The WRAT Staff Picks Their Favorite Burgers On The Jersey Shore

Burgers aren’t just for a fun Summertime barbeque; burgers are good any time. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, I love burgers, I love them all. I was Dr. Seuss in a past life.

Burger wars are kind of like pizza wars here in New Jersey, people like what they like, and they will tell you why their burger choice is better than yours. Let’s face it, burgers and pizza tastes are subjective and Jersey folks like to fight about it.

To make the juiciest, most flavorful burgers, I read that ground beef that is 70 percent lean and 30 percent fat is the way to go. For a burger that is a tad more healthful, but still nice and juicy, choose ground beef that is 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat.

I know there are a million different choices when it comes to protein, but I’m going to keep it simple. Maybe I’ll get more creative in a future article.

I like my burgers medium well, while my mother liked hers rare. So rare, that I thought that hunk of meat was going to get up and walk off the plate.

Some people like their burgers super thick, I’m talking so thick, it could double as a slice of meatloaf.
Some folks like them paper thin. These days, they call the super thin burgers “smash burgers”, they’ve been a big trend for over a decade now.

Smash burgers aren’t really that new, they’ve been around longer than I’ve been alive.

Back in 2007, a couple of fast-food industry guys marketed the really thin flat top burger and gave it a name and opened the fast-food chain, “Smashburger.”

I remember my grandpa Jack taking me to the local luncheonette on a Brooklyn street corner and watching the guy manning the griddle making these sloppy looking thin beef patties loaded with onions and smashing them down with a metal spatula. To me, that was the original smash burger.

I am an observer of people, so much so, it heads into minutiae territory. I am a naturally curious soul and I ask a lot of questions about a lot of different subjects. So, I made my way around to the offices and studios of Beasley Media New Jersey in the Belmar – Lake Como area, and I asked several of my colleagues where they get their favorite burgers.

Here’s who weighed in:

Steve loves a burger from a hometown place in the heart of Point Pleasant Beach called "Bam Bam Burger Co." They get all of their meat from a local butcher and the burgers are fresh pressed daily. The rolls are delivered fresh everyday as well. I hope Steve couples those burgers with a side of either truffle fries, or those good looking cheese fries.

Lauren did not hesitate when I asked where she gets her favorite burger. She immediately responded, "Frankie's Bar & Grill in Point Pleasant. She loves a simple classic cheeseburger. They grill them fresh behind the bar and I know from past experience that they are delicious, especially with a fabulous martini.

This woman knows where to find the best of everything when it comes to food. This woman has more pictures of food & drink in her gallery on her phone than her kids. The kids though are a close second.  Jackie has two choices: The Black and Blue Burger from Max Devros in Manasquan. It's a Cajun spiced patty, stuffed with bleu cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, and topped with spicy mayo. I need to try this place. Jackie also mentioned that her burger must be accompanied by a side of tots, and washed down with a watermelon crush Thanks to Jackie for the heads up.

Jackie had to include a second choice because she says these two burgers are equally good for different reasons. Her second pick is The French Dip Smash Burger at Whiskey Lounge in Brielle. It's a double stacked smash burger made from a house brisket blend, shaved prime rib, Swiss & Provolone cheeses, whiskey caramelized onions, topped with whiskey BBQ sauce on a toasted onion brioche roll. Jackie needs a cocktail with her burgers and she would select any one of their fine whiskey cocktail offerings.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZAhJEA0jt/?hl=en

Jimmy loves a nice juicy California Burger from either Burger 25 in Toms River or Frankie's in Point Pleasant. Like Jackie, Jimmy had to have two choices, and I'm fine with that.  We can now add "The Baron Of Burgers" to Jim's long list of titles.

Minister was the first person ever to turn me on to the ridiculously good food from The Galley on Sunset Ave in Asbury Park. It's no surprise to me that Minister chose a burger from here. Minister loves to wolf down the Galley's Bacon Bleu Cheese Burger made with a 10 ounce Pat La Freida patty, bleu cheese crumbles, and bacon on a nice soft brioche bun.  Hey Minister, don't forget to order a side of their hand cut fries.

Marie fed me my first burger from Burger 25 on Route 37 in Toms River back in 2021. It was an incredibly juicy lamb burger with Tzatziki sauce. It's no wonder Marie's choice would come from Burger 25. Marie chose The A-1 Blue Burger. I'm seeing a pattern among the RAT staff, they sure love bleu cheese. The A-1 Blue is an Angus burger with bleu cheese crumbles, A-1 Steak Sauce, crispy onion straws, lettuce & Tomato, topped with chipotle mayo on a freshly baked onion bun.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuHmijxAVPa/?hl=en

Dan likes to sink his teeth into a Classic Cheese Burger at the Pour House on Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury. I can go for that! When I lived in Ocean Township, Pour House was a favorite stop for me and Bruce. I heard the Pour House is currently expanding the size of the restaurant. It's a good thing because every time we went, the place was packed.

Rob likes to keep things simple, he loves cheeseburgers and stays close to home and work for a good cheeseburger. Rob's choice is Bar Anticipation on 16th Avenue in Lake Como. The Lake Como Burger is made with Grade A chopped sirloin, grilled to the customer's liking, topped with the cheese of your choice and comes with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a brioche bun. Bar A does burger Mondays, buy one, get one half price.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtrYjrXIRd3/?hl=en

Mark heads to Brick House Tavern + Tap in on 66 in Neptune for the Pork Belly Burger. I tried to find it on the menu and was unsuccessful. Perhaps it's on some secret menu, or they don't offer it anymore. Mark swears it was one of the best burgers he's ever eaten. I did find a photo of it online, and it looks delicious.

Carl chose a burger from his local Five Guys restaurant. They're fresh, hand-formed patties hot off the grill and placed on a soft, toasted sesame seed bun and you get to choose as many toppings as you want.  Hmmmm, I've never had a burger from Five Guys.

Dave stays close to home, especially if he's had a few adult beverages. Dave's choice for a good burger and a beer is, St. Stephen's Green Publick House on 71 in Spring Lake.  Dave likes a nice juicy St. Stephen's Green Hamburger Platter. An 8 ounce burger served on a toasted English muffin with lettuce & tomato. I noticed the Wicklow Lamb Burger while perusing the menu.  Hey Dave, let's go for a pint and a burger.

Linda's my kind of girl! We like a lot of the same things! Linda chose a burger from one of my favorite places in Ocean County, Donovan's on 70 in Manchester, N.J. Linda's top pick is a Cheddar Bacon Burger. She's like my mom with red meat, she likes her burger very rare. I've had the Greek Burger, Philly Burger, and the Donovan's Smokehouse burger, and they were all so juicy and delicious.

https://www.donovansbarandgrill.com/

Swift can not only tell you about the latest craft beers to hit the Shore, he's got the nose and the appetite to sniff out the best burgers here as well. Erik's pick for his favorite burger on the Shore, is at Bond Street Bar at 208 Bond St. in Asbury Park. Erik loves the BS Burger, a burger loaded up with mushrooms, onions, and cheddar cheese, topped with chipotle sauce.

https://bondstreetap.com/

I think Rob hangs out with Carl because his burger fix also comes from Five Guys. He especially likes the Bacon Cheeseburger with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and pickles, accompanied by a mountain of Five Guys fries.

Andy loves everything Toms River, sometimes I think he should run for Mayor. It's no wonder that Andy's favorite place to grab a burger on the Jersey Shore is in Toms River. Andy loves Burger 25 and their Mushroom Swiss Burger. An Angus burger topped with melted Swiss, and  sautéed mushrooms on a Martin's Famous Potato Bun with a hint of garlic butter. If that's your choice, let me save you some time before you go and order. Just ask for the number 4. 

Chris should be hanging out with Carl Craft & Rob Acampora, for he is also a big fan of Five Guys. Chris longs for a double patty with bacon. Fresh, hand-formed patties hot off the grill and placed on a soft, toasted sesame seed bun. So there are 3 guys on staff that love Five Guys. Chris loves the Five Guys on 37 in Toms River.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRUP1qSjaa/?hl=en

Gotts couldn't really come up with just one place to grab his favorite burger. Most of his choices were bars where Miller Lite is served. We're going to go with his first response which was McCann's  Tavern on Main Street in Belmar.  He likes the Guiness Burger - a 10 oz beef burger with bacon, frizzled onions, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce.  He'll wash that bad boy down with a Miller Lite or 12.

I have a few in rotation, but I'm going with my most recent discovery. On Memorial Day 2023, I stepped into Mason's Bar & Grill at 400 Atlantic City Blvd in Beachwood for the first time. I just had to try the "Bourbon Burger"  - An 8 ounce burger topped with cheddar and house made bacon - bourbon jam.  Holy smokes was that good!   They have Ocean County's largest bourbon menu and really friendly bartenders. Shout out to Brandon & Dave.