12 Colorado Burger Chains That Locals Say Serve Beef Worth The Drive
In Colorado, burger lovers know the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination.
Locals swear by these 12 burger chains, where patties are juicy, toppings are perfectly layered, and every bite feels like it was crafted with care.
From mountain towns to city streets, these spots have earned a reputation for serving beef that’s unforgettable. Even a short drive turns into a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss.
1. Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard
Born in Colorado back in 1987, this homegrown hero has been feeding Coloradans for decades.
Good Times keeps things simple with fresh beef patties that never see a freezer, and their signature sauce adds a tangy kick you won’t forget.
The frozen custard is ridiculously creamy, making it the perfect chaser after demolishing a Wild Fry Burger.
Locals swear by the green chile options because, well, this is Colorado. With locations scattered across the Front Range, you’re never too far from your next Good Times fix.
2. Smashburger
Denver gave birth to this burger beast in 2007, and the smashing technique changed everything.
Pressing that beef ball onto a scorching hot grill creates those crispy, caramelized edges that make your taste buds sing.
Their Classic Smash with American cheese is pure perfection, though adventurous eaters gravitate toward the Colorado Burger loaded with pepper jack and haystack onions.
The rosemary garlic fries deserve their own fan club. Sure, Smashburger went national, but Coloradans still claim bragging rights since it started right here in their backyard.
3. Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Fancy burgers without the fancy attitude is what Bad Daddy’s delivers every single time. These aren’t your average patties.
We’re talking Angus beef cooked to order with toppings that sound like they belong in an upscale steakhouse.
The Blue Burger with caramelized onions and blue cheese crumbles hits different, especially when paired with their truffle fries.
Indulgent milkshakes are another reason people make the trek, blending premium ice cream with rich mix-ins. The vibe is casual cool, making it perfect for date night or hanging with your crew.
4. Park Burger
Sustainability meets serious flavor at this Denver favorite that opened in 2009.
Park Burger uses all-natural, never frozen beef from local suppliers, so you’re basically supporting Colorado farmers while stuffing your face.
The Park Burger itself comes loaded with bacon, cheddar, and their addictive Park sauce that people literally dream about.
Sweet potato fries are hand-cut daily, and the shakes are thick enough to stand a spoon in.
Lines can get crazy during lunch, but regulars say the wait builds character. Plus, knowing your burger is made with carefully sourced ingredients makes it taste even better.
5. Cherry Cricket
Since 1945, this Cherry Creek institution has been slinging burgers that make grown adults weep with joy. The menu offers something like 40 different topping combinations, so commitment-phobes might struggle.
Locals rave about the half-pound patties cooked exactly how you want them, with buns that somehow stay intact despite the juice avalanche.
The vibe is pure dive bar charm, complete with sports memorabilia covering every inch of wall space.
You can pay with a card or cash at the original location, so you can focus on what matters: ordering your dream burger combination. Pro tip: the jalapeño cream cheese topping is absolutely mandatory.
6. In-N-Out Burger
When In-N-Out finally crossed into Colorado in 2020, people literally camped out overnight like it was a Black Friday sale.
The California cult favorite keeps things refreshingly simple with a tiny menu that focuses on doing burgers right.
Animal Style is the secret menu legend, with mustard-grilled patties, extra spread, and grilled onions that’ll change your life.
Everything is made fresh to order, which explains why the drive-through line wraps around the building twice. The prices feel like a time machine back to 1995, making your wallet almost as happy as your stomach.
7. Culver’s
Midwest charm invaded Colorado, and nobody’s complaining about these ButterBurgers. That lightly buttered, toasted bun is what separates Culver’s from the basic burger pack, adding a richness that elevates every bite.
Fresh beef never frozen is their mantra, and you can taste the difference in that first juicy chomp. The Wisconsin cheese curds are mandatory on the side because when in Rome, or Wisconsin, or whatever.
Frozen custard made fresh throughout the day means dessert is basically non-negotiable. The Flavor of the Day keeps people checking the app like it’s the stock market.
8. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Thin patties might sound wimpy, but Freddy’s proves that crispy beats thick every time.
These cooked-through steakburgers get ridiculously crunchy around the edges while staying juicy in the middle, defying all burger physics.
The California Style burger with thousand island dressing is a West Coast party in your mouth. Shoestring fries are skinny, crispy, and dangerously addictive, perfect for dunking in their signature fry sauce.
Frozen custard is richer than regular ice cream, making it the ultimate sweet finish. The retro diner atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve time-traveled to the 1950s without the problematic parts.
9. Five Guys
Peanuts everywhere and burgers piled so high they need engineering degrees to stay together.
Five Guys doesn’t mess around with portion sizes, giving you two patties as standard and enough fries to feed a small army.
Free toppings mean you can load up without watching your wallet cry, making customization a beautiful thing.
The Cajun fries have a spicy kick that keeps you reaching back into that grease-soaked bag.
Everything is cooked to order, so patience is required but rewarded. Boards listing potato suppliers by state prove they’re serious about quality ingredients.
10. Shake Shack
New York’s finest burger export landed in Colorado and immediately won hearts. The ShackBurger is deceptively simple, but that Shack Sauce is basically liquid gold that makes everything better.
Angus beef is never frozen and always perfectly seasoned, creating that ideal burger balance. Crinkle-cut fries are nostalgic and delicious, especially when dipped in cheese sauce.
The concrete custard desserts are so thick the cup can literally be flipped upside down without spilling.
Lines move surprisingly fast despite the constant crowds, thanks to their efficient system that other chains should study.
11. Bubba’s 33
Texas Roadhouse created this sports bar spinoff, and the burgers inherited that same commitment to quality.
Hand-smashed patties get that crispy sear while maintaining maximum juiciness, striking the perfect textural balance.
The Bubba Burger stacks bacon, cheddar, and crispy onion strings into a tower of happiness. With plenty of drinks on tap, pairing your burger becomes a delicious science experiment.
The atmosphere is laid-back sports bar vibes without the sticky floors or stale peanut smell. Portions are generous enough that you’ll probably need a to-go box, but nobody’s judging if you power through.
12. Fatburger
California’s other burger legend brings that West Coast flavor to the Rockies. These aren’t dainty patties. Fatburger lives up to its name with hefty portions that require both hands and possibly a structural engineer.
The original burger formula hasn’t changed since 1952 because perfection doesn’t need updates. Fresh-ground beef is cooked to order on a flat-top grill, creating those signature crispy edges.
Build-your-own options mean every burger can be exactly what you’re craving. The Fat Fries are skin-on and seasoned just right, proving sides matter just as much as the main event.