In this series, we’ll be hiking the burger trail to find the latest, greatest and most delicious burgers in Milwaukee. Click here for an explanation of the criteria used to rate each burger. Where have we been? Check out the complete catalog of burger reviews here.
May is National Burger Month. So, there’s no better time to survey our top contenders (so far) in the Burger Trail series, which we launched in January of 2017.
In the past five months, we’ve sampled nearly 20 burgers from restaurants in the Milwaukee metro area (and sometimes slightly beyond). We’ve explored diners and dive bars as well as some of the city’s more high end restaurants. And there are a number of burgers that have stood out along the way.
To rate each of the burgers, we’ve developed a 50 point scale, with 10 points possible in each of five categories: presentation, bun/bread, burger, toppings and value. So, a burger’s overall score is a compilation of ratings in each category.
Eager to try a great burger? Here’s the five that top our list (in reverse order).
5. All Purpose 42/50
The All Purpose Cheeseburger is served with Gruyere, caramelized onions, aioli and house-cut fries($15). Read more about it.
4. Cafe Calatrava 42/50
The Sconnie Cheese Burger features a burger made from ground short rib, brisket and sirloin, topped with American cheese, dijonaise, Maple Creek Farms smoked bacon, melted onions, house pickles and a Miller Bakery Pretzilla roll with a side of housemade malt vinegar chips ($12). Read more about it.
3. Oscar’s on Pierce 43/50
The "Big O": a half-pound Premium Black Angus burger topped with chipotle jack, smoked gouda, hickory bacon, chorizo, fried onions, jalapeños and a side of house guacamole ($7.25). Read more about it.
2. Merriment Social 44/50
The Cream City Special is a double burger topped with cheddar "crispies", beer cheese, caramelized onions and sweet mustard-mayo ($13). It comes with a choice of coleslaw or parmesan garlic fries. Read more about it.
1. Crave Cafe 45/50
The Crave Burger features a ⅓ pound Angus beef patty, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, arugula and white truffle aioli ($8). Read more about it.
Is your favorite burger on this list? If not, let us know where we can find it. Leave your recommendations in the comments or email me at lori@staff.onmilwaukee.com.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
