If you ask most Memphians where to find the best burger, they’ll probably tell you one answer: Huey’s. Huey’s is a local chain of restaurants (Downtown location is at Second and Union), and they have won the Best Burger poll awards every year since the ’80s. I think Huey’s does make a very good burger, and I go in and have one from time to time. However, I think there are several other restaurants who have burgers as good as or better than Huey’s:
Dyer’s, on Beale Street between Third and Fourth, serves up some of the best burgers in the city. They’re thin patties, so a “Double Double” (two meat patties, two slices of cheese) is not too much for the average eater. They’re so flavorful because the grease they’re cooked in is the same grease that was used when the place was opened in 1912. It’s strained nightly but the flavor stays. Dyer’s also has a good hot dog, and for really adventurous eaters there’s a sandwich that is a combination burger/hot dog. They also have milkshakes, and Dyer’s has a liquor license so you can get spiked milkshakes. Stays open late. For those of you who have been to California and have had In & Out Burger, this is the closest approximation in Downtown Memphis.
Earnestine & Hazel’s, at South Main and G.E. Patterson, sells the “Soul Burger” – it looks like your basic burger, but for some reason it’s really good. Maybe it’s the sauce they squirt on it as they throw the burger on the grill; maybe it’s the grilled onions they put on top. There are two schools of thought about Soul Burgers: Some say they are only good when you’re drunk (the majority are sold between midnight and 3 AM), some say they’re good anytime. I tend to agree with the latter. They recently started opening for lunch from 11 to 2, and they’re open for dinner from 5 PM to 3 AM. One of the most unique places in town. Great jukebox. The place was a brothel up until about 20 years ago, and the decor has not changed at all. Be sure to see the upstairs if it’s open, and stop by Nate’s bar. One of the true treasures of Downtown Memphis.
Big Foot Lodge (on Second between Union and Gayoso, across from the Peabody) has great burgers. My favorite thing to do is get the Four Cheese Burger, topped with American, Swiss, Jack, and Cheddar cheese, and have them add either mushrooms or bacon, depending on my mood at the time. Definitely not a burger approved by the American Heart Association. Their Canadian burger, topped with Canadian bacon and BBQ sauce, is a hit too. Suggestion: Spend the extra buck to get sweet potato fries with your burger instead of regular fries, although the regular fries are good too. Unlike Dyer’s and E&H, they have a large menu and there are plenty of choices for those in your party who don’t want burgers. They have sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts as well, many of which are signature Canadian items. They also have very reasonably priced 34 oz. Big Foot Beers, and $9.99 signature drinks. They have a Sasquatch burger – 4 lbs. of meat, 7 1/2 pounds counting bun and condiments – that is free if you eat it in under an hour.
The Majestic Grille (on Main just north of Peabody Place) is not a place you might associate with burgers. They have sit-down dining in a very elegant atmosphere, and their menu is full of delicious entrees, salads, and appetizers. However, they do have a couple of burgers on the menu, and they are really good. Their burger comes with either Cheddar or Swiss (I personally like it better with Swiss) and Parmesan fries that are some of the best in the city. They also have a burger topped with crumbled blue cheese. The restaurant used to be a movie theater, and they have a big screen where they show movies from the silent era. They also have an art gallery in the back.
Sauces (on Main just north of Gayoso) is another restaurant that doesn’t feature their burgers, but nevertheless has some good ones. General consensus is that the roasted garlic and onion burger is the standout at Sauces. They also have a bleu cheese mushroom burger and a BBQ bacon burger which have received good reviews. They have a menu of seafood, beef, and chicken as well. They are noted for their mojitos, their she-crab soup, and their happy hour drink specials from 2 to 7.
Elliott’s (on Second between Madison and Monroe) is only open for breakfast and lunch. They have some really tasty burgers that you can eat there or get to go. They have other sandwiches as well, and a salad bar. Their breakfast menu is one of the best Downtown. They serve breakfast 7 to 10:30, lunch from 10:30 to 2:30 Monday-Friday.
Couple more places where I haven’t personally tried a burger, but which are highly recommended by my friend Ken, who is the burger expert of my group of friends:
Automatic Slim’s (on Second just south of Union, across from the Peabody) has a jerk burger on their lunch menu which Ken says is very good and different from your run-of-the-mill burger. This is another restaurant that is not a burger place (it has an artsy, eclectic menu and hip, funky decor) that happens to have a good burger.
George’s Coffee Shop (on Third between Court and Jefferson) is another place Ken recommends, citing the cheeseburger as one of the best ever. This is a breakfast-and-lunch-only place, and I believe it’s only open weekdays.