Lexington burger takeout guide: Classic or exotic toppings, it’s a carnivore’s delight

There’s good news for those who have gotten used to picking up their meals curbside at their favorite restaurants. Many of these local establishments will continue to offer this option, even with Kentucky restaurants being allowed to reopen for dining in with limited indoor capacity and with seating outside.

That happy state of affairs is especially true for restaurants that specialize in that most American of dishes — the noble hamburger.

And it just so happens that this past week on Thursday, May 28, we celebrated National Hamburger Day. So, again focusing on local spots, here are some places where you can still satisfy your burger craving curbside.

Note: This list doesn’t include major chains, many of which have fine burgers, but we’re going for a #SupportLocal theme here.

Columbia Steak House

Another of the city’s iconic eateries, Columbia may have steak in its name, but it offers six different burger options, ranging in price from $7.99 to $9.99. Pick up your order at the Limestone and Richmond Road locations or have it delivered from Columbia Express in Southland Shopping Center. columbiassteakhouse.com

Parkette Drive-In

Perhaps Lexington’s most iconic burger joint, the Parkette offers a double dose of 1950s nostalgia beloved by both Guy Fieri and generations of Lexingtonians who considered driving up to the speaker and placing an order a rite of passage.

At the Parkette, the motto might be — why settle for a single patty when you can have a double ($2.79) or a triple ($3.79.) theparkette.com

Tolly-Ho

Completing the triumvirate of legendary local burger joints, Tolly-Ho is the place to go if you find yourself craving a burger at 2 a.m. A Lexington tradition since 1971, it’s open 24 hours a day. The only thing you need to do is choose the type of burger you want — a quarter pounder, Super-Ho, Mega-Ho or, if you’re up for a challenge, the Big Tolly. facebook.com/TollyHoRestaurant/

Bad Wolf Burgers

Go for the signature Bad Wolf Burger, a blackened, seasoned patty with thick smoked bacon, house-made beer cheese and fried onion straws. A six-ounce burger is $9.99 and a 12-ounce, $12.99. bad-wolf-burgers.business.site

Sedona Taphouse

While this popular Palomar spot has burgers every day of the week, go on Thursday for Thursday Bites. These hand-held specials include the restaurant’s signature burger. A half-pound of Wagyu beef is topped with Pepper Jack cheese, jicama slaw and sweet chili glaze on a toasted potato bun. facebook.com/SedonaTaphouseLexington

Shamrock Bar & Grille

This Patchen Drive pub honors Kentucky favorites with two signature burgers. The Derby O’round is a nod to horse racing. Priced at $9.49, it’s topped with a bourbon glaze, Guinness beer cheese and a battered onion ring. There’s also the Big Blue Burger, topped with— what else? — blue cheese dressing for $8.49. shamrocksky.com

Windy Corner

Drive through beautiful horse farm country to reach this local favorite where all the burgers are made with Kentucky Proud beef from Stone Cross Farms. Along with the usual burger combos is a very unusual one. Mabel’s Nut Burger is dressed with a slightly spicy peanut dressing and creamy coleslaw. facebook.com/Windy.Corner.Market/

Drake’s

With three locations (Landsdowne, Hamburg and Brannon’s Crossing), they specialize in fresh, never frozen smash burgers. Their large selection includes a BBQ burger, beer cheese and bacon burger, a black bean and avocado burger for vegetarians, and a real crowd pleaser, the Morning Glory Burger with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, fried egg and fire-roasted salsa. drakescomeplay.com

Stella’s Deli

While not typically known for their burger, Stella’s does have one that will warm the cockles of a vegetarian’s heart. Their Lentil Supreme Burger features a homemade lentil patty with Swiss cheese, grilled veggies, sprouts and basil mayo for $8.51. facebook.com/stellaskentuckydeli/

Bear & the Butcher

Another Chevy Chase favorite, their Pub Burger is a 1/3 pound Angus beef patty with jumbo onion ring, beer cheese and IPA mustard on a grilled pretzel bun for $13. For just a dollar more, opt for the Bacon & Brie Burger with double cream brie, hardwood smoked bacon and curried apple chutney on toasted brioche. facebook.com/BearAndTheButcher/

Lynagh’s Irish Pub

This casual pub offers 10 different burger choices all made with seven ounces of Critchfield beef. They also have a veggie burger – the O’No Round with black beans. Burgers are priced from $8.59 to $11.89. facebook.com/lynaghsirishpub/menu

Oscar Diggs

While the menu here changes according to what’s in season, the hefty burgers – as Lonely Planet Guidebook notes – are always in season. Their selection includes a Cuban Burger, veggie burger and Buffalo Trace Burger – all 100% Kentucky Proud. For $13, you can build your own burger, and should you find yourself in need of it, they offer a Hangover Burger with cheese, bacon, egg and sriracha. facebook.com/oscardiggslex

Sawyer’s Downtown Bar & Grill

This burger spot is temporally closed because of the COVID pandemic but when open, it’s a popular lunch spot for downtown professionals, especially with its bar of toppings to dress a burger up or down any way you like.

Burgers Shakes

The iconic New Circle Road eatery opened in 1957 with a burger priced at 19 cents. The price is up to $1.23 on the advertised the price of its basic burger on its circular sign above the restaurant. The Burger Shake basic burger comes pretty well dressed, with pickle, mustard and onion slices. Ketchup, mayonnaise and lettuce are available on request. The burger arrives packaged in an old-fashioned wax paper bag.

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM.