Orlando is only about four hours away from my home in Miami, so it should be no surprise that I explore its food scene a few times a year. Normally, when I drop off my wife at an antique shop, I venture out looking for comfort food.
Most of the time, she never gets to try whatever I post on social media, like Mr. Quick, which was Royal Castle #74 back in the day. They’ve got a proper diner burger, and it was a difficult decision as to whether to add them to this list. I eventually did.
Another unconventional spot that made the list is Sloppy Taco Palace and their beef sliders. Yes, it’s a taco spot, but those beef sliders are so tasty.
Not all of the Best Burgers in Orlando are located in Orlando proper but in the surrounding areas. I also threw in a Gone but NOT Forgotten area at the bottom of some memorable burgers that I ate in Orlando.
Please leave your favorite spot in the comments, especially if it’s a little-known gem; those are my favorite kinds of joints.
A Lo Cubano Kitchen
I’ve been following A Lo Cubano Kitchen for years, since their food truck days. The owners, Lisa and Yojan, are originally from Miami, and we have many friends in common.
Yet, putting that aside, they have captured the essence of Cuban food, particularly the Frita Cubana. The Frita was Cuba’s most famous street food, and it found its way to Little Havana (in Miami) in the 1960s.
The Cuban Hamburger is a well-seasoned patty with a prominent smoked paprika flavor topped with grilled onions and julienne potatoes on Cuban bread. Of course, you can add cheese, but you will lose major street cred.
A Lo Cubano Kitchen at Great Southern Box Company Food Hall
2105 N Orange Blossom Traill
Orlando, FL
Backyard Burgers
I’ve eaten at Backyard Burgers in several states during my food road trips. They are currently located in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
There is one burger that I look forward to eating at Backyard Burgers: the Texas Melt. As a lifelong patty melt fan, this fella is right up my alley.
It doesn’t necessarily follow all the official patty melt rules, but I’m not complaining about the sautéed onions, bacon, and American cheese combo on toasted Texas Toast. Also, it’s not available at all Backyard Burger locations, so there’s that too!
Backyard Burgers
290 South Street Rt 434
Altamonte Springs, FL
(407) 862-0660
Beth’s Burgers
I headed to Beth’s Burger Bar after reading rave reviews from the past. It did nothing for me.
After I found myself with my parents looking for a dinner spot, we hit up Beth’s Burger Bar. This time around, it was a totally different experience.
There are close to ten signature burgers on the menu, but I love to keep it simple. I’m talking about a double burger with cheddar cheese, and that’s it. Try it. I believe you will love it.
Beth’s Bar
9938 Universal Blvd #120
Orlando, FL
(407) 203-8100
Crooked Spoon
The Crooked Spoon was one of the original food trucks in Central Florida. Back then, I ate the Crooked Spoon Sliders, which exists on the current menu as a full-sized burger.
The current Crooked Spoon menu has a few burgers, but the 420 Burger is where you should focus your energies. It features Florida Angus beef with Swiss cheese, candied bacon, a fried onion ring, pineapple relish, and honey mustard aioli on a toasted brioche bun.
Also, you might be tempted to switch out the house kettle chips—don’t do it! The 420 Burger with house kettle chips and an ice-cold local beer is a near-perfect meal.
The Crooked Spoon
200 Citrus Tower Boulevard
Clermont, FL
(352) 404-7808
Kappy’s Subs
Kappy’s Subs has been serving cheesesteaks since 1967. Instead, I went with the quarter-pound fresh beef burger with grilled onions, American cheese, and yellow mustard on a fluffy bun.
The burger is delicious, but that bun was calling out for a double, so you know what you must do. Points off for cutting it in half; however, I forgive them since I enjoyed the hamburg.
Kappy’s Subs
501 N Orlando Avenue
Maitland, FL
(407) 647-9099
Mr. Quick
Cool Fact: Mr. Quick lives in a former Royal Castle building. On the locations directory, it was Royal Castle #74. Also, one of the few that still has the branded terrazzo floor.
So, now that you know how I found Mr. Quick, I’m happy I did! I’ve never said no to a delicious diner burger with crinkle cut fries and neither should you.
Mr. Quick
5615 W Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL
(407) 293-0511
Mutt’s on 13th
Mutt’s on 13th is a burger restaurant in a former Texaco gas station that has been restored. Let’s hope it becomes a thing nationwide.
The burger patty has a nice little crust and is topped with crispy bacon and American cheese. You can choose the single, double, or triple option, but whichever you choose, it’s delicious.
Mutt’s on 13th
1517 13th Street
St Cloud, FL
(407) 891-1595
Ravenous Pig
At one point, Ravenous Pig was one of the only mom-and-pops worth visiting for a burger in the Orlando area. How do I know? Social Media-land would ask if I had eaten their burger.
Of course, the Pub Burger with Angus beef, caramelized onions, and buttermilk blue cheese on a brioche bun is the thing to get. And by telling you that it was just good, it’d be a massive understatement.
Ravenous Pig
565 W Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park, FL
(407) 628-2333
Sloppy Taco Palace
Sloppy Taco Palace is a spot to get your drink on with your friends and family. The real twist here is that the food is great.
The Sloppy Sliders (beef) with sauteed onions and queso on mini potato rolls are where you should concentrate your energies. These unassuming sliders are craveable and worth taking some home for later, even though, you might eat them in the car.
Sloppy Taco Palace
4892 S Kirkman Road
Orlando, FL
(407) 574-6474
Swine and Sons
Do you believe in Swine and Sons cause I do. Ever since Droolius texted me to drive directly there once I arrived in Central Florida, I knew it must be serious business.
He was not kidding. The OK Onion Smash burger has a couple of secret weapons: housemade garlic dill pickles and translucent, tasty onions hidden under the burger patties.
It might not look that way from the picture, but there are plenty of onions. I’m not overselling it when I say this burger was near perfect.
Swine and Sons
1280 N Orange Avenue
Winter Park, FL
(407) 636-7601
TEAK
Teak Neighborhood Grill has a sizeable list of specialty burgers, but if you’re a first-timer, I’d suggest ordering the Plane Jane. It comes with American cheese, bacon, onions, and mayo. As always, I skipped out on the lettuce and tomato…you’re welcome.
On your second visit, I suggest the Drunken Monk. It features house-made Angry Orchard onion jam, roasted cherry tomatoes, smoked bacon, herb mayo, provolone cheese, melted white cheddar cheese, and Teak chips on a pretzel bun. Wow, what a combo!
Teak Neighborhood Grill
6400 Time Square Avenue
Orlando, FL
(407) 313-5111
That One Spot Burgers
That One Spot Burger is another burger joint that Droolius turned me onto. It pretty much became our headquarters whenever we found ourselves in Orlando at the same time.
Again, I always suggest you try the signature burger first, but my go-to is the Crunch Burger with house-made horseradish sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, lettuce, tomato, kettle potato chips, and an onion ring on a beautiful brioche bun. Is it a bit excessive for my pedestrian tastes? Yes, but it’s freakin’ good.
That One Spot Burgers
10968 W Colonial Drive
Ocoee, FL
(407) 877-7575
Toasted
The Angry Burger from Toasted sounded a bit gimmicky for my tastes, but one of the employees suggested that if I like heat, I would enjoy it. Well, they were right.
This disgruntled burger features chipotle cheddar cheese, charred jalapenos, sweet tea caramelized onions, and a sriracha drizzle. The flavors are well-thought-out, and I’m glad I was here for it.
Toasted
1945 Aloma Avenue
Winter Park, FL
(407) 960-3922
Gone but NOT Forgotten Orlando Burgers
BandB Junction
Marcela and I enjoyed many meals at the B&B Junction during its short life. It even won the 2015 Burger Beast Burgie Awards for Best Orlando Burger.
Oblivion Taproom
When it comes to burgers in the Orlando area, Oblivion Taproom was the unsung hero for me. Its permanent closure left a hole in the area; the vibe and food could not be matched.