10 different types of burgers that define American flavor

USA Today

24-05-2025

Pimento cheeseburgers are one of the most famous type of burgers from the South – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+
America's burger landscape extends far beyond fast food chains. Each region boasts its own distinctive take on this beloved staple, reflecting local ingredients, cultural influences, and culinary traditions. Here's a coast-to-coast journey through 10 unique types of burgers that showcase America's diverse food heritage. Regional types of burgers
A Connecticut steamed cheeseburger is a juicy regional burger style with a distinctive texture – Photo courtesy of Ted's Restaurant
Northeast region
The one-of-a-kind Connecticut steamed cheeseburger originated in the 1920s at Jack's Lunch in Middletown, Connecticut. Unlike traditional grilled patties, these burgers are steamed in special metal cabinets, producing an exceptionally juicy texture. The beef patty gets topped with a hefty slab of steamed white cheddar cheese.
Ted's Restaurant in Meriden is famous for this regional specialty, which remains largely unknown outside Connecticut but inspires fierce loyalty among locals.
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New Jersey sliders are one of the tastiest regional burgers in America – Photo courtesy of White Manna Hamburgers
The New Jersey slider dates back to 1946 when Louis Bridges opened the original White Manna restaurant after purchasing a diner showcased at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Golf ball-sized nuggets of fresh ground beef fry on a sizzling griddle top, then get topped with thinly sliced onions and pressed flat. The onions cook directly into the meat, creating a distinctive flavor profile.
The original White Manna in Hackensack remains in its historic building from the 1940s, serving sliders on soft potato rolls topped with cheese. Southeast region
Family-owned Borroum's Drug Store has one of the best slugburgers in Mississippi – Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi
Despite an odd name that has nothing to do with garden pests, the Depression-era Mississippi slugburger is also enjoyed in Tennessee and Alabama. The flattened patty, usually beef or pork mixed with flour or soy, is deep-fried rather than grilled, creating a crispy exterior and tender interior.
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Traditionally served with mustard and pickles on a simple bun, it earned its name either from the "slug" of dough used or because it once cost a nickel (slang for "slug"). A sure slugburger bet in Mississippi is Borroum's Drug Store and Soda Fountain in Corinth.
Chubby's pimento cheeseburger comes with fried green tomato and is topped with house-made pimento cheese, Duke's mayo, and lettuce – Photo courtesy of Experience Columbia SC
The South Carolina pimento cheeseburger combines two regional favorites: burgers and pimento cheese. The patty gets a creamy spread topping made with sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, pimentos, and secret spices that vary by family recipe. The burger gained prominence in Columbia, South Carolina, where it's said to have originated in the 1960s.
The warm burger melts the pimento cheese into a gooey, spicy-sweet topping. Get it at Chubby's Burgers & Brewhouse.
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The Frita Cubana from Miami's El Rey de las Fritas is one of the best in Florida – Photo courtesy of Mercedes Gonzalez / El Rey de las Fritas
Originating in Cuba, the Frita Cubana found a second home in Miami, Florida's Cuban-American community. The beef patty, frequently mixed with chorizo, is seasoned with paprika and cumin, cooked on a griddle, then topped with crispy shoestring potatoes and sauteed onions and served on a Cuban bread roll.
Dating back to 1930s street vendors in Havana before migrating to Florida in the 1960s, the Frita is a distinctive regional variation unlike any other American burger. When you visit Miami, Florida, get a real-deal Frita experience at El Rey de las Fritas. Midwest region
The Juicy Lucy from the 5-8 Club comes stuffed with oozy cheese – Photo courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, you'll find the Juicy Lucy, featuring cheese stuffed inside the patty rather than on top, creating a melty core that erupts with the first bite. Two Minneapolis bars — Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club — have famously feuded over who invented it in the 1950s.
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The traditional version uses American cheese sealed between two thin patties before cooking, though variations with different cheeses have emerged. Served on a standard bun with minimal toppings to keep focus on the cheese-filled patty, the Juicy Lucy (or "Jucy Lucy" at Matt's) represents Midwestern ingenuity. If you're in Minneapolis, enjoy one at any of these spots. Southwest region
An Oklahoma onion burger features a tangle of fried onions – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images
The Oklahoma onion burger originated during the Great Depression at the Hamburger Inn in El Reno, Oklahoma, when cooks pressed thinly sliced onions into patties to stretch ingredients during tough economic times. Located on historic Route 66, the Hamburger Inn became a popular stop for travelers, helping the onion burger gain fame along the Mother Road. The signature preparation involves smashing a generous amount of thinly sliced white onions directly into the beef patty while cooking on a flat-top grill, creating a caramelized union of beef and onions.
Traditionally served on a simple white bun with American cheese, pickle slices, and yellow mustard, this unpretentious creation became a beloved specialty across the state. Locals flock to Onion Burger Day held in El Reno every year.
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Cheeseburgers topped with Hatch green chiles is New Mexico's famous regional burger – Photo courtesy of Photography By Tonelson / iStock Via Getty Images
New Mexico's green chile cheeseburger features a beef patty topped with roasted, chopped Hatch green chiles and melted cheese. The chiles provide a special smoky heat that ranges from mild to eye-watering.
The Owl Bar, in San Antonio, New Mexico, and (now closed) Bert's Burger Bowl, in Santa Fe, claim to be its birthplace. The state even has an official Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail for enthusiasts. Western region
Avocado gives the California burger its classic fresh flavor – Photo courtesy of Habit Burger & Grill
The California burger was initially defined in the early 20th century by its fresh toppings — ingredients that were a novelty in many parts of the country but abundantly available year-round in California's agricultural paradise. Today, the California burger is known for adding creamy avocado, reflecting the state's dominance in avocado production since the 1850s.
The original Habit Burger & Grill in Santa Barbara serves a burger with two beef patties, fresh smashed avocado, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo. Combining buttery avocado with fresh produce and a juicy beef patty creates a distinctive burger that represents California's emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
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The Hawaiian burger, with sweet pineapple and tangy teriyaki sauce, is a regional treat – Photo courtesy of Bangkok Happy Bowl
The Hawaiian burger features a beef patty marinated or glazed in sweet teriyaki sauce, often topped with grilled pineapple. Reflecting Hawaii's Japanese influences and tropical ingredients, this burger emerged from the islands' diverse culinary heritage.