The hamburger may be one of the only truly American culinary creations, which is why it is no surprise that May is National Hamburger Month. Hamburgers gained national recognition at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair when the New York Tribune raved about the new sandwich. Since then, burgers have been reinvented countless times over, with restaurants putting their own unique spin on the beloved sandwiches. In Portland, there is no shortage of places to grab a great burger, and with new meat alternatives, the list keeps growing. Here are some of our favorites.

  • Beaumont: Bless Your Heart Burgers is a delicious spot serving up classic American flavors in the form of smash burgers, yum!
  • Central Eastside: Canard always draws a crowd for their slider-sized steam burgers, and for good reason. The onion-infused beef patty comes with crisp chopped onions and pickles, plus mustard and melted American cheese.
  • Foster: Known for their vegan fare, cocktails, laid-back vibes, and sweet patio, Thunderbird Bar also has some pretty great burgers. You can get beef burgers, vegan burgers, and sliders too! The world is literally your oyster at Thunderbird.
  • Hawthorne: Visit one of Portland’s oldest food cart pods, Cartopia, for a classic burger from Bottle Rocket made with spicy mayo for an extra kick.
  • Lents: The hottest spot in Lents right now is Pah! Restaurant in The Zed. This Latinx, Queer, and Deaf-owned business serves burgers and fries with a special melty vegan cheese.
  • Lloyd: The Sports Bra is the world’s first bar dedicated to women’s sports. They also make a mean burger featuring a 1/3 pound hand-formed patty, lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, roasted garlic aioli, and extra sharp white cheddar cheese served with fries or tater tots.
  • Midway: Humble digs for diner-style burgers, patty melts, several different styles of fries, and ice cream, Cruisers Drive-In has it all!
  • Montavilla: For a new twist on an old classic, the menu at the Observatory features a lamb burger that is very much worth the stop.
  • Parkrose: Jim Dandy Drive-in has been dishing out shakes, burgers, and fries since 1937 in a space filled with Portland memorabilia.
  • St. Johns: Stop by the Cozo Grill at the St. Johns Beer Porch and enjoy 100% vegan burgers, sandwiches, and sides, plus gluten-free options too!
  • Williams District: The ‘Distillery Burger’ at Shine Distillery is the perfect balance of delicious beef patty with secret sauce and all the fixings. Cheers to a good burger paired with locally-made spirits right in the heart of Williams Avenue.

          This list is non-exhaustive so don’t forget to explore the burger offerings in your own business district. Show us how you are celebrating National Hamburger Month on Instagram and Facebook.