We’ve been going to Park Burger for so long, we sometimes forget the weak fries, mayo-ketchup secret sauces, and $15 burgers from our past. It’s crazy to waste your time with that stuff when you’ve got options like this. The food here is always great, the staff is laid back, and there’s always a bunch of local brews on tap. That's how you do a burger joint.

When it opened in 2009 on the non-valet end of South Pearl Street, Park Burger was a tiny, crowded space with hour-long waits. After an expansion in 2012 that doubled the size and added a full bar, it’s still pretty damn busy most nights, but waits rarely go past thirty minutes. Trust us when we say that it’s well worth your time. At worst, you can sip on a very good Moscow mule and take in a game while you wait for a table. Even better, lone wolves can get in quick with a stool near the griddle or the bar.

Stang and I might argue whether Park Burger or Cherry Cricket is the best burger spot in town, but you really can’t go wrong either way (even though Park Burger is better). This is our DU-neighborhood hang of choice and it’s been the jump off for a ton of memorable nights, but not necessarily a ton of good decisions.

Looking to make some bad decisions in another part of town? There are three other Park Burger locations around Denver, and if current trends keep up, we're betting there are about nine more in the works. Thank god for progress.

Food Rundown

Croque Burger

Damn is this is tasty. A croque madame on top of a burger is a cream dream come true. The ham is smoky and delicious, as is the egg and swiss on top of it. This is the kind of burger where you start laughing when you bite into it because it’s so good.

El Chilango

Jalapeños and guacamole make this one of our go-tos. Put and egg on it and you’re loving life.

BBQ Burger

Pretty good as is, but you can do better. The BBQ sauce is great, but switch out the haystack onions for caramelized onions and thank us later.

Fries

Keep it simple and get the sweet potato fries. They’re awesome and salty and slightly better for you than the standard version (which are also very good). Treat yo’ self and get that full basket gurl.

Shakes

Always good and always unnecessary, but isn’t that the point? We’re partial to the cookies and cream, but there’s a rotation of seasonal flavors throughout the year and they’ll always throw some booze in there if you ask. Shout out to the bartender who hooked us up with the eggnog + spiced rum combo once upon a time.