1. Birch + Butcher
This stellar double cheeseburger is a beefy masterpiece of American cheese, bacon and house-made pickles served on a toasted bun, which is also baked in-house. All that and a bag of chips, $13.50. Tues-Sat 5-8 p.m. Order online. (459 E. Pleasant St., 414-323-7372)
2. Buckley’s
It starts with a Kettle Range beef patty with just the right amount of fat to keep the juices oozing. Then it’s covered with pancetta, Bibb lettuce, shaved red onion and blue cheese mornay sauce and served on a toasted bun. Saucy and delicious. Comes with fries or a salad, $16. Orders taken daily starting at 11 a.m. Pickup 4-8 p.m. (801 N. Cass St., 414-277-1111)
3. Nite Owl Drive-In
This awesome seasonal business is back open now until fall and is serving up such a solid all-around burger. Juicy, meaty, flavorful. I like mine with fried onions, pickle and mustard. Burger $4.50, cheeseburger $5. Tues-Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Order at the walk-up window or call in your order. (830 E. Layton Ave., 414-483-2524)
4. Crave Cafe
This little Shorewood spot has several topping options for its one-third-pound patties. My fave is aptly called Crave, and comes with melted Swiss, caramelized onion, arugula and a great, lightly pungent white truffle aioli, $8.50. Daily 3-9 p.m. Call ahead and pay over the phone. (3592 N. Oakland Ave., 414-204-8778)
5. Oscar’s Pub & Grill
The burger and bun are the perfect married couple. The char-grilled patty is well over an inch thick, cooked medium, juicy as all get-out. There are different ways to top it and it’s hard to choose. But twist my arm and I’ll go for the Big Gringo, with white cheddar and American cheeses and thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon, $8.25. Pickup and delivery available too. Daily 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (1712 W. Pierce St., 414-810-1820)
