If you visit Downtown Memphis and ask, “Where can I go to get a good burger?”, you’ll most likely be told to go to Huey’s. Huey’s has won every “Best of Memphis” poll in the Best Burger category for years and years. They’re a local institution. And they deserve it – they make a fine burger.
However, if you were to ask me where to get the best burger downtown, I can think of at least six places that make burgers that are even better than Huey’s. Here they are, in no particular order:
Elliott’s – this is a breakfast-and-lunch restaurant on Second between Madison and Monroe. You can order a hamburger or cheeseburger and then dress it the way you want on their fixins’ bar/salad bar.
Big Foot Lodge – their Four Cheese Burger is my current addiction. I like to spend 50 cents extra and get it topped with mushrooms. Alternately, you could top it with bacon. Definitely not recommended by the American Heart Association as a healthy dining choice, but who cares? It’s so good. Big Foot is located on Second, in the row of restaurants across from the Peabody.
The Majestic Grille – what really pushes the Majestic’s burger into the land of hamburger superstardom is the parmesan shoestring fries that come with it. The Majestic is on Main just north of Peabody Place, perfectly located for dining before or after a show at the Orpheum or a Grizzlies game.
Dyer’s – the Double-Double is about as close to perfection as a hamburger can come. Their patties are very, very thin, so a Double-Double (double meat, double cheese) is about right for normal-sized appetites. If you’re hungry, get a Triple-Triple. Dyer’s is located on Beale between Third and Fourth, and is one of the best values for the money on the street.
Zanzibar – you wouldn’t expect the hamburger to be one of the standouts on their eclectic, arty menu, but stand out it does. The “Z-Burger” is one of the best I’ve had downtown. Zanzibar is in the South Main Arts District near the intersection of Main and Huling.
Earnestine & Hazel’s – you ain’t been to Memphis until you’ve had a “Soul Burger,” the lone item on E&H’s menu. My recommendation for a perfect Saturday night: Hit E&H about 11 for a Soul Burger, a cold beer, and some tunes on their legendary jukebox; then cruise about four blocks north on Main and turn right on Vance for dancing and a cold 40 at Raiford’s. E&H is at the corner of Main and G.E. Patterson in the South Main arts district.
Did I miss any downtown restaurants that have turned the burger into a culinary masterpiece? Shoot me an e-mail and let me know.