Hamburgers are always in season. Simple and endlessly customizable, the restaurant staple is beloved by many, and maybe especially cherished by musicians.

Perhaps it’s the rock ‘n’ roll, no-rules nature of a burger. Or the fact that it’s an easy hand-held meal on tour. Whatever the reason, Minnesota musicians have strong opinions on the best ones out there.

As the versatile burger can take many forms, this list counts any patty — meat-based or vegetarian — sitting on a bun. From The Anchor’s ham-topped hamburger to Reverie’s plant-based masterpiece, here are some delicious possibilities.

Hamburgers

• Jake Luppen of Hippo Campus chose The Cooper Burger, a classic cheese and pickle situation from STEPCHLD. 24 University Ave NE #100, Minneapolis; website

• A few miles north on Central Ave sits Flameburger, the favorite of Joey Hays, drummer with Papa Mbye, Huhroon, and King Pari, to name a few. If your burger craving strikes at 4 a.m., this spot operates 24/7. 4800 NE Central Ave., Minneapolis

• Cheeseburger enthusiast Alex Hanson of Products throws his support behind the thin smashed double patties served up at Animales Barbeque food truck. At Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis; website

• VIAL are loyal to the best-selling Main Street Burger at Hideaway Cabin Bar, solidifying Northeast Minneapolis as a go-to spot for a good old-fashioned burger. 219 SE Main St., Minneapolis; website

  

• The Anchor Fish & Chips’ Helicopter Burger, bearing a hearty slab of ham, Irish cheddar, and a fried egg, hits hardest for Jake Berglove of Early Eyes. 302 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis; website

• WHY NOT’s choice, the Del Gordo Burger at Hamburguesas El Gordo frankly makes the Helicopter look weak as it shoulders two cheeses, ham, bacon, avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickled peppers, ketchup, and mustard. “It has the perfect sauce-to-meat ratio.” reports guitarist Isaac Dell. Locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul; website

• You’ll find Maria Isa’s pick, The Parlour Burger, at Parlour in St. Paul — because the Minneapolis location just doesn’t taste the same.
  Locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul; website

• Durry like to indulge in a Dave’s Double from the Wendy’s off County Road 42 in Roseville, which supposedly has a lovely view of the sunset. 1899 Perimeter Dr., Roseville

Stuffed Burgers

• A local burger list would be blasphemous without a few iterations of the legendary Juicy Lucy, which Autumn Vagle of Keep for Cheap describes as “The stuffed burger with the burning hot cheese that scalds your mouth when you bite into it,” Her favorite is The Juicy Nookie at The Nook (“I love the pain”). 492 Hamline Ave. S., St. Paul; website

• John O’Brien of Early Eyes prefers The Blucy at The Blue Door Pub on Como Avenue. Locations in Minneapolis & St. Paul; website

• Pine & Fire tout Tootie’s Stuffed Burger, crammed with jalapeños and cream cheese. 2706 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis; website

Veggie Burgers

• Charlie Parr’s allegiance lies with the Wild Rice Burgers from Fitger’s Brewhouse on the North Shore. 600 E. Superior St., Duluth; website

• The plant-based food truck Francis serves up a perfect Impossible burger according to Products. At Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis; website

• Grace Baldwin of Dad Bod swears by Stray Dog’s Beyond Junk Burger garnished by the likes of vegan bacon, mushrooms, and a fried egg.
  401 East Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; website

• jeremy messersmith dubs Burger King’s Impossible burger the best cheap late-night veggie burger, but his official local rec is The Lowbrow’s homemade Pinto and Quinoa Veggie Burger. 4244 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; website

• Humbird loves the bean-and-mushroom-based Rev patties at Reverie.
  1517 East 35th St., Minneapolis; website

• SYM1 opts for the Bangkok Burger (sub black bean patty, add fried egg) at Peppers & Fries. 3900 East Lake St., Minneapolis; website

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Spring series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.