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cover image: Nonla Burger
Where’s the Beef in Kalamazoo?
While a staple of many restaurants in the United States, hamburgers come in many varieties.
Beyond the basic building blocks of a beef patty and bun, burger components can include traditional toppings like tomatoes and lettuce and more creative elements like coleslaw, eggs, or peanut butter (yes, really).
No matter how you like your patty sandwich, readers cast over 5700 votes for their favorite restaurants in Kalamazoo, including the best burger; we have their top picks below.
in this article
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Your Comfort Crew Since ’92
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Mattawan Mechanical Services delivers top-notch customer service and workmanship to home and building owners for heating and cooling services.
Although they are HVAC experts and not restauranteurs, this Comfort Crew takes pride in supporting fellow locally-owned businesses since 1992. 
Who Has the Best Burger in Kalamazoo?
Here are the top burger restaurants in Kalamazoo, as voted by our readers:
1 – Nonla Burger
2 – Niskers Char-Grill & Slap Shot Hockey Bar
3 – NEDS on Gull Lake (Tie)
3 – RJ’s Sports Bar & Grill (Tie)
3 – The Backyard of Kalamazoo (Tie)
Directory: Best Burger Restaurants
Big list of restaurants to grab a burger in Southwest Michigan, starting with the top-voted by KZOOKIDS readers:
🍔 Voted # 1 Best Burger
Nonla Burger
The NB Double is the most popular burger here- featuring double meat and double cheese. Nonla Burger fans know to order it "The Nonla Way" which includes grilled onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and cucumbers.
Not a beef eater? Beyond veggie burgers are also available and can be made vegan as well.
Add a side of Nonla spread for dipping your hand cut fries and try the shake of the day (flavors rotate daily).
Not a beef eater? Beyond veggie burgers are also available and can be made vegan as well.
Add a side of Nonla spread for dipping your hand cut fries and try the shake of the day (flavors rotate daily).
Where to Find Nonla Burger
Nonla Burger has 2 restaurants in Kalamazoo:
• Burdick: 2103 S Burdick Street (just south of Alcott)
• Drake: 1700 South Drake Road (near Costco)
Nonla Burger has 2 restaurants in Kalamazoo:
• Burdick: 2103 S Burdick Street (just south of Alcott)
• Drake: 1700 South Drake Road (near Costco)
🍔 Voted # 2 Best Burger
Niskers Char-Grill & Slap Shot Hockey Bar
At Niskers, you choose how you'd like your beef, chicken, fish, turkey, beefalo and veggie burgers char-grilled - all to your liking.
Delicious meats are never frozen, and buns are baked fresh daily.
Delicious meats are never frozen, and buns are baked fresh daily.
Where to Find Niskers Char-Grill & Slap Shot Hockey Bar
At the corner of Drake and W. Main in Kalamazoo, in the same plaza with Lowe's.
At the corner of Drake and W. Main in Kalamazoo, in the same plaza with Lowe's.
Lake Burger
Lake Burger prides itself on its local pasture-raised beef & farm fresh produce, crisp-cut fries, and hand-spun milkshakes.
All burgers are served on brioche buns, with gluten-free options available.
All burgers are served on brioche buns, with gluten-free options available.
Where to Find Lake Burger
Lake Burgers sits just east of Drake Road on W. Main, close to Frays Park.
Lake Burgers sits just east of Drake Road on W. Main, close to Frays Park.
Latitude 42 Brewing Company
Locally owned and operated distillery, brewery and full kitchen, serving up favorites including juicy burgers, fresh salads & sandwiches, pizza and so much more.
Polish off your burger and then play an outdoor game in their beer garden.
Polish off your burger and then play an outdoor game in their beer garden.
Where to Find Latitude 42 Brewing Company
Latitude 42 has two locations:
• Kalamazoo: intersection of W. Main and US-131
• Portage: intersection of Portage Road and Centre Ave (across from McDonalds)
Latitude 42 has two locations:
• Kalamazoo: intersection of W. Main and US-131
• Portage: intersection of Portage Road and Centre Ave (across from McDonalds)
Main Street Pub
Main Street Pub has something for everyone on their traditional pub grub menu, from burgers & salads, to salmon & sandwiches.
Where to Find Main Street Pub
Main Street Pub offers 5 locations in SWMI:
• Portage: 7509 S Westnedge Ave (near Jimmy John's and Biggby)
• Kalamazoo: 4514 W Main St (just east of Drake Road)
• Gull Road: 5462 Gull Rd (next to Menards at Sprinkle)
• Downtown Vicksburg: 208 E Prairie St
• Mattawan: 52887 N Main St (next to Chinn Chinn)
Main Street Pub offers 5 locations in SWMI:
• Portage: 7509 S Westnedge Ave (near Jimmy John's and Biggby)
• Kalamazoo: 4514 W Main St (just east of Drake Road)
• Gull Road: 5462 Gull Rd (next to Menards at Sprinkle)
• Downtown Vicksburg: 208 E Prairie St
• Mattawan: 52887 N Main St (next to Chinn Chinn)
Studio Grill
Studio Grill has it all: restaurant, coffee shop and personal & business catering.
Dig your teeth into one of the 28 burgers listed on the menu, all while enjoying local art on the wall, switched out monthly.
Dig your teeth into one of the 28 burgers listed on the menu, all while enjoying local art on the wall, switched out monthly.
Where to Find Studio Grill
Studio Grill is located on W.Main & Church Street, one block west of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.
Studio Grill is located on W.Main & Church Street, one block west of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.
Burger FAQs
Was the Hamburger Invented in the United States?
The short answer is maybe (?).
While there are references to meat sandwiches in German and American history dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, there is no definitive answer on their origin. Even their connection to the city of Hamburg, Germany, is unproven.
Regardless of how it started, the burger isn’t going anywhere. The popular sandwich is a favorite in the USA and a staple of many dine-in and fast-food restaurants.
What is a Smashburger?
A Smashburger is a type of hamburger made with a thin beef patty cooked on a hot griddle. The thin beef is pressed down to increase browning and create a crispy crust.
Did we miss your favorite burger spot?
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