That You Were Never The Same?
What Are The Best
Burgers in
Salt Lake City For 2025?
You’re In The Right Place
For The Best Burgers in Salt Lake City
If you want to know about where to find the best burgers in Salt Lake City, you’re in the right place. Salt Lake City, along with its surrounding valleys and towns, serves up a diverse range of options, from classic beef burger joints to creative builds featuring caramelized onions, house sauces (including the legendary Utah fry sauce), and even turkey pastrami.
This page is my hand-picked, up-to-date take on the best burgers in Salt Lake City with a few essential stops in Davis County, Park City, the Tooele area, and Utah County. If you want to know about the best burgers in some of the towns and cities further away from Salt Lake City, go here to read about those.
Whether you live downtown or are passing through after a powder day, I’ll try to point you to the right burger place for your style – from smash to pub, pastrami, bison, or a well-made veggie burger (included for those who prefer them, not because I like them).
A quick word on how I judge: I’m after flavor first, then a sturdy bun, a juicy burger patty, balanced toppings, and that “yep, I’d drive across town for this again” feeling. A good microbrew, shake, or crisp french fries never hurts. I’ll note if it’s take-out, sit-down, or bar-only.
Downtown
Salt Lake City &
Central Neighborhoods
Lucky 13 (bar, 21+) – Big, Smoky Award Winner
If you’re hunting for the best burgers in Salt Lake City downtown, this is on any serious short list. Lucky 13’s thick patties, house-smoked bacon, and bold builds keep racking up local “best burger” accolades year after year.
It’s a bar, so plan accordingly, but the burgers here set the standard for a full-throttle pub experience and a cold pint or two.
Proper Burger Co. – Creative, Original and Customizable
Think modern burger joint with personality. Order anything “Proper Style” (cheese, caramelized onions, Proper sauce) or have fun with the Johnny Utah … a playful turkey-pastrami riff … that nods to Utah’s pastrami obsession.
Easy to pair with a Proper beer next door. They even cater to vegans with multiple options for a legitimate veggie burger, if that’s your thing. Sit-down casual, quick service.
Hires Big H - Fry-Sauce Time Capsule
Hires is Utah nostalgia on a tray. Crisp fries, frosty mugs, and a quarter-pound beef burger dressed the old-school way. The originals helped popularize fry sauce in Utah.
A stop at the 2100 South 700 East location is a rite of passage if you want the classic drive-in feel in the heart of the city. I’ve been driving by this spot ever since I got to Utah. And, believe me, that was a long time ago.
It was a staple for me when I attended the University of Utah, and it brings me joy to see it still there every time I drive by. My wife and I drive around a lot just to see what’s still here and what isn’t. Happens when you start getting seasoned.
This place is still great for families, offering counter and booth seating, as well as fast service.
Crown Burgers - Pastrami Royalty
If you came to SLC searching for the perfect burger in our signature style, this is your landmark stop. The famous “Crown” stacks shaved pastrami over a juicy patty with their tangy sauce.
Messy, wonderful, and pure Salt Lake. Multiple locations are mostly counter-service and quick. Go all in with fries and a shake.
I used to work in the transportation industry. I remember big shots coming in from out of town and telling us they wanted to go to “Crown” rather than a fancier place.
I’ve always been a low-carb guy, so if you’re looking for that option, just ask for a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. It is fantastic without the carbs or the blood sugar spike.
Holladay,
Sugar House & East-Bench Favorites
The Cotton Bottom - Utah’s garlic legend
Half the fun is the setting. It is a peaceful, revived, and now roomier take on a beloved old bar that still turns out the state’s most famous garlic cheeseburger.
It’s a sit-down burger place now with patios that are always full when the weather cooperates. The garlicky aroma tells you everything you need to know. Order the garlic burger, add fries, and enjoy that laid-back east-bench vibe.
The only problem with this place is that it is so good, you need to flip a dice as no matter when you go, the parking lot and patio may already be full. We’ve tried it at various times and driven away looking for an inferior substitute.
Even so, it’s still worth it and you can always order out.
Davis
County (North of SLC)
Burger Bar (Roy) - the Big Ben since 1956
Included here because it isn’t that far. Old-school window service, hand-formed patties, and the kind of local pride you can taste.
The Big Ben is a juicy, throwback classic with just the right bun-to-burger ratio. Grab a stool or eat in the car. Pretend it’s 1956 (in a good way). Expect quick service. Seasonal game specials pop up, too.
Park
City - Because Ski-Town Cravings
Are Real
(And We Love Park City)
No Name Saloon (21+) & Annex Burger (all ages) - Bison Icon on Main
Park City’s most famous burger is actually bison. And it’s a beauty. If you’ve tried it, I prefer the name “buffalo burger.” You already know it’s leaner than beef, but still plenty juicy when these folks cook it.
If you have kids in tow, Annex Burger, next door, serves the same menu without the 21+ rule. Great after a day on the slopes or singletrack. Pub vibe, lively crowd, hearty sides.
Tooele
Area (West of the Valley)
Dairy Delight (Tooele) - Old-Fashioned Charm
Small-town counter, big-hearted burger. The Old-Fashion hits that sweet spot: seared patty, melty cheese, and just-right toppings that don’t slide off the bun.
Add a thick shake and take a booth. This is road-trip Utah at its best. My son and his family live out there, so it’s not really a road trip.
Take-out is easy or do it the old-fashioned way with sit-down booths when you want to linger.
Utah
County (South of the Valley)
Seven Brothers (Provo) - Island-Style Indulgence
Born in Hawaiʻi (proper island spelling for those who like to spell-check) and thriving in Utah. The Paniolo/Cowboy stacks onion rings, grilled pineapple, bacon, and BBQ sauce for a sweet-smoky hit that somehow stays balanced.
Family-friendly, quick service, and a fun detour when you’re exploring Provo Canyon or Utah Lake.
JCW’s: The Burger Boys - Big Menu, Bigger Portions
A reliable, locally grown mini-chain where everyone in the car finds something they like. Burgers are generous, onion rings are a must, and the shakes are precisely what you want after a hike or game. Multiple stores. Fast-casual ambiance. Easy parking.
Sides,
Sauces, and Pairings
Utah runs on fry sauce, and Hires Big H helped carry that torch. Order extra for dipping those french fries.
Proper’s onion rings are hearty.
Lucky 13’s chips are pub-perfect, and Annex/No Name offers game-day-ready sides.
Pair your beef burger with a local microbrew (Proper makes it easy) or go classic with a thick shake at Dairy Delight or JCW’s.
Good things happen when the fries are hot, the bun holds together, and the toppings, say, those glossy caramelized onions, play nicely with the patty.
Take-Out
vs. Sit-Down
- Take-out naturals: Dairy Delight (Tooele), Burger Bar (Roy), Crown Burgers (most locations), JCW’s. Quick, convenient, and road-trip friendly.
- Sit-down & linger: The Cotton Bottom, Proper Burger Co., Hires Big H. Easy places to relax and talk about burgers.
- 21+ pub energy: Lucky 13, No Name Saloon. Families, head to Annex Burger next door to No Name.
Final Bite
The hunt for the best burgers in Salt Lake City is half the fun. I’ll try to keep this list of the best burgers in Salt Lake City updated.
Even so, it’s hard to keep up with closures and openings in the burger business.
Disclaimer here – These burger places were last verified in November 2025. Hours and menus change. Eating establishments go out of business frequently. It’s not my fault. Always check before you go.