These are our favorite 6 burgers in North Jersey
These are our favorite 6 burgers in North Jersey
Kara VanDooijeweert and Matt Cortina, NorthJersey.comFri, May 8, 2026 at 8:20 AM UTC
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Backyard barbecues, high school cafeterias and (dare we say it) McDonald's — there are a lot of disappointing burgers on the market.
At White Castle, the patties are thinner than paper; at Garden State Diners, they're overcooked; and, at In-N-Out, they're overhyped.
It's an all-too-common, well-done nightmare.
Fortunately, though, it's one you don't need to subject yourself to any longer, because we at The Record have combed through the top half of the state to help you find the most exceptional beefy bites.
From Garfield to Verona, then, here are 6 North Jersey restaurants proving a cheeseburger can take you to paradise.
Bun Buddies, Wood-Ridge
A smash burger at Bun Buddies in Wood-Ridge, NJ.
Smash burgers with crispy edges and well-seasoned patties await at Bun Buddies; Bergen County's best-kept fast food secret. Run by a chef who once whipped up high-end fare in Manhattan's finest kitchens (including the three Michelin-starred Jungsik), the tiny Wood-Ridge gem is home to irresistible comfort dishes prepared at an elite level.
Order the Special Buddy, for example, and be wowed by the way 100% chuck melts in your mouth like a pasture-raised steak. Note how it's caramelized onions are rich with sweetness, and how the mixture of sauces around it are subtly mustard-y, providing the perfect balance to every bite.
From the flawlessly-grilled beef to the house-made coleslaw you can opt to slather above it, the burger is reflective of all others on the menu; intentionally-designed, meticulously-executed and served with pride by a dude who knows what he's doing.
Go: 271 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge; 201-604-4813, bun-buddies.com.
Krug’s Tavern, Newark
An open-faced shot of a burger from Krug's Tavern in Newark.
Simply put, this is maybe the most famous burger in North Jersey, if not the whole state. That’s for good reason: it’s simple, massive and delicious.
A three-quarter pound beef patty is charred on the outside on Krug’s flat-top griddle, giving it a delightful, roasty bark on the outside. The meat is unseasoned but you won’t care – a plain burger or cheeseburger has more than enough flavor and each bite oozes with fatty goodness. You can always order the bacon bleu or pizza burger if you need further adornment.
There’s also few better environs to chow down on a burger than the scene at Krug’s. This almost century-old pub is a good time with cold beer, good cheer and a terrific pub menu (get the bar pie and shrimp parm).
Go: Krug’s Tavern. 118 Wilson Ave., Newark; 973-465-9795, krugstavernnj.com.
Steve's Burgers, Garfield
A signature Steve's Burger at Steve's Burgers in Garfield.
It's been a year since Steve's Burgers made history in North Jersey, becoming the first fast-casual restaurant in the area to make USA Today's Restaurants of the year list. The humble roadside joint was sandwiched between fine dining destinations, contemporary gastropubs and upscale special occasion spots with wine lists.
Nonetheless, it held its own.
Critics praised Steve's Burgers for its blend of nostalgia with innovation; from the combination of retro digs with uniquely-topped burgers, to the hometown hangout atmosphere with Instagram-able eats.
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Most recommended for devouring was the signature "Steve's Burger," which comes topped with American cheese, tangy Steve's Sauce, crisp bacon and a battered onion ring.
Go: 506 Route 46, Garfield; 973-772-1770, stevesburgersgarfield.com.
The Committed Pig, Morristown
A burger with beer cheese and onion strings on a pretzel bun at The Committed Pig in Manasquan, New Jersey.
You’ve likely heard tell of the supreme burgers at The Committed Pig in Morristown, Summit and Manasquan. They’re fixtures on lists of the best burgers in the state from a variety of media, and word-of-mouth darlings for hungry North Jerseyans.
The burger is built from a blend of Pat LaFrieda steak cuts, and you can enjoy that in a plain, scrumptious cheeseburger or take advantage of the Pig’s culinary creativity. We’re talking a baked brie burger with creamy brie, bacon and fig preserves; a chipotle bacon burger with Muenster, chipotle mayo, bacon and an onion ring; and a triple-decker Pig Mac with American cheese, pickles and special sauce. There are also turkey and veggie burger options.
Go: 28 W. Park Place, Morristown; 862-260-9292, thecommittedpig.com.
Tierney’s Tavern, Montclair
While not on the menu, the "Buddy Burger" - a cheeseburger topped with Worcestershire-grilled onions - is a popular item at Tierney's Tavern in Montclair. Pictured June 18, 2024.
Tierney’s in Montclair is one of the best bars in America, but it also slings some of the best burgers in the area too (if you know how to order them).
Yes, you can go here and get a killer cheeseburger, or you can order slightly off the menu and get the not-so-secret-anymore Buddy burger, a cheeseburger topped with Worcestershire-laden grilled onions. It’s pure comfort and enough to sate any size of appetite.
Tierney’s is also an ideal spot for casual eats; order a burger and a pint, maybe throw in some wings, laugh it up with friends and you’ll leave without having broken the bank.
Go: 138 Valley Road, Montclair; tierneystavern.com.
Woosmash, Verona
The Woo Signature burger from Woosmash in Verona, NJ.
Cheeseburgers may be the (unofficial) national dish of America, but that's not stopping Korean-born culinary wizard Woosung Cho from redesigning them with delicious Asian twists. From downtown Verona, he's "woo"-ing locals with everything from standard smash burgers to Korean BBQ-flavored ribeye burgers drowning in garlic mayo and topped with kimchi relish.
And, as for the onions? Caramelized with miso.
When Woosmash first opened, we delighted in the fact that we were the only ones who knew about it. Infatuated with Cho's gochujang-glazed chicken sandwiches (when not in the burger mood) and spicy Woo-Ha Smash with Firestorm sauce, we gave it a few weeks before blowing the spot up on Instagram.
Today, though, everyone knows about the place — as word spread about Cho's "thoughtful flavors" and "unbeatable prices" faster than the cars rip down Bloomfield Ave. outside its windows.
Go: 648 Bloomfield Ave., Verona; 973-433-7256, woosmash.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best burgers in North Jersey, according to our food writers
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