Looking for the best burgers in the Daytona Beach area? Here are my favorites
There's never really a bad time to enjoy a good burger, and with National Hamburger Day right around the corner (May 28) it's about time to start planning out the spots you'll be hitting in celebration of the foodie holiday.
Luckily, the Daytona Beach area hosts an astounding array of worth-the-trip restaurants serving smash patty, bacon-layered, char-grilled selections. After trying multiple burgers each week for the last month, I've compiled a list of standout favorites that, personally, don't disappoint.
For those looking to celebrate the upcoming holiday right, here are several of the best burger spots across Volusia County.
Palm Coast BBQ restaurant named one of the best in the U.S., according to Yelp
Flagler Beach bar named one of best in Florida according to Southern Living
The Breakers Restaurant
518 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-428-2019, breakersnsb.com
Known as one of the longest standing restaurants on New Smyrna’s Flagler Avenue, this popular, candy pink building is never short of packed on any given evening, inviting guests to “grab a seat where you can find one,” inside the avenue's joyous burger joint. The 1990-born eatery’s home-like, wooden interior feels intimate yet still energetic — a well-loved, fresh-off-the-beach staple that prides itself on its famous “hand-formed,” char-grilled-to-order burgers ($12.95 - $15.95), a full bar and oceanfront seats.
The Breakers offers a variety of half-pound, flavor-dripping selections with my top picks being the blue cheese burger — a perfectly tender, pink-centered burger topped with rich blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, tomato and onion; and the distinctively delicious bacon cheeseburger — decorated with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion.
Riverside Johnny's
115 Main St. Bridge, Daytona Beach; 386-238-9349, riversidejohnnys.com
Riverside Johnny’s, though open for just over a year now, has quickly made its mark as one of Daytona Beach’s best restaurants for burgers, beer and laid-back, waterfront dining. With both indoor, outdoor and bar seating, the versatile spot is a self-described “fun and casual” staple for sports-watching, cocktail-sipping and sunset views along the river.
While Riverside Johnny’s menu ranges from seafood and steak to wings, tacos and everything in between, its burgers ($15 - $16) are a thin, caramelized-to-perfection hit that always leave me planning my next visit before I’ve even finished signing the check. The eatery’s double smash patty selections include the Daytona Double Double — layered with American cheese, secret sauce, grilled onions, lettuce and pickles on a toasted brioche bun; the bacon mushroom Swiss burger; and the Johnny’s Bleu Burger — my top pick, piled with lettuce, tomato, blue cheese crumbles and Cajun seasoning.
Riley’s Coney House
2132 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores; 386-872-4991, Facebook.com
Riley’s Coney House boasts a loyal following of locals who, like myself, know the restaurant doesn’t mess around when it comes to worth-the-trip portion sizes and delicious comfort food selections — most notably, its famous hot dogs and stunningly stacked burgers ($13.99 - $15.99). With a handful of 10-ounce, massive options to choose from, it’s safe to say if you’re stopping by Riley’s Coney House, you better come with an appetite.
The Daytona Beach Shores shop’s gourmet burger menu ranges from the classic char burger — my personal favorite, layering premium seasoned fresh ground beef with lettuce, tomato and onion (add bacon); and classic tender cheeseburger; to the zesty jalapeno burger — a thick layering of melted white American cheese, pepper jack, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, onion and boom boom sauce; and unique Sheppard’s pie burger — cheddar, creamed corn, mashed potatoes and brown gravy.
Brickyard Lounge and Grill
747 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-253-2270, brickyardlounge.com
The Brickyard is recognized as one of the most iconic burger joints in the Daytona Beach area, frequented by locals, tourists, NASCAR fans and drivers alike looking for a cold beer, basket of the eatery’s famous wings or bite of one of its indulgent, flame-grilled cheeseburgers.
After re-opening late last year, following the restaurant’s sale to new owners, the longtime favorite has seamlessly maintained its cult following of Daytona burger lovers. The restaurant showcases an open kitchen inside the eatery’s eclectic, race-themed interior where diners can watch an array of crowd-pleasing bites being prepared front and center.
Served with fries or chips, coleslaw and a pickle spear, The Big One Burger ($20) is my recent favorite, layering cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and bacon (for an additional $2) on a fluffy, toasted brioche bun. The shareable entrée combines two 8-ounce Angus burgers, grilled to perfection for the ultimate rose-centered, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Steer In Burger
663 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach; 386-285-1544, facebook.com
Steer In Burger is — or was — Ormond Beach’s best kept secret for made-to-order burgers, hand-cut fries, hot dogs and ice cream. Whether you’ve recently wandered into the roadside restaurant or merely noticed it in passing, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of the jovial, inflatable chef decorating its lot outside. And while the famous waving decoration has been credited with encouraging many first-time visits to the eatery, its never-frozen smash burgers seem to be what keeps customers, like myself, continually returning.
The old-school spot offers quarter-pound Angus smash burgers, like the old school cheeseburger ($8); mushroom Swiss burger ($12) ; and, my go-to, the double cheeseburger ($10) — a double helping of the thin yet juicy, crispy-edged patty we all crave, layered with cheese, lettuce, pickles and bacon for an additional $3. Each burger, pressed and seared to perfection on a flat grill, is the ideal companion to Steer In’s crispy, fresh-cut fries and shakes.
Lost Lagoon Wings & Grill
2004 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach; 386-366-3360, Facebook.com
Lost lagoon, a secluded local gem, reels in guests with its twinkling exterior and nautical vibe, and keeps them hooked with one bite of its beloved beachside burgers ($11.99 - $14.49). The charming spot, ideal for a casual weekend bite or date night for two, offers over 15 alluring burger variations, topped with everything from eggs and bacon to chopped sirloin, pineapple and teriyaki — not to mention the availability of gluten-free burger buns and a veggie burger, for vegetarian diners looking to indulge.
The eatery’s array of 10-ounce black Angus options includes my personal favorites, the Juicy Lucy Lagoon burger — cooked perfectly medium, stuffed with gobs of white American cheese oozing through every dripping bite, and layered with lettuce, tomato, onion and bacon (for an additional $2.99); and the boom boom burger — topped with American cheese, fresh onion petals and the tangy, subtle kick of creamy boom boom sauce.
Big Mike’s Burgers
1112 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach; 386-957-4975, Facebook.com
With less than one year in the books, Big Mike’s is already a community-known name, marking its territory as one of New Smyrna Beach’s best roadside joints for burgers, milkshakes and more. The fast-casual eatery, recognizable by its red and white exterior and handful of umbrella-covered outdoor tables, offers an extensive menu of crave-able smash burgers ($9 - $14), loaded waffle-cut fries and quarter-pound hot dogs.
With selections including the mushroom Swiss, The Fat Boy and The Pimento Bacon Jam, it’s no surprise that just about every made-to-order burger was calling my name. Lately, my favorites range from The Big Mike’s — a thin, rich patty with a crispy, caramelized outer coating, layered in melted American, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles and Big Mike’s Smash Sauce; The BBQ sauce-, bacon- and pepper jack-layered Rodeo Burger; and The Classic — American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup and mustard.
Each extravagantly messy, dripping with flavor selection can be ordered as a double or triple and comes sandwiched between a soft, toasted pretzel bun.
The Half Wall
3770 S. Nova Road, Port Orange; 386-763-2384, thehalfwall.com
The Half wall, a haven for sports-watchers, beer-drinkers and burger-lovers alike, is known countywide, with locations in DeLand, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange. The frequented restaurant and craft beer bar is a family-friendly staple where flat screens and char-grilled bites join forces for the ultimate, indulgent sports bar experience.
The Half Wall showcases a generous burger menu ($10.95 - $14.95), with over a dozen unique options to choose from, including the mac 'n’ cheese-topped burger, avocado burger and fried pickle burger.
Recent standouts have included the classic bacon cheeseburger — a thick and tender, char-grilled patty layered with lettuce, tomato, onion, crisp bacon and feta cheese crumbles; and The Fuego — a tangy, spiced selection combining siracha, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, onion and addicting Half Wall Stugel Flugel Beer Cheese.
The napkins-needed handhelds are served with customers' choice of potato or cucumber salad, coleslaw or a helping of crispy, golden fries and make for a delicious addition to your weekend or game day plans.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Best burgers in Daytona Beach, NSB, Ormond, Port Orange, more
