LIFE

Best burgers around Indy

One of the best double cheeseburgers in town can be found at the Workingman's Friend bar and restaurant at 234 N. Belmont. A patron at the bar eats in the background and a double cheeseburger is seen in the foreground.
One of the best double cheeseburgers in town can be found at the Workingman's Friend bar and restaurant at 234 N. Belmont. A patron at the bar eats in the background and a double cheeseburger is seen in the foreground.
Rob Goebel / The Star
Jeff's Double Cheeseburger, $8.25 The Barking Dog Cafe, 115 E. 49th St. Why try it: Crispy edges. Special sauce. It's seriously good. And the single is just as tasty (but a little more modest). If you've had any of these burgers, this is probably the one -- after all Guy Fieri featured the place on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."
Jeff's Double Cheeseburger, $8.25 The Barking Dog Cafe, 115 E. 49th St. Why try it: Crispy edges. Special sauce. It's seriously good. And the single is just as tasty (but a little more modest). If you've had any of these burgers, this is probably the one -- after all Guy Fieri featured the place on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."
Michelle Pemberton/The Star
The Ellenberger, $7 The Legend Classic Irvington Cafe, 5614 E Washington St.
The Ellenberger, $7 The Legend Classic Irvington Cafe, 5614 E Washington St.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
This is the Blackjack burger at Hal's Fabulous Vegas Bar & Grille. It's topped with rib roast, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, fired egg and cheddar-Jack cheese.
This is the Blackjack burger at Hal's Fabulous Vegas Bar & Grille. It's topped with rib roast, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, fired egg and cheddar-Jack cheese.
Rob Goebel/The Star
Bad Elmer's Burger, $9.75 Upland Brewing Co.'s Carmel Tap House, 820 E. 116th St. Why try it: Locally raised beef, locally brewed beer. It's a great combination. This half-pound burger is topped with sharp cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon and Upland's Bad Elmer's Porter barbecue sauce. But it goes nicely with a wheat too.
Bad Elmer's Burger, $9.75 Upland Brewing Co.'s Carmel Tap House, 820 E. 116th St. Why try it: Locally raised beef, locally brewed beer. It's a great combination. This half-pound burger is topped with sharp cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon and Upland's Bad Elmer's Porter barbecue sauce. But it goes nicely with a wheat too.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
Bistro Wagyu Burger, $18 Oh Yumm! Bistro, 5615 N Illinois St. Why try it: Flavor. Richness. Frites. Plus you can sit at a sidewalk table while you eat your half-pound burger. This one's topped with sliced tomato, rosemary-black pepper bacon (not applewood!) and, in my case, goat cheese -- though gorgonzola would definitely be good too.
Bistro Wagyu Burger, $18 Oh Yumm! Bistro, 5615 N Illinois St. Why try it: Flavor. Richness. Frites. Plus you can sit at a sidewalk table while you eat your half-pound burger. This one's topped with sliced tomato, rosemary-black pepper bacon (not applewood!) and, in my case, goat cheese -- though gorgonzola would definitely be good too.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
Lamb Burger, $15.95 Corner Wine Bar, 6331 Guilford Ave. Why try it: Big flavor. (And maybe you've already tried the Brasserie Burger.) I know you don't think "lamb burger" when you go to the Corner Wine Bar, but you should. This burger's made with Indiana-raised lamb and is topped with cucumber sauce and a tasty olive tapanade.
Lamb Burger, $15.95 Corner Wine Bar, 6331 Guilford Ave. Why try it: Big flavor. (And maybe you've already tried the Brasserie Burger.) I know you don't think "lamb burger" when you go to the Corner Wine Bar, but you should. This burger's made with Indiana-raised lamb and is topped with cucumber sauce and a tasty olive tapanade.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
The Apple Bottom Burger, $9.29 Between the Bun, 102 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood Why try it: It's another surprisingly good combination from this new Greenwood burger joint (and it's the owner's favorite). Would I have put sliced apples on my burger at home? No. But they go great with the house-made Dijon sauce. And with the bacon, too, of course.
The Apple Bottom Burger, $9.29 Between the Bun, 102 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood Why try it: It's another surprisingly good combination from this new Greenwood burger joint (and it's the owner's favorite). Would I have put sliced apples on my burger at home? No. But they go great with the house-made Dijon sauce. And with the bacon, too, of course.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
The Brasserie Burger, $14.95 Corner Wine Bar, 6331 Guilford Ave. Why try it: Great grilled flavor. The smoked bacon and Gruyere didn't hurt either. I tend to order something fancier when I'm at the Corner Wine Bar -- or I just have wine and apps -- but this burger was seasoned so well, I'll have to skip the cheese crock and go straight to the sandwiches.
The Brasserie Burger, $14.95 Corner Wine Bar, 6331 Guilford Ave. Why try it: Great grilled flavor. The smoked bacon and Gruyere didn't hurt either. I tend to order something fancier when I'm at the Corner Wine Bar -- or I just have wine and apps -- but this burger was seasoned so well, I'll have to skip the cheese crock and go straight to the sandwiches.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
Unfortunately, this stuffed burger at The Sinking Ship is no longer on the menu, but other burgers there are delicious.
Unfortunately, this stuffed burger at The Sinking Ship is no longer on the menu, but other burgers there are delicious.
Jolene Ketzenberger/The Star
PB&J Burger, $8.99 Between the Bun, 102 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood Why try it: Just to find out if you could possibly like it. An 8-ounce burger smothered with peanut butter and pepper jack cheese, topped with jalapenos and applewood-smoked bacon and drizzled with maple syrup. It's an over-the-top combination, I know. And it's not one that I'd usually order. But it works. Trust me.
PB&J Burger, $8.99 Between the Bun, 102 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood Why try it: Just to find out if you could possibly like it. An 8-ounce burger smothered with peanut butter and pepper jack cheese, topped with jalapenos and applewood-smoked bacon and drizzled with maple syrup. It's an over-the-top combination, I know. And it's not one that I'd usually order. But it works. Trust me.
Jolene Ketzenberger
The Meridian Burger, $22.50 Meridian Restaurant & Bar, 5694 N. Meridian St. Why try it: Camembert and bacon lured me in; on the current menu, it's made with Gruyere. Either way -- delicious. Plus, it's served with fries and garlic mayo. I had it with an $11 glass of Chateau Tanunda shiraz. Pretty sure it's the priciest burger I've ever had.
The Meridian Burger, $22.50 Meridian Restaurant & Bar, 5694 N. Meridian St. Why try it: Camembert and bacon lured me in; on the current menu, it's made with Gruyere. Either way -- delicious. Plus, it's served with fries and garlic mayo. I had it with an $11 glass of Chateau Tanunda shiraz. Pretty sure it's the priciest burger I've ever had.
Frank Espich/The Star
The Mr. Big Stuff (lean grond beef patty buried under bacon, a fried egg and melted cheese) at Rock-Cola '50s Cafe on Brookville Road.
The Mr. Big Stuff (lean grond beef patty buried under bacon, a fried egg and melted cheese) at Rock-Cola '50s Cafe on Brookville Road.
IndyStar File
The Big Ugly Elk burger at Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream in Carmel at Main and the Monon. This sandwich is a good low-cal alternative to the well-known Big Ugly beef burger and a high-protein option that translates into a less guilty indulgence for those with big appetites.
The Big Ugly Elk burger at Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream in Carmel at Main and the Monon. This sandwich is a good low-cal alternative to the well-known Big Ugly beef burger and a high-protein option that translates into a less guilty indulgence for those with big appetites.
Frank Espich/The Star