The best burgers have generally have the best meat as the number one metric. Angus beef is one of the key attributes to look for. USDA select is great, and usually never frozen. Sirloin beef alone is not always the best for burgers and especially if they are frozen Patties. Frozen patties longer that 3-4 weeks will degrade rapidly especially opening and closing a container as air gets to the meat even while frozen. Ever had a burger from a local truck stop that the meat tasted rancid ? Mostly likely it was inexpensive steer meat that had been frozen for too long. A toasted bun baked fresh daily is a bonus, the freshest produce including Walla Walla sweet onions will help.
Here are guidelines for the top restaurants serving burgers in the Portland Metro area and extending a 250 mile radius. These are opinions and not to be deemed as 100% valid, everyone will have their own opinion. But I believe there are generally rules for a good burger. Below is my list.
Most burgers below all rank a 9 or 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best unless otherwise noted.
1. ICE Bergs, Walla Walla WA.
Best burger is from Ice Bergs in Walla Walla WA. It looks like and older burger stand from years gone by, nothing fancy on the outside and no frills. They serve high quality Angus beef patties and you can smell the sweetness as they cook while you wait. Expect to wait up to 20 minutes. All their food is made to order. Freshly made bread buns. Walla Walla onions, all local produce that is truly amazing, these people take pride in what they do and see a burger as a work of art. I especially like the order of the layer of how they pile on the condiments. Mayo, then pickle relish, onions, shredded lettuce and tomatoes then the patty on top. Prices are reasonable, about $5.35 for a 1/4 cheeseburger. Their shakes are also great, I think that is where it also started hence the name.
2. Fuddruckers, some people think its pricey , The meat is great, fresh never frozen, you can't beat the do it your self condiment table, its all 100% fresh. They have everything in multiple varieties. I know its a chain, but they do great work. Buns made fresh daily. They tend to push hard on the drink and fries, although I understand they want to max out profits.
3. O'Conners Pub SW Portland, Multnomah Village near capital highway and garden home, Portland OR
4. Beaches in Vancouver WA, its another chain, but they do great work, the restaurants workers often order this because they know how good it is.
5. Mcminimums, great meat, top quality kaiser roll, all very fresh, several locations in the northwest. They buy old buildings and turn them into eclectic restaurants and hotels. They brew their own beer.
6 5 guys, another large chain, we don't need" in and out burger" in Oregon with these guys, in and out is great for sure, but these guys have them beat. Nothing frozen on site, all 100% fresh. Service is great, I like the way they do it. I have nothing to complain about this place, its all good 100% of the time for me.
7 Fresh Grill near Washington square mall in Beaverton OR
8. Red Robin, although its another chain, they do good work and have a nice place, you even get a free burger on your birthday if you are a member of the rewards programs. Its not my favorite, but its good.
Most national fast food burger franchises serve cheap burgers with the cheapest meat possible. Some are better than others, but in my opinion, even the best will not rank over a 6. Burgerville will be near the top as they offer many higher end choices and great value for the dollar. An "in and out" burger will rank about a 7-9, its great fast food and extremely fresh, they take it seriously but are not in the Northwest, but maybe move this way as they are in Medford OR now. I must also mention Sonic, great service and great burgers, although its fast food, they rank at the top for this category, 6.5 to 8 depending.
"Cheese Burgers in Paradise" in Maui, I was not impressed, they immediately up-sell for the select grade Angus beef. Why would they not server it on all their burgers ? If you go ever order a burger somewhere and the meat is bad, tell the manager, they need to know. You should never pay for this. I regret the times I didn't ask for a refund, although it rarely happens to me and certainly not at any of the above mentioned places.