Top 3 Burger Joints in Las Vegas

Is there anything more American than biting into an absolutely succulent juicy burger? Las Vegas has more than its fair share of burger joints, but based on personal experience here are my picks for the Top 3 burger restaurants in town:

Top 3 Burger Joints in Las Vegas: In-N-Out Burger

While not exclusive to Las Vegas, In-N-Out Burger is a West Coast staple started in California over 60 years ago. As an East Coast transplant, I had never heard about In-N-Out until a friend introduced me to this 100% family-owned chain.

With only five options to choose from, the menu is simple and has remained virtually unchanged for decades. Your choices are a hamburger, a cheeseburger, or a double-double burger. They offer one size of fries, and a choice between chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry milkshakes. Most burgers come with their signature thousand island dressing, but you can customize the condiments to your taste.

Unlike other fast food joints, In-N-Out uses fresh ingredients for all their items. No frozen patties or fries for them. If you use the drive through, you see 100% beef patties being cooked on a real grill and real potatoes being cut for frying. Everything is made fresh and never sees the light of a heat lamp.

Another reason In-N-Out is so good? Their service is unparallel among fast-food chains, and we all know that's saying a lot. Every In-N-Out employee I've ever encountered has been smiling, friendly, and helpful. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that their starting wage for all employees is $10.00 an hour, almost $3.00 more than minimum wage. Higher wages means higher standards which equals a higher level of service.

There are currently eight In-N-Out restaurants in Las Vegas, with two located just off the Strip. The chain is so popular that some tourists make a special stop at In-N-Out before they go home. Just ask my aunt from Orlando: she still talks about the In-N-Out burger she ate over four years ago and says she can't wait to come back and have another. Need I say more?

Top 3 Burger Joints in Las Vegas: Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay

Located inside Mandalay Place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on the south end of the Strip, the Burger Bar is the ultimate in gourmet casual dining. The creation of chef Hubert Keller, the Burger Bar offers a wide variety of ways to order your burger. From classic beef to turkey to salmon, the meat selections alone make you rethink the concept of what a burger is. You then choose the bread you want for your bun, as well as toppings, sauces, condiments, and fries. Each item is a la carte, so the price you pay for your burger depends on what you order.

Of course, the Burger Bar offers a selection of Chef's burgers if you can't make up your mind. The most expensive burger I've ever seen is sold at the Burger Bar: their Rossini burger consists of Kobe beef, sautéed foie gras, shaved truffles, and madeira sauce on an onion bun. The burger is served with skinny fries for $60. Ouch.

Despite its high prices, I highly recommend everyone try the Burger Bar at least once. The variety of innovative and creative menu items alone makes it worth the trip. Where else can you find a gourmet vegan burger or dessert items like their Creamy Cheesecake Burger, which is a warm donut sandwiching a cheesecake and caramelized pineapples? For a full menu, visit Chef Hubert Keller's website.

Top 3 Burger Joints in Las Vegas: Create Gourmet Burgers and Frozen Custard

If you like the idea of creating your own gourmet burger but would like a more affordable price, check out Create Gourmet Burgers and Frozen Custard, a fast casual restaurant located on the corner of W. Lake Mead Boulevard and Tenaya.

Opened just over a year ago by Las Vegan Lance Graulich, Create lets you choose from 15 different toppings and sauces. You also choose the size of the burger, type of bun (bread or lettuce wrap), and fries. The menu also offers featured burgers, including a homemade beef alternative called the Abstract, consisting of a blend of brown rice, wheat, oats, mushrooms, and spices. For dessert, it's hard to pass up the frozen custard, which you can also customize with a myriad of toppings.

Create is fast-casual, which means you first place and pay for your order but the server will bring the food to your table. And prices are very reasonable - all of their featured burgers cost less than $10.00, and that includes fries and a drink. For $5.99, kids can have their own creation, which includes a mini burger, small fountain drink, fries, and a single scoop of custard with one topping.

Besides being a local establishment, Create bills itself as a green and eco-friendly restaurant, using everything from energy efficient appliances to recycling to composting all food waste. "We do everything reasonable to ensure we are a zero-waste facility (nothing goes to a landfill)."

Create does have plans to expand with more locations throughout the valley. In the meantime, I would say that making the trip to the Summerlin area to try this restaurant is well worth it.

Top 3 Burger Joints in Las Vegas: Final Thoughts

There are many places to grab a burger in Las Vegas, but based on personal experience, these three give the most burger for their bun, so to speak. Now, is anyone else hungry besides me?

Sources:

Locations, In-N-Out Burger

Burger Bar, Mandalay Bay

Burger Bar Las Vegas, Official Website of Chef Hubert Keller

Eat at Create!, Create Gourmet Burgers and Frozen Custard