From backyard grill outs and roadside drive-thrus to gourmet interpretations, these beefy bunned babies are like a slab of comfort food you can (generally) hold between two hands.

Adhering to a tried-and-true culinary equation, the nucleus of a burger is some type of patty (or two) — beef, turkey, veggie — topped with assorted accoutrements like lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, pickles, bacon, over- easy eggs, etc. But within those parameters, an almost overwhelming amount of variations on the same general concept can be achieved. And whether you want a damn good basic cheeseburger or to push the limits of a meat sandwich to the extreme is up to you — and whomever you’re ordering from.

To help you on the quest for burger nirvana, this slideshow features the top 10 best overall burger joints in the city, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2o21 Best Of Cincinnati Issue, as well as the best burger chains and 10 best veggie burgers.

Overall Burger: 10. Gordo’s Pub & Grill 4328 Montgomery Road, Norwood What’s not to love about a pub with more than 100 microbrews and incredible gourmet burgers? Their two standbys are the Jean-Robert, with grape compote and goat and bleu cheese, and the Korean, with a fried egg, kimchi, pork belly, Pepper Jack cheese and Sriracha mayo. You can also sub in a black bean patty for any creative burger concoction. A Xavier hangout. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Overall Burger: 9. The Turf Club 4618 Eastern Ave., Linwood The Turf Club is a quirky, neon-lit burger joint in Linwood that whips up big build-your-own burgers. With 8.5 ounces of meat — or a half pound of ground filet mignon — on a bun, there’s plenty of room to personalize your burger with any combination of 13 cheeses, 13 specialty sauces and 14 toppings, ranging from sharp cheddar and bacon to a lump crab and lobster cake and mango curry. Photo: Facebook.com/turfclubcincy
Overall Burger: 8. Sammy’s Craft Burgers & Beer 4767 Creek Road, Blue Ash Sammy’s Craft Burgers & Beer has been around since 2009, offering fresh food and a casual dining experience. Nothing at Sammy’s is ever frozen, and the restaurant also sources everything from its bread to its produce and patties locally. The biggest and most popular attraction for guests is the ever-changing Sammy’s burger of the month. Photo: Facebook.com/sammysCBB
Overall Burger: 7. (TIE) Quatman Cafe 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 W. Main St., Mason This no-frills grill has been serving Norwood patrons since 1966, when it was founded by high school buddies Albert “Albo” Imm and Ken Talmage. Their half-pound burgers are the epitome of simple: no special spice mix, standard 80:20 meat to fat ratio, served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. There’s a second location in Mason. Photo: Paige Deglow
Overall Burger: 7. (TIE) Arthur’s Cafe 3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park; 8221 Beechmont Ave., Anderson On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, it’s “Burger Madness” at Arthur’s: For less than $10, you can top an original Arthur’s burger (a half-pound of seasoned lean meat), a Sally burger (five ounces of lean ground beef ), a black bean burger or a turkey burger with whatever the hell you want for no extra charge — well, with two caveats: you must limit yourself to six cheeses and gourmet toppings (fried egg, avocado, boursin, et al) are excluded from the deal. If you’re smart, you’ll ask for a side of pink salsa (salsa, sour cream and a splash of mayo) to dip your fries. Photo: Facebook.com/arthurscafe
Overall Burger: 6. Tickle Pickle 4176 Hamilton Ave., Northside Earth-conscious, locally sourced Rock & Roll burgers are exactly the kind of thing one would expect to find in Northside. And Tickle Pickle happens to serve just that. Their burgers are named for famous musicians, like the Nom Petty (a beef patty with mushrooms, Swiss cheese and mayo) and Meatallica (a beef burger with mayo, American cheese, bacon and egg with the option to add goetta). They also have a hearty menu of veggie burgers for the non-meat eaters as well as decadent vegan milkshakes. Photo: Facebook.com/ticklepicklenorthside
Overall Burger: 5. Good Plates Eatery 235 W. McMillan, CUF Taking over the space formerly occupied by long-standing Clifton/CUF favorite Cilantro Vietnamese Bistro, Good Plates Eatery serves simple foods and bold flavors, offering a variety of sandwiches and bowls (of the quinoa and salad variety) for both meat-eaters and vegetarians. Their Smash Burger comes with two beef patties, cheddar cheese, pickle and “Burger Sauce.” Photo: Facebook.com/goodplateseatery
Overall Burger: 4. Nation Kitchen & Bar 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton; 3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood Nation has been an anchor in the Over-the-Rhine/Pendleton burger scene since 2015 with its inviting atmosphere and simple and delicious menu. And they now operate a second location in an old firehouse in Westwood. Try the namesake Nation Burger, with smoked cheddar, whiskey barbecue sauce, onion straws and horseradish aioli. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Overall Burger: 3. Stellar Street Eats Food truck and forthcoming brick-and-mortar at 6663 Salem Road, Anderson Township Operated by husband-and-wife duo Ashlee Rose and Ryan O’Neil, Stellar Street Eats is known for its burgers, wraps, steak sandwiches and cult-favorite pimento cheese. Try the housemade cheese on their Pimento Burger, slathered on a double patty with lettuce, tomato and mayo on a bun. Photo: Provided by Stellar Street Eats
Overall Burger: 2. Roney’s 314 Chamber Drive, Milford Opened in 1969 in Union Township as part of the Roy Rogers chain of fast food eateries, Roney’s (as the restaurant came to be called after Roy’s dissolved) closed its original location in 2012. The restaurant and drive-thru reopened in Milford in 2015 and Cincinnatians rejoiced for the return of the classic menu and iconic neon sign. With a diverse offering of comfort food — roast beef, burgers and fried chicken — Roney’s is unique in comparison to other burger joints across the city for its toppings bar, says Noah Loftspring, the owner’s son. Roney’s burgers come plain but you can head to the bar to add your own lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and condiments (including a cult-favorite barbecue sauce). They are renowned for their Lucky R burger: a quarter pound of beef topped with a slice of ham and served on a sesame seed bun. Photo: CityBeat
Overall Burger: 1. Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout With a dark wood-paneled interior reminiscent of its earliest days in business — and a toy train that travels along the ceiling — Zip’s is renowned for its Zipburger. Made with fresh ground beef from Avril-Bleh Meat Market, this one-third pound patty is flame-broiled to a juicy medium well and topped with the condiments of your liking. If that doesn’t sate your appetite, try the Girth burger — named by former Bengals punter Pat McInally. It takes your classic Zipburger up a notch by topping it with a split, grilled Avril-Bleh mettwurst. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Veggie Burger: 10. Taste of Belgium 3825 Edwards Road, Rookwood; 16 West Freedom Way, The Banks; 1135 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 2833 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills; 7800 Montgomery Road, Kenwood; 2845 Short Vine St., Corryville Taste of Belgium has been a local favorite since 2007. Their veggie burger is crafted with a housemade black bean, corn and jalapeno base, which is then topped with pepper jack cheese, spinach, onions and tomato. Opt to jazz up your burger by substituting a Belgian waffle for the bun. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Veggie Burger: 9. S.W. Clyborne Co. Provisions & Spirits 5948 Snider Road, Mason Open since 2018, Clyborne brings a bit of the hip big city to the suburbs with its steampunk accents, unisex bathrooms and gluten-free laden menu. With a modern American and seasonal spin, their vegan-friendly Mushroom Lentil Burger stands out from other veggie burgers because of its ability to hold itself together (veggie burgers often have a tendency to fall apart). Topped with roasted mushrooms, black beluga lentils, lettuce, pickled onion and Sriracha aioli, this burger will make even the most passionate meat-eater’s mouth water. Photo: Facebook.com/Clybornes
Veggie Burger: 8. Nine Giant Brewing 6095 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge Nine Giant is a craft brewery in Pleasant Ridge that boasts a “scratch kitchen.” With shareables like carnitas nachos and a sourdough pretzel from local Tuba Baking Co. to sandwiches and a kids menu, the laid-back destination has bites to satisfy most appetites. Their Impossible Burger comes with an Impossible patty topped with tomato fresno chutney, dressed arugula, red onion, cashew ricotta and pink peppercorn on a toasted vegan bun. So not only is it vegetarian, it’s also vegan. Photo: Facebook.com/ninegiant Photo: facebook.com/ninegiant
Veggie Burger: 7. BrewRiver Kitchen at Sonder Brewing 8584 Duke Blvd., Mason A hub of the Creole kitchen BrewRiver in Linwood, BrewRiver at Sonder Brewing features a snackable menu with everything from quick bites (mushroom poutine and smoked Jamaican jerk wings) to sandwiches, wraps and sweets. The housemade black bean and chickpea burger is infused with shiitake, cilantro and oats and is topped with tomato, lettuce and baharat mayo on a ciabatta bun. Photo: Facebook.com/brewriversonder
Veggie Burger: 6. (TIE) ESSEN Kitchen 1 Findlay St., Over-the-Rhine ESSEN has been one of Over-the-Rhine’s vegan hotspots for grab-and-go eats since opening in 2018. Their menu feels like comfort food, but with an upscale and modern tweak — 100% locally sourced, of course. ESSEN offers a couple of spins on a Beyond burger, topped with classics like housemade pickles, tomato and onion; shiitake bacon and plant-based cheddar cheese; or grilled mushrooms and onions. Photo: Facebook.com/essenkitchen
Veggie Burger: 6. (TIE) Maplewood Kitchen and Bar 5065 Deerfield Blvd., Mason; 525 Race St., Downtown Maplewood serves up dishes and ingredients that would be right at home on the West Coast: cold pressed juices, superfood salads, egg-white omelets and somewhat nutritious cocktails. Helmed by Thunderdome, the same team behind the No. 2 veggie burger at Krueger’s, the Maplewood veggie burger offers a different take on a meatless sandwich. A housemade black bean patty is topped with Havarti cheese, avocado, lemon caper Dijonnaise and mixed greens on a Sixteen Bricks sesame bun. Photo: Facebook.com/maplewoodkitchen
Veggie Burger: 5. Fork & Greens Editor’s note: Fork & Greens is now closed. Photo: Fork & Greens former Facebook
Veggie Burger: 4. Nation Kitchen & Bar 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton; 3435 Epworth Ave., Westwood Nation’s popular house veggie burger, known as the Spicy Black Bean, is made with “every vegetable they have in the kitchen and then some,” mixed with tofu, black beans and panko breadcrumbs, and stands out with the splash of Sriracha it gets before hitting the grill. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Veggie Burger: 3. Arthur’s Cafe 3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park; 8221 Beechmont Ave., Anderson This East Side cafe has been through many changes since opening as the Allen E. Bradford Restaurant in the 1940s. In addition to their popular meaty burgers, they also have some great options for vegetarians, like the cafe’s black bean burger, a patty made in house with black beans, corn and bread crumbs and served with lettuce, tomato and sliced pickles. Go wild with free toppings during Burger Madness days on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Photo: Facebook.com/arthurscafe
Veggie Burger: 2. Krueger’s Tavern 1211 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Over-the-Rhine eatery Krueger’s Tavern is well known for their eye-catching and super crunchy veggie burger, which is bright red, delicious and made from red and golden beets — differing from the standard black bean or chickpea recipes of other standard options. Topped with pesto mayo, mixed greens and pickles on a challah bun, they say that “even if you are not someone who likes veggie burgers, this burger is so unique and flavorful that you will end up craving it.” Note: This location is still temporarily closed due to COVID. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Veggie Burger: 1. Tickle Pickle 4176 Hamilton Ave., Northside Northside’s Rock & Roll-inspired environmentally conscious burgers cater to both meat-eaters and non. Vegetarians can opt for a Buns N Roses (a housemade vegan black bean burger on a vegan bun topped with ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle) or a When Buns Cry (a mushroom cap topped with balsamic, spinach, tomato and caramelized onion on a pretzel bun). Or sub in a plant-based Impossible Burger on any meaty menu creation. They’re also known for their thick and creamy vegan milkshakes. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Overall Burger Chain: 3. Frisch’s Multiple locations Frisch’s Mainliner near Mariemont opened in 1939 as Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in restaurant. Today, the eatery is still there — as is its iconic sign — along with plenty of other Frisch’s locations sprinkled throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. The casual diner-style restaurant offers a variety of burgers, but their classic is the double-decker Big Boy: a quarter pound of beef topped with cheese, lettuce, pickle and Frisch’s tartar sauce. Frisch’s now offers Impossible Burgers. Photo: Catie Viox
Overall Burger Chain: 2. Red Robin Multiple locations Red Robin’s claim to fame is its gourmet burgers and bottomless baskets of fries. With too many burger options to name, perhaps the most wild is the Madlove Burger with a “cheddar-and-Parmesan crisp, provolone, Swiss, jalapeño relish, candied bacon, avocado, citrus-marinated tomatoes and red onions with lettuce on a toasted brioche bun,” says the menu. They have also jumped on the Impossible Burger train, offering a veggie burger with classic burger toppings — including Red’s pickle relish. Photo: Red Robin PR
Overall Burger Chain: 1. Five Guys Multiple locations Founded in Arlington, Virginia in 1986, Five Guys is a favorite franchise known for its burgers, fresh-cut fries and hot dogs (and free peanuts). Two fresh-grilled patties are topped with Kraft American cheese and served on a soft, eggy bun with your choice of toppings on their classic cheeseburger. Opt for a “Little” version and get only one patty. Photo: Marcie Heil