written by Julie Lee | featured photo courtesy of Lunchbox Laboratory
From grass-fed patties to fancy toppings, Washington’s best burgers can be found in Seattle, Tacoma and Gig Harbor. . When you get the craving, here’s where to go.
Tipsy Cow
Locally farmed grass-fed beef patties between fresh-baked Macrina artisan buns, topped with brew-battered onion rings, housemade dill pickles and a fried organic egg—it’s burger heaven at Tipsy Cow Burger Bar. This spot hits a homerun when you want to catch the Mariners on TV while downing an innovative burger and an ice-cold microbrew.
Woodinville & Redmond | tipsycowburgerbar.com
Rain City Burgers
In a city brimming with gourmet burger options, there sits an unassuming, family-friendly burger joint with unwaveringly great burgers at Rain City Burgers. The beef is still free of hormones, the cows still eat a vegetarian-fed diet and there are still some fancy topping options such as caramelized onions or jalapeño with garlic. But the best burger here is the simple bacon cheeseburger with American cheese and a seeded bun. For a game-day fuel fill, try the 12th man burger: two beef patties, four slices of bacon and two slices of American cheese.
6501 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle | raincityburgers.com
Friesenburgers
Let’s admit it—burgers generally come with health warnings, what with the bread, beef and cheese not being highly recommended by nutritionists. Friesenburgers in Tacoma offers some peace of mind (and heart and thigh) with a bison burger on a gluten-free bun. Bison is a healthier red meat, lower in saturated fat and a great source of basic nutrients. The Friesenburgers’ non-GMO, organic bison burger on a guilt-free bun makes for a healthy burger choice as we head into summer.
308 E 26th St, Tacoma | friesenburgers.com
Lunchbox Laboratory
Fresh-baked buns, Kobe beef, fancy fixings: Lunchbox Laboratory brings a good burger game. For those who love to get a little wild with their burgers, Lunchbox offers toppings that range from unusual to just plain wacky—like escabeche (Latin spicy pickled veggies) Guajillo cream cheese and black garlic truffle mayo. It’s BYOB here (build your own burger) with a wide selection of patties, like dork (duck meets pork), super-beef, chicken and vegan black bean. Then you build your empire-sized burger from there. Bonus: add poutine for just $3.
Seattle, Bellevue & Gig Harbor | lunchboxlaboratory.com
