While Philadelphia’s dynamic food scene is known for its range and creativity, sometimes nothing hits the spot like a perfectly made cheeseburger. With National Cheeseburger Day approaching on Thursday, September 18, there’s no better time to indulge in this beloved American classic at some of the best spots in the city and suburbs. To celebrate, we’ve curated a list of mouthwatering and creative burgers that are sure to impress, featuring standout options from top destinations such as Alice, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, Fond, Front Street Cafe, Red Owl Tavern, Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Stella of New Hope, Shake Shack, Square 1682, and Townsend.
TOP BURGERS IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION
Alice, the seasonal American restaurant nestled in the heart of the Italian Market, boasts arguably one of Philadelphia’s juiciest, most decadent burger sandwiches with its Dry-Aged Burger ($23). An elevated riff on the classic fan-favorite handheld, the Dry-Aged Burger is served on a toasted challah bun and topped with BBQ Vidalia onions and white sauce. There’s no better pairing than the French Fries ($10), served with two standout dips: shio koji and garlic aioli.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 5pm—10pm and Sunday 5pm—9pm
901 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.798.6766 | Website | Instagram
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Fond, the refined contemporary French BYOB from celebrated chefs Lee Styer and Jesse Prawlucki-Styer, features the elevated Double Smash Burger ($21) — lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer restaurant critic and columnist Craig LaBan as one of Delaware County’s best — on its brunch menu. Stacked with two beef patties, fried onions, lettuce, tomato, Russian dressing, and aged cheddar on a buttered brioche bun, the burger delivers on both flavor and indulgence. Guests can customize their burger with optional add-ons like an egg, bacon, or avocado.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday 5pm—9pm (dinner); Wednesday through Friday 11am—2:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am—2:30pm (brunch)
21 N. Providence Rd., Wallingford, PA | 484.445.2108 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Townsend, Chef Townsend Wentz’s acclaimed French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, features Le Burger ($18), an elevated take on the classic, available exclusively on the happy hour menu, Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm. This crowd-pleasing, toppling sandwich is comprised of green peppercorn aioli and six-month-aged cheddar, served on a soft milk bun.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday, 4:30pm—1am
1623 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA | 267.239.5643 | Website | Instagram
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A list of the region’s most sought-after burgers wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the juggernaut: Shake Shack, known for its made-to-order 100% Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, and hand-spun shakes. With four Philadelphia Shacks (Fishtown, University City, Midtown Village, Rittenhouse Square), Shake Shack provides an assortment of signature beefy handhelds in addition to a rotating menu of limited-time only sandwiches that fit with the season. Signature sandwiches known by most burger lovers in Philadelphia and beyond are the ShackBurger®, SmokeShack®, a vegetarian ShroomBurger, Avocado Bacon Burger, and so on.
Hours of Operation: Unique to location
Website | Instagram | X |Facebook
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UrbanFarmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel known for its locally sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop, is the ideal spot to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day. From 11 am to 2 pm, burger lovers can stop in for lunch and savor The Farm Burger ($24), topped with white cheddar cheese and aioli on a house-made English muffin, served with a side of farm fries or a green salad. Guests can also enhance their burger with bacon or avocado for an additional cost.
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday 7am-11pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
NOT-YOUR-TYPICAL BURGERS TO ENJOY ON NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, Philadelphia’s legendary Jewish deli since 1923, places a signature, deli-inspired twist on the standard burger in two standout sandwiches: Pastrami Cheeseburger and Reuben Burger. Available daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, burger-enthusiasts can enjoy innovative takes on the beloved handheld by opting for the either the Pastrami Cheeseburger ($22), a cheeseburger topped with pastrami and choice of cheese, or the Reuben Burger ($22), a cheeseburger piled high with corned beef, Russian dressing, sauerkraut, and choice of cheese.
Walk-ins are welcomed for dine-in, and orders for delivery/pickup can be made here.
Hours of operation: Daily from 9am – 8pm
700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.922.3274 | Website | Instagram
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Front Street Cafe, the all-day café, restaurant, and bar known for its commitment to fresh, farm-to-table ingredients, offers a standout selection of burgers spanning indulgent to plant-based. Highlights include the Short Rib Blend Burger ($18) with raclette cheese, garlic-thyme aioli, bibb lettuce, and house pickles; the FSC Veggie Burger ($16), a proprietary blend of vegetables and grains topped with chipotle aioli, bibb lettuce, and coleslaw; and a weekly burger special — all served on a brioche bun.
Hours of operation: Breakfast/brunch from 8am—4pm; Dinner served on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm—9pm, Friday and Saturday from 5pm—10pm; Happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 4pm—7pm.
1253 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122 | 215.515.3073 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, boasts a one-of-a-kind burger: the Tavern Burger ($23), served with two 4oz. patties, new-school American cheese, jalapeño jam, smoked bacon, chicken-fried onions and jalapeño, and smoked BBQ mayo. Burger lovers near and far can celebrate National Cheeseburger Day any day of the week with Red Owl Tavern’s weekly lunch special: a burger, fries, and draft beer for $22, available Monday through Friday from 11am – 3pm.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30am – 11am, Saturday & Sunday 8am – 10am (breakfast), Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 8am – 10am (brunch), Monday through Friday 11am – 3:30pm (lunch), Monday through Friday 3:30 – 4:40pm, Saturday 4pm-5pm (midday), Monday through Friday 4:30pm – 10pm, Saturday 5pm – 10pm (dinner)
433 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.923.2267 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, South Jersey’s quintessential historic resort in Galloway, NJ, boasts two burgers perfect for satisfying red meat cravings on National Cheeseburger Day. Guests can enjoy the 1914 Smash Burger ($24), featuring two patties, beer cheese made with Seaview’s signature 1914 IPA (created in collaboration with Brix City Brewing), caramelized onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, served on a brioche bun. This delicious burger is available on both the lunch and dinner menu.
401 South New York Rd, Galloway, NJ • 609.652.1800 • Website• Instagram • Facebook
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180-degree views of the Delaware River, is the perfect spot to enjoy burgers riverside. Offered for brunch Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Wagyu Burger ($24) is topped with pork belly-fig jam, arugula, creamy brie cheese, and pickled red onion, and is served on a toasted brioche bun with crispy French fries. This burger is also available on the bar menu Tuesday through Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5 – 12am, Friday 5 – 2am, Saturday 8 – 2am
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 • 267.740.2691 • Website • Instagram • Facebook
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Square 1682, the modern American restaurant and award winning-bar located at 17th and Sansom Streets, offers a unique twist on a classic with the Square 1682 Burger ($22) composed of a seared, square-shaped double patty topped with South Philly jam, garlic aioli, and Cooper Sharp cheese.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8am—11am for breakfast; Monday through Thursday 11:30am—2pm, Friday 11:30am—3pm for lunch; Tuesday through Thursday 5pm—10pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm—11pm for dinner; Friday and Saturday 3pm—5pm for mid-day menu; Saturday 9am—3pm, Sunday 9am—2pm for brunch
121 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA | 215.563.5008 | Website | Instagram
