Travel Itinerary
Tennessee knows a thing or two about good burgers. Beyond fancy restaurants with their gourmet toppings and artisanal buns, the Volunteer State hides some incredible burger spots that locals treasure. Simple, unpretentious, and packed with flavor, these eight burger joints have earned legendary status among Tennessee residents who know where to find the real deal.
1. Jiffy Burger (Manchester)
Walking into Jiffy Burger feels like stepping back to 1965 when it first opened. Locals swear by the Slaw Burger – a juicy patty topped with their signature coleslaw that adds the perfect crunch.
Family-owned for generations, this roadside spot near Bonnaroo Festival grounds serves up nostalgia alongside crispy fries and thick milkshakes. Cash only, just like the good old days!
2. Gabby’s Burgers & Fries (Nashville)
Housed in an unassuming building, Gabby’s grills up what many Nashville natives consider burger perfection. Owner Doug Havron flips each patty with precision and care uncommon in today’s fast-food world.
What makes the difference? Grass-fed beef ground fresh daily, cooked on a well-seasoned flat-top grill. Regulars recommend the Seamus burger – loaded with bacon, cheddar and a fried egg.
3. Dyer’s Burgers (Memphis)
Grease is the word at this Beale Street institution. Since 1912, Dyer’s has been cooking burgers in the same century-old grease, strained daily but never replaced – creating what locals call “flavor country.”
Paper-thin patties get dunked in this legendary grease before hitting the grill, resulting in a crispy-edged burger unlike anything else. Brave souls order the Triple Triple: three patties with three slices of cheese.
4. Litton’s Market & Restaurant (Knoxville)
Originally a corner market in Fountain City, Litton’s evolved into Knoxville’s burger headquarters. University of Tennessee students make pilgrimages here for the Thunder Road burger – a thick, hand-formed patty cooked medium with a slight pink center.
Seated in wooden booths surrounded by local memorabilia, patrons savor burgers served on freshly baked buns from Litton’s own bakery. Save room for their legendary desserts!
5. Zarzour’s Cafe (Chattanooga)
Five generations of the same family have kept this tiny Chattanooga gem going since 1918. Tucked away on Rossville Avenue, many drive past without noticing the burger paradise hidden inside.
Handwritten menus change daily, but the burgers remain constant – hand-pattied, seasoned with secret spices, and cooked on equipment nearly as old as the restaurant. Friendly banter from the owners comes free with every meal.
6. Tremont Tavern (Chattanooga)
Hidden in a residential North Chattanooga neighborhood, Tremont Tavern looks more like someone’s house than a restaurant. Regulars pack the dark wood interior nightly for what many consider the city’s best burger.
Fresh-ground chuck is mixed with secret seasonings, hand-formed, and grilled to perfection. Local craft beers flow freely while patrons debate which creation reigns supreme – though the Gouda Burger often wins the crown.
7. Merv’s (Chattanooga)
Situated in an old gas station on Market Street, Merv’s screams “no frills” from its mismatched furniture to its paper plate service. Hungry Chattanoogans form lines out the door for their smashed-style burgers.
Paper-thin patties get pressed onto a sizzling griddle, creating lacy, crispy edges that extend beyond the bun. Melted American cheese and caramelized onions complete what locals simply call “burger perfection in its purest form.”
8. Huey’s (Memphis)
Ceiling toothpicks tell the story at Huey’s – a Memphis institution since 1970. Patrons shoot toothpicks through straws, aiming for the acoustic ceiling tiles decorated with decades of successful shots.
While the atmosphere is playful, the burgers are serious business. Juicy, third-pound patties come with creative toppings like the West Coast burger with guacamole or the Madison topped with bacon and smoked cheddar. Multiple locations now exist, but locals swear by the original.