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When discussing meals in New Jersey, the same old suspects come up; pizza, bagels and Taylor ham. Nonetheless, NJ has no scarcity of legendary hamburgers to select from. Whether or not it’s locations that pre-exist The Nice Melancholy or new-school spots opening within the final decade, it’s time Jersey’s service to hamburger excellence was acknowledged. These are among the greatest variations of the American staple you will discover in North Jersey.
Krug’s Tavern – Newark, NJ
Opening in March 1932, Krug’s Tavern simply celebrated their ninetieth birthday. For practically a century, Krug’s has been the spot in Newark, NJ for drinks, watching the sport, and naturally, their legendary burgers. A thick, freshly floor patty, seared on a flat-top and served on a delicate, sesame laden bun, is a good reminder that whereas there is perhaps impersonators, there is just one unique.
The Riverside Inn – Cranford, NJ
I don’t wish to play favorites, however that is my favourite burger in Jersey (proper now, no less than). This basic Cranford dive bar dishes out the epitome of a no-frills burger. It’s not essentially the most spectacular providing in Jersey, but it surely’s constantly scrumptious, low-cost and served in an unbeatable bar environment. Riverside’s burger makes use of hand-formed beef and is griddled on a plancha, served merely on a Kaiser roll—I wish to get mine with bacon and American cheesee. Paired with a chilly PBR and a Jukebox blasting The Strokes and LCD Soundsystem, it’s principally the best handheld meal you could possibly ask for.
Burgerstrasse – Clifton, NJ
In 2018, Burgerstrasse started dishing burgers out of their quaint store in Clifton, NJ. 4 years later, and it’s the place to go in Passaic County for skinny, smash-style patties. Freshly floor beef is positioned on a scorching scorching griddle earlier than being smashed all the way down to create the unctuously crispy and lacy texture that has develop into so desired throughout the burger world for the final half decade. High quality substances, cooked completely each time makes the Burgerstrasse motto— the place it’s actual— ring true.
Steve’s Burgers – Garfield, NJ
This roadside stand in Garfield, NJ was placed on the map by their six-ounce chuck patties, and the array of toppings friends can select to go together with it. Proprietor, Steve Chrisomalis Jr. is consistently reinventing the wheel together with his weekly burger creations, and it’s why Steve’s has garnered a cult following since opening simply over 10 years in the past. With three places, and a requirement for extra, it’s no shock why Steve’s was named the fifteenth greatest burger within the nation in 2019.
Summit Home – Summit, NJ
When strolling into the attractive area that’s Summit Home, a burger is perhaps the very last thing you count on to take pleasure in as you watch dry-aged tomahawks and grand seafood towers fly proper by you. Nonetheless, Summit Home—which we not too long ago named one in every of New Jersey’s 25 greatest eating places—serves what is actually the platonic ultimate of an upscale cheeseburger. For lunch solely, diners can take pleasure in a hand-formed griddled patty topped with melted gruyere, mahogany-colored caramelized onions and a variety of truffle aioli. This luxurious burger brings severe taste to the occasion.
White Manna – Hackensack, NJ
This slight, roadside shack has been shelling out hamburger sliders for over six many years in Hackensack, NJ. The signature slider at White Manna is a freshly floor beef patty cooked with onions and cheese earlier than being sandwiched in between a steamed Martin’s Potato Bun. It’s a basic New Jersey establishment, and was extremely touted by New Jersey native, the late Anthony Bourdain in his present “No Reservations.”
White Mana – Jersey Metropolis, NJ
No, we didn’t unintentionally checklist the identical spot twice. In truth, White Mana in Jersey Metropolis, NJ is the unique Jersey slider joint, and conversations about which spot is greatest has been the topic of stark debate for years. The reality is, each serve a remarkably comparable product, in a remarkably comparable environment. That’s as a result of though independently operated in the present day, each had been based inside weeks of one another in 1946 by Louis Bridges. One much less “n” within the identify was not intentional, and as an alternative the results of an error when making the signal. This error caught, and has served as a distinction between the 2 ever since.
The reply to “which is greatest?” can often be answered by which website somebody grew up on. So, attempt each, and resolve for your self who serves the most effective sliders within the state.
The Nook – Montclair, NJ
The nook provides a burger that’s critically good. Harking back to NYC’s greatest steakhouse burgers, The Nook sears a thick all-beef patty on a ripping scorching plancha— permitting for a deeply wealthy, and crispy crust to kind on the surface of the burger all whereas maintaining the juices inside. Cheddar cheese, a brioche bun and shoestring french fries spherical out what’s one in every of North Jersey’s most nice burger experiences.
Diesel and Duke – A number of Places
What’s now a small empire of New Jersey burger outlets, Diesel and Duke in Caldwell, Montclair, and Jersey Metropolis has been smashing and serving crave-worthy hamburgers to North Jersey for the higher a part of a decade. These skinny patties are seared scorching and full with an ornate fringe of crispy beef. Toppings are supposed to shine at Diesel and Duke, with burgers like their Holypeño burger which options two freshly cooked beef patties, bacon, aged cheddar, jalapeño, caramelized onions, and spicy mayo.
Tierney’s Tavern – Montclair, NJ
Strolling into Tierney’s is like strolling right into a time capsule. The old-fashioned decor and chilly beers have saved Montclair patrons coming again since 1934, however the hamburgers are equally a cause to journey to this Jersey relic. A thick patty is seasoned and griddled to juicy transcendence earlier than being bestowed upon a toasted bun with cheese making for a rendition of the basic that’s unforgettable. It is a burger that brings you again to a less complicated time— there’s no different method to put it. For regulars and aficionados alike, there may be one other burger at Tierney’s price attempting. The Buddy Burger is a burger named after the late nice Edward ‘Buddy’ Tierney who handed earlier this 12 months. This off-menu staple options the identical basic burger that clients have grown to like, however is griddled with a heaping mound of thinly sliced onions on prime. The onions soften into the meat and char on the surface, making a flavorful and textural masterpiece. Buddy would make this burger for himself, however shared the key with regulars. Right this moment, it stands as an homage to his hospitality. You received’t see it on the menu, however simply ask— they’ll know.
Which of those North Jersey spots do you assume has the most effective burgers? Or did we miss your favourite? Tell us within the feedback.
Concerning the Creator/s
Peter Candia is the Meals + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter discovered a ardour for writing halfway by faculty and by no means regarded again. He’s a former line cook dinner, server and bartender at top-rated eating places within the tri-state space. Along with meals, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports activities and something New Jersey.