Birmingham is a legit food town, and burgers are one of the things it does best—everything from smoky, no‑frills classics to chef‑driven stacks with creative toppings. These five spots are the ones locals keep recommending when someone asks, “Okay, but where’s the best burger?”
1. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Small, loud, and totally focused on burgers and beer, Jack Brown’s has a cult following.
The menu is simple—American Wagyu beef burgers only—but the toppings get wild: cream cheese and jalapeño jelly, mac and cheese, or a fried egg with bacon. The patties are juicy and seared hard, the buns are soft but sturdy, and there’s a long craft beer list to wash it all down.
2. Chez Fonfon
You might not expect one of Birmingham’s best burgers to come from a French bistro, but here we are.
The famous Fonfon Burger is thick, perfectly medium‑rare, and loaded with Comté cheese, grilled onions, and house‑made pickles on a brioche‑style bun. It’s simple, rich, and incredibly well‑executed—locals will tell you it’s worth planning a visit just for this.
3. Mudtown Eat & Drink
Tucked away in Cahaba Heights, Mudtown feels like the neighborhood hangout everyone wishes they had.
Their burgers are big, juicy, and customizable—cooked to temp, with options like bacon, pimento cheese, jalapeños, and mushrooms. The fries are solid, the vibe is relaxed, and it’s the kind of spot people hit weekly, not just once.
4. The Standard (Pepper Place)
A newer entry that’s quickly picked up serious burger cred.
The Standard’s burger is a smash‑style, griddled patty (or two) with melted American cheese, house sauce, lettuce, pickles, and onions on a soft bun. It’s very “classic drive‑in,” just done with better ingredients and care. Add a side of crinkle fries and a shake and you’re set.
5. Paramount Bar
Paramount is part arcade bar, part serious‑about‑snacks spot right in downtown.
The burgers are flat‑top smashed, with crispy edges, melted cheese, and simple toppings that hit all the right notes. Pair one with their loaded fries or tater tots and a local beer, then go play pinball or old‑school arcade games—it’s very much an “only in Birmingham” kind of burger nigh
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