Zagat Blog: Zagat Names the Best Burger Restaurants in the USA (and Toronto)

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Zagat Names the Best Burger Restaurants in the USA (and Toronto)

November 3, 2015

Zagat is revealing the results of its 2015 Burger Survey. This year, 8,748 burger aficionados from around the country participated online to rate and review patty purveyors in 17 major markets.
Unlike Zagat’s iconic restaurant surveys where users rate the Food, Decor, and Service of establishments separately, Burger Survey participants rated and reviewed establishments specifically for their burgers, providing one overall rating that takes burger flavor, quality of ingredients, and value into account.
The top-ranking burger spots in each market are as follows:
Atlanta: Illegal Food Austin: Hopdoddy Boston: Craigie On Main Chicago: Au Cheval Dallas: Dugg Burger Denver: Bud's Cafe & Bar Houston: The Republic Grille Los Angeles: Pono Burger Miami: Jr's Gourmet Burgers New York City – Brooklyn/Queens*: Peter Luger Steak House New York City - Manhattan*: Bowery Meat Company Philadelphia: The Blue Duck San Diego: Rocky's Crown Pub San Francisco: Wes Burger Seattle: The Swinery Toronto: Holy Chuck Washington D.C.: Duke's Grocery
*For the first time this year, we divided New York City into two separate lists: “Manhattan” and “Brooklyn/Queens.”

Craigie On Main, Boston

Participants report eating burgers 3.9 times per month on average, typically getting their fix at specialty burger eateries (56%), general restaurants (25%), fast food spots (6%) diners (4%), or choosing to make them at home instead (9%).
49% of respondents say they are willing to spend between $10 – $14.99 on a burger, while 25% said they would be OK with spending $15 – $19.99. 14% of people would prefer not to spend more than $10, and a smaller 7% of folks would spend between $20 – $24.99 to get their fix. Only 5% of participants would be comfortable paying $25 or more for a patty. When asked if they’d splurge more than $25 on a “mind-blowing” burger, participants were evenly split down the middle – 50% said “yes” and 50% said “no.”
As for how participants prefer their burgers to be cooked, 43% are fans of medium-rare, followed closely by a 37% preference for medium. Medium-well lags behind at 12%, while the least popular options are tied on either end of the spectrum: 4% like it rare and another 4% ask for their patties well-done.
For a full round-up of the 17 best burger establishments nationwide (plus Toronto!), check out our feature on zagat.com.
Posted by Charlotte Ames, Zagat