10 Great East End Burgers For National Burger Month

It's May, which means that (among other things) it's time to celebrate National Burger Month. It might not have the cultural significance of Black History Month or the urgency of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for Americans who crave ground meat formed into patties, grilled, and served on buns with various toppings and condiments, it offers an excuse to do what they love best: have a burger. To help you in that endeavor, here are 10 of the best burgers on the East End—from Southampton to the North Fork—waiting to get in your belly. 

Joe’s Garage and Grill

This casual new spot, by the water in downtown Riverhead, serves excellent barbecue—pulled chicken and brisket—along with its old-school (and delicious) burgers and paprika dusted fries.

40 Peconic Avenue 591-3330

Bay Burger

This Sag Harbor roadside institution has the classic feel of a drive-in straight out of “American Graffiti,” plus craft beers. The burgers are made on handcrafted buns and barbecued. It’s a favorite with locals, just outside of the village. It even has veggie burgers, if you must, and the lobster rolls are pretty good, too.

1742 Sag Harbor Turnpike 899-4646

Rowdy Hall

Hidden at the end of an alley between Citarella and J. Crew, steps from the East Hampton Cinema, this is the perfect pre- or post-movie burger joint. Not only are the burgers juicy and delicious, but also the fries are crispy and addictive.

10 Main Street 537-2271

 LT Burger

Looking out on Sag Harbor’s Main Street, this popular spot has a country and western feel even though it’s owned by a chef named Laurent Tourandel. Try the LT Backyard, which features hickory bacon, cheddar cheese, and special LT sauce on the fresh, juicy burger.

62 Min Street 899-4646.

The East Hampton Grill

Located on North Main Street, near the Village Police Station, EH Grill features an innovative cheeseburger made from a mix of ground beef and brisket, served with fixings of your choice on a homemade bun.

99 North Main Street 329-6666.

 Fresno

This longtime favorite near the East Hampton train station can be a little difficult to find, but people seem to manage: it’s always packed. Fresno dishes out fantastic burgers, made with Pineland Farms all natural beef, served with impeccably crisp pommes frites (French fries, to you and me). Diners can eat outdoors under heated lamps when the weather is mild.

8 Fresno Place 329-5456.

Almond

At the intersection of Ocean Road and Rt. 27 opposite the war memorial, this humming bistro features zebra wallpaper and the exuberant cooking of chef Jason Weiner. His “Deluxe” hamburgers and (turkey burgers), served with steak fries, don’t set out to reinvent the wheel, but they do what they do—satisfy a burger craving—flawlessly.

1 Ocean Road 324-8555

 Bobby Vans

Not only is this venerable Bridgehampton restaurant—once a literary hangout—a mainstay among year round residents, it also serves a terrific burger. It can be topped with cheese and comes with French fries and crispy onions.

2393 Montauk Highway 537-0590

Fellingham’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

Serving sports fans (and others looking for a good meal) for three decades in Southampton, Fellingham’s features a menu with a vast selection of burgers that pay homage to sports greats, from Babe Ruth, via the Bambino Burger (a bacon cheeseburger), to the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, whose eponymous burger is made from fresh flounder.

17 Cameron Street 283-9417

Front Street Station

With the demise of Andy’s Unbelievable Burgers and Seafood—and its fried-egg topped burgers—the best burger in Greenport can be found at this year-old pub. With its cozy, wood-paneled dining room and eight different types of burgers, it’s a great spot to celebrate what this month is all about (that would be burgers).

212 Front Street 323-5692

Got any favorite burgers you’d like to add to the list? Tell us about them in the comments.