Burger Heaven

Catch up on the best places in town to grab a burger

By Bob Barnes

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ American burger with all the fixings? Take a tasty tour of all makes and varieties of burgers, from traditional to unique and outlandish.

Ada’s Food & Wine

Mick’s Royale with Cheese Smash Burger is named for a “Pulp Fiction” reference to the Parisian term for a quarter pounder. Ada’s burger expert, Sous Chef Mick Skarda, makes a quarter pound of 80% chuck 20% brisket topped with New American cheese, lettuce, tomato, house-fried onions and a house-made sauce (similar to Thousand Island) on a pan au lait bun baked at Esther’s Kitchen. An excellent deal is on Mondays when the burger is $9 (regular price $16) with the purchase of any wine, cocktail, beer or sake. Advanced Sommelier Kat Thomas suggests pairing the burger with JSC Cradle of Wine Saperavi and Due del Monte Collio Bianco. 410 S. Rampart Blvd. #120, adaslv.com

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

Located in The Venetian off the casino floor across from the sportsbook, this NYC transplant’s menu is highlighted by craft burgers. Examples are the Mexico City, a Prime burger with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, chipotle mayo and crispy onion ring; and the Black Truffle Burger, a half-pound Wagyu burger with Havarti cheese, baby arugula, truffle-yuzu vinaigrette, black garlic peppercorn aioli, shaved parmesan and truffle oil. The restaurant lives up to its name with a quality beer selection, including local brews like Big Dog’s Las Vegas Craft Lager. 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., blacktap.com

Evolve Brewing

The newly opened Evolve Brewing, by one of Las Vegas’ first craft brewing bars, Aces & Ales, is one of the first establishments to open at The Bend on Sunset near Durango. Like its other two Aces & Ales locations, its gastropub menu features upscale comfort food, including a range of unique burgers. The Hangover Burger is a Black Angus patty with applewood-smoked bacon, a sunny side up egg, caramelized onions, cheddar and crack sauce; the Juicy Lucy Stuffed Burger is a combination of Black Angus patty stuffed with American cheese, Applewood bacon, chorizo and onions; and the Juicy Lucifer Stuffed Burger is spiced up with pepper jack cheese and fresh jalapeños. Pair your burger with one of the house-made beers like Bad Manners West Coast IPA and Noon Juice Blood Orange Wheat. 8680 W. Sunset Rd. E100, evolvebrew.com

FukuBurger

FukuBurger began as Las Vegas’s first gourmet food truck and became so popular that it warranted adding brick-and-mortar restaurant locations, of which there are now two. It markets itself as serving all-American burgers with a Japanese twist for those who don’t take life too seriously. Examples are the Buta Burger with all-beef Fukupatty with applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, pickled red onions, red ginger and Japanese barbecue sauce; the Karai with an all-beef Fukupatty, pickled cucumbers, avocado cream and habañero kabayaki; and the best-selling Tamago Burger with Fukupatty, furikake, teriyaki, crispy onion strings and a fried egg. 7365 S Buffalo Dr., fukuburger.com

Irv’s Burgers

Established in 1946 as one of the original roadside burger stands in L.A. on Route 66, Irv’s has garnered a cult following that has made its way to the Eat Your Heart Out food hall at Durango Casino & Resort. To taste a bit of history, dive into the Irv’s Original Roadside with a 4 oz patty, American cheese, Irv’s sauce (proprietary blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, hot sauce and spices), lettuce, tomato, pickle and onions. For those who prefer poultry to beef, Irv’s Turkey with turkey patty, Hatch green chiles and cheddar cheese does the job. You can design your masterpiece with 17 ingredients like chili con carne, pastrami, egg, BBQ sauce and hot honey mustard. 6915 S. Durango Dr., durangoresort.com

Lazy Dog

Lazy Dog has three Southern Nevada locations, including this one in Downtown Summerlin. As the name implies, dogs are quite welcome here, and a dog-friendly outdoor area includes a covered patio with a fire pit, and for your furry friend, water bowls and a food menu with a choice of chicken or hamburger with brown rice and veggies. A significant portion of the menu for humans is dedicated to eight burger options, like the Black + Blue, a grilled half-pound beef patty with blue cheese, smoked bacon and blue cheese dressing; and the Bison Burger, an all-natural Durham Ranch grass-raised Wyoming bison with Havarti, caramelized onion and bacon jam. 1725 Festival Plaza Dr., lazydogrestaurants.com

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

Good things come in the 50s at this burger eatery at Town Square. Its décor features a display of Americana memorabilia filling nearly every inch of the walls with nostalgic signs and license plates from all 50 states, 50 draft beers and over 50 supercharged burgers. You can design your own by selecting a bun, cheese and patty, or choose from one of 50 designer burgers you likely won’t find anywhere else. Try the Poutine burger topped with mashed potatoes, fried cheese curds and brown gravy; Pepperoni Pizza burger with pepperoni and melted cheese on pepperoni Texas toast; Rise & Grind Breakfast with jalapeño-brisket sausage and fried egg; and Jalapeño Cream Cheese with premium Wagyu beef patty topped with jalapeño cream cheese spread, peppered bacon and pepper jack cheese. 6629 S. Las Vegas Blvd., sickiesburgers.com

Slater’s 50/50

Known for over-the-top bacon-infused burgers and craft beer, Slater’s 50/50 is named after its flagship Original 50/50 Burger, a mix of 50 percent ground bacon and 50 percent ground beef topped with pepper jack cheese, avocado, fried egg and chipotle mayo. Outlandish creations include the best P.B. & Jellousy with Angus beef, bacon, peanut butter and strawberry jelly; and 24K Burger with three slices of thick-cut Billionaire’s Bacon dusted in 24-karat gold, stacked on a 1/2-pound Wagyu beef patty with truffle cheese, arugula, jalapeño-bacon jam and roasted garlic aioli. The burgers are matched with a stellar 50-tap draft beer list, with several local brews and other standouts you won’t find elsewhere, like Founders Backwoods Bastard Scotch Ale. 7511 W. Lake Mead Blvd., slaters5050lasvegas.com