As backyard barbecue season comes to a close, Zagat is revealing the results of its 2014 Burger Survey. This year 3,466 burger aficionados visited Zagat.com to rate and review the top burgers at patty purveyors in 16 major markets.
For the first time ever, Zagat is presenting the ratings and reviews of an actual dish. Unlike Zagat’s iconic restaurant surveys where users rate the Food, Decor, and Service of establishments, burger survey participants reviewed the most popular burgers in their cities and separately rated their Flavor, Ingredients and Value on Zagat’s signature 30-point scale.
The top burgers in each market (with accompanying overall
* score) are as follows:
Atlanta: Illegal Food - The Hank (28)
Austin: Mighty Fine Burgers Fries Shakes - The Classic with Cheese (25)
Boston: Craigie On Main - Local Grass-Fed Beef Burger (26)
Chicago: Lockdown Bar & Grill - The Lockdown Warden (28)
Dallas: The Grape - Classic Cheeseburger (26)
Denver: Highland Tap & Burger: Shroom Luva's (26)
Houston: Kenny & Ziggy’s - In Queso Emergency! (26)
Los Angeles: In-N-Out - Double-Double (23)
Miami: db Bistro Moderne - The Original db Burger (28)
New York: Peter Luger - Luger-Burger (24)
Philadelphia: Nick's Roast Beef Bar & Grille - Nick’s Bacon Burger (26)
San Diego: Carnitas' Snack Shack - Snack Shack Burger (26)
San Francisco: Nopa - Grass Fed Hamburger (24)
Seattle: Palace Kitchen - Palace Burger Royale (28)
Washington D.C.: Le Diplomate - Burger Americain (26)
* Overall scores are an average of the Flavor, Ingredients and Value scores.Participants report eating burgers 4.6 times per month on average, typically getting their fix at specialty burger joints (53%), general restaurants (23%), fast food spots (9%) and diners (4%). While 72% of respondents say they would be willing to spend between $10 - $20 for a burger, 44% said they have or would spend more than $25 on a “mind-blowing” burger.
When it comes to food trends, these adventurous eaters say they have or would consume burgers with a fried egg (64%), on a pretzel bun (64%), on a ramen bun (30%) and even on the decadent donut bun (23%). Although 82% of men admit to eating multiple-patty burgers, a whopping 68% of them admit to no-so-barbarically cutting their burger in half with a knife. Surprisingly, 20% of respondents say they prefer to dress their burger with artisanal ketchup (vs. 31% who prefer the classic Heinz). See more on the ketchup wars
here.
For the full round-up of the 155 best burgers nationwide (plus Toronto!), visit
zagat.com/best-burgers.
Posted by Tiffany Herklots, Zagat
