The Midwest's Best Burgers

Harry's, Manhattan, Kansas Bacon, mozzarella and ancho chile aioli top the slightly charred yet juicy $15 Kobe Burger. Hand-pattied and served on an onion bun toasted with foie gras herb butter, it's the only burger on the menu at this date-night favorite—but that's because you'll need no other. See Midwest Living's review. (785) 537-1300; harrysmanhattan.com

The Hill Seafood and Chop House, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Yes, it's turkey, but the lean cheddar-and-apple-studded Turkey Burger is no compromise. The $9 grilled wonder of flavor looks and feels like beef. It's a destination burger served on a George Hamilton-tanned brioche alongside homemade potato chips. And the setting feels like an elegant waterfront mansion. See Midwest Living's review. (313) 886-8101; thehillgrossepointe.com

HoDo Restaurant, Fargo, North Dakota The char-grilled third-of-a-pound Bison Burger ($10) topped with Wisconsin cheddar proves lean meat can ooze juice. The menu at the historic Hotel Donaldson lists nearly 30 local farmers, cheesemakers, beekeepers and ranchers, so you know the dish sings with freshness in a dining room that sports local artwork. (701) 478-1000; hoteldonaldson.com

Hot Chocolate, Chicago Yes, we showed up Saturday at 11:30 p.m., and the kitchen was closing at midnight. But the little Bucktown place known for its outstanding desserts was packed, and our sunny waitress gladly brought us a simply titled Hamburger ($15). Our toppings: four-year-old cheddar, organic bacon, slices of fire-engine-red tomato, housemade pickles. She said if we'd like, we could top it with a perfectly fried egg crisped around the edges. We did like. A lot. See Midwest Living's review. (773) 489-1747; hotchocolatechicago.com

Lewie's Saloon and Eatery, Lead, South Dakota Cattlemen say badly cooked meat insults the animal it came from. Well, the animals that give their lives for a Lewie's Burger do not die in vain. Beef flavor permeates every bite of the hand-pattied, oddly shaped burgers ($5.25), which arrive slightly pink and steaming in a restaurant that looks something like a Swiss biker bar. See Midwest Living's review. (605) 584-1324

Moxie the Restaurant, Beachwood, Ohio Don't let a vanilla-looking strip mall fool you. Herbed mayo marries mesclun, tomato, onion, Adams Reserve cheddar and a 6-ounce seasoned certified Angus beef patty flawlessly on the $11.75 Moxie Burger. See Midwest Living's review. (216) 831-5599; moxietherestaurant.com

Nick's Hamburger Shop, Brookings, South Dakota Settle onto a stool at this 83-year-old diner, and don't worry about what to order. A server lays down a piece of waxed paper—that's your plate—and says, "How many?" We polished off two of these little fried wonders in six bites before ordering two more—and rediscovered how much more pleasant it is to chat with strangers at a lunch counter than fiddle with a phone. See Midwest Living's review. (605) 692-4324; nickshamburgers.com