In early 2008, I ran across George Motz‘s Hamburger America website. I didn’t realize the greatness I was about to experience.
The book was way before George‘s show Burger Land on Travel Channel, his appearances as the Burger Scholar on his own show, and Alvin Cailan’s Burger Show. By the way, you can see me on the Burger Land episode in Miami.
There is the Hamburger America book, where Motz presents a hundred burger spots in 39 states. Many folks don’t realize there is also a 2005 documentary.
In it, George covers eight hamburger joints across the U.S. The film received a nomination for a James Beard Award, which is impressive in itself.
If you’re a burger fan, then you have found your nirvana. It will open your eyes for the first time to the regional specialties that make America great.
So, here are the burger joints in the doc and the book, their locations, and a little info to wet your whistle.
Hamburger America The Book and Documentary
Hamburger America Documentary
Special Intro to Hamburger America Documentary
Restaurants in the Hamburger America Film
There are 8 burger restaurants featured in the Hamburger America documentary.
The Billy Goat Tavern and Grill
A famous skit from Saturday Night Live (featuring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray) recreated the Billy Goat (430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL) as the Olympia Diner, think Cheeseburger Cheeseburger. The little clip after the credits about the Billy Goat is probably the funniest thing in the film. The famed Billy Goat curse merits mention.
The Bobcat Bite
Bobcat Bite‘s (Sante Fe, NM) Green Chile Burger looks pretty amazing. No, really, take a good look at it.
Dyer’s Burgers
Dyer’s Burgers (205 Beale Street, Memphis, TN) has been selling deep-fried hamburgers since 1912. This segment, when moving to their new location, is burger magic.
Louis’ Lunch
Established in 1895, Louis’ Lunch (261 Crown Street, New Haven, CT) reportedly served the first hamburger in 1900. The Library of Congress website states that the first hamburgers and steak sandwiches in U.S. history were served at Louis’ Lunch sandwich shop in New Haven, Connecticut.
An old-school vertical contraption flame broils the burgers. You have never seen anything like that. Only cheese, tomato, and onion should top your burger but NEVER ketchup, mustard, or mayo. Two pieces of toasted white bread sandwich your burger patty.
The Meers Store
The Meers Store (26005 OK-115, Meers, OK) serves 97% lean grass-fed Longhorn beef from their Longhorn herd. The owner is a character.
Some folks like mayo on their burgers we call this a Sissy Burger, others like ketchup on their burgers we call this Yankee Burger.
The Meers Store owner Joe Maranto
Solly’s Grille
Solly’s Grille (4629 N Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, WI) is home to the Butter Burger; you won’t believe it. It left me flabbergasted and in love at the same time.
Ted’s Restaurant
Ted’s Restaurant (1046 Broad Street, Meriden, CT) is home to the steamed cheeseburger. The cheese on this burger is mesmerizing.
The Wheel Inn Drive-In
The Wheel Inn Drive-In‘s (Sedalia, Missouri) Guber Burger features a burger with melted peanut butter.
Hamburger America Book
Restaurants in the Hamburger America Book
Hamburger America released its current edition in 2018. This new third edition features 200 burger joints you need to visit. To simplify your life, I’ve listed all of them below. You still need the book to hear George’s thoughts on each one!
Arkansas
- Hamburger Station
California
- The Apple Pan
- Capitol Burgers (1965-2018) – CLOSED
- Cassell’s Hamburgers
- George’s Bar & Grill
- Gott’s Roadside
- Hinano Cafe
- Hodad’s
- Irv’s Burgers (1970-2018) – CLOSED then REOPENED JULY 1st, 2022 UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
- Jim-Denny’s
- Joe’s Cable Car (1965-2014) – CLOSED
- Marty’s Hamburger Stand
- Pie ‘N Burger
- Rocky’s Crown Pub
- The Spot
- Val’s Burgers
Colorado
- Bud’s Cafe & Bar
Connecticut
- Clamp’s Hamburger Stand
- Harry’s Place
- Louis’ Lunch
- Shady Glen
- Ted’s Restaurant
Delaware
- Charcoal Pit
District of Columbia
- Ben’s Chili Bowl
- Tune Inn
Florida
Georgia
- Ann’s Snack Bar – CLOSED
Idaho
- Hudson’s Hamburgers
Illinois
- Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
- Charlie Beinlich’s Food & Tap
- Fast Eddie’s Bon Air
- Hackney’s on Harms
- Moonshine Store
- Paradise Pup
- Top Notch Beefburger Shop
Indiana
- Heinnies
- Hinkle’s Sandwich Shop
- Powers Hamburger Shop
- Triple XXX Family Restaurant
- Workingman’s Friend
- Zaharako’s Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Iowa
- B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli
- Canteen Lunch in the Alley
- Hamburg Inn No. 2
- The Irish Shanti (Late 1970s-2019) – CLOSED
- Paul’s Tavern
- Taylor’s Maid-Rite
Kansas
- Bobo’s Drive In
- Cozy Inn Hamburgers
- Nuway Cafe
Kentucky
Louisiana
- Camellia Grill
- Judice Inn
- Port of Call
- Ted’s Frostop Diner
Maine
- Harmon’s Hamburgers
Massachusetts
- Mr. Bartley’s
- White Hut
Michigan
- Greene’s Hamburgers
- Hunter House Hamburgers
- Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
- Miller’s Bar
- Motz’s Hamburgers
- Redamak’s
- Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop
Minnesota
- Band Box Diner
- Convention Grill
- Gordy’s Hi-Hat
- Hi-Ho Tavern
- Lions Tap
- Matt’s Bar
- Tendermaid
- Casper & Runyon’s Nook
Mississippi
- Bill’s Hamburgers
- Latham’s Hamburger Inn
- Phillips Grocery
Missouri
- Carl’s Drive-In
- Town Topic
- White Knight Diner
- Winstead’s
Montana
- Matt’s Place Drive-In
- The Missoula Club
Nebraska
- Bob’s Bar
- Stella’s Bar & Grill
New Hampshire
- Gilley’s PM Lunch
New Jersey
- Holiday Snack Bar
- Krug’s Tavern
- Rossi’s Bar & Grill
- White Manna Hamburgers
- White Rose System
New Mexico
- Sante Fe Bite
- Owl Bar & Cafe
- The Pantry
New York
- The Blazer Pub
- Brennan & Carr
- Corner Bistro
- Donovan’s Pub
- Hildebrandt’s
- JG Melon
- Joe Jr. Restaurant
- P.J. Clarke’s
- Tara Inn
North Carolina
- Brooks’ Sandwich House
- Char-grill
- Duke’s Grill
- Hub Grill – CLOSED
- Snappy Lunch
- South 21 Drive-In
- What-A-Burger Drive-In
North Dakota
- Dakota Drive-In
Ohio
- Bob’s Hamburg
- Crabill’s Hamburgers
- Gahanna Grill
- Hamburger Wagon
- Johnnie’s Tavern
- K’s Hamburger Shop
- Kewpee
- Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
- The Spot
- Swenson’s Drive In
- The Thurman Cafe
- Wilson’s Sandwich Shop
Oklahoma
- Claud’s Hamburgers
- Folger’s Drive-Inn
- Hamburger King
- Harden’s Hamburgers
- J&W Grill
- Johnnie’s Grill
- Linda-Mar Drive-In
- The Meers Store & Restaurant
- Robert’s Grill
- Sid’s Diner
Oregon
- Giant Drive-In
- Helvetia Tavern
- Stanich’s Tavern
Pennsylvania
- Charlie’s Hamburgers
- Coney Island Lunch
- Tessaro’s
Rhode Island
- Stanley’s Hamburgers
South Carolina
- Northgate Soda Shop
- Rockaway Athletic Club
South Dakota
- Nick’s Hamburger Shop
Tennessee
- Alex’s Tavern
- Brown’s Diner
- Dino’s Bar
- Dyer’s Burger
- Fat Mo’s
- Rotier’s Restaurant
- Zarzour’s Cafe
Texas
- 105 Grocery & Deli- NO LONGER SERVES BURGERS
- Adair’s Saloon
- Bellaire Broiler Burger – CLOSED
- Blake’s BBQ and Burgers – CLOSED
- Boots Burger
- Burger Bar
- Burger House
- Casino El Camino
- Chris Madrid’s
- Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill
- Dirty Martin’s Kum-Bak Place
- Ed’s Place
- Herd’s Hamburgers
- Hut’s Hamburgers
- Keller’s Drive-In
- Kincaid’s Hamburgers
- Kuby’s – NO LONGER SERVES BURGERS
- Lankford Grocery
- Longhorn Cafe
- Morris Neal’s Handy Hamburgers
- Melios Bros Char Bar
- Stanton’s City Bites
- Tookie’s Hamburgers
- Top Notch Hamburgers
Utah
Vermont
- Dot’s Restaurant
- The White Cottage Snack Bar
Virginia
- The Cavalier Store
- Texas Tavern
Washington
- Clark’s Restaurant
- Dick’s Drive-In
- Eastside Big Tom
- Red Mill Burgers
Wisconsin
- American Legion Post #67
- Anchor Bar
- Bud Willman’s Lunch
- Charcoal Inn South
- Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
- Joe Rouer’s Bar
- Kewpee Sandwich Shop
- Mickey-Lu Bar-B-Q
- Nite Owl Ice Cream Parlour & Sandwich Shoppe
- Pete’s Hamburgers
- The Plaza Tavern
- Solly’s Grille
- Village Bar
- Wedl’s Hamburger Stand and Ice Cream Parlor
- Zwieg’s
Seems like Irv’s Burgers in West Hollywood has reopened.
After it moved with new owners?
105 Grocery and Deli doesn’t serve burgers anymore. It’s just a gas station. I called them. Looks like new owners.
Hub Grill in NC is gone and Kuby’s does not serve burgers anymore. This is a hobby of mine going to all the places in the book. Been doing this since the first book came out.
Thanks; I updated the page.
In Texas, both Bellaire Broiler Burger and Blake’s BBQ and Burgers have permanently, and unfortunately, closed. 🙁
Thanks; I updated the page.