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National Cheeseburger Day is Sunday, September 18, and Philadelphia has got buns, hun. From secret off-menu items to applauded favorites, we’ve rounded up some of the Philadelphia area’s best burgers from restaurants including Forsythia, Urban Farmer, Royal Boucherie, Rex at The Royal, MilkBoy, and much more, for some amazing end-of-summer eats.

The Dutchess, Chef Lee Styer’s new fast casual concept nestled in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia, boasts a bevy of burger options fit for food-enthusiasts who are looking for an ideal on-the-go lunch. Guests can dine-in or takeout, and choose from delicious dishes including Double Cheeseburger ($14) prepared with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, special sauce, and brioche bun, Breakfast Burger ($12) made with dippy egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and special sauce, and Vegetarian Falafel Burger ($13) composed of lettuce, tomato, pickled red onions, feta, tahini sauce, and seeded brioche bun

Hours of Operation: Wednesday through Sunday, 9am – 3pm.

1527 S. Fourth St | 215-755-5600 | https://www.thedutchessphilly.com/

Forsythia, Old City’s contemporary French bar and restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse, offers a junior version of its sought-after Burger Royale, composed of two smashed patties sandwiching melted raclette cheese and paired with Bibb lettuce, Comeback Sauce, on a Martin’s potato bun, available for $10 on the happy hour menu served Wednesday – Friday, 5 – 7pm. For those dining outside of happy hour, the Burger Royale is available as a must try “secret menu” item.

Hours of Operation: Dinner Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm – 10pm; Happy Hour Wednesday through Friday, 5pm – 7pm; Brunch Saturday through Sunday, 10:30am – 2pm.

233 Chestnut St | 215.644.9395 | https://www.forsythiaphilly.com/about

MilkBoy South Street, part of the iconic Philadelphia-born brand known for booze, bites, and music, has recently overhauled its menu to become a burger-heavy selection of creative, toppings hamburgers that pays homage to MilkBoy’s recording studio and event space. Standouts from Chef Yun Fuentes’ collection of hamburgers includes Hit Single ($9.50) composed of a 150g beef patty, Tommy Sauce, onion, MilkBun, and sidekick pickle, South St. Boogaloo ($11.95) crafted with BeerWhiz, waffle fry, and long hot aioli, and Double Platinum ($15.95), a double meat burger topped with cooper sharp, Tommy Sauce, onion, lettuce, and tomato.

Over at MilkBoy Chestnut in Center City, locals and visitors alike can indulge in the crowd-pleasing, over-the-top Hangover Burger ($16) prepared with applewood bacon, American cheese, fried onions, pickled jalapeños, and chipotle mayo, topped with fried egg, or enjoy the fresh and flavorful Veggie Vybes Burger ($13) composed of a butter toasted MilkBun, veggie patty, red onion, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and “boom boom” sauce.

401 South St | (215) 925-6455 | milkboy.tv

Patchwork, a lively restaurant and bar focused on New American cuisine nestled on the second floor of Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia, serves up one sensational cheeseburger crafted by Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden, featured on the recently rejuvenated dinner and weekend brunch menus. The Patchwork Burger ($20) is crafted with brioche, cambazola, onion marmalade, and lemon garlic mayo — a noteworthy item sure to satisfy any food-enthusiast on National Cheeseburger Day.

Hours of Operation: Brunch Saturday through Sunday, 7am – 2pm; Dinner Sunday through Thursday, 5pm – 9pm; Friday through Saturday, 5pm– 10pm.

1620 Chancellor St | patchworkphilly.com

Playhouse Deck, a modern yet laid-back perch over the Delaware River tucked behind the legendary Bucks County Playhouse, offers folks dining in New Hope a delightful, sophisticated take on the traditional cheeseburger, titled BCP Burger ($22), comprised of short rib-shallot jam and cheddar cheese, served with a portion of French fries. Side note: all proceeds from the Playhouse Deck benefit Bucks County Playhouse’s nonprofit organization.

Hours of Operation: Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm – 10pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 12am, and Sunday, 12pm – 10pm

70 S. Main Street | 215-862-2121 | bcptheater.org

Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall, has two standout sandwiches on the menu that are sure to impress any burger-enthusiast. The crowd-pleasing Tavern Burger ($21), (served pink or no pink), consists of two 4 oz patties, tomato, red onion, cooper sharp, Bibb lettuce, and aioli, while the newly-added Boujee Ben Burger ($25) is prepared with two 4 oz patties, onion jam, smoked bacon, raclette cheese, arugula, and “steakhouse” aioli — a nod to Benjamin Franklin as this burger is “luxurious in lifestyle, yet humble in character.”

Hours of Operation: Breakfast Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 10:45am; Lunch Monday through Friday, 11:30am – 4:30pm; Dinner Monday through Tuesday, 4:30pm – 9pm; Thursday through Friday, 4:30pm – 10pm; Saturday, 5pm  – 10pm, Brunch Saturday, 8am – 4pm; Sunday 8am– 3pm.

433 Chestnut St | (215) 923-2267 | https://redowltavern.com/

Rex at The Royal, Philly’s destination for elevated Southern and Lowcountry cuisine, is noted Burger Brawl champion and 2018 winner of Philadelphia Magazine’s coveted Best Of Philly award for its signature Rex Burger. Chef Aaron Paik’s mouthwatering sandwich features crispy onions, spicy pimento cheese, and smoked bacon, served on a brioche bun. Guests can enjoy this delightful dish for just $19 on Sunday and Monday as part of the newly-added Burger + Shot + Beer special, paired with a Sojourner Lager (Sojourn Philly’s beer crafted in collaboration with Neshaminy Brewing), and a shot of well whiskey.

Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, 5pm – 10pm; Friday through Saturday, 5pm – 11pm; Sunday Brunch 11am – 2:30pm, Sunday Dinner 5pm – 9pm.

1524 Chestnut Street | (267) 319-1366 | https://www.rexphl.com/

Royal Boucherie, Old City’s lively and atmospheric neighborhood bistro, is a no-brainer for celebrating National Cheeseburger Day with the star of the show, the Grass-Fed Boucherie Burger ($18), highlighted on the weekend brunch and nightly dinner menus. This award-winning, showstopping sandwich is fashioned with bone marrow, watercress, and gruyere, with the optional add-on of crispy bacon for $2.

Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm – 10pm; Friday, 4 – 11pm, Saturday, 10am – 11pm, and Sunday, 10am – 9pm.

52 S. Second St | (267) 606-6313 | royalboucherie.com

Silk City Diner, Bar & Lounge,  the eclectic retro diner and lounge with adjacent art and artifact-filled garden, is an iconic Philadelphia establishment with an expansive brunch and dinner menu, both boasting two equally delicious burger creations. Folks can select from The Silk Burger ($9), a 4 oz beef patty, cooper sharp cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, thousand island, and a Martin’s potato bun, or opt for the veg-friendly Impossible Burger ($11) comprised of a 4 oz meatless patty, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, vegan thousand island, and potato bun.

Hours of Operation: Wednesday, 5pm – 10pm; Thursday, 5pm – 11pm; Friday, 5pm – 12am; Saturday, 11am – 12am; Sunday, 11am – 9pm.

435 Spring Garden St | 215.592.8838 | www.silkcityphilly.com

Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant helmed by Chef Michael O’Halloran, is an absolute New Hope staple boasting an expansive weekend brunch selection of offerings including the Stella Burger ($16) composed of a double patty, American cheese, potato roll, lettuce, red onion, tomato, and French fries. Guests can indulge in this sensational creation while taking in stella-r views of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge and the Delaware River.

Hours of operation: Wednesday through Thursday 4pm – 9pm, Friday 4pm – 10pm, Saturday 11am – 2pm and 4pm – 10pm, Sunday 11am – 2pm and 4pm – 9pm

50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 | 267.740.7131 | https://www.stellanewhope.com/

Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, sustainably sources its beef through several partnerships including Rebel Farms and Field To Front Door, highlighted in the flavorful, elevated Farm Burger ($20), topped with white cheddar and aioli, served on a house-made English muffin (add avocado for $3 or smoked bacon for $3.50).

Hours of Operation: Breakfast Monday through Friday, 8am – 11am; Lunch Monday through Friday, 11am – 1:30pm; Dinner Sunday through Saturday, 4pm – 11pm; Brunch Saturday through Sunday, 8am – 3pm.

1850 Ben Franklin Parkway | (215) 963-2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-menus/

 

-Maeve Zeleniak