The Best Burgers in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City and El Reno (2026)

The best burgers in Oklahoma are fried onion burgers, and the two places to eat them are El Reno and Oklahoma City. In El Reno, visit the three historic grills downtown: Robert's Grill, Johnnie's Grill and Sid's Diner. In Oklahoma City, go to Nic's Grill and Sun Cattle Co. for onion burgers, and Bar Arbolada for a double cheeseburger with a national reputation.

This roundup is built from the restaurants in our Oklahoma City burger guide, which also covers El Reno. Small counters keep short hours, so check before you drive.

What is an Oklahoma fried onion burger?

A ball of beef is smashed onto a hot griddle over a heap of thinly sliced onions, so the onions steam, char and sweeten in the beef's fat and cook right into the patty. It's usually served simply, often with mustard and pickles, on a soft bun that's set on top of the patty to steam while it cooks. The style traces back to El Reno, about 30 minutes west of downtown Oklahoma City on Route 66.

When you order, keep in mind:

• Get a double with cheese. It's the classic order at the El Reno grills.
• Watch the griddle. At small counters, the cooking happens right in front of you.
• Save room for a side. In El Reno, a coney or slaw dog is the traditional add-on.

For the full story, read our Oklahoma fried onion burger guide.

El Reno: the birthplace

El Reno has three historic onion burger grills within a short walk of each other downtown, so you can try more than one in a single visit.

• Robert's Grill: the oldest, opened in 1926. It's a tiny counter with fewer than ten stools. Try a slaw dog if you have room.
• Johnnie's Grill: came along about two decades later and has the largest dining room of the three, which makes it the easiest pick for groups.
• Sid's Diner: the youngest, opened in 1990 by a former Johnnie's cook.

Oklahoma City: onion burgers

• Nic's Grill: a tiny lunch counter on North Pennsylvania Avenue that cooks oversized onion burgers in front of you. It has drawn praise from Guy Fieri.
• Sun Cattle Co.: on Film Row, it smashes burgers onto shaved onions and pairs them with hand-dredged onion rings. Unlike most onion burger spots, it has a bar.
• Tucker's Onion Burgers: the quick, easy version, with several locations around the metro including Uptown 23rd.

Oklahoma City: smash burgers

• Bar Arbolada: a boutique bar on Film Row serving a single or double cheeseburger with crispy, caramelized edges. Alton Brown has called it the best double cheeseburger in America.
• The Goose: a Midtown spot known for the Oklahoma Smashie. Its double version stacks four patties.

Read smash burger vs. regular burger to see how these differ from the onion style.

Oklahoma City: classic and casual

• Patty Wagon: on North May Avenue, serving old-school burgers and tater tots, including the Red Dirt bacon cheeseburger. Rotating specials are posted on its social media.

How to plan an onion burger road trip

1. Start in Oklahoma City. Have lunch at Nic's Grill, which is a lunch counter, then work toward Film Row.
2. Pair Film Row stops. Sun Cattle Co. and Bar Arbolada are both on the west side of downtown.
3. Drive west to El Reno. It's about 30 minutes on I-40, with Route 66 history along the way.
4. Split singles. If you plan to try all three El Reno grills, share burgers so you can finish the crawl.
5. Check hours. Small counters often close in the afternoon or on certain days.

Beyond Oklahoma City

Our Oklahoma coverage centers on Oklahoma City and El Reno for now. If you know a great burger in Tulsa, Norman, Stillwater or along Route 66, suggest a spot and we'll look into it.

What to order at each stop

• Robert's Grill: a double onion burger with cheese, plus a slaw dog.
• Johnnie's Grill: a double onion burger with cheese in the biggest of the El Reno dining rooms.
• Sid's Diner: the onion burger from a former Johnnie's cook.
• Nic's Grill: an oversized onion burger, watched from the counter.
• Sun Cattle Co.: an onion burger with hand-dredged onion rings and a drink from the bar.
• Bar Arbolada: the double cheeseburger.
• Patty Wagon: the Red Dirt bacon cheeseburger with tater tots.

Make an Oklahoma onion burger at home

Our Oklahoma fried onion burger recipe walks you through it. Slice the onions paper-thin, pile them on a hot flat-top griddle or skillet, set a ball of beef on top and press hard with a sturdy smash burger spatula. Flip once the onions are browned, add cheese and set the bun on top to steam. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.

FAQ

What burger is Oklahoma famous for?

The fried onion burger: a patty smashed onto a pile of thinly sliced onions so they cook into the beef. It traces back to El Reno.

Which El Reno onion burger spot is the oldest?

Robert's Grill, which opened in 1926. Johnnie's Grill followed about two decades later, and Sid's Diner opened in 1990.

Is El Reno worth the drive from Oklahoma City?

Yes, if you love burgers. It's about 30 minutes west, and three historic grills sit within a short walk of each other.

What is the best burger in Oklahoma City?

For onion burgers, Nic's Grill and Sun Cattle Co. For a smash-style double cheeseburger, Bar Arbolada, which Alton Brown has praised as the best in America.

Where can I get an onion burger in Oklahoma City?

Nic's Grill, Sun Cattle Co. and Tucker's Onion Burgers all serve the style in the city itself.