Best Burgers in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is onion burger country: thin patties smashed into a pile of shaved onions, from Midtown counters and Film Row bars to the historic Route 66 grills in El Reno.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City's signature burger is the fried onion burger. A ball of beef is smashed onto a hot griddle over a heap of thinly sliced onions, so the onions cook down and caramelize right into the patty. You'll find it at tiny lunch counters, newer restaurants and quick-service shops all over the metro. The style traces back to El Reno, about 30 minutes west of downtown on Route 66, and a trip there is a rite of passage for burger fans.
A few areas are worth knowing. Film Row, on the west side of downtown, has two of the city's most talked-about burgers. Midtown and Uptown 23rd have casual counters and bars, and North May Avenue has a longtime neighborhood favorite. Every spot below appears on the cards above, and our restaurant directory has more.
Best burgers in Oklahoma City by style
Fried onion burgers
Nic's Grill on North Pennsylvania Avenue is a tiny lunch counter that cooks oversized onion burgers right in front of you, and it has drawn praise from Guy Fieri. Sun Cattle Co. on Film Row smashes its burgers onto shaved onions, pairs them with hand-dredged onion rings and, unlike most onion burger spots, has a bar. Tucker's Onion Burgers is the quick, easy version, with several locations around the metro including Uptown 23rd. Our guide to the Oklahoma fried onion burger explains how the style works.
Smash burgers
Bar Arbolada, a boutique bar on Film Row, serves a single or double cheeseburger with crispy, caramelized edges, and Alton Brown has called it the best double cheeseburger in America. In Midtown, The Goose is known for the Oklahoma Smashie, and its double version stacks four patties. See more picks on our best smash burgers page.
Classic and casual
Patty Wagon on North May Avenue serves old-school burgers and tater tots, including the Red Dirt bacon cheeseburger, with rotating specials posted on its social media. Tucker's and Nic's are also casual, no-fuss stops.
Worth the drive: El Reno
El Reno is home to three historic onion burger grills within a short walk of each other downtown. Robert's Grill is the oldest, opened in 1926, and is a tiny counter with fewer than ten stools. Johnnie's Grill came along about two decades later and has the largest dining room of the three. Sid's Diner is the youngest, opened in 1990 by a former Johnnie's cook. Order a double onion burger with cheese at one, and try a slaw dog at Robert's if you have room.
Local burger traditions
The fried onion burger is Oklahoma's best-known contribution to burger culture. Onions are pressed into the patty on the griddle, so they steam, char and sweeten in the beef's fat. It's usually served simply, often with mustard and pickles, on a soft bun that's set on top of the patty to steam. In El Reno, a coney or slaw dog is the classic side order. Many newer OKC restaurants have adopted the onion-smash method too, so you'll see it on menus well beyond the classic counters.
Tips for visiting
- Go to Nic's Grill at lunch. It keeps daytime hours and can have a line.
- In El Reno, split one burger at each of the three grills and compare. Check hours first, since they vary by day.
- Pair Bar Arbolada and Sun Cattle Co., which are both on Film Row.
- Follow smaller spots like Patty Wagon on social media for specials.
- Make one at home with our fried onion burger recipe, and see caramelized onions for burgers for more onion ideas.
- Know an OKC spot we missed? Suggest a spot.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best smash burgers, classic burger joints, cheap burgers in Oklahoma City.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Oklahoma City?
For an onion burger, start with Nic's Grill or Sun Cattle Co. For a double cheeseburger, try Bar Arbolada. For the full history, make the drive to El Reno.
What is an Oklahoma onion burger?
It's a burger smashed onto a pile of thinly sliced onions on a hot griddle, so the onions caramelize into the patty. Read our onion burger guide for the details.
Where can I find a cheap burger in Oklahoma City?
Tucker's Onion Burgers and Patty Wagon are casual, affordable picks, and the El Reno grills are simple counter-service spots.
Is El Reno worth the trip?
Yes, if you love burgers. Robert's Grill, Johnnie's Grill and Sid's Diner are close together, so you can try all three in one visit.