In a state packed with great hamburger restaurants, Tulsa reigns supreme as the best place in Oklahoma — and maybe anywhere in the country — to grab a burger. Here, in no particular order, are 10 of our favorites:
Hank's is on an early alignment of Route 66.
1. Hank’s Hamburgers. Since 1949, Hank’s has been serving awesome burgers from a tiny restaurant at 8933 E. Admiral Place, just west of Mingo. Best thing on the menu: the Big Okie — four quarter-pound meat patties layered with cheese and all the usual toppings. Try to save room for a homemade peanut butter ball for dessert.
Classic root beer and burger from Arnold's.
2. Arnold’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers. Located at 1722 W. 51st Street in southwest Tulsa (take the Union exit from I-44 and double back on 51st), Arnold’s serves great burgers and root beer in frosty mugs. A West Side institution.
Ralph's: simple, but so good.
3. Ralph’s Fish and Burger Shack. Part of a local chain with another location near Grand Lake, Ralph’s, 1801 N. Lewis Ave., is exactly what it claims to be: a little metal shack serving fish and burgers in a rough-and-tumble little neighborhood. Outdoor seating only.
Green chile cheeseburger from Fat Guy's.
4. Fat Guy’s Burger Bar. A relative newcomer to the Tulsa burger scene, Fat Guy’s opened at 140 N. Greenwood around the same time as OneOK Field. Creative toppings and excellent seasoned fries make this a must-stop.
5. Claud’s Hamburgers. Claud’s, 3834 S. Peoria, serves old-fashioned hamburgers from a tiny white building on Brookside. No bells and whistles here; just terrific burgers and fries like the ones you got when you were a kid. Limited seating.
Burger House is one of two classic burger stands on Edison Avenue.
6. Burger House. Another Tulsa institution, Burger House is one of two great burger stands on Edison Avenue. Located at 4020 W. Edison, Burger House offers good cheeseburgers and fries and some of the best strawberry milkshakes in town. Outdoor dining only.
Ted's: another Edison Avenue tradition.
7. Ted’s Hamburgers. Ted’s, 2906 W. Edison Ave., is the other classic burger stand on Edison. Located directly across the street from Central High School. Try the charburger with hickory sauce.
8. Weber’s Superior Root Beer Restaurant. Just across the street from Claud’s, Weber’s, 3817 S. Peoria, has been around since 1933 and claims its founder invented the hamburger at a cookout back in 1891. Try the sausage burger and a homemade root beer.
Behold: Harden's Big Ol' Burger.
9. Harden’s Hamburgers. In Tulsa since 1939, Harden’s, 832 S. Sheridan, offers the “BOB” (Big Ol’ Burger), a one-pound sandwich similar to the Big Okie. The photo probably speaks for itself.
10. Freddie’s Hamburgers. Yet another longtime Tulsa institution worth visiting. Grab lunch at its older location, 802 S. Lewis Ave., or its Route 66 location at 9130 E. 11th.
Hungry? Better plan a trip to Tulsa, stat. When you come to town, we’d love for you to stay with us. Give us a call at (918) 744-5500 to book your room!
What’s your favorite Tulsa burger joint? Tell us about it in the comments.