Top 5 Burgers in the Country

There are few things that say "America" quite like a hamburger, one of, if not the most quintessentially national foods in the history of our country. And yet, with the influx of chains, mass consumerism, and genetically modified food, a good burger is harder and harder to come by.

However, not all hope is lost. On the contrary, local burger joints have undergone a kind of renaissance in the 21^st century, with the demand for quality beef and quality buns going up exponentially over recent years. As a result of that trend, below is a list of the top 5 burger joints in the country, a collection that is sure to leave you journeying out into the heart of America, in search of one of the savory treats listed.

5. Keller's Drive-In, Dallas, Texas

If the burger is the most "American," food, then the drive-in is the most "American," venue, adding the benefit of ambience to the fantastic eating experience provided by Keller's. Their poppy-seed burgers may not look beautiful, but once you put them in your mouth, you won't be able to stop raving about them to everyone you know, including, often, the people eating in cars alongside you.

4. Au Cheval, Chicago, Illinois

One of the fancier joints on the list, Au Cheval nevertheless provides a burger-eating experience you're never going to forget, combining an eclectic European palette with a traditional American menu. Its addition of an egg to the more standard condiments of the burger is particularly interesting, expanding your culinary horizons with every new bite.

3. The Company Burger, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Company Burger in New Orleans presents a return to the most traditional type of burger making the country has to offer. Grilled by an ex-chef at another elite burger joint (hint: the same restaurant that ranks number one on this list), every ingredient here is made from scratch, ensuring that your experience is fresh and delicious every time.

2. The Little Owl, New York, New York

Looking for a more urban solution to your cravings? Look no further than the "Little Owl," a burger joint that the British newspaper, the Guardian, recognized as serving the best patty in the world. And you'll understand what all the fuss is about as soon as you take a bite. Indeed, the Little Owl's burgers are succulent, savory, and tender combinations of brisket and short-rib, a duo that you'll end up craving every time you venture into the city.

1. Holeman & Finch's Public House, Atlanta, Georgia

And, in the number one spot, one of the greatest and rarest (get it) burgers in the entire country, the "double cheeseburger" at Atlanta's Holeman & Finch Public House. Indeed, this restaurant doesn't even put their burger on the menu. Instead, they leave it up to the customer to reserve one during the service, a reservation that you can't make good on until 10 pm, when the kitchen produces 24 burgers (and only 24 burgers) for the night. However, as anyone would say, once you bite into one of the patties, the whole wait is worthwhile, mixing traditional flavors with the unique taste afforded by the home-made, natural ingredients produced by the restaurant.. In short, a trip to Holeman & Finch is one of the tastiest in the world, marking it, definitively, as serving the very best burger in the country.