These are 5 great Jersey Shore burgers that you've got to taste
These are 5 great Jersey Shore burgers that you've got to taste
Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park PressFri, May 8, 2026 at 9:15 AM UTC
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What makes a great burger?
That's subjective.
Some people like a thick-pattied burger, where the flavor and cook of the meat are the star. Others prefer the crispy, lacy edges of a smashburger.
Then, toppings. One diner may order theirs with just a dollop of ketchup, another with crunchy lettuce and juicy tomato, and still others with caramelized onions, candied jalapeños, crispy bacon or even a sunny-side up egg.
From griddled smashburgers to 10-ounce patties, topped with everything from shredded lettuce to macaroni and cheese, here are five tasty burgers to try at the Shore.
The Ark Pub & Eatery, Point Pleasant Beach
The Port wine cheddar burger from The Ark Pub & Eatery in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.
There are a dozen burgers on the menu at The Ark, from the house cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and red onion to a Reuben burger topped with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing.
One special burger is the port wine cheddar cheese burger, which feels like a grownup version of a classic cheeseburger. The thick, meaty patty is topped with slightly sweet caramelized onions and lots of port wine cheddar cheese spread, which melts from the heat of a burger fresh off the grill. A tangy honey barbecue sauce rounds out the dish; be sure to get some of everything in each rich and cheesy bite.
Go: 401 Route 35, Point Pleasant Beach; 732-295-1122, thearkpubandeatery.com
Cheesesteak Louie's, Seaside Heights and Tuckerton
The "Louie Burger" at Cheesesteak Louie's in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has two patties, melted cheese and Grandma Sauce, the restaurant's version of Big Mac sauce. This one has lettuce, tomato and onions, too.
Don't let the name fool you: This restaurant is about much more than cheesesteaks (though the steak sandwiches are great).
Cheesesteak Louie's menu includes nearly a dozen half-pound burgers, including "The Shmee," which is cooked in barbecue sauce and topped with sautéed onions, ranch dressing and Cooper Sharp American cheese; the "Boom Burger," with sliced ribeye, caramelized onions, cheese and chipotle mayo; and "Lou Babies," an order of three sliders with cheese and toppings.
But those who enjoy a simple, perfectly made burger should try the "Louie Burger." It is two patties, each topped with melted cheese, and Grandma Sauce, owner TJ Perl's version of Big Mac sauce. Add shredded lettuce, tomato and paper-thin onions to cut the richness.
Go: 22 Boulevard in Seaside Heights; 732-250-2773, and 224 W. Main St. in Tuckerton, 732-632-7728; cheesesteaklouies.com
Harpoon Willy's, Manasquan
A "So Cal" burger with avocado, frizzled onions, roasted tomatoes and spicy mayo at Harpoon Willy's in Wall, New Jersey, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The restaurant is the winner of the Asbury Park Press' March Madness-style Burger Bracket.
Asbury Park Press readers recently named the burgers at Harpoon Willy's the best at the Shore, and with good reason.
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The restaurant serves nearly half a dozen varieties with 10-ounce patties of 80/20 Angus ground chuck blended especially for them. The most popular of the burgers, which are cooked to order and served on kaiser rolls with pickles and salted steak fries, is the "River Road," a traditional burger topped with a diner's choice of cheese, plus lettuce and tomato if they like.
Or try the "Dockside," topped with bacon, mushrooms, sautéed onions and Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses, or the "So Cal," with avocado, frizzled onions, spicy mayo and roasted tomatoes.
A bonus: If you order a burger at the bar, you can watch it sizzle on a grill behind the bartop.
Go: 2655 River Road, Manasquan; 732-223-8880, harpoonwillys.com
Hey Burger, Hazlet
The "No. 1 Smash Burger" with salt and vinegar fries from Hey Burger in Hazlet, New Jersey. Pictured Jan. 5, 2026.
This is a burger you won't be able to stop thinking about, from a place you might not expect.
Inside Nic's Hometown Tavern, a classic neighborhood bar with trivia nights, packaged goods and sports on TV, is Hey Burger, a restaurant concept serving smashburgers, wings, cheesesteaks and more. The menu includes nine versions of the thin, crispy-edged burger, including the "No. 1" with burger sauce, cheese, lettuce, pickles and onions; the "Black & Blue" with blue cheese crumbles, crispy onions and Cajun seasoning; and the "Cherry Bomb" with cherry peppers, American cheese, bacon and chipotle sauce.
Order your favorite with "Tornado Potatoes," which are thinly sliced potatoes on a stick that come in flavors like sour cream and onion, cheddar and Old Bay; onion petals, or salt and vinegar french fries.
Go: 180 Roue 36, Hazlet; 732-769-2200, instagram.com/heyburgernj
The Shore Spot, Manasquan
A smashburger with onions from The Shore Spot in Manasquan, pictured Aug. 26, 2025. Frank Valgenti brought the restaurant, previously of Manasquan's Stockton Beach Park, to Sea Watch Pavilion in 2025.
Craving a burger by the beach? Check out The Shore Spot.
The restaurant at Manasquan's Sea Watch Pavilion serves a top-notch smashburger made with two perfectly salted beef patties, each topped with American cheese. Then come sautéed onions, lettuce and a thick slice of tomato, all cradled by a sturdy-yet-tender roll.
The seasonal Shore Spot also serves rotating burger specials, like one with Gruyére cheese and jam made from figs owner Frank Valgenti grew himself, and another topped with macaroni and cheese.
Go: 95 Beachfront, Manasquan; 732-400-1985, theshorespot.com
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to her weekly newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 5 great burgers at the Jersey Shore
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