50 |^5280 |^ MAY 20^18
TASTE TEST
D BAR
Uptown’s D Bar bucks the
more-is-more gourmet
trend by dressing up its
burger just enough to
distinguish it from the
herd without ruining its
simple charm. The beef
patty arrives on a buttered
and griddled bun, topped
with aïoli, a crispy nest of
fried onions, and squares
of cheddar and pepper
jack cheese. Add one of D
Bar’s seven milkshakes to
your order and revel in the
classic Americana combo.
494 E. 19th Ave., 303-861-
4710, dbardenver.comROYAL ROOSTER
If you prefer the squishy
buns and thin patties of
fast-food-style burgers, go
to Old Major’s lunchtime
alter ego, Royal Rooster.
For his Double Double
Burger, chef-owner Justin
Brunson griddles a blend
of chuck, tenderloin, rib-
eye, and brisket to perfect
medium-rare, then covers
it in American cheese,
mayo-based special sauce,
caramelized onions, and
pickles. Served on toasted
Martin’s Famous Pastry
Shoppe potato rolls, it
majorly improves on the
drive-thru version. 3316
Tejon St., 720-420-0622,
royalroosterdenver.comMY BROTHER’S BAR
Frankly, the JCB—
or jalapeño cream-cheese
burger—has no business
being as tasty as it is. Den-
ver’s oldest saloon doesn’t
dabble in artisan ingredi-
ents or fancy add-ons. It
does, however, apply its
magical mix of chopped
chiles and cream cheese
in a shocking quantity to
the top bun of this burger,
resulting in a rich, spicy,
messy delight. 2376 15th
St., 303-455-9991,
mybrothersbar.comNEXT DOOR
Is it crazy to recommend
swapping half of the
meat in your burger for
chopped cremini mush-
rooms? Not if you’re at
Next Door, that local
chain of do-good eateries.
In its 50/50 Burger, the
fungi boost the dry-aged,
Colorado black Angus
beef’s umami, keeping
the patty so delectable
that the Swiss cheese
and balsamic onions on
top almost seem like lily-
gilding. Multiple locations,
nextdooreatery.comSTOIC & GENUINE
Ordering a cheeseburger
at a seafood joint is lu-
dicrous—unless you’re
eating lunch at Stoic &
Genuine. Its half-pound,
double-patty beauty is
everything we want in a
burger: Colorado Certi-
fied Angus Beef, ground
into a 75 percent lean to
25 percent fat ratio for
juiciness and flavor; a soft
Grateful Bread Co. bun;
local lettuce, tomato, and
red onion; and good ol’
American cheese. (Oysters
on the half shell are an ap-
propriate side, we think.)
Union Station, 1701 Wyn-
koop St., 303-640-3474,
stoicandgenuine.comON THE WEB
Find our
complete guide
to Denver’s top
25 burgers at
5280.com.Hamburger Heaven
The Mile High City’s tastiest beef-and-bun combos, just in
time for National Burger Month. —DENISE MICKELSEN & CALLIE SUMLIN
Of all of May’s holidays, we must confess that we enjoy celebrating National Burger Month the most (sorry, Mom!). Meat-loving
Denver has more tasty options than we can count, from hulking steak-house-style stackers to classic thin-patty versions. Visit
5280.com for the full list of favorites, but our top ive, detailed here, should keep you full for at least the next week.Jennifer Olson; Food styling by Eric Leskovar