Best burger: Top 10 Treasure Coast restaurants with our favorite hamburgers

Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·5 min read

Editor's note: Since this article published, Stack Burgers & Bourbon opened in Stuart

It’s always burger season on the Treasure Coast.

If you’re not grilling them at home, a variety of juicy and delicious hamburgers can be found at restaurants in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties — ranging from fine dining to tiny holes-in-the-wall.

In fact, there are too many — and too much subjectivity — to list "the best," so here are some "don't miss" recommendations, as well as some of the TCPalm staff's personal favorites in Sebastian, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound.

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Sandy’s Grille

Sebastian diners say the best burger in town is at Sandy’s Grille. The roadside restaurant is known for its “Rudy Burger” ($9.99) with fries and “Sandy Burger” ($12.99) with onion rings. They're served with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. Add bacon, mushrooms, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese, shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese for an extra $1.50.

  • Address: 171 Sebastian Blvd. (County Road 512)

  • Phone: 772-589-3666

The “Hangover Burger” Hurricane Grill & Wings, which has several locations across the Treasure Coast, is a half-pound burger served with crispy bacon, fried egg, jumbo onion rings, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles on brioche bun.
The “Hangover Burger” Hurricane Grill & Wings, which has several locations across the Treasure Coast, is a half-pound burger served with crispy bacon, fried egg, jumbo onion rings, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles on brioche bun.

Hurricane Grill & Wings

TCPalm Outdoors Columnist Ed Killer loves the “Hangover Burger” at Hurricane Grill & Wings. The half-pound burger is served with crispy bacon, a fried egg, jumbo onion rings, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles on a brioche bun. “Get it with their tater tots,” he said. “I order mine medium, but some like it medium rare.” The restaurant started in Fort Pierce, then grew to a national chain and has several locations across the Treasure Coast:

  • Vero Beach: 943 15th Place, 772-562-2226

  • Fort Pierce: 2017 Seaway Drive, 772-467-9464

  • Port St. Lucie: 6641 S. U.S. 1, 772-460-4724; 2202 S.E. Veterans Memorial Parkway, 772-335-9036; 10440 S.W. Village Center Drive, 772-345-9464

  • Jensen Beach: 995 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., 772-334-0001

  • Stuart: 1729 S.E. Indian St., 772-283-1201

  • Palm City: 2355 S.W. Martin Highway, 772-781-4295

  • Website: hurricanewings.com

The half-pound burger at American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach is thick and juicy on a large, soft bun.
The half-pound burger at American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach is thick and juicy on a large, soft bun.

American Icon Brewery

TCPalm Executive Editor Adam Neal loves the “Fun-Guy Burger” at American Icon Brewery in Vero Beach. The half-pound burger is thick and juicy, cooked to order — he prefers it medium — on a large, soft bun. “What makes the burger are the toppings: smoked Gouda cheese with a hearty helping of candied mushrooms and one of the best bourbon bacon aioli sauces I’ve ever had,” he said. Not that you need it, but ask for AIB (American Icon Brewery) sauce on the side for extra flavor. Then upgrade your regular fries to truffle fries for an overload of flavor.

The burger at Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge on the ocean in Vero Beach is large and well-seasoned.
The burger at Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge on the ocean in Vero Beach is large and well-seasoned.

Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge

TCPalm Indian River County Community Editor Larry Reisman loves the char-broiled burgers at Bobby’s Restaurant & Lounge on the ocean in Vero Beach. They’re large, cooked the want you want and well-seasoned, he said. Choose from six different kinds, ranging from $12 to $14, including a patty melt and hamburger club. The restaurant has been a longtime spot for locals since it opened in 1981.

  • Address: 3450 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach

  • Phone: 772-231-6996

Go to Casey’s Place in Vero Beach for a quick, less expensive burger that’s consistently good.
Go to Casey’s Place in Vero Beach for a quick, less expensive burger that’s consistently good.

Casey’s Place

Several TCPalm staff members recommend Casey’s Place in Vero Beach for a quick, less expensive burger that’s consistently good. Choose from seven different kinds, including chili cheese and bacon blue cheese, ranging from $6.90 to $8.15. They're all 6 ounces of USDA choice Black Angus chuck, cooked to order. You can make it a double or triple for $1.50 more per patty. The restaurant near the ocean has walk-up window service and outside patio tables with umbrellas. Expect a wait at this popular spot, especially during season.

The signature “Bistro Burger” at 2nd Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce is high-quality black Angus beef that’s juicy and served on a soft, warm brioche roll.
The signature “Bistro Burger” at 2nd Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce is high-quality black Angus beef that’s juicy and served on a soft, warm brioche roll.

2nd Street Bistro

TCPalm Enterprise Editor Cheryl Smith gets the signature “Bistro Burger” ($12.99) at 2nd Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce. “It’s high-quality Black Angus beef that’s very juicy with a nice, chargrilled crust,” she said. It’s served on a soft, warm brioche roll. You can add bacon, mushrooms and cheese: Swiss, cheddar, blue, feta or brie. “It’s just the right size for me — big, but not gluttonous big.”

The St. Lucie Draft House in Port St. Lucie is known for its burgers.
The St. Lucie Draft House in Port St. Lucie is known for its burgers.

St. Lucie Draft House

TCPalm Projects Reporter Lindsey Leake loves the “Bourbon Burger” ($12.95) at the St. Lucie Draft House in Port St. Lucie. The half-pound Angus burger is topped with a bourbon glaze, grilled portabella mushroom, pepper jack cheese and onion petals. “The bourbon glaze makes all the difference,” she said. “It adds a sweet, smoky tang that masterfully compliments both the crispy onion petals and slick mushrooms. Chef’s kiss!”

Best burger restaurants. Read the story.
Best burger restaurants. Read the story.

District Table and Bar

TCPalm Entertainment Reporter Laurie K. Blandford loves the “District Burger” ($23) at District Table and Bar in Port Salerno. It’s served on Japanese milk bread with American cheese, shaved onion, bread and butter pickles, lettuce and secret sauce. It also comes with frites and a small chocolate malt.

The “BAMF Burger” ($18) at South Fork Kitchen & Bar in Stuart. It’s served with bacon-onion jam, chipotle aioli and American cheese, as well as hand-cut fries.
The “BAMF Burger” ($18) at South Fork Kitchen & Bar in Stuart. It’s served with bacon-onion jam, chipotle aioli and American cheese, as well as hand-cut fries.

South Fork Kitchen & Bar

When you walk into South Fork Kitchen & Bar in Stuart, chances are you'll see several diners tackling the towering “BAMF Burger” ($18). Two juicy patties have two slices of American cheese oozing down them. The burger is topped with a thick layer of bacon-onion jam and a slathering of chipotle aioli. Hand-cut fries come on the side.

The “Get Smashed Burger” at Busters Hobe Sound has double patties, double cherry-wood, dry-aged bacon and double American cheese.
The “Get Smashed Burger” at Busters Hobe Sound has double patties, double cherry-wood, dry-aged bacon and double American cheese.

Busters Hobe Sound

Hobe Sound diners say the best burger in town is at Busters Hobe Sound in the Market Place at Hobe Sound. The “Get Smashed Burger” ($13) is busting with double patties. But it's the double cherry-wood, dry-aged bacon and double American cheese that make it doubly delicious. It's topped with lettuce and tomato, and avocado is $2 extra.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmLaurie and Facebook @TCPalmLaurie. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Best burger: Top 10 Treasure Coast restaurants for favorite hamburgers