We Ranked The Best Burger Places In Pennsylvania And Here Is Who Made The Final Cut

One Pennsylvania burger hides mushrooms and onions inside the patty itself, then gets finished with Velveeta and a homemade hot mustard. I read that and immediately wanted to know who thought of it first.

The surprises kept coming. Another spot on this list pairs smash burgers with birria tacos.

A third smothers its burgers in chili inside a simple, old-timey room that has been feeding its neighborhood for years.

So I went looking across Pennsylvania for burger places with a real reason to exist. I wanted crispy smashed edges, fresh-cut fries, hand-dipped shakes, and menu quirks that make a detour feel smart.

Big cities made the cut, and so did a small county seat with old brick streets.

The final seven stretch from the far northwest corner of the state to the northeast hills. Which one would you drive to first?

1. Moonlit Burgers Dormont

Pittsburgh already has a famous habit of putting fries on sandwiches, and this Dormont shop found a fresh way to honor it. The Big Mick piles fries and slaw right onto a double smash patty with hot sauce and Moon sauce.

It feels like a hometown wink, and I love that kind of local pride. For a cleaner start, the Classic Moonlit Double brings American cheese, griddled onion, and pickles on a Martin’s potato roll.

Crispy, lacy edges are the whole point of a good smashburger. Patties come in single, double, or triple stacks, so you decide how much crunch you can handle.

Fries lean shoestring style, thin and salty. Want more drama?

The Loaded Smash Fries arrive topped with a double patty, cheese sauce, pickles, and pickled jalapenos.

Plant-based eaters aren’t stuck with a side salad either. A full vegan menu swaps in Impossible smash patties, vegan American cheese, and a vegan, gluten-free bun.

Finish with a hand-spun milkshake or Millie’s soft serve, because a salty meal deserves a cold ending. You order at the counter, and reservations aren’t part of the plan.

Moonlit runs other shops around Pittsburgh too. Hours vary by location, so check ahead before you go.

Address: 1426 Potomac Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

2. Lucas Burger

Philadelphia earns most of its sandwich fame from thin-sliced steak, so a burger shop on Chestnut Street has to work for your attention. Lucas Burger answers with a tight focus on smash burgers and crispy fries.

Short menus can be a quiet sign of confidence. When a kitchen repeats the same few things all day, the griddle crew gets very good at that sear.

You order at the counter, so there’s no waiting for a server to circle back. That makes it an easy lunch between errands in Center City without losing your whole afternoon.

Price matters downtown, and this one stays friendly to your wallet. Most meals land in a range that feels fair for a busy part of the city.

Parking near 21st and Chestnut can be a puzzle, so plan on a garage or a short walk. Curbside pickup and delivery are both options if circling the block sounds like a chore.

Kids fit right in at a casual counter spot like this. Catering is also available if your office deserves a burger lunch for once.

Hours can shift, so check ahead before heading downtown. A quick look saves you a hungry walk.

Address: 2101 Chestnut St # D, Philadelphia, PA 19103

3. State Burger Co.

Building your own burger sounds simple until you’re staring at a list of toppings and changing your mind three times. State Burger Co. in Bellefonte turns that happy indecision into the main event.

Burgers here are made to order, and you get to steer the build. Steak burgers anchor the menu, while veggie burgers get the same build-it-yourself freedom.

Fresh-cut fries ride alongside, which is always a good sign. Then come the specialty milkshakes, hand-dipped and ready to compete with your burger for attention.

Bellefonte sits about 20 minutes from State College, and the drive makes an easy escape from campus traffic. Its downtown along Allegheny Street is a pleasant place to stretch your legs after lunch.

Unlike plenty of burger counters, this one offers table service and takes reservations. That’s handy if you’re wrangling a group after a game or a family visit.

Kids have their own menu, and high chairs are on hand for the smallest diners. You’ll want a little time to find street parking, so build that into the plan.

The schedule runs on a short week, so check hours before making the drive. Showing up to a closed door is a sad way to miss a shake.

Address: 101 S Allegheny St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

4. Bro Man’s Birria N’ Burger Joint – Erie

Birria tacos and smash burgers sharing one menu sounds like a dare. In Erie, Bro Man’s treats it like a perfectly normal Tuesday.

The two signatures make a fun pairing for anyone who can’t pick a lane. Grab a smash burger for yourself and split an order of birria tacos with the table.

Indecisive eaters, this is your spot. The menu also stretches into sandwiches, small plates, and even breakfast, so the burger isn’t the only reason to stop.

Vegetarians get more than a token option here. A full vegetarian menu means everyone in the car gets a real meal.

Ordering happens at the counter, and the kitchen moves quickly. That speed comes in handy when you’re squeezing lunch into a busy day near the city.

Families can settle in easily, thanks to a kids’ menu and high chairs. Sports fans can keep an eye on the game while they eat.

Parking near the restaurant can take a minute, so give yourself some cushion. Hours stay on a shorter weekly schedule, so check ahead before the drive.

For a Pennsylvania burger list, this might be the most surprising plate combination of the bunch. I’m here for it.

Address: 2614 Glenwood Park Ave, Erie, PA 16508

5. Burger Yum

An onion ring stacked right on the burger is a power move, and Burger Yum makes it part of the BBQ burger. Sweet BBQ sauce and a generous layer of cheese finish the job.

That burger shows the Harrisburg shop’s personality pretty well. Toppings stay balanced, so you get crunch and sauce without losing the beef.

Plain cheeseburgers get just as much love here. Pair one with old-fashioned fries and you have a simple lunch that hits the spot.

Loaded fries are the upgrade for bigger appetites. Thick milkshakes round things out if you saved room, and you probably should.

Burgers aren’t the only option, either. Chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs cover picky eaters, while a full vegetarian menu covers the rest.

Second Street puts you close to the heart of downtown Harrisburg. Outdoor seating gives you a spot to eat in nice weather, and dogs are welcome outside.

You order at the counter, which keeps things moving at lunch. Street parking can be a hunt, so a short walk might be part of the deal.

The shop takes a weekly day off, so check hours before you head into the capital city. Your stomach will thank you.

Address: 400 N 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101

6. Wert’s Cafe

Most burgers wear their toppings on top, but the Wert’s cheeseburger keeps mushrooms and onions tucked right inside the patty. Then it gets a blanket of Velveeta, which is about as comforting as cheese gets.

Here’s the real kicker for many fans of the place. A homemade hot mustard sits ready to give that rich burger a sharp little jolt.

Wert’s Cafe has been an Allentown fixture for a long time, and it’s family-owned. The room leans retro and homey, which suits a burger this old-school.

Sides arrive in serious portions, so think about sharing. Onion rings and fries come piled high, and spinach balls add a local twist you won’t spot on many burger menus.

Homemade soups and lunch and dinner specials keep the menu from feeling one-note. Save room if you can, because the desserts have their own fan club.

Plenty of free parking makes the visit easy, which is a small luxury in a busy city. You can grab a table or sit at the counter.

Wert’s keeps a weekday schedule, so weekend burger plans won’t work here. Check hours before you go, and plan your craving around it.

Address: 515 N 18th St, Allentown, PA 18104

7. Coney Island of Scranton

Chili on a burger might sound like a happy accident, yet in Scranton it’s a long-running tradition. Coney Island of Scranton has been turning out chili-topped hot dogs and hamburgers for years.

The space is simple and old-timey, and that’s exactly the charm of the place. Nobody comes here for fancy plating.

Burgers get smashed fresh on the griddle, then topped with chili that brings a savory kick. The Texas burger is the order to know before you sit down.

Hot dogs share the spotlight, of course. With a name like Coney Island, skipping a chili dog feels like ignoring half the menu.

Onion rings make a classic side here. Garlic truffle fries add an unexpected twist for a spot with this much history.

You’ll get table service, and the kitchen keeps things quick. Coffee is on the menu too, which makes a late lunch feel a little more relaxed.

Prices stay friendly, which helps if you’re feeding a carload. Free street parking and on-site parking make stopping in easy.

It’s a fitting final stop on this Pennsylvania burger tour. Check hours before you go, since it takes a day off each week.

Address: 100 Cedar Ave, Scranton, PA 18503