Denver does not lack cheeseburgers, and the Mile High City is lucky to have so many great options. That said, not every diner is the same when it comes to how they like their patties, buns, condiments, and cheese put together.
Perhaps you enjoy the lacy edges of a smash burger. Or, your taste buds crave a thick, meaty patty dripping with gooey melted cheese. From thinnest to fattest, these burgers literally measure up against each other. But one thing each has in common; all represent some of the best cheeseburgers in the city.
Thinnest: Low-Brow Burger Dressed in Lace at RiNo Country Club
Don’t let the name fool you, the RiNo Country Club isn’t fancy, and neither is Dalton’s Cheeseburgs inside. Here ,the best order is the Cheeseburg & Fry, which includes a glorious smash burger. The burger comes with Cooper sharp American cheese, between a soft potato role. Aside from the well-made patty, the burger stands out thanks to the Dalton’s 7 Hour Sauce™ and a pile of minced onion. Choose between one or two stacked patties as a base for the juicy cold-brine pickles. 3763 Wynkoop St., Denver, rinocc.com
Just Wee Bit Fatter: Soda Shop Vibes at Jim’s Burger Haven
If the name sounds familiar, you would be right, it’s the precursor to Grandpa’s Burger Haven. Jim and Arlene Moser opened Jim’s Burger Haven in Thornton in 1961, and its outpost on Federal Boulevard split off to become Grandpa’s in 1980. Since the beginning, Jim’s has been known for serving four- or six-inch smash burgers. Not much has changed over the decades, except for the bun, which now gets made special for the eatery by a local bakery.
Get your patty with or without American cheese, and pile up to three of the lace-edged patties on each burger. The nostalgia soda shop vibes hit all the right buttons, complete with vintage car pictures decking the walls. 595 E. 88th Ave., Thornton; and 7855 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, jimsburgerhaven.com
Getting Bigger: Not a Damn Chance Burger
The patty at Not a Damn Chance Burger (NADC Burger) in Larimer Square is made with American wagyu beef ranched on a farm run by a friend of the owners, chef Phillip Frankland Lee and professional skateboarder Neen Williams. It’s thin for sure, but since the eatery doubles the patty, it doesn’t lack a meaty bite.
Unlike other burger joints around town, there is only one burger on the menu here (as well as the kid’s single patty cheeseburger). On it you’ll find American cheese, NADC sauce, onions, pickles, and “slightly tamed” jalapeños. Modifications are accepted, and you can always add a third patty. Yes, it’s pricy at $16, but can stand alone as a full meal. 1441 Larimer St., Denver, nadcburger.com
Baby Got Back: Odie B’s Double Bodega Burger
Perhaps the lightness of a smash burger isn’t for you. That’s where Odie B’s comes in with a double “smooshed” patty. Between the meaty layers find two types of cheese and chef Cliff Blauvelt’s fancy sauce, all nestled in potato brioche bun.
It’s still compact enough to fit in your whole mouth, but don’t be surprised if you need a handful of napkins and a gentle nap later. Both locations serve the Double Bodega Burger, so you don’t have to play favorites between RiNo and Sunnyside. At $15.50 the price definitely stretches the lunch budget, but you won’t need anything else after. 2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver, and 1350 40th St. Suite 180, Denver, odie-bs.com
One Size Fits All: Fat Sully’s Lights Out Burger
Atomic Cowboy’s Fat Sully’s keeps things traditional. Enter the Lights Out Burger, a delightful iteration featuring two smashed beef patties, aged American cheese, housemade pickles, and a special sauce, all on a brioche bun toasted with garlic butter. Best part, it’s available during happy hour and all day Monday for just $8. Multiple locations, theatomiccowboy.com
Happy Medium: Classic Cheeseburgers at My Brother’s Bar
Since 1873 My Brother’s Bar on Platte Street has existed in some capacity, though it didn’t start serving one of Denver’s best burgers until 1970. After decades in the burger biz, this dive bar classic remains largely unchanged with condiment caddies accompanying beloved parchment-wrapped burgers. The patty is neither smashed nor stacked, it’s right in the middle, making it a true American classic. Honestly, all the burgers taste great, but the most famous is the JCB, which comes with jalapeño cream cheese. 2376 15th St., Denver, mybrothersbar.com
The Illusion of Height: Lucy’s Burger Bar’s Juicy Lucy
Yes, the Juicy Lucy at this Berkeley hot spot looks to be towering, but it’s all a tasty trick. Inside the beef patty is a pit of melty cheese, ready to ooze out and deflate the magnificent burger. Let it. After all, the cheeseburger is too big and the center too hot for comfortable eating, but once the cheese cools and the meat rests, it’s a delightful and delicious experience. 4018 Tennyson St., Denver, lucysburgerbar.com
Topping Masterpiece: Cherry Cricket’s Cricket Burger
Look, you can go small at the Cherry Cricket, but why would you? Start with a half-pound Cricket Burger, and then keep stacking from there. Technically the patty isn’t the only thing giving the burger height, but since we made the rules, we’ll let it slide. There are over 30 things to add to any burger, but some highlights include a scoop of macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, corned beef, an egg in any style, grilled pineapple, a chile relleno, and so much more. Multiple locations, cherrycricket.com
Big and Beautiful: Steuben’s Classic Cheeseburger
There’s something to be said about classic cheeseburgers, and for decades Steuben’s has been showing Denver how it’s done. No bling, no gimmick, just a big, juicy burger made the way you crave. Up the ante by getting the Green Chile Cheeseburger, or adding some bacon for complete perfection. 523 E. 17th Ave., Denver, steubens.com
The Biggest Burger on the Block: Two-Pound Cheeseburgers at The Ranch at West 40
In 2015 Kim and Ardalan Hardi opened The Ranch at West 40, and it’s been a Lakewood hot spot ever since. While the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus focus on American comfort classics, we’re going for the two-pound cheeseburgers. That’s right, two pounds. Dubbed The Titanic, the double-patty ($28) behemoth comes topped with American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Not only that, but you also get coleslaw or fries. 12101 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, ranchatwest40.com
