists published since the restaurant's 1998 opening, and Rouge features on just about all of them. I've also recommended Rouge previously, in my article on First Dates in Philly. The Rouge burger will run you $16, but it's well worth the price.
344 South St.
Rounding out the tour of the best burgers in Philly is Copabanana. If you've ever shopped along South St., you're sure to have seen the place. Situated at the corner of 3rd and South only steps from the TLA theater, Copabanana boasts a great location. This burger joint isn't as heavy on ambiance as the first two restaurants in this article, but the drinks are good and the burgers are cheap.
Copabanana serves up half-pound burgers for only $6.95. They offer several options for toppings, all at no extra charge. I usually order the Monte Carlo, which includes cheddar and mushrooms. I'm also a fan of the Charleston, topped with barbecue sauce and fried onions. Whatever your tastes, Copa can build you an unbelievable burger for under 7 bucks. Make sure to sample the fries here too - their peppery Spanish fries are the perfect complement to the Copa burger.
Hope you've enjoyed this guide to the best burgers in Philly! Feel free to weigh in with your picks below.
Sources:
Jillian McCoy. "3 Ways to Have a Great First Date in Philly." Associated Content.
Published by Jillian McCoy
I'm a freelance writer and college student based in Philadelphia. Though I'll write just about anything as a "pen for hire," I specialize in short-form content written for the web. Some of my favorite subj... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentI have been wanting to venture up to Philly for a long time, mainly to get a cheesesteak, but burgers are great too!
Everyone seems to love a good burger. Thanks for the info.
PA Thanks
Well-done, as always--no pun intended. It's good to see that the city is big enough for the both of us, Miss Jillian. :) Shall we do cheesesteaks next, or maybe roast beef or roast pork sandwiches?
Hey Jillian! I absolutely love Copabanana-They've got great food at decent prices considering where they are located. You are lucky to get anything for less than $10 on South Street anymore. You've got some great selections here, definitely makes me want to try the other two. Keep up the great writing! ~JC Torpey
YUm
CopaBanana is a great place. There are also some great burgers to be found just outside the city, such as Lucky Dog Saloon in Montgomery County. Also I hear Flay is opening a up scale burger joint in Philly and AC. Good write up!