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Green chile cheeseburger is New Mexico’s variation of the classic burger, made with green New Mexico chile-topped beef patty inside a burger bun. A slice of melted American cheese on top of the patty is mandatory. The dish has been popular at least since the 1950s, and nowadays it is practically a symbol of New Mexico.
This cheeseburger typically also contains other toppings such as onions and lettuce.
MOST ICONIC Green Chile Cheeseburger
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The United States of America is famous for many creative recipes consisting of a succulent meat patty placed inside of a bun, and elk burger is Montana’s spin on the nation’s beloved dish. The state of Montana is widely known for its game meat, especially elk, and juicy elk burgers made with tender, dark-red meat are among the most popular local dishes.
They are leaner and higher in protein than those made with beef, yet equally tender and delicious. Elk’s delicate, slightly sweet flavor pairs nicely with pretty much any classic burger topping, but it is important not to overcook it - due to its low-fat content, elk meat dries easily, so medium rare is the best way to go.
MOST ICONIC Elk Burger
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Chili burger is a variety of hamburger consisting of a bun and a meat patty that is topped with chili con carne, although the chili might also be served on the side. The hamburger is served open-faced in some places, and it is often topped with cheese and onions, while fries are usually served as an accompaniment.
It is believed that chili burger was invented in the 1920s by Thomas M. DeForest in Los Angeles.
MOST ICONIC Chili Burger
Pastrami burger consists of a toasted sesame seed bun filled with a beef patty that is topped with pastrami, cheese, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, onions, and fry sauce – a combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet relish, and onion powder.
It's an invention of a Greek man named James Katsanevas, who had a restaurant called Minos Burgers in Anaheim, California, and started serving the dish in the early 1970s, while pastrami was brought over to Los Angeles by the Jewish people who came over from New York City in the middle of the 20th century.
MOST ICONIC Pastrami Burger
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A slopper is basically a hamburger or a cheeseburger with a grilled bun, served drenched in red or green chili. It is sometimes topped with french fries, avocados, or onions. It is believed that slopper was invented either at Gray's Coors Tavern or the Star Bar in Pueblo, Colorado in the 1950s or the 1970s, depending on who you ask.
The burgers can be served regularly (with bread on top and on the bottom) or open-faced, and they are typically consumed with a knife and a fork.
MOST ICONIC Slopper
The Nutburger is an American burger variety originating from Montana. In order to prepare it, a meat patty is smashed and fried, topped with a combination of crushed peanuts and Miracle Whip, then placed into toasted buns. The flavor of Miracle Whip can be achieved with a mix of mayonnaise and sugar.
This burger can be found at Matt’s Place in Butte, and it’s believed that it dates back to the 1930s, when Matt Korn went to Southern California and ate a burger with mayonnaise and peanuts. The Nutburger is often praised for its unusual texture and flavor.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 6 Western American Burgers” list until March 21, 2025, 1,374 ratings were recorded, of which 1,175 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.