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 are no shortage of places to grab a great burger, and with new  meat alternatives, the list keeps growing. Here are some of our favorites.

  • Alberta: Expatriate may be known for their cocktails but their simple yet sophisticated burger made with American cheese, onions, ketchup, and mustard, is the perfect compliment to their famous drinks. 
  • Beaumont: McPeet’s Pub serves a delicious ‘Cowboy Burger’ made with 1/3 pound all beef patty, an onion ring, BBQ sauce, mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles, and American cheese served with fries or tots.
  • 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: Hungry for a full 1/2 pound of beefy goodness? Bar Maven has got you covered. Try the ‘Maven Burger’ made with whiskey caramelized onions, blue cheese, avocado aioli, bacon, and arugula. Vegan burgers are available, too!
  • Gateway: Twirling Bird Rotisserie is not just your one-stop rotisserie chicken spot. They also have a great burger made with Painted Hills grass-fed beef and Tillamook cheese.
  • 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 the burger window at The Zed. This is the second location of Chinese restaurant, Danwei Canting, and features a Sichuan Beef Burger and a ‘Huntsman’ burger made specifically for Zoiglhaus Brewing. Look for the red sign on the corner!
  • 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: The TikTok Restaurant and Bar offers several burgers and sandwiches, but nothing compares to their ‘Ultimate Burger’ made with 1/3 pound of ground beef topped with bacon, egg, cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and red onion.
  • Mississippi Ave: Black Seed Burger Cult’s ‘K12 Burger’, a bacon cheeseburger with roasted jalapeños and mushrooms, is a standout. Plus, the shop can make any burger on the menu vegan.
  • 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.
  • St. Johns: Get a blast from the past at Rockabilly Cafe. The old-school, 50’s diner serves classic American comfort food like burgers and fries along with a rock-and-roll soundtrack.
  • 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 neighborhood business district. Show us how you are celebrating National Hamburger Month on Instagram and Facebook.