Introduction and the Rules

    Damn, I love a burger. I mean, who doesn’t? Is there anything better than a perfectly cooked cheeseburger with delicious toppings on a great bun? I’ve decided to set out on a mission to find the best cheeseburger around. I’ll start my search here in the great Pacific Northwest, close to home, but I plan to hunt for great burgers wherever my travels take me.

    I know some places love to get creative with over-the-top toppings piled high on their signature burgers. And while I enjoy those every now and then, that’s not what this is about. My mission is to find the best classic cheeseburger around — no bacon, no mushrooms, no fancy extras. Just a great burger done right. I’m looking for the local favorites, the hidden gems, not fast-food chains.

The Rules

• Plain Cheeseburgers Only
  I will order the standard cheeseburger at every place I visit — no added toppings or customizations, just the burger as it comes.

• 0.0–10.0 Rating System
  Every burger will be rated on a scale from 0.0 to 10.0 based purely on taste. 

A great burger starts with the meat. The patty is the heart of it all — well-seasoned, cooked with care, and packed with flavor. A classic burger should have a beautifully charred exterior with a juicy, tender center, while a smash burger earns its magic from those crispy, caramelized edges.

Just as important is the bun. No matter how good the patty is, a burger falls apart if the bun can’t hold everything together. The ideal bun is soft yet sturdy enough to soak up the juices and support the toppings without becoming soggy.

Cheese also plays a major role, though for me it’s less about the specific variety and more about the experience it creates. A generous layer of perfectly melted cheese adds richness and ties every bite together. Fresh toppings — crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, onions, and pickles — bring texture, brightness, and balance to the burger.

And of course, no burger should ever be dry. A well-crafted sauce can elevate every ingredient, adding moisture and depth without overpowering the flavor of the beef itself. When each component is thoughtfully prepared and everything comes together in harmony, there are few foods more satisfying than a truly great burger.

• No Chains or Franchises
  This search is all about local spots and neighborhood favorites — no McDonald’s, Burger King, or other fast-food burgers.

    So please, follow along on my journey to find the tastiest cheeseburger around. And if you know of any hidden gems or local favorites that deserve a spot on the list, send them my way. There’s always another burger worth trying.