Burgers Sinking his teeth into a big, juicy burger is Phantom’s favorite all-American pastime. When he’s on the hunt for the absolute best beef on a bun, the Caped Critic heads to one of the 8 GREATEST burger joints.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage (The Greatest: Burger Selection)
1246 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 354-6559
www.bartleysburgers.com

Bartley’s Burger Cottage is nearly part of the Harvard curriculum, with fun dorm room décor and modest plastic patio seating. Every hamburger in their incredible selection is sizzled up on the flat top griddle and given a celebrity inspired name. The Viagra rises to the occasion with blue cheese and bacon, while the New England Patriots stacks cheddar and guacamole. The creepy Stephen King is mysteriously delicious with Muenster cheese, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger is jacked up on 14 ounces of double Swiss cheeseburger. Sweet potato fries and a peppermint patty frappe are required, not elective.

R.F. O'Sullivan's Pub (The Greatest: 20 Minute Burger)
282 Beacon St.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 492-7773
www.rf-osullivan.com

Phantom heads to R.F. O'Sullivan's Pub for thick, juicy, mouth-watering burgers at their jaw-breaking best. Each belly-busting beast is a 1/2 pound of ground sirloin that requires 20 minutes on the grill. O’Sullivans is also one of the only restaurants that will actually serve a burger the way Phantom likes it – RARE! The menu lists 2 dozen burgers like the black and blue coated in fresh ground black pepper, topped with blue cheese.

Eagle's Deli & Restaurant (The Greatest: Gigantic Burger)
1918 Beacon St.
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 731-3232
www.eaglesdeli.com

Eagle’s Deli is a hole-in-the-wall grill with one heck of a he-man burger. Named after a regular with a mammoth appetite, the Reilly burger is a serious stacking of 6 half pound patties topped with 12 slices of cheese, all held together by a wooden teriyaki stick. It comes with 5 pounds of fries and unlimited fountain soda. Ask the guys behind the greasy griddle what you’ll get for eating the whole thing, and they’ll tell you…indigestion!

Fuddruckers (The Greatest: Buns & Toppings)
900 Broadway (Route One North)
Saugus, MA 01906
(781) 233-6399
www.fuddruckersNE.com

At Fuddruckers, burgers come in four different sized patties that reach up to 1 gigantic pound. But, hey, size doesn’t matter. It’s the toppings that make these burgers special. There’s a complimentary produce bar loaded with everything from lettuce, tomato, and onion to nacho cheese, salsa, and jalapenos. Smoked bacon, homemade chili, and guacamole are a little extra. The house baked buns are fluffy, buttery, and absolutely awesome. After throwing back a double trouble chocolate shake and a human head sized burger, no one leaves Fuddruckers hungry.

Wild Willy's Burgers (The Greatest: Angus Beef Patties)
46 Arsenal St.
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 926-9700
www.wildwillysburgers.com

Wild Willy’s is a cowboy themed burger joint filled with 10 gallon hats, spurs, and painted landscapes of the West. Customers can sidle up to the counter and order some big ol’ charbroiled Angus burgers on buttery grilled bun. The tangy bubba burger wears barbeque sauce, crispy bacon, pickles, onion, and cheddar, while the Rio Grande includes roasted green chiles from New Mexico. Sweet frappes and floats finish off the feast. The York, ME location shows off a talking cowboy mannequin, and there’s an outpost in Rochester, NH too.

The Bristol (The Greatest: VIP Burger)
Four Seasons Hotel
200 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 351-2054
www.fourseasons.com/boston/dining

The Bristol in the distinguished Four Seasons Hotel may seem like the last place you’d order a burger, but their $17 VIP version takes old school comfort food to luxury levels. The juicy ½ pound sirloin patty is neatly wrapped in aged Vermont cheddar on a toasted poppy seed bun. There’s also a double smoked bacon burger and a black truffle burger on brioche. The den-like setting is sprawled out in a classy tier of red leather sofas, fireplaces, and a grand piano at the bar.

Johnny Rockets (The Greatest: Retro Hamburger)
4 Massachusetts Locations, 2 in Providence
Chain, 
www.johnnyrockets.com

Exploding with feel-good Americana, Johnny Rockets is a ‘50s themed diner-like chain decked out in red vinyl booths, a soda bar ringed with stools, and tabletop jukeboxes. The all-American menu is a salute to the Red, White & Blue with retro hamburgers formed into 1/3 lb. patties. They’re hand pressed and grilled, topped with cheddar, mushrooms, onions, and bacon. Chili fries make a fine side, and Johnny Rockets also serves hand-dipped shakes, soda pop, and apple pie. Soda jerks bop around in bowties and little white caps, singing and dancing to the oldies into ketchup bottle “mics”.

Stockyard (The Greatest: Mini Burgers)
135 Market St.
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 782-4700
www.stockyardrestaurant.com

The Stockyard sits on the site of North America’s very first cattleyard, so it’s no surprise that they have such a beefy following today. The in-house butchers work their meaty magic into Phantom’s favorite mini burgers, served in sets of 4 called Stockyard sliders. The chopped sirloin Stockburger is equally delicious, topped with turkey, Swiss cheese, and bacon. The collectibles décor is stylishly dated, displaying antique cigarette machines, gas lamps, and sports signs.