Meat, patty, cheese, bun.

It never seems as if there can be that much to say about the humble burger, but every year we surprise ourselves. There are some really great burgers in these cities!

This year’s annual guide includes some that rise to the top of our very long list of favorites, including a burger from a seafood joint and one from a restaurant that’s back from the dead.

Here’s our annual ode to the humble burger, helpfully grouped, as usual, into categories that might help you choose what you’re in the mood for. New or updated entries are marked with an asterisk.

We cover new burgers and those that have been around a while. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know at eat@pioneerpress.com.

Burgers by chefs: 26 cheffy burgers.
Dive bars: 9 dive bar burgers.
Neighborhood burgers: 11 neighborhood spots.
Destination burgers: 11 burgers worth the drive.
Cult burgers: 3 burgers worth the wait.
Cheers: 8 burgers to pair with beer/cocktails.

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