Burgers, what more can I say? Possibly humanity’s greatest invention. Juicy beef and cheese between a bun. In my humble opinion, it’s the most wonderful meal in the universe. Now, finding a proper good burger can be quite the task. There are so many places that serve them and so many choices. Narrowing down the best spots can be time-consuming. Luckily for all you fine people from Stoke on Trent, you have me to do that for you, so take a look at this list for the best place to wrap your lips around a mouth-watering burger.
Smash On Trent – King St, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3LZ, United Kingdom
I discovered this burger joint while working as a multi-stop delivery driver for Amazon. The space was located just down the road from the yard where our delivery vans were stored, and I fell in love immediately.
Smash patty burgers are hands down my favourite style of burger, and Smash On Trent are on their A game. They understand the process. Lovely lacey edges on the flavoursome patty add that crunch while remaining juicy. The way the patty is smashed flat also allows the cheese to ooze through the patty, which adds great texture and taste when taking a bite.
When ordering smash patties (and most burgers), I like to keep it simple, so I opt for the aptly named Orginal Burger, two freshly ground beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes, pickle, cheese and house sauce. Items can be removed for free or added for an additional cost, but this burger is just delightful the way it is. It’s a perfect patty.
They also do a mean Philly Cheesesteak here, and the Milkshakes are a must. The Terry chocolate orange one is divine, but they have many other exciting options. Even a Cadbury’s Marvellous creations milkshake for you more adventure types.
The Dirty Diner – 26 Lonsdale St, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4DP, United Kingdom
The Dirty Diner has two locations in Stoke on Trent, one listed above and the other in Burselm (a quick Google search will reveal all). This unassuming spot has a lot to offer. As a side note for veggie readers, they do an excellent Halloumi burger. I would classify myself as a self-confessed carnivore, and I have even ordered this option a few times as it’s so delicious. The Halloumi patty with the homemade sweet chilli sauce is a match made in heaven, and for veggies or meat eaters, it’s something I would recommend you try at least once. Then you will be hooked, I’m sure.
Now, onto the beef. There is only one choice for me, although there are many great options. The Dirty Burger with seasoned fries. It is balanced beautifully on a brioche bun, a double beef patty with Turkey rashers, cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, crispy onions, homemade burger sauce and seasoned fries. What more could you want? The burgers here are not smashed but cooked until juicy, and each bite has to be savoured. This meal also comes in for just over a tenner, so it is good value for money.
The Slamwich Club – 63 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1HR, United Kingdom
I don’t know if this is cheating a bit, but when talking about meat between buns, The Slamwich Club deserves mention. It is an institution in Stoke On Trent and is smack bang in the middle of Hanley.
A city centre hotspot for gourmet grilled sandwiches, this club and bar, run by two friends, is all about serving up the best grilled sandwiches and sides. A fully licensed bar complements the delicious bites, and they play some decent tunes here to accompany your sandwich experience. Don’t miss the DJ sets most weekends, adding an extra vibe to this laid-back destination. They also have a trip advisor travellers award for 2023, so they have the public seal of approval.
Now, for the choice of sarnie, we have to stay on topic even if we are cheating a bit here. So, as a recommendation, I suggest the Beefed up. This is a magical creation gravy glazed beef brisket squashed together with homemade crispy onions, swiss cheese, cherry tomato relish, caramelised red onion, rocket, watercress horseradish herb mayo with a pot of Peppercorn Sauce served on the side. I recommend checking out their entire menu, as they have so many different creations. It’s like a laboratory for sandwiches. A very unique experience.
Betseys Burger – 55 Stafford St, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1SA, United Kingdom
Last but certainly not least is Betseys, also located in Hanley; this Sspots Burger game is on point. They keep it super simple here, which I like, and go by the basic principles of meat, cheese, and bun.
Fresh, simple, quality ingredients cooked well for maximum taste. Not overcomplicating this is always the way in the burger game, and this spot hammers that point home. They do smash patties here as well, so points for that!
To stick with the theme of keeping it simple, I go for the Classic Betsey Burger Lettuce, onion, tomato, American cheese, House sauce, Ketchup and your choice of two smash patties. It is as simple as that.
They have more substantial offerings for people who like to experiment, but if that’s you, go for the Bazooka Burger. However, this thing is not for the faint-hearted, as it’s enormous and has a kick for the heat seeker. Onion rings, jalapeños, lettuce, gherkins, and tomato are served alongside their famous biggy sauce, spring onions, cheese, and two smash patties. I also rate the skin of fires here: crunchy on the outside and entirely in the middle. I don’t know what oil they use for them, but they have a unique taste that I adore.
Okay, now you know where to go for a delicious burger in Stoke on Trent. I hope you have as much fun eating at these places as I did, and I appreciate you all for keeping the local food and burger scene alive.