It's National Hamburger Day! So to help you celebrate it properly, while you're on trail of course, we've put together an entire list of mouthwatering Hamburgers up and down the Appalachian Trail - and sorted them out by Trail Town! Browse through the list to find your nearest town, and make sure to get there and try some of these impressive feats of trail hunger. If you don't make it today, 5/28, that's ok! You can celebrate all week long, we won't tell - Hope you enjoy this list, and please comment with any that we may have missed! We'll be sure to add it for National Cheeseburger Day later this year! 

(Disclaimer: All of these burgers can be ordered "sans cheese" to make them an official 'Hamburger' - but who wants that?!)

 

Enjoy!

Bryson, NC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)

 

• Rivers End - “Tail of the Dragon” is a 1/4 lb. patty topped with pepper jack cheese, fresh sliced jalapeños, and spicy chili garlic ranch - go for the extra 1/4 lb. patty for an extra $2.99, it’s worth it! This was the first amazing burger I had on the trail, I personally recommend it with the tater tots as well, good choice!

 

Gatlinburg TN

 

• Three Jimmy’s Good Time Eatery - “The Three Jimmy”  Three patties of premium black Angus beef, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, pecan smoked bacon, and smoked gouda sauce piled high atop brioche. Add some fried pickle chips as an app and you won’t regret it -

 

Hot Springs, NC

 

• The Spring Creek Tavern - “Wakin’ Bacon Cheeseburger”  This bacon cheeseburger is topped with an over easy egg, smothered in gravy or chili, with an onion ring all on Texas toast as a bun. Packing on those calories? Grab some home made pork rinds as an app, or some home made cheesecake for dessert and sleep in the next morning!

• The Smoky Mountain Diner - “Hungry Hiker Burger” A double decker Black Angus burger with lettuce, tomato, mayo, onion, cheese and a pickle. This should certainly get you a much needed calorie boost while in town. You may also want to try their “Big 20”, which is a whopping 20 oz. patty of hand crafted, hand shaped Black Angus beef, topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, onion rings, fried pickles and cheese. Honestly, either one of these will top off your tank and prep you for that hike out of town -

 

Daleville, VA

 

• Town Center Tap House - “Cheeseburger-Cheeseburger” This is a full ONE POUND double cheeseburger, American & Provolone cheese, triple decker bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Great burger for sure! This place also has an unlimited soup, salad, and potato bar EVERY DAY from 11a-2p! That includes garlic bread sticks, homemade chili, plus all the potato, soup and salad you can eat to give you those vitamins you’ve been craving out there!

 

Roanoke, VA

 

• Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint - “The Greg Brady” is a house burger topped with house-made Mac & Cheese and Martin’s BBQ chips. Or go for the “Jack on Piggy Back”. This bad boy is a burger topped with a split and griddled hot dog, pickled jalapeños, and cheddar cheese. Wowww is all I can say. Oh, and they have Fried Oreos on their menu - just gonna put that out there… 

 

Waynesboro, VA

 

• Heritage on Main Street - “Heritage Burger AKA 20 minute burger”. Bacon wrapped beef patty, stuffed with cheddar cheese, topped with grilled onions, tomatoes, and lettuce on a kaiser roll. No introduction needed for this one. Just order, sit patiently for 20 mins while they craft and grill this monster, then feast. While you await your 20 minute masterpiece, try their “Tachos” - basically nachos over tater tots rather than tortilla chips… That’s right, its exactly like you just imagined it.

• Jake’s Bar & Grille - “The Big Jake” Two enormous Angus patties (almost 1 full pound, btw…), smoked applewood bacon, grilled onions, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle slices, and creamy signature Jake’s sauce. This one is no joke, my friends. Share a round of their chicken & waffles while you wait - they use waffle batter on their waffle cut sweet potato fries, and cover them in chicken breast chunks, maple syrup, and sweet and spicy aioli. You might spend an extra zero in this town, just to hit both of these paces. I should have, and did not. Regrets, regrets…

 

Waynesboro, PA

 

• The Waynesburger - “Macho Nacho Cheeseburger” If you’re macho enough to try it, it’s 2 burger patties, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, banana peppers, jalapeños, mayo, and a handful of nacho chips shoved between the two beef patties. Oh, and they also have 51 flavors of milkshake to bump those calories into the ‘thru hiker zone’. You only live once…

 

Hamburg, PA

 

• Westy’s Bar and Grill - “The Pittsburger”  is an 8 oz. burger with cheese, coleslaw, and fries - on the burger! Or you can try “Kerry’s Pepperjack Cheeseburger” which is an 8 oz. burger with hot sauce, sautéed jalapeños and onions, and a sprinkle of red peppers on top. Try some Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls on the side, or the Bavarian Pretzels - good stuff.

 

Palmerton, PA

 

• Joey B’s Bar and Restaurant - “Smokehouse Burger” A half pound burger topped with American Cheese, a mound of sliced ham, thick cut bacon, crispy onion rings, lettuce, tomato, piled high with a drizzle of Tennessee Whiskey BBQ sauce. Now thats a lot of meat… Or give the “Inferno Burger” a try - it’s got a half pound burger topped with pepper jack cheese, crispy thick cut bacon, jumbo onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and Sriracha sauce! 

 

Wind Gap, PA

 

• Detzi’s Tavern - “Tratoria Burger” This 8 oz certified Angus Beef burger is topped with roasted red peppers, mozzarella cheese, and pesto mayo on a brioche roll - this one is for the Italian lovers out there. Load up on the chicken quesadillas first, while you wait for your burger, to pack on those calories.

 

Delaware Water Gap, PA

 

• Sycamore Grille - “BBQ Black & Bleu burger” Heaven on a roll, this pepper crusted 1/2 lb. prime beef patty with bacon and crumbled bleu cheese is topped with BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche roll. House made filet tips over garlic bread will hold you over, and boost your protein for those legs!

 

Port Jervis, NY 

 

• Front Street Cafe - “Indian Style” This Indian twist is a 1/2 lb. burger with sautéed onions, mushrooms, peppers, ginger, garlic and light spice curry sauce. Side of Disco fries - basically Poutine - which is fries with moss cheese and brown gravy. Calories, calories, calories… 

 

Pawling, NY

 

• McGrath’s Tavern - “McGrath Burger” This burger is topped with melted gorgonzola, fried tomato, bacon, grilled onions and horseradish sauce. Anything with horseradish sauce is good in my book, but order this with a smoked pulled pork nacho app and you’re good to go on calories!

 

Kent, CT

 

• Kingsley Tavern - “Thanksgiving Turkey Burger” Ground turkey stuffed with savory sourdough stuffing, topped with melted leeks and cranberry relish, all served with mashed potatoes - whaaaaaat?? How did I miss this on the trail? I know, its a turkey burger. But come on, would you pass that up?

 

Great Barrington, MA

 

• Barrington Brewery - “Southwest Burger” A monster 8 oz black Angus burger, topped with avacado, tomato, sprouts, and pepper jack cheese - go for the flight of in house brewed beers and a home made chili while your burger cooks - trust me, been there - done that - slept VERY well that night!

• Fiesta Bar and Grill - “Fiesta Burger” An 8 oz black Angus burger, pico de Gallo, lettuce, bacon, mixed cheeses, chipotle mayo, between two….. tortillas! Where else on the A.T. are you getting one of these? Get their super sampler platter as an app, and top off your calories for the day the right way - spicy.

 

Lee, MA

 

• Locker room Sports Pub - “Rodeo Burger” Half pound steak burger topped with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese and loaded with onion rings. Can’t go wrong here, tons of pub munchies to load up your calories on, and great beers to match.

 

Dalton, MA

 

• Dewey’s Public House - “Smoke House Burger” This fresh Angus chuck burger is topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, onion tangles, and chipotle BBQ sauce - add a side of beer battered pub pickles, and call it a night, hopefully somewhere in town!

• Shire Breu Hous - With add-ons such as guacamole, pork belly, chili, egg, or charcuterie cheese on their make your own burger menu, I mean how can you go wrong? On the pricy side? Yes. On the calorie side? LOADED. Go for it, you deserve it.

 

Bennington, VT

 

• Madison Brewing Company - “Big Mike’s Steak Burger” Certified Angus Beef, sharp cheddar, crisp bacon, topped with lettuce, beer battered onion rings, and steak sauce on a brioche bun. Mouth watering yet? Come on…. Steak sauce on a burger? With onion rings? Throw some Bavarian soft pretzels or their truffle parmesan fries in there and you might need a zero the next day - just sayin.

• The Taphouse at Catamount Glass - “The Beyoncé Burger” is an 8 oz beef burger topped with cheddar cheese, their house BBQ sauce, and onion rings…”because if you like it, you should put a ring on it.” It literally says that on their menu, winning a spot on this list, cuz I mean, how could I not? YASSS Queen! They also have a “Buffalo Burger” which is 8 oz. beef topped with their house made Buffalo sauce, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. So, if you like to rush your morning cat hole dig, go for it -

 

Manchester Center, VT

 

• Gringo Jack’s Southwestern Bar and Grill - “The Vermonster” Locally raised Angus beef topped with Grafton Village smoked chili cheddar, pulled pork, VT maple BBQ sauce, and chipotle bacon onion chutney. By the way, this is grilled over a wood fired grill. Weren’t planning on stop in Manchester Center? Haha, you are now…

 

Rutland, VT

 

• Southside Steakhouse - “Southside Burger” This handcrafted burger is served with gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and rosemary aioli. Pair this with a side of Vermont maple baked beans - just make sure you’re sleeping far enough away from your “tramily” that night.

• Table 24 - “The Long Trail Burger”  is a black Angus burger topped with wood fired mushrooms, and bleu cheese. You’ve been sharing the trail with the Long Trail, might as well give it props and check out their burger! By the way, this place has what they call “table size” bbq pulled pork nachos. Just sayin…

 

Killington, VT

 

• The Lookout Tavern - “Fungus and Swiss Burger” An 8 oz burger topped with sautéed onions and mushrooms, topped with Cabot Swiss cheese - sounds funky but it’s worth it if you love a good fungi.

• Burgrs on the Rocs - “Ship and Shore Burger” Lobster Mac and Cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion. That’s right, you read correctly. In fact, I’ll type it again. Lobster Mac and Cheese (on your burger), crispy bacon (on said burger), lettuce, tomato, and onion. Nuff said -

• Charity’s Restaurant and Tavern - “Charity’s Burger” An 8 oz. locally sourced grass fed beef burger, with melted Vermont cheddar cheese, and their famous bacon horseradish sauce. Damn that sounds worth it - someone please order this and let us know what it’s like!

• Jax Food and Games - “The Dyn-o-mite” is a 10 oz. Angus beef burger topped with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, jalapeños, and smothered in maple bourbon aioli. Get some old bay flavored or maple sriracha wings as an app and call it a good day on trail. 

 

Hanover, NH

 

• Murphy’s on the Green - “The Murph Burger” is an 8 oz sirloin burger topped with crispy shallots, applewood bacon, remoulade and American cheese. Add an order of Murphy’s Meatballs as a starter, and relish in the fact that you are about to enter the Whites…

• The Salt Hill Pub - “BFAP” No idea what it stands for but its a half pound sirloin burger with thick cut Irish rasher bacon, crispy fried onions, and bleu cheese. I trust the name is for good reason, and would inquire within!

 

Lincoln, NH

 

• Black Mtn Burger Co. - “The Pounder Cheeseburger” contains 2 half pound Angus beef burgers with your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. That’s a full one pound burger folks, and with a list of over 20 add ons to the burger, you can only imagine the full potential this burger could reach. They also have a “Rueben Burger”, served with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and smothered in house made Thousand Island sauce. Oh yeah - don’t forget the “Smitty Burger” - no joke, it’s a classic burger layered between two (that’s right, 2) grilled cheese sandwiches, and hickory smoked bacon. Gotta stop here, lest you regret it FOREVER -

• Woodstock Inn Brewery - “Death by Burger” Now here we have a true hiker burger. This is an 18 oz cheeseburger on the bottom, and bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes on top. Now, if that doesn’t seem like it will quench your hiker hunger, you can attempt the “Double the Death Burger.” You guessed it, double everything on the Death by Burger. That’s 36 oz of burger. You get yourself on the wall of fame or wall of shame. You also get a T-shirt to send home as well. Trust us, you’re not going anywhere the next day, we dare you to try… 

 

Rangely, ME

 

• The Shed - “The Tool Box” This is their classic burger, but with pulled pork, cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce added - for your enjoyment. Get the sweet potato fries and the house made chili to go along with this favorite!

• The Red Onion - “Buffalo Burger” This one is their 6 oz Angus beef burger, but ‘dipped’ in buffalo sauce, and topped with bleu cheese crumbles - another hot morning in the woods if ya know what I mean.

 

Stratton, ME

 

• The Coplin Dinner House - “Chargrilled Black Angus Blue Cheese Burger” - This burger, made from ground chuck, short rib, and brisket is topped with Amish-made bleu cheese, red wine sauce, roasted shallots, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a brioche bun. Sounds like a mouthful, and it is. Go with the Truffle fries, and enjoy!

• The Trails End Steakhouse - “Eustis Burger” a 6oz certified Black Angus burger, layered high on a grilled cheese, and topped with caramelized onions and more cheese. That’s exactly what you need at the trails end, and that’s exactly what you get -

• The White Wolf Inn and Restaurant - “8 oz Wolf Burger” This one comes with bacon, sausage, mushrooms and cheese. You can add lettuce, tomato, onions as well, but don’t forget their horseradish dijon or curry mayo added on top!

 

Caratunk, ME

 

• Northern Outdoors Restaurant at the Kennebec River Brewery - “The Woodsman Burger” I think you would agree that this appropriately named burger is just that - appropriately named, since you have all become “woodsmen” of sorts by this time. This burger is an 8 oz. burger patty served with cheddar cheese, sautéed portabella mushrooms, onions, and bacon smothered in maple bourbon sauce. Couldn’t be more ‘Outdoorsy’ than this one, folks. You could also try the “Big Northern Burger” which comes stacked with dill havarti cheese, Big Northern sauce, pickles and red onion. Sounds like heaven in “vacationland” to me!

 

Monson, ME

 

• The Lakeshore House - “Burger” - nothing other than a good old fashioned 8 oz. fresh ground beef burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. You can feel free to add more fixins for more cash - go for it! 

 

• Spring Creek Bar-B-Q - “Burger” - another good old fashioned cheeseburger with bacon if you want, lettuce and tomato - old fashioned goodness for that last week on the trail. Might as well get some cajun fries and mac-N-cheese and pile that on for a true hiker burger feel!

 

Millinocket, ME

 

• Scootic Inn Restaurant - “Swiss Mushroom burger” A classic favorite, smothered in Swiss cheese and mushrooms, served with lettuce and tomato - try the fried pickles and the Nachos Supreme, you wont regret it! From experience, you deserve to treat yourself, so go all out!

• Saw Mill Bar & Grill - “Black Bear Burger” This one includes a 6 oz burger patty, with a fried egg, and bacon, all between two grilled cheese sandwiches! Yes please, and take one to go for when you’re hungry again in 3 hours - or try the “Pizza Burger”, a nice 6 oz burger patty toped with pizza sauce, covered in mozzarella cheese and pepperoni! Go for the gold here, and treat yourself to one of each -