Memphis, TNBurgers

Earnestine & Hazel's serves the Soul Burger in a former pharmacy turned music soaked tavern. The burger stays deliberately simple: a thin griddled patty, onions, cheese, pickle, and the house's tangy sauce on a soft bun. Order one at the bar, listen to the jukebox, and let the worn rooms supply the atmosphere that a more polished restaurant could not reproduce.

Belmont Grill represents the East Memphis tavern burger: thick enough to stay juicy, direct in its toppings, and served without unnecessary ceremony. The long running neighborhood room also offers steaks and sandwiches, but the hamburger is the reason to place it in this set. Pair it with fries and a cold drink for the straightforward experience the Flyer celebrates.

Dyer's cooks thin patties on Beale Street using the restaurant's famously maintained skillet tradition. Double and triple stacks emphasize crisp edges, melted cheese, pickles, onions, and mustard more than a large single patty. The result is a distinct old school style that belongs to the city's burger history, particularly after an evening spent walking the surrounding entertainment district.

The Green Beetle is a family run South Main tavern where the hamburger remains the most requested plate. Its appeal comes from the combination of an established bar room, a broad casual menu, and a burger built for repeat visits rather than spectacle. Settle into a booth, add fries or onion rings, and treat it as a neighborhood pub meal in historic surroundings.

Alex's Tavern keeps late hours and a compact menu in a tiny Jackson Avenue room that feels inseparable from Memphis nightlife. The Greek seasoned burger is the key order, carrying more spice and personality than a standard bar patty. Smoke, conversation, sports, and music shape the visit, so this is a burger stop for diners comfortable with a true neighborhood dive.