Its origin is shrouded in mystery and claims of its invention are widely disputed, but wherever the hamburger truly came from, its place in the culinary culture of our fair country is undoubtedly solidified. In fact, PBS reported in 2012 that Americans eat around 50 billion burgers every year (yeah, you read that right). So in order to do our part to contribute to that number, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite St. Augustine burgers. From the tried-and-true classics to the off-the-wall experimentations, local chefs are dishing out must-try burgers all over the city.
PIZZA BURGER
One Twenty Three Burger House
If that name alone didn’t catch your eye, I’m not sure what will. The chefs at this King Street burger joint have combined two food favorites – burgers and pizza – and stuck them together on a bun. This patty is topped with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, and marinara sauce.
www.onetwentythreeburgerhouse.com
MAC N’ CHEESE BURGER
Burger Buckets
Grab a stack of napkins before you chow down on this one – it’s taking “cheeseburger” to another level. This burger is topped with bacon and cheddar cheese before being smothered in a generous helping of their homemade mac n’ cheese.
www.burgerbuckets.com
JALAPENO POPPER BURGER
Gas Full Service Restaurant
This daring dish made a name for itself on the Food Network, and there’s a good reason why – it’s delicious. The Jalapeno Popper Burger is stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and fresh jalapenos before being grilled to medium, panko-breaded, and deep-fried.
www.gasrestaurant.com
O RING BURGER
Cruisers Grill
If you’re finding that it isn’t enough to top your burgers with a few onions and call it a day, Cruisers Grill is here to help. Their O Ring Burger is slathered in housemade chipotle ranch sauce then topped with lettuce, melted cheddar cheese, and some crispy broken onion rings.
www.cruisersgrill.com
LAMB BURGER
Barley Republic
If you’re over the traditional beef of the classic hamburger, opt for something a little more gourmet. Barley’s Lamb Burger is topped with goat cheese, baby arugula, garlic aioli, and caramelized onions then served on a buttered, toasted French Kaiser bun.
www.barleyrepublic.com
DIXIE BURGER
The Floridian
If you’re tired of the bland and uninteresting veggie burger, the Dixie Burger is here to wow you. You can get this dish with a CartWheel Ranch beef burger, but we prefer the black bean and sweet potato veggie burger. Add all the fixins’ (like housemade pickles and chipotle ranch), choose your favorite cheese, and get ready for something delicious.
www.thefloridianstaug.com
THE ROLLS ROYCE
Obi’s Fillin’ Station
A mix of both classic and atypical elements, the Rolls Royce is topped with bleu cheese dressing, smoked bacon, grilled onions, and the signature Obi sauce. The burger is served on a pretzel bun, offering a natural sweetness that gives an unexpected culinary complexity.
www.obisfillinstation.com
DATIL BURGER
The Press
Bring some local heat into your life with a half-pound burger that’s been stuffed with datil pepper and cream cheese. You’ve got the ideal blend of spice and sweetness that’s been grilled to perfection. This burger is a St. Augustine essential.
www.thepressstaugustine.com
THE IMPOSSIBLE BURGER
Cheezee’s Grill
Carnivores don’t get to have all the burger fun. Despite being 100% plant-based, the Impossible Burger tastes exactly like a hamburger (and a delicious hamburger at that). The dish was developed by scientists using heme – a compound that gives meat its meaty flavor – and turned into a burger you can’t miss out on.
www.cheezeesgrill.com
ICE PLANT BURGER
Ice Plant Bar
Deliciousness doesn’t have to be complicated. Case-in-point – Ice Plant’s signature burger. It starts with Florida Waygu beef that’s then garnished with some field green, a pickled green tomato, and Munster cheese and topped with a simple aioli.
www.iceplantbar.com
WHISKEY BBQ
Prohibition Kitchen
Mix two classic culinary genres (barbecue and burgers) and you’ll end up with a dish we could eat for days. The burger is pretty simple – a patty topped with smoked cheddar, bacon, some crispy French’s onions, and a generous helping of whiskey barbecue sauce.
www.pkstaug.com
Featured image by Brian Miller