Our 12 favorite burgers for May's National Burger month: Naples, Keewaydin and north
It’s National Burger Month and the JLBs couldn’t be happier.
We. Love. Burgers.
That includes all burgers ― from Wendy’s junior bacon cheeseburger (just one cent with any purchase on the app from May 26 to June 1) and McDonald’s Big Macs (we would drink that special sauce) to smashed, pressed, grilled, flame broiled and gourmet ones.
Like our pizza research, we devoured dozens of burgers in all shapes and sizes during the past few months.
We whittled our findings down to our six favorites in Collier (with one honorable mention) and Lee County, and why you should try them.
We focused on non-chain restaurants (sorry Culver’s, we really do love your burgers) for this list.
It’s time for others to be discovered.
Collier County
First things first: You can't call yourself a Naples resident until you've tried Brooks Burgers. And we urge you to visit Jimmy P’s, whose founder James Pepper died May 8, and whose son Jimmy P Junior, will continue his legacy.
The 239
The burger: “DBL DBL”, $22.50
Why we love it: This locavore restaurant's stacked quarter pounders, fusing a brisket-short rib blend of beef, American cheese and caramelized onion, are delectable. For more decadence, consider adding Care-to-Grow locally-cultivated mushrooms. Pro tip: ask for a mix of French and sweet potato fries. (9108 Strada Place; 239-631-1902; the239naples.com)
Campiello
The burger: grilled Wagyu, $23
Why we love it: One of Naples' prettiest restaurants is a partial answer. The patty itself is topped with scamorza cheese, tomato-tarragon aioli (ask for extra on the side) and caramelized onion. You might have to slap away your tablemates' hands when they want to try your chips; don’t sacrifice too many. They’re terrific. (1177 Third Street S., Naples; 239-435-1166; campiellonaples.com)
The Claw Bar at Bellasera Resort
The burger: Brisket-blend, $24
Why we love it: Live la dolce vita by opting for sunbrella seating on the patio adjacent to the hotel pool. Though topped with pimento cheese, house sauce, bacon, pickles, pickled red onion and butter lettuce between brioche, bites miraculously fit into your mouth, avoiding a messy experience. Ask for an extra napkin if you’re on a date. Fantastic fries too. At happy hour, the same burger is $15. (221 Ninth St. S., Naples; 239-231-3912; theclawbar.com)
Island Gypsy
The burger: "Harry's Isles of Capri" cheeseburger, $18
Why we love it: Over the past year or so, this burger has run through three names, but we believe this last one will stick as it honors late owner Jerry Alajajian’s dad. Of course, it’s delicious and the fries are addictive, but my advice? Upgrade to onion rings. Waterviews too. Pro tip: Isles of Capri is ground zero in Collier for mosquitos. Prepare accordingly. (292 Capri Blvd., Naples; 239-394-1111; theislandgypsy.com)
Of note: 'Naples has lost a legend': Respected restaurateur of Island Gypsy and Hogfish Harry’s dies at 71
Just Beachy Burgers
The burger: "Island", $13
Why we love it: What’s better than a food truck? A BURGER BOAT! This was a local secret until Food Network made it famous. Three cheeseburger varieties are on the daily menu: this top pick is stacked high and served hot-to-the-touch off the grill. Even though everything tastes better at the beach, I’d eat this one anywhere. Check Facebook for the boat's operating hours and days, always contingent on the weather. (Keewaydin Island; 239-595-0592; justbeachyburgers.com)
Old Naples Pub
The burger: "Naples Pier", $16
Why we love it: Eat outside and it feels like dining within a treehouse nestled among lush flora and fauna. Inside, discover the ultimate Naples nostalgia trip with vintage photos, postcards and trinkets of the city’s history. The burger with gorgonzola and bacon satisfies the hungriest. Just try resisting the pickle jar topping every table. Super casual dress is allowed. Solid service too. A parental paradise for anyone with young children. (255 13th Ave. S., Naples; 239-649-8200; oldnaplespub.com)
Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar (honorable mention)
The burger: “Prime cheddar”, $23
Why we love it: This burger evokes a flavor memory of patties my dad would flip on our round charcoal briquet-filled grill every summer. A sentimental choice that offers Venetian Village's water views. (4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N., Naples; 239-649-5552; baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com)
Celebrate summer flavors: New celeb-favorite frozen yogurt, Greek cuisine, more
Before you go read this: Collier inspections: Golf club ordered to stop selling shrimp; 2 restaurants ace reports
Go now: Mexican cuisine, Frida Kahlo and horticulture: Naples Botanical Garden's hidden gem café
Lee County
Big Nick’s BBQ
The burger: Double smash-burger, $11.99
Why we love it: It’s easy to become distracted by the smoked brisket, ribs, pork and turkey at this tiny south Fort Myers takeout joint. But don’t sleep on the burger. The flavorful, crispy-edged double smash-burger at this once-upon-a-time Dairy Queen is one of my favorites. Comes with one side. Don’t sleep on the brisket mac and cheese for a 49-cent upgrade either. (9211 Cypress Lake Drive, south Fort Myers; 239-204-2498; bignicksbbq.com)
Fat Katz Sports Bistro
The burger: Crazy Larry, $14.99
Why we love it: This Fort Myers sports bistro (in a former Starbucks drive-thru!) has been pumping out its popular burgers with a signature three-meat blend ground in-house since 2013. Choosing from the dozen specialty burgers is no easy feat. We suggest you systematically try them all – from the Wine “Oh” with cabernet-infused mushrooms, fig jam, caramelized onions and spinach to the aforementioned Crazy Larry (peanut butter, bacon, caramelized onions, cranberry relish, arugula and goat cheese) and everything in between. (multiple locations; fatkatzsportsbistro.com)
Keg & Cow
The burger: Order 66, $13.99
Why we love it: Twelve times a year, this Cape Coral restaurant shows its creative side with a burger of the month. May brings the Star Wars menu with Darth Taters, First Order Fries and May the Pho Be With You (pho-spiced beef patty with hoisin sauce, basil, cilantro, garlic, lime relish and crispy rice noodles). That burger would have made our list if it wasn’t for Order 66 – a beef patty with smoked bacon, onions, red peppers, Fontina cheese and a black cherry barbecue sauce put it in the winner’s circle. We have faith that next month’s burger will be just as forceful. (2384 Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral; 239-558-5001; kegandcow.com)
Lehne Burger
The burger: Design Your Own Burger, $9.99 and up
Why we love it: With so many options, this Cape Coral Parkway burger joint makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. First you choose a single, double or triple Angus beef burger and how you want it cooked – from rare to dead. Then comes the bun selections (or on a mixed salad) and 10 types of cheese, then extra cheese, greens, sauces and 19 toppings – from grilled banana to BBQ pulled pork. Grabbing one of each seems easier than choosing just a few. I pick a couple of toppings, then another and yet another, only stopping when it becomes embarrassing. (1232 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; 239-347-7115; Facebook and Instagram; also in Coconut Point at 23111 Fashion Drive, Unit 111, Estero; 239-299-5731)
Matt’s Red Hots
The burger: Bacon & cheese burger, $7.29 for a single ($9.09 double, $10.89 triple)
Why we love it: Apparently we love former Dairy Queens turned into fast (but-oh-so-wonderful) food joints (see Big Nick’s BBQ). Place your order at this San Carlos Park gem and wait for the sound of your burger hitting the flat-top. That sizzle is music to our ears. We can practically hear the edges charring oh-so-perfectly. We practically swoon when it all hits the potato roll and our name is called. (18911 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 239-791-8036; mattsredhots.com)
Only Doubles, pop-ups
The burger: RZA, $13
Why we love it: I could have easily added much-beloved smash burgers from Fat Thor’s and Street Eatz & Ale to this list. But if I have to pick just one, I’ll go with OD’s RZA – two Wagyu patties, cheese, onion, OD sauce, ketchup, mustard and pickles on a potato roll. That mayo-based OD sauce (think Big Mac-special sauce, only better if you can believe it) makes this my favorite burger out there. But you have to work for it. Kyle Cravo serves these burgers at pop-ups around the area, often bringing his beloved griddle to Ceremony Brewing (where it all began a year ago), Point Ybel Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing, and Brookside Beer Market. It’s well worth finding. (OD’s schedule is posted weekly on Instagram)
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. JLB dines anonymously and pays for her meals. Follow our critics on Facebook via BiteIntoSWFL and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Best burgers: Favorites in Naples for National Burger Month in May
