The standard Milwaukee burger isn’t just cheese, pickles, and ketchup. There are a ton of restaurants serving up their versions of the “Best Milwaukee Burger.” So, where is the best burger in Milwaukee?
That’s a tough one to answer as there is no shortage of tasty burgers in Milwaukee. We’ve narrowed down the list to our favorite burger restaurants in Milwaukee.
Quick Answers: Best Milwaukee Burgers
- Local’s Favorite Best Burger: Sobelman’s
- Best Milwaukee Take Away Burger: Kopp’s
- Best Overall Burger in Milwaukee: Crave Cafe
Best Burgers in Milwaukee
1. Sobelman’s
Sobelman’s is an iconic burger joint in Milwaukee. It recently was on the Travel Channel’s Food Wars, and their burger went up against AJ Bombers, and sadly Sobelman’s came out the loser. This is where the “Loser Burger” came from, and it’s on the menu to this day.
Its location is odd as there really isn’t anything else by it, but it is on the way to American Family Field, only two miles away. It’s a popular place on the weekends as they are also known for having one of the best Bloody Marys in Milwaukee.
Best Burger at Sobelman’s: The Cool Ranch Burger
Location Info:
Sobelman’s Website (all Locations)
Sobelman’s on St. Paul
- Address: 1900 W. St. Paul Ave.
- Phone: (414) 931-1919
Sobelman’s at Marquette
- Address: 1601 W. Wells St.
- Phone: (414) 933-1601
Sobelman’s North Shore
- Address: 10352 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon
- Phone: (262) 236-9899
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2. Crave Cafe
Crave Cafe is newer to the Milwaukee Burger scene, but it’s been consistently rated as the best burger in Milwaukee. You could easily drive by their location and not even see it. We personally thought it was a coffee shop, the branding is off, but their burgers are not.
We use to live
They only serve burgers, salads, and fries in cute Chinese takeout boxes. Crave Cafe has quickly become our go-to burger spot. On a return visit, consider trying their soft shell crab BLT. It’s just as interesting as it sounds.
Best Burger at Crave Cafe: Korean BBQ Burger
Location & Hours
- Address: 3592 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood
- Phone: (414) 204-8778
3. AJ Bombers
AJ Bomber’s first opened in 2009 and since then has expanded even into Miller Park. What leads to their success was obviously ridiculously good burgers but also winning Food Wars on the Travel Channel. They also serve up boozy frozen custard shakes!
Best Burger at AJ Bombers: The Milwaukee Burger
AJ Bombers Location & Hours
Water Street location
- Address: 1247 N. Water St.
- Phone: (414) 221-9999
- Website
Mayfair Location
- Address: 11340 W. Burleigh St.
4. Elsa’s on the Park
While Elsa’s on the Park might not strike you as a burger joint, that doesn’t stop them from assembling one of the best burgers in Milwaukee. Of course, that’s not all they do, but they do have some great burgers.
Our top pick here would be the APV II burger. Prepared in the traditional French style of Au Poivre, covered in the peppercorns and simmered in a Burgandy reduction, then topped with a more than generous helping of blue cheese and Nueske’s Bacon – it’s as good as it sounds!
Best Burger at Elsa’s on the Park: APV II Burger
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5. Solly’s Grill
Solly’s Grill is one of the oldest Milwaukee burger restaurants, established in 1936. They claim to be home to the butter burger but so do other restaurants honestly, it doesn’t matter who was the original as long as it’s good. Their burgers differ as they are dripping with butter. Trust us, just try it.
Best Burger at Solly’s: Original Solly Cheeseburger
Location & Hours
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6. Nite Owl
Nite Owl is a totally locals-only place. The only people that know about it have lived in the area for 30 years or have read this article, lol. Once you’ve had a Nite Owl burger, you won’t want to go anywhere else.
The only issue is their hours. In the last few years, they’ve changed their hours to basically a lunchtime-only place and closed during most of the winter. Not sure if their owners just don’t need the money or why the change in hours. If you can get here, you should, and it’s close to the airport if you are flying in.
Best Burger at Nite Owl: Jumbo Cheeseburger
Location & Hours
- Address: 830 E Layton Ave,
- Phone: (414) 483-2524
7. Mason Street Grill
Mason Street Grill is known for its steaks, but if you ask us, the best thing on their menu is the 10-ounce Mason Street Grill for $18. You may think that it is pricey for a burger, but the quality, service, and setting are worth it. It’s our favorite fancy restaurant in Milwaukee for a burger.
Best Burger at Mason Street Grill: Mason Street Grill Burger
Location & Hours
- Address: 425 E Mason St, Milwaukee
- Phone: (414) 298-3131
- Mason Street Grill Website
8. Kopp’s
Kopp’s is a popular local Milwaukee chain with 3 locations. Kopp’s is famous for its frozen custard, but they also have really good and BIG burgers for under $5. This is a take-out burger place as there isn’t really any seating inside, only stand-up tables and benches outside. During the summer, there is lots of seating outside to enjoy the Milwaukee summer sunshine!
Best Burger at Kopp’s: Cheeseburger with Bacon
Location Info:
Kopp’s Glendale Location
- Address: 5373 N. Port Washington Rd.
- Phone: (414) 961-3288
Kopp’s Greenfield Location
- Address: 7631 W. Layton Ave.
- Phone: (414) 282-4312
Kopp’s Brookfield Location
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:30am-10pm | Friday-Saturday 10:30am-11pm
- Address: 18880 W. Bluemound Rd.
- Phone: (262) 789-9490
9. Stack’d Burger Bar
Stack’d specialize in burgers, hence their name. They have several specialty burgers that have been approved by all the best foodies in Milwaukee. However, there is something about building your own burger.
Stack’d Burger Bar has tons of toppings, and you can make whatever your stomach desires. If you aren’t that hungry, stop in for their happy hour Monday-Thursday 2 pm-6 pm for $2.50 beef sliders and wash it down with a local Milwaukee brew.
Best Burger at Stacked Burger Bar: Build your own Stacked burger
- 170 S 1st St, Milwaukee Open Sunday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday & Saturday 11 am-11 pm
Location & Hours
- Address:
- Phone: (414) 273-7800
- Stack’d Website
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10. Mazo’s
Mazo’s is a Milwaukee tradition located on the south side of Milwaukee. It’s a hole-in-the-wall place with only burgers, sides, and old-fashioned shakes on the menu. Nothing fancy here but a good cheap burger.
Best Burger at Mazo’s: Bacon Cheeseburger
- Address: 3146 S 27th St, Milwaukee Open
11. Oscar’s on Pierce
Walking into Oscar’s, it has that Wisconsin pub vibe and feeling but not your traditional bar food. The owner Oscar has had some experience in the Milwaukee burger scene as he used to work at Sobelman’s, Wicked Hop, Wild Flour Bakery, and other local restaurants.
He eventually decided to open his own restaurant featuring the “Big O” his favorite burger in Milwaukee. The half-pound burgers are served on a bun specially made for Oscar’s Milwaukee only from Wild Flour Bakery. Don’t forget to get your burger served with a side of homemade fries. We think this is one of the best cheap burgers in Milwaukee, a huge burger and fries for under $10.
Best Burger at Oscar’s on Pierce: The Big Gringo
- Address: 1712 W Pierce St, Milwaukee
- Phone: (414) 810-1820
- Oscar’s Website
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12. Merriment Social
Best Burger at Merriment Social: You’re My Boy Blue
Milwaukee Burger Specials & Deals
If you’re looking for a great burger deal, the following restaurants have awesome burger specials. We think trying burgers at a new restaurant for the first time is great on their “cheap burger night.”
- Crafty Cow $5 burgers on Mondays, 2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave Milwaukee
- Camino MKE $10 burgers & fries on Wednesday, 434 S 2nd St Milwaukee
- Bar Louie $1 burgers with drink purchase on Tuesday, 1114 N Water Street, Milwaukee
Best New Burger Place in Milwaukee
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Shake Shack
The infamous Shake Shack from NYC now has a location in Milwaukee. Every time we go to NYC, we would have a Shake Shack burger, but now we can have it every day at their Shake Shack Downtown Milwaukee location. If you are in town for one of the Milwaukee festivals at the Summerfest grounds, this would be a great place for a bite to eat before heading into the festival.
Best Shake Shack Burger: Smoke Shack
- 220 East Buffalo Street, Milwaukee
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