The 5 Best Burgers Around Summit County

Few foods invite as much personal debate as a well-made burger. The foundation looks simple — a patty and bun — yet the details can take the experience in countless directions through cheeses, sauces, chiles, bacon, vegetables and creative accompaniments. In Summit County, that range stretches from casual pub fare to chef-driven American cooking, giving Best of Summit readers plenty to consider when choosing a favorite place for a satisfying meal.

Empire Burger

Empire Burger builds its menu around fresh American fare, with a sizable selection of combinations that range from traditional to inventive. The Classic keeps the focus on the essentials, while the Green Chile Cheeseburger adds Hatch green chiles and pepper jack. Other choices incorporate applewood-smoked bacon, fresh guacamole, sautéed mushrooms, house-made red chili or barbecue sauce. Diners can substitute a buffalo patty or gluten-free bun, and an Impossible Burger provides another option. Hand-cut fries, loaded fries, tots and starters round out a menu designed squarely around casual, customizable dining.

Flip Side

Flip Side describes itself as a chef-driven concept created by Shawn Monday and Michael Schwartz, with burgers, shakes and craft beer forming its foundation. The restaurant makes its beef burgers exclusively with grass-fed beef and takes the same detail-oriented approach to its accompaniments, including hand-cut fries that undergo a triple-cooking process. The menu expands with free-range chicken sandwiches, chopped salads and appetizers, while craft beers are available on draft and by the bottle. Gourmet shakes finish the experience, giving Flip Side a format that remains tightly focused on an American burger-and-shake tradition.

Ollie's Pub & Grub

Ollie's Pub & Grub combines burgers and other hearty fare with the atmosphere of a sports-focused mountain pub. Its Breckenridge and Frisco locations both offer indoor and outdoor seating, and the kitchen operates late enough to accommodate diners looking for a meal well into the evening. Wings share top billing with the burgers, while 20 Colorado draft beers provide a distinctly regional element to the beverage selection. Regular happy hours and sports specials reinforce the casual approach, creating a place where a burger can accompany an afternoon gathering, an evening game or a post-mountain meal.

Aurum Food & Wine

Aurum Food & Wine approaches familiar American flavors through a seasonal New American menu. Its French Onion Burger layers caramelized onion jam, Gruyère and roasted garlic aioli with lettuce, tomato and a house pickle. Diners choose hand-cut fries seasoned with lemon and Parmesan, chili spice or sea salt, while an Impossible Burger substitution and gluten-free option broaden the possibilities. The burger sits alongside dishes such as Korean fried chicken, house-made pasta and changing grill selections. Aurum also runs a daily happy hour and complements its food with cocktails, craft beer and wine, bringing the burger into a broader contemporary dining experience.

Moose Jaw

Moose Jaw traces its Frisco presence to 1973, a history reflected directly in the restaurant's name and identity. The longstanding bar and restaurant keeps its approach straightforward, with burgers forming part of the casual food experience. Its longevity gives Moose Jaw a connection to an earlier era of Summit County, when the area's ski industry and mountain communities were still developing into the destinations they are today. Rather than adopting a more formal restaurant format, Moose Jaw maintains the character of a neighborhood bar where a burger fits naturally into the experience.

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