11 JULY 2-8, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Order Up! BITE INTO OUR BIGGEST, JUICIEST BATCH OF DENVER’S BEST BURGERS YET. BY ANTONY BRUNO At its most basic, a burger is kind of boring. Meat. Cheese. Bun. A burger is not meant to stand out, but rather to simply satisfy and satiate with consistency and affordability. That makes it equally appropriate for both the blue-collar worker’s lunch and the rich person’s gourmet splurge. But within that simplicity hides a deeper strength. The burger is one of the few na- tional dishes on the global stage that has no strict recipe or guidelines attached. Its mind-numbing simplicity is exactly what also makes it wildly customizable. Outside of the core components of meat, cheese and bun chefs have complete freedom to create whatever they desire without the restriction of culinary or cultural dogma. Dare to substitute the cheese used in cacio e pepe in Italy and you’ll get death threats. But swapping out a burger bun for doughnuts or fried mac-and-cheese will make you a viral sensation here. That freedom of expression, that ability to push boundaries and sometimes even go too far over the top, is what makes the burger such an iconic symbol of America. So as we enter this 250th Fourth of July weekend, we’re serving up some of the best burgers across metro Denver, where you can experience the patriotic magic of the burger fi rsthand. That’s a tougher job than you might think, as the “best” burger is typically the one nearest to you at the time you decide you want one. So our list is focused on the truly craveable, ex- ceptional outliers worth a special trip. These are the places that do the basic at a remarkably un-basic level, and challenge the very notion of what a burger can be. We’ve categorized our fi ndings by type of establishment; it would be unfair to compare burgers in the fast-food category to those in the sit-down restaurant category, for instance. Full disclosure — we did not eat every burger in Denver. But we did eat quite a few, and most did not make the cut. Did we miss one of your faves? Let us know at editorial@ westword.com. In the meantime, we’re bringing out our best: CASUAL BURGER JOINTS Burger-first trucks, windows and stands (although many offer more than burgers) Arty’s Burger Plus 5614 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada Type: Smash Price: $10.50 / $15.50 double Also known as Arty’s Express, this burger stand from Little Arthur’s Hoagies founder AJ Shref- fl er can be found inside New Image Brewing in Olde Town Arvada’s pedestrian district. The American Wit is eerily reminiscent of a Philly cheesesteak, complete with Cooper Sharp American cheese and caramelized onions. The Norris is an Oklahoma-style fried onion option. The West Coast Style is more traditional, while other options include a pepperoncini relish, or toppings of corned beef and sauerkraut. Whichever you choose, all feature American Wagyu beef cooked to perfection and served on housemade potato buns. Big Sky Burger 1958 S. Garrison St., Lakewood Type: Patty Price: $12.99 (fries included) The Big Sky Burger shack in Lakewood ad- vertises “Burgers - Fries - Shakes” in large red letters to lure in those seeking exactly that. But it’s a trap of the best kind. The standard burger is a wonderfully thick, 7-ounce patty that bursts with beefy fl avor and is covered with American cheese. The rest of the menu is far less expected, opening a gateway to Korean fare with the Bulgogi Burger, Kimchi Burger and Spicy Pork Burger. There are also ramen bowls, curry, gyoza dumplings and more dishes with Asian infl uences. Are they according-to-Hoyle burgers? No. But who cares? Have some fun. Dalton’s Cheeseburgs 3763 Wynkoop St. Type: Smash Price: $14 / $17.50 double (fries included) Most smashburgers require getting a double so that you can actually taste the meat. Not so at Dalton’s Cheeseburgs, where the smash- burger has all the crispy crunchiness you’d expect from the griddle-fried patty, it’s also thick enough for a meaty bite without neces- sitating an extra layer. The Cooper Sharp American cheese offers a compelling tang without going full-Philly on the fl avor, and pickles, onion and sauce to round things out. Find these burgers at the takeout window inside the RiNo Country Club mini-golf bar, and grab a beer while you wait. Duke’s Good Sandwiches and Burgers 2748 Welton St. Type: Smash Price: $13 / $16 double Duke’s has made a name for itself in Five Points as the “Home of the original Denver chopped cheese,” but its Five Points Smash Burger is worthy of notice. It’s simplicity at its best, with a third-pound of black angus beef topped with American cheese, onion, lettuce...and that sauce. Nearly all smash- burger sauces are a mix of mayo, ketchup and mustard, but Duke’s leans a bit more to the mustard side without going too far over. It’s delicious. The Galley 2927 Larimer St. Type: Smash Price: $14 When the hugely popular Twansburger exited its residency at Finn’s Manor (see below for where it wound up), it left a huge burger void at this RiNo beer and cocktail bar patio. Thank- fully, the folks at Pit Fiend Barbecue stepped in, and are simply slaying it with their take on a smashburger that defi es any chance of dis- appointment. The standard option comes as a double patty with cheese between each layer, caramelized onions and a sauce spiked with Thai sweet chili and dill that will restore your faith in humanity. Add $4 to can get the pit- master’s signature brisket piled on top as well. Papa Friets 2001 Chestnut Place Type: Smash Price: $7.50 / $9.50 double Chicago transplants Alex and Blake Carter brought their popular Papa Friets food truck to Denver originally as a Belgian fries-and- sausage concept, but soon added burgers to round out the menu. And boy, are we all the better for it. The savory smashburgers pop with the sweetness of caramelized onions and gooey cheese, a combo perfected during Alex’s previous focus on poutines. The truck now has a permanent home under the I-25 on-ramp overpass next to Coors Field, making it tough to reach during games. Even so, make it a point to pay the Carters a visit soon. Twansburger 2233 Larimer St. Type: Smash Price: $13 Antoine “Twan” Villaume’s Twansburger food truck has become a mini cult sensa- tion over the last fi ve CAFE FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS The Bulgogi Burger at Big Sky Burger. ANTONY BRUNO continued on page 12 Dalton’s Cheeseburgs says it’s the best in Denver, and makes a good case for it. ANTONY BRUNO
