Burger royalty ranked as Palm Beach Post readers crown the county’s top cheeseburgers
Palm Beach County’s cheeseburger loyalties are officially on the record. After more than 11,000 votes, readers have spoken and they've spoken loudly.
To recap, Sept. 18 gave us all an opportunity to contemplate all the options local restaurants have to offer when it comes to cheesy burger bites. And we had more than a dozen destinations we thought delivered the goods. But then we asked readers to weigh in.
The Palm Beach Post’s National Cheeseburger Day poll, which ran for one week, crowned three clear favorites and revealed a few charming underdogs that deserve a bite of the spotlight.
Brass Ring Pub takes the brass ring
Brass Ring Pub, a Lake Park institution since 1986 known for its chargrilled burgers and cold beer, took the top spot with 5,400 votes, nearly 49% of the total. The pub’s appeal is rooted in its simplicity: no frills, just flame-grilled flavor and a barstool atmosphere that feels homey.
Brass Ring has expanded its reach in recent years, with locations in Royal Palm Beach and Jupiter, but the original remains the heart of the operation. Regulars swear by the smoky crust and juicy core, and clearly, readers agree.
Smoky patty: The cheeseburger at the Brass Ring Pub in North Palm Beach topped our readers' poll.
Partners Bret Worcester and Kim Byron shared how meaningful it is to be a family-owned business recognized by "the community we're proud to be part of," thanking Post readers for their continued support through the years.
Okeechobee Steakhouse, a worthy second
Second place went to Okeechobee Steakhouse, which earned 4,696 votes, commanding 43%. The steakhouse, which opened in 1947, is Florida’s oldest and still family-run. Its burger, made with dry-aged beef and served with steakhouse precision, is a favorite among those who want their cheeseburger with a side of legacy. The restaurant’s loyal following helped prove that upscale doesn’t mean out of reach when it comes to burger cravings.
Okeechobee Steakhouse's burger.
Palm Beach Meats, a Michelin Guide winner, scores third place
The wagyu burger at Palm Beach Meats reminded food writer Eddie Ritz of a McDonald's McDLT.
Third place with 805 votes (7%) went to Palm Beach Meats, the West Palm Beach butcher shop and wagyu haven that’s become a destination for burger aficionados. Its burger, made with high-quality wagyu and served on a toasted bun, is a social media darling and a flavor bomb. Recently named a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand designee, Palm Beach Meats delivers exceptional food at a good value, especially impressive given its premium sourcing and chef-driven finesse.
Interestingly, this burger’s structure evokes a bit of fast-food nostalgia. With its crisp lettuce, tomato and hot patty kept distinct until the moment of assembly, my colleague Eddie Ritz says it reminds him of the discontinued McDLT, the McDonald’s creation that famously kept the “hot side hot and the cool side cool.” Palm Beach Meats elevates that concept with wagyu and house-made sauces.
Best of the rest results
More than 11,000 readers voted their favorite cheeseburger in Palm Beach County. Win, place, show goes to Brass Ring, Okeechobee Steakhouse then Palm Beach Meats.
While earning fewer votes, the remaining entries in the poll reflect the county’s diverse burger landscape. Tropical Smokehouse received 26 votes, followed by nine for Honor Bar, seven for Howley’s, six for USA TODAY’s 10Best overall winner Habit Burger & Grill, six for Meat Market, five for 1000 North, three for the Michelin Guide recommended The Butcher’s Club, two each for Hive Bakery & Café and Mia Rosebud, and one vote apiece for Café Boulud and Mary Lou’s, one of 29 winners on USA TODAY's Best Bars of 2025 list.
Hive's terrific burger. If housemade chips are available, get them.
Whether upscale, nostalgic or fast-casual, each entry had its champions. One of the most charming write-in mentions came from a Post colleague’s dad who selected McKenna’s Place, a family-owned restaurant tucked into a small shopping center.
Palm Beach Post sports reporter Alex Peterman and his father, Chet Peterman, are regulars, especially on Mondays when the $5 burger special draws loyal fans.
On Mondays at McKenna's, you might see Chet Peterman and his son Alex Peterman, a Palm Beach Post sports reporter.
“High-quality meat, flavorful, with a bun that melts in your mouth,” says Chet. Swap the included "hot, tasty fries" for a Caesar salad for $2 and expect a small upcharge for bacon or cheese. Bonus points: The chef personally checks on tables, and on Taco Tuesdays, blackened mahi tacos are just $10. Caveats: dine-in only, beverage purchase required.
Readers' write-in honorable mentions include Storm House Brewery, Duffy’s, Dixie Bar & Grill, Hap & Hooch, Pig Beach, Ale House Palm Beach Gardens, The Drift in Delray Beach, Jumby Bay, Lucky Shuck, J. Alexander’s, Five Guys, Cheffrey Eats Food Truck, Flanigan’s and Jewel Bistro.
Get ready for May's National Burger Month
The diversity of responses underscores a truth every food writer knows: The best burger is often the one closest to home, served with a side of nostalgia. Whether you’re loyal to Brass Ring’s chargrilled classic, Okeechobee’s steakhouse splendor or Palm Beach Meats’ McDLT-inspired wagyu smashburger, Palm Beach County offers a cheeseburger for every palate and every budget.
This poll may be closed, but the burger conversation is far from over. After all, in Palm Beach County, burger season never ends even though May is officially National Burger Month.
Get ready to vote again.
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post's new food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Burger royalty ranked as Palm Beach Post readers crown the county’s top cheeseburgers
