Top 3 Burger Joints in Philadelphia

A 50s nostalgia diner, a typical Philly neighborhood corner bar and a gourmet tavern in downtown Philadelphia all have one thing in common - great burgers.

Nifty Fiftys (Northeast Philadelphia)
2491 Grant Ave. at Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19114, 215-676-1950

Nifty Fiftys offers fantastic burgers in a 50's burger joint setting. Ranking third of the five best burgers in Philadelphia last year, the Grant Avenue Nifty Fiftys is located just below Roosevelt Boulevard. Within a replica of a checker board, neon-lighted stainless steel diner, poodle-skirted waitresses scamper between booths serving burgers made from beef freshly ground on the premises. Select from several varieties, including Mushroom Swiss, their best selling Bacon Cheeseburger, or "The Whole Shebang," including cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and relish.

Nifty-Fiftys also offers a spicy boneless chicken breast sandwich so good they had it patented, a filet mignon sandwich, and Philadelphia's signature sandwich, the Philly cheesesteak. Their menu includes breakfast, desserts, seafood and chili and Nifty Fifty's is a favorite place for t-shirts, mugs and hats, especially among baby boomers turning 50. Nifty-Fiftys is also famous for their blue-ribbon milkshakes, using ice cream they make themselves, in dozens of flavors, and offers complementary name brand baby foods for your toddlers. See their menu here. Click here for information on their other locations.

Sweeney's Verree Tavern (Northeast Philadelphia)
7968 Verree Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19111, 215-725-2050

Sweeney's is the epitome of the little, narrow neighborhood bar and is my local karaoke haunt. Sweeney's has a "mom's kitchen" menu, with dinner entrees including meatloaf, crab cakes, fried seafood, chicken parmesan, fish and chips, and spaghetti, but I am partial to their thick cheeseburger, which I order with the Phillygirl works - lettuce, tomato and fried onions, ketchup and mayo. They'll accommodate any toppings you request, and the beef is always juicy, freshly made to order (I like mine "pink in the midde") and I am never disappointed.

Sweeney's serves a prime rib special on Valentine's Day, ham and cabbage on St. Patty's Day and is famous for their killer eggnog at Christmas. The dining room is a separate area with separate entrance to escape the noise of the bar. Sweeney's has a smoking ban exemption, which may or may not be a plus for you, but many people still go outside to smoke, having been "Pavloved" the past few years, and it is much less smoky than it used to be. Sweeney's is the kind of place you could return to after five years, and be greeted with group hugs. If you want a laid back place for a good burger, conversation, and a bit of karaoke on Friday, Sweeney's is it.

Good Dog Bar and Restaurant (Center City Philadelphia)
224 South 15th Street (between Walnut and Locust on 15th), 215-985-9600

The Good Dog Bar and Restaurant is an unassuming multi-floored establishment, which has become famous for its signature Roquefort-stuffed, caramelized onion-topped burger. All burgers are served with a mix of hand-cut shoestring sweet and regular potatoes and a side of homemade aioli. They also offer traditional burgers, with or without cheese, and a salmon burger. Good Dog gives police and fire fighters 20% off every day, and runs an annual dog photo contest. Pool tables, video games and striking views from the second floor windows of bustling 15th Street provide a perfect Philly afternoon or evening. Click here for their full menu.

Sources: Nifty Fiftys; Good Dog