Top 100 Burgers In U.S.: 2 Ohio Contenders

CLEVELAND, OH — Few things are as nearly-universally beloved as a good old fashioned hamburger. Nearly every restaurant in Ohio serves some version of a burger, but Thrillist has whittled a list of the 100 best burgers in America.

Ohio landed two restaurants on the list (an unbelievably low number). The two recognized joints are Swenson's (beloved and iconic in the Akron area) and Stevenson's Bar and Grill, on Cleveland's east side.

No matter how you prefer yours cooked (medium, for yours truly) the burger is a surefire way to quell the rumblings in your stomach and feel American at the same time. Perfecting the burger is more magic and mystery than science. It takes an artistic cook or grillmaster to serve up the perfect. Thrillist is arguing that Swenson's and Stevenson's do it better than any other spot in the Buckeye State.

Thrillist's burger critic notes that Cavaliers star LeBron James adores Swenson's. The critic joked that he was initially put off by the endorsement of Northeast Ohio's most famous son, derisively quipping, "What does he know about burgers?" Apparently, he dropped his strange objection and chowed down on a double cheeseburger with mustard and mayo because Swenson's was rated the 81st best burger spot in America and the second best in Ohio.

Stevenson's easily beat out Swenson's, making it to the 14th spot on the list. Thrillist's burger critic, Kevin Alexander, wrote about the strange contradictions in the tiny bar, and how odd it was to be served a near perfect burger, "The Little Guy," in that environment. His words deserve to be reprinted here:

"Everything about the place makes either no sense, or so much sense. It is completely carpeted. An old-school '90s TV sat in the back. A handwritten sign mentions a $4 fried bologna special. And yet the Little Guy (the one-patty version of the 'Big Guy' burger) came out so well constructed, it felt fake, as if they'd brought in a fancy guest chef and no one told me," he says in his review. "Everything about it was right: the soft split-top bun, toasted nicely; shredded lettuce and pickles to help catch the 'special sauce'; the burger with just the right amount of crusty griddle. The burger gods have spoken and they're telling you to go immediately to this nondescript sports bar next to a gas station, or face eternal shame and embarrassment."

The best burger in America hails from Portland, Oregon and a restaurant called Stanich's. The winner was a simple burger called "Nick's" Cheeseburger with Grilled Onions. You can read more about that restaurant and the rest of the Top 100 on Thrillist's website.

Photo from Pixabay