Plain or with cheese. Medium well or well done. Smashed patties or thick and juicy. Whatever you prefer, everyone knows you can’t go wrong with a good burger — especially when you’ve layered all the right ingredients together to construct the perfect stack.
National Hamburger Day is May 28, and to help you celebrate here is a roundup list of just a few of the city’s favorite local establishments we think are both worth your appetite and dollars. Our hope is that you’ll get out to explore the charming atmosphere at local eateries and enjoy a juicy Tallahassee-made burger.
Here’s where to start:
Bird’s
325 N. Bronough St.; 850-222-1075; birdsoystershack.com
If you ask true hamburger fans about their favorite picks in town, Bird’s — the spot “where dive bar vibes meet seriously good food” — is bound to be on the list. The dive bar recently shortened its name, but there’s nothing small about its 10-ounce patty. The perfect recipe for a big, juicy burger ($15). The dive bar on Bronough Street offers a long list of toppings, ranging from pickles to pineapple to stack on your patty to your heart’s desire. Burgers are served on a brioche bun with a side of either French fries, onion rings or coleslaw. Their specialty burgers can be enjoyed both outside on the picnic tables or inside where fun, funky decor fills the space and live entertainment and karaoke nights bring the space alive.
Dick Mondell’s
1808 S. Monroe St.; Facebook
This burger joint with a sense of humor started in Gainesville and open its Tallahassee location in 2023. Dick Mondell’s is owned by Connor Castelli and Chris Leckerling, who invented the name and tongue-in-cheek menu. Don’t fret the small drive-thru, they’ve got it going on. The lineup includes The Big Dick Burger (with two grilled smashburger style patties) plus chicken and vegan versions. The sweet potato tots are also a favorite. Don’t forget to grab one of their decadent milkshakes to wash it all down. They brought back the Key Lime pie flavor just in time for summer. You can take your meals to go or enjoy it on the picnic setting outside. Tallahassee is the second Dick Mondell location; the first was in Gainesville; the third location is in Jacksonville Beach.
Nelson’s Burger Bar
805 S. Macomb St.; 850-766-7143; Facebook
Originating in Perry, Florida, this burger joint located on South Macomb Street offers towering burgers that aren’t for the faint of heart. Its most popular stacks includes the signature “Nelson Burger,” dressed with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, onion, pickle, mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard ($13.63). Another fan favorite is the mushroom Swiss burger topped with a generous pile of grilled onion and a mayonnaise shmear ($15.73). Get this, you’re not limited by just a double stack, for $7.89 extra you can get up to four patties for a sky high, jaw-dropping bite. This space offers all the right vibes for anyone looking to enjoy a serious game of poker, a hearty laugh at its weekly comedy night and sip on cocktails for a full experience.
Salty Dawg Pub & Deli
3813 N. Monroe St.; 850-562-6500; Facebook
Salty Dawg Pub & Deli, nestled in the Lake Jackson Trading Post retail center, is a vet in the burger game with over 37 years of operation under its belt. Less is more at this pub with only five burgers to choose from. Whichever you pick you’re in for a treat with an option to customize your entree with all the fixings. The classic bacon cheeseburger is “perfection, baby,” as co-owner Lana Radke, puts it. She tops the patties with a layer of crispy bacon, a gooey cheese melt and golden buns that hug it all together ($8.99). Switch it up with the patty melt served on toasted rye bread ($8.99). This spot expresses it’s cozy, family friendly charm with its attentive staff and decor both inside and out, making it a standout. No wonder its been around for so long.
Trap Boy Burger
663 Railroad Square; 786-568-9864; Facebook
Many have sung the praises for this burger joint specializing in 100% Black Angus beef smash patties. If you haven’t been on social media or visited Railroad Square in a minute, let’s catch you up. Over at Trap Boy Burger for $8.75 you can indulge on a single “Trap Boy Cheese Burger” topped with its signature sauce, pickles and onions. Order a side of its shoestring fries ($3.99) to dip in its craveable “Trap Boy Sauce.” You may want to order this burger to go. While there are a few seats outdoors on the deck, you may want a little privacy once you get a bite. This isn’t clean eating, especially if you get extra sauce on your burger. They also offer specials like “The Big Back Krispy Kreme Burger” where donuts are the buns, they even used Honey Buns once. Keep up with them on their socials to see what they’re cooking up that day.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: May is National Burger Month: 5 essential Tallahassee spots to try
Reporting by Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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