Hamburger America (Revised and Expanded Fourth Edition) A State-by-State Guide to 220 of the Greatest Burger Joints Across the Country

by Motz, George

• ISBN13: 9780762487554
• ISBN10: 0762487550
• eBook ISBN(s): 9798894143248
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2026-04-14
• Publisher: Running Press Adult
• More Book Details

Summary

The classic guide to America's greatest hamburger eateries, from burger scholar and restauranteur George Motz, returns in a completely updated fourth edition—featuring 220 establishments where you can find the perfect regional burger and reclaim a precious slice of Americana.

America's foremost hamburger expert George Motz has been back on the road to completely update and expand his seminal and celebrated guide to the country's beloved burger establishments. This new edition features brand new photography throughout, alongside 38 new restaurants, spotlighting the nation's best roadside stands, nostalgic diners, mom-n-pop shops, and college town favorites—capturing their rich histories and one-of-a-kind taste experiences.

Organized by state, this engagingly written guide takes readers into the kitchens, booths, and drive-throughs of some of the most delicious and interesting burger establishments across the United States including local favorites like Val’s Burgers (CA), Taylor’s Maid Rite (IA), Pete’s Hamburgers (WI), Jimbo’s Hamburger Place (NY), Boots Burger (TX), Redamak’s (MI), and Owl Bar & Café (NM). Each entry is complete with both colorful anecdotes and practical information (location, website, hours of operation, and more), making this volume as practical for planning your own burger-themed roadtrip as it is inspiration for a mouthwatering cookout at home. Whether you're an armchair traveler, a serious connoisseur, a fan of George's own hugely popular New York City restaurant (also named Hamburger America) or a curious adventurer, Hamburger America will inspire you to get on the road and get back to food that's even more American than apple pie.

 

Author Biography

George Motz is a well-traveled chef, author, award-winning filmmaker, and photographer and has been called the 'foremost authority on hamburgers' by The New York Times. George completed the documentary film Hamburger America in 2004 which was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2006, and recognized by the US National Archives as an integral part of American food history in 2011. The film's success led to this travel guide, now in its 4th fully-revised edition. In 2016, Abrams Books released his first cookbook, The Great American Burger Book, (fully updated in May 2023) and George can be seen on 6 seasons of his show Burger Scholar Sessions on Complex Media's First We Feast. George recently opened his dream restaurant, Hamburger America, in the Soho neighborhood of New York City, which was awarded 2-stars by Pete Wells in the New York Times. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
 

Table of Contents

• Foreword by Nick Solares
• Introduction
  • Hamburger America
• Arkansas 
  • Hamburger Station
• California 
  • The Apple Pan
  • Cassell’s Hamburgers
  • Gott’s Roadside
  • Hinano Cafe
  • Hodad’s
  • Marty’s Hamburger Stand
  • Pie ‘n Burger
  • Rocky’s Crown Pub 
  • The Spot
  • Val’s Burgers
• Colorado 
  • Bud’s Cafe & Bar
• Connecticut 
  • Clamp’s Hamburger Stand
  • Fred’s Shanty
  • Harry’s Place
  • Louis’ Lunch
  • Shady Glen
  • Ted’s Restaurant
• Delaware 
  • Charcoal Pit
• District of Columbia 
  • Ben’s Chili Bowl
  • Tune Inn
• Florida 
  • El Cap Restaurant
  • El Mago De Las Fritas
  • El Rey De Las Fritas
  • Goody Goody Burgers
  • Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger House
  • Le Tub
• Georgia 
  • Moe’s and Joe’s Tavern
• Idaho 
  • Hudson’s Hamburgers
• Illinois 
  • Bill’s Toasty Shop
  • Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
  • Burger King
  • Charlie Beinlich’s Food & Tap
  • Fast Eddie’s Bon Air
  • Hackney’s on Harms
  • Just Hamburgers
  • Krekel’s Dairy Maid
  • Moonshine Store
  • Paradise Pup
  • Sunrise Cafe
  • Top Notch Beefburger Shop
• Indiana 
  • Heinnies 
  • Hinkle’s Hamburgers
  • Hinkle’s Sandwich Shop
  • Lemon Drop
  • Powers Hamburger Shop
  • Red Key Tavern
  • Triple XXX Family Restaurant
  • Workingman’s Friend
  • Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
• Iowa 
  • B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli
  • Canteen Lunch in the Alley
  • George’s Buffet
  • Hamburg Inn No. 2
  • The Gunder Roadhouse
  • Paul’s Tavern
  • Taylor’s Maid-Rite
• Kansas 
  • Bobo’s Drive In
  • Cozy Inn Hamburgers
  • Nu Way Cafe
• Kentucky 
  • Dovie’s Cafe
  • Laha’s Red Castle Hamburgers
• Louisiana 
  • Camellia Grill
  • Clover Grill
  • Judice Inn
  • Port of Call
  • Ted’s Frostop Diner
• Maine 
  • Harmon’s Hamburgers
• Maryland 
  • Laurel Tavern Donuts
  • G&A Restaurant
• Massachusetts 
  • Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage
  • White Hut
• Michigan 
  • Bates Burgers
  • Clyde’s Drive-In
  • Greene’s Hamburgers
  • Hunter House Hamburgers
  • Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
  • Original Marcus Hamburgers
  • Miller’s Bar
  • Redamak’s
  • Schlenker’s Sandwich Shop
  • The Telway Hamburgers
  • Weston’s Kewpee
• Minnesota 
  • Band Box Diner
  • Convention Grill
  • Gordy’s Hi-Hat
  • Hi-Ho Tavern
  • King’s Place Bar and Grill 
  • Lions Tap
  • Matt’s Bar
  • Tendermaid
  • Casper & Runyon’s Nook
• Mississippi 
  • Bill’s Hamburgers
  • Latham’s Hamburger Inn
  • Phillips Grocery
  • White Trolley Cafe
• Missouri 
  • Carl’s Drive-In
  • Town Topic 
  • White Knight Diner
  • Winstead’s
• Montana 
  • The Missoula Club
• Nebraska 
  • Bob’s Bar
  • Stella’s Bar & Grill
• New Hampshire 
  • Gilley’s Diner
• New Jersey 
  • Holiday Snack Bar
  • Krug’s Tavern
  • Rossi’s Bar & Grill
  • White Manna Hamburgers
  • White Rose System
• New Mexico 
  • Owl Bar & Cafe 
  • The Pantry
  • Santa Fe Bite
• New York 
  • The Blazer Pub
  • Brennan & Carr
  • Corner Bistro 
  • Donovan’s Pub
  • Hildebrandt’s
  • Jack’s Drive-In
  • JG Melon
  • Jimbo’s Hamburger Place
  • Joe Junior Restaurant
  • P.J. Clarke’s
  • Schaller’s
  • Tara Inn
  • Triangle Pub
• North Carolina 
  • Brook’s Sandwich House
  • Char-Grill
  • Duke’s Grill
  • Johnson’s Drive-In 
  • Mecca Restaurant 
  • The Snappy Lunch
  • South 21 Drive-In
  • What-A-Burger Drive-In
• North Dakota 
  • Dakota Drive-In
• Ohio 
  • Bob’s Hamburg
  • Crabill’s Hamburgers 
  • Gahanna Grill
  • Hamburger Wagon
  • Johnnie’s Tavern
  • K’s Hamburger Shop
  • Kewpee
  • Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe
  • The Spot
  • Swensons Drive-In
  • The Thurman Cafe
  • Wilson’s Sandwich Shop
  • Zip’s Cafe
• Oklahoma 
  • Folger’s Drive-In
  • Hamburger King
  • J&W Grill
  • Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler 
  • Johnnie’s Grill
  • Linda-Mar Drive-In
  • The Meers Store & Restaurant
  • Robert’s Grill
  • Sid’s Diner
• Oregon 
  • Giant Drive-In
  • Helvetia Tavern
  • The Mule Bar
• Pennsylvania 
  • Charlie’s Hamburgers
  • Coney Island Lunch
  • Coney Island Lunch
  • Tessaro’s
• Rhode Island 
  • Stanley’s Hamburgers
• South Carolina 
  • Northgate Soda Shop
• South Dakota 
  • Nick’s Hamburger Shop
• Tennessee 
  • Alex’s Tavern
  • Brown’s Diner
  • Dino’s Bar
  • Dyer’s Burgers
  • Fat Mo’s
  • Rotier’s Restaurant
  • Zarzour’s Cafe
• Texas 
  • Adair’s Saloon
  • Boots Burger
  • Burger Bar
  • Burger House 
  • Casino El Camino
  • Chris Madrid’s
  • Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill 
  • Dirty Martin’s Kum-Bak Place
  • Ed’s Place
  • Health Camp
  • Herd’s Hamburgers 
  • Keller’s Drive-In
  • Kincaid’s Hamburgers
  • Lankford Grocery
  • Longhorn Cafe 
  • Morris Neal’s Handy Hamburgers 
  • Stanton’s City Bites
  • Tookie’s Hamburgers
  • Top Notch Hamburgers
• Utah 
  • Crown Burgers
• Vermont 
  • Dot’s Restaurant 
  • The White Cottage Snack Bar
• Virginia 
  • The Cavalier Store
  • Riverside Lunch
  • Texas Tavern
• Washington 
  • Clark’s Restaurant 
  • Dick’s Drive-In
  • Eastside Big Tom
  • Red Mill Burgers
• Wisconsin 
  • American Legion Post #67
  • Anchor Bar
  • Bud Willman’s Lunch
  • Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry
  • Joe Rouer’s Bar
  • Kewpee Sandwich Shop 
  • Mickey-Lu Bar-B-Q 
  • Nite Owl Ice Cream Parlour & Sandwich Shoppe
  • Pete’s Hamburgers
  • The Plaza Tavern
  • Schulz’s Restaurant
  • Solly’s Grille
  • Ring’s Bar
  • Village Bar
  • Wedl’s Hamburger Stand and Ice Cream Parlor 
  • Zweig’s 
• Puerto Rico 
  • El Hamburguer
• My Expert Burger Tasters 
• Acknowledgments
• Index