Map reveals every state's favorite fast food cheeseburger

Americans may disagree on politics, pizza and whether ketchup belongs on a hot dog, but the cheeseburger remains one of the country's few universal obsessions.

A new state-by-state roundup from the personal finance experts at FinanceBuzz has crowned the most beloved cheeseburger spots across the nation.

They have covered everything from old-school roadside diners and retro drive-ins to gourmet Wagyu burger bars and over-the-top, cheese-stuffed creations.

The list highlights just how much the humble cheeseburger has evolved. In some states, the winning burger is all about nostalgia: steamed cheeseburgers in Connecticut, 1950s drive-ins in Missouri and classic diner patties in Oklahoma. 

In others, chefs are piling burgers high with lobster, bourbon apples, mac and cheese, ghost pepper cheese and even grilled cheese sandwiches.

California's top pick went to 319 Broderick, where the decadent Gold Rush Burger is loaded with bacon mac and cheese, garlic aioli and fried onion crisps. 

Over in New York, 5 Napkin Burger claimed the crown thanks to its upscale bistro-style burger topped with Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions and rosemary garlic aioli.

Sone regional trends stood out: Southern states leaned heavily into smoky barbecue flavors, thick-cut bacon and pimento cheese, while Western states favored locally sourced Wagyu beef, Hatch green chiles and artisanal toppings. 

In the Midwest, many of the top burgers came from retro-style taverns and family-run grills serving giant portions and comfort-food classics.

Minnesota's famous 'Jucy Lucy' - a burger stuffed with molten cheese - earned Matt's Bar and Grill the state title, while Nevada's winning spot, Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, leaned fully into indulgence with its famed Smoke Shack Wagyu burgers drenched in smoky barbecue sauce and crispy onions.

Several restaurants on the list have become destinations in their own right. 

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage, located near Harvard Square, has built a cult following for quirky burgers like 'The Hallouminati,' topped with fried halloumi and hot honey, while Sparky's has become famous for pairing burgers with New Mexico's iconic Hatch green chiles.

Elsewhere, the list reads like a cross-country burger road trip. In Alaska, Tommy's Burger Stop won praise for its Cajun-spiced cheeseburgers made with premium beef, while Arizona favorite Happy's Hamburgers has built a loyal following around old-fashioned sliders served on steamed buns with caramelized onions.

In Colorado, Skirted Heifer stood out for its signature 'skirt of cheese,' where melted cheddar crisps around the edge of the burger patty. 

Louisiana's pick, Maplewood Burgers Lake Charles, pushed things even further with burgers stuffed with shrimp, brisket or gooey mac and cheese.

Some of the burgers border on culinary daredevil territory: Mississippi's winner, Ed's Burger Joint, serves the towering 'Heavy Eddie,' which stacks two Angus beef patties underneath full grilled cheese sandwiches. 

North Dakota's Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews offers a Glazed Doughnut Burger alongside ghost pepper cheese creations designed for heat seekers.

Other winners focused on craftsmanship and premium ingredients rather than shock value. 

Illinois favorite Scratch on Lake grinds brisket and chuck in-house daily, while Nebraska's Block 16 has become known for its farm-to-table approach using local ingredients and preservative-free recipes.

Seafood also made surprising appearances throughout the rankings. 

Maine's Butcher Burger Old Port wowed burger fans with a surf-and-turf burger topped with fresh Maine lobster, while Hawaii's Betty's Burger Joint incorporated island flavors into teriyaki cheeseburgers made with locally sourced ingredients and 'delectable' sauces.

Texas stayed true to classic diner culture, with Annie's Hamburgers earning recognition for straightforward, no-frills cheeseburgers packed with smoky barbecue flavor. 

The experts say that the restaurant's BBQ Burger is a 'saucy treat that's hard to beat'. 

Meanwhile, Tennessee's Hopdoddy Burger Bar showcased the growing appetite for upscale fast-casual burgers with Wagyu beef, truffle aioli and steakhouse bacon piled onto freshly baked buns.

The report also highlighted how many of these restaurants have become deeply tied to their communities. 

Missouri's Chuck-A-Burger Drive-In Restaurant remains a popular gathering place for classic car enthusiasts, while Rhode Island's Stanley's Famous Hamburgers still serves customers at a retro lunch counter that feels frozen in time.

FinanceBuzz said the roundup was designed to spotlight the 'most popular, well-rated and downright beloved cheeseburgers' in every state - and many of the winners have become neighborhood institutions with loyal fanbases stretching back decades.

The research also reflects Americans' growing appetite for gourmet burger experiences at a time when fast-casual dining continues to dominate restaurant spending. 

While inflation has pushed menu prices higher nationwide, consumers still appear willing to splurge on premium burgers made with grass-fed beef, specialty cheeses and house-made sauces.

Even as plant-based eating and health-conscious dining trends continue to grow, the classic cheeseburger remains one of the most enduring comfort foods in the country. 

Whether it's a greasy roadside double cheeseburger, a perfectly charred smash burger or a towering Wagyu masterpiece dripping in truffle mayo, America's love affair with burgers appears far from over.