It’s hard to find a more satisfying sandwich than the almighty burger. Whether your preference is a bacon double cheeseburger dripping with sauce, or a simple veggie patty topped with a dollop of ketchup, you don’t have to travel far to satisfy that craving. Here are some of the best burger joints in town.
Ballston Local
Hungry? The burger lineup at this bustling pub includes the Baller Double with caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, pickle chips and sauce. Each burger order comes with skinny fries, waffle fries or chips. Impossible Burgers and gluten-free substitutions are available. Note that during weekday happy hours from 3-6 p.m., you can get a burger and a beer for $19. // 900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Basic Burger
Don’t let the name fool you. Basic Burger serves more than a mere patty on a bun. In addition to its signature basic burger (100% Angus beef with lettuce, tomato and onion on a brioche bun), you can also find a big double cheeseburger, BBQ bacon cheeseburger and several other renditions, including veggie, turkey and Beyond Burgers. Looking for sides? Try the Loaded Moo Fries: shoestring fries with chipotle ranch, crisp bacon, shaved parmesan, chopped scallions and a fried egg. // 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
BGR The Burger Joint
The crafty burger options at this Lyon Village haunt include the Pretzel Bacon Cheese (applewood bacon, cheddar and bacon onion marmalade on a pretzel bun) and Southwestern Bison Chipotle (chipotle-infused bison, pepper jack cheese, salsa, tomato, guac and mojo). Not a beef-eater? BGR also serves Beyond burgers, chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers and a teriyaki tuna burger with sushi-grade ahi. Pair your order with a tray of tater tots or sweet potato fries. // 3129 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Big Buns Damn Good Burgers
Pop by this Shirlington eatery (the Best of Arlington 2023 crown champion in the “Best Burger” category) for some hefty options. The Hot & Hefe is packed with Angus beef, aged sharp cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce and grain mustard aioli. If you’d like to forgo the bun, try a burger bowl; the Beet Sprouts & Harmony pairs a patty with arugula, crispy Brussels sprouts, barley, roasted beets, candied pecans, sweet potato chips and maple-Dijon vinaigrette. Chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers and Impossible burgers are also available. Wash it down with a Beltway Bandito (Jose Cuervo Silver, orange liqueur and house margarita mix) or a Redonculous Reese’s peanut butter cup shake. // 4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington); 1330 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
The Broiler
Known for its steak-and-cheese, this Columbia Pike mainstay also serves up hamburgers, cheeseburgers and turkey burgers, topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo. There’s even a cheeseburger sub. Vegetarian? Try their 6- or 12-inch veggie sub, stuffed with green peppers, mushrooms, onions, cheese and whatever other veggies you’d like to add. // 3601 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Bubbie’s Plant Burgers
One of several kiosks to join the outdoor food court that is Water Park, this certified-kosher eatery serves plant-based burgers. Try the new Pineapple Ranch Burger, with a beet or Impossible patty, pepper jack, grilled pineapple, lettuce, tomato, fried shallots, hand-cut pickle and Bubb’s bacon-ranch sauce. Other non-meats include chick’n sammies, a fried green tomato club and an orange pistachio salad. Tack on an order of avocado fries or house-made coleslaw. // 1721 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Burger Billy’s Joint
Serving smash-style burgers made from grass-fed, locally sourced Angus beef from Front Royal’s Cottonwood Ranch, this new spot uses a Food Locker system. Place an order online or onsite at a kiosk, then make your way to a locker, enter the code on your receipt and get your grub. Options include a plain patty or cheeseburger, plus more innovative choices, including Billy’s El Loco, with fried jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and jalapeño ranch, and the meatless Billy’s I Can’t Believe It’s Not a Burger Burger. Sliders, hot dogs, wings and fries round out the menu. // 3800 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Cherrydale)
Burger District
This Courthouse burger emporium has options upon options, including sliders (lettuce, tomato, sweet red onions and District sauce), the Au Poivre Burger (cracked peppercorn, roasted garlic, sliced tomatoes, caramelized onions and whiskey cream sauce), and the Double Bacon Cheeseburger, featuring a pound of Angus beef, cheddar and four slices of bacon. Customers avoiding red meat can swap out the ground beef for a vegan Beyond burger or turkey burger. Top off—or even start—the meal with an order of garlic cheddar cheese curds or sweet potato fries. // 2024 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
BurgerFi
The Florida-based burger concept serves Angus beef and cage-and-antibiotic-free chicken sourced from a family-owned farm. On the menu at this newly opened burger joint are the Yes, Chef Burger (a nod to restaurant show The Bear, perhaps?) with caramelized onions and American cheese, wagyu beef hot dogs and new bowls (think protein and all the fixin’s, minus the bun). // 1735 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
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Cowboy Cafe
Stop by this “low-key and local” bar and restaurant and order yourself a Cowboy (ham, jack cheese and barbecue sauce) or the carb-phobic Naked Burger, a plain patty—hold the bun—served with a side salad. Top them with lettuce, tomato and onion and enjoy fries and a pickle on the side. Turkey and veggie burgers are also on the menu. Walk off your meal by checking out the mural by local artist MasPaz adorning the eatery’s outdoor space. // 4792 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Elevation Burger
This locally grown fast-food chain (the first one opened in Falls Church in 2005) serves 100% grass-fed beef and fries cooked in olive oil. Build your own burger with one or two patties or Impossible, vegan and veggie burgers or choose from a lineup of gourmet options. Feel the heat with the Fiery Burger, two beef patties topped with cheddar, grilled onions, an organic egg, hot pepper relish and jalapeños. // Multiple locations in Arlington and Falls Church
Five Guys
Five Guys has been keeping it simple since the first storefront opened in 1986 on Columbia Pike with a short list of hamburgers, cheeseburgers and bacon cheeseburgers served with boardwalk-style fries. Choose from a single (a “Little,” as they call it) or a double patty, and customize your toppings, such as grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and jalapeños. Not feeling carnivorous? Opt for the veggie sandwich (grilled onion, mushroom, green peppers, lettuce and tomatoes). // Multiple locations in Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church
Ghostburger
An outpost of the D.C.-based—and POTUS-approved—burger joint, this location is part of the new Upside on Moore food hall in Rosslyn. Build your own, including veggie, or go with what our food critic calls a “top-notch” burger. Creations include the Barbie Girl (provolone, pickled jalapeños, red onion and cabbage, chipotle mayo, and arugula) and the Frenchie (bleu cheese, cremini mushrooms, caramelized onions and garlic mayo). // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Open Road
Settle in at this brewpub with locations in Merrifield and Rosslyn for a hearty burger and fries, often accompanied by live music. Options include the French Onion Burger, a patty topped with gruyere, caramelized onion, crispy onion and steak sauce aioli (Rosslyn only) and the Bacon Blue with applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, chipotle aioli and caramelized onions. For the non-beef eaters, there are also fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, as well as a house-made veggie burger with sunflower seeds, hummus, cucumber, pickled beets and avocado (Rosslyn only). // 8100 Lee Highway, Falls Church and 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque
Instead of a heaping plate of ribs or pulled pork, opt for a single or double cheeseburger. The single is a 4-ounce house-ground beef brisket patty, with cheese, grilled onion, special sauce and pickles on a toasted Martin’s potato roll, while the double is two quarter-pound patties. Make it a meal by adding a soft drink and a side such as cornbread, mac and cheese, or pickled onions. // 5731 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Shake Shack
What began as a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park is now a global burger chain with a couple locations right here in NoVa. Find the hormone- and antibiotics-free patties in signature concoctions such as the Avocado Bacon and Shake Stack, a beef patty topped with a fried portobello mushroom. Veggie lovers can opt for the ’Shroom or Veggie burgers. Shakes made from frozen custard and nondairy custard may be hard to turn down. // 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (National Landing); 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District); 7924 Tysons Corner Center, Tysons
The Union
This family-owned casual restaurant has a wide array of options on its menu, including the Union Burger, an 8-ounce patty with gruyere cheese, hand-cut bacon, spicy aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion and a pickle. Or get it with a 4-ounce plant-based Beyond Burger. Either way, it comes with fries. For younger diners, there are mini burgers with cheese only. // 1379 Beverly Road, McLean