These picks from Dani Mathews (@healthyishdani) range from classic to unexpected
Ask a group of Greenville locals where to find the best burger in town, and you’re bound to start a debate. After eating my way through plenty of them myself, I’ve found that there’s no single formula for a great burger. Sometimes it’s a classic smashburger, sometimes it’s loaded with unexpected toppings, and sometimes it comes with duck-fat fries and a glass of wine at a Michelin-starred restaurant. These are my personal standouts, along with a few Greenville fan favorites worth adding to your list.
The One I’ll Die on This Hill For
There’s something that feels a little rebellious about walking into a Michelin-starred restaurant and ordering a burger, fries, and a glass of red wine, and I love it. The Lil Scoundrel features a Black Angus beef patty with Scoundrel sauce, cheddar, lettuce, and onion, and during happy hour it comes with duck fat fries and your choice of a beer or house wine, all for $20. It’s fancy meets unfussy, and to me, it’s the perfect burger.
The Lil Scoundrel is available at the bar during happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 5–7 p.m.
Hot tip: Get there early. Diners have caught on to how good this deal is, and a line often forms before the doors open. I usually arrive around 4:30–4:45 p.m. to snag a spot.
Unique & Noteworthy
Bar Margaret: Damn Good Burger
With a name like the Damn Good Burger, you have to deliver, and Bar Margaret does. This one comes on a house-made poppyseed bun with American cheese, their famous 1K sauce, and a thick-cut, beer-battered onion ring—and that onion ring is what does it for me. It’s perfectly fried and adds the best crunch to every bite. The whole thing feels a little over-the-top in the best way possible.
As someone who grew up eating Colombian food, I have a soft spot for this one. Half Rooted starts with a chargrilled beef patty and tops it with bacon bits, pineapple-habanero jam, ají, salsa rosada, and crushed potato chips, all on a sesame bun.
I love the char on the burger, but it’s the salsa rosada and crushed potato chips that really give me that Colombian street-food nostalgia. And yes, potato chips on a burger are very much a thing in Colombian street food and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
Northwest Grill: #5
For this one, we’re taking a little drive up to Travelers Rest and it’s worth it. Northwest Grill is an old-school diner where dollar bills cover the walls (you can even autograph your own and add it to the collection), and the #5 is exactly the kind of burger you want to order here. It’s a gloriously juicy patty melt, complete with a half-pound patty topped with melted smoked Gouda, mushrooms, and A1 sauce, served on buttery Texas toast.
Hot tip: Add the grilled jalapeños. Trust me.
The Classics: Day or Night
For a daytime burger craving, this is a smashburger you can depend on. HeyDay keeps it classic with grilled onions, American cheese, pickles and house sauce, best enjoyed with sunshine, patio games, and a cold drink. Simple, reliable, and always hits the spot.
Jack Brown’s: The Classic Jack
For a late-night burger craving, the Classic Jack has you covered. Jack Brown’s is open until midnight on weeknights and 2a.m. on weekends, serving up burgers made with 100 percent Wagyu beef. The Classic Jack comes topped with caramelized onions, American cheese, dill pickles, and their beloved JB Sauce.
Hot tip: Order an extra side of JB Sauce. You’ll want it.
Greenville’s Fan Favorite
There are some restaurants that Greenville locals just seem to rally around, and Windy City is one of them. The Hudson is topped with crispy onions, bacon, and BBQ sauce and served on a brioche bun that’s baked fresh daily. Their beef is also ground in-house using certified choice chuck and smoked pork belly, and that scratch-made approach comes through in the food.
But I have to talk about the fries. Because as much as we’re here for the burger, their garlic parm fries deserve their own moment. They’re crispy, garlicky, cheesy, and absolutely worth adding to your order.
Hot tip: Don’t skip the buffalo and blue cheese dipping sauce with those garlic parm fries. It’s the move.
The Wild Card
Tropical Grill: TG Smash Burger
Hear me out: order the burger at Tropical Grille. You probably go to this local chain for the rice bowls, salads, and Cuban-inspired favorites, which is exactly why this one earns my wild-card spot. Two thin beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, and tomato are topped with crispy potato sticks and their signature garlic-cilantro sauce, all tucked into a soft, buttery potato bun. And honestly, that garlic-cilantro sauce is what makes it.
