14 Hidden Tennessee Burger Joints Locals Say Deserve The Detour
Great burgers have a way of pulling people off the main road and into places they might otherwise miss. Tennessee does this especially well, with small joints that care more about flavour than appearances.
These are the stops locals mention with confidence, often followed by driving directions and a knowing smile. Expect griddles that have seen decades of use, menus that keep things simple, and burgers that arrive exactly how they should.
Detours feel less like an inconvenience and more like part of the reward. If the best meals usually come with a bit of effort, these hidden spots prove that the long way around often tastes better in the end.
1. Gabby’s Burgers
Locals swear by the first sizzle that hits the griddle at Gabby’s Burgers, a tiny Nashville counter spot where patience is always rewarded. The meat tastes clean, deeply beefy, and kissed by salt and smoke without fussy toppings.
Menus change slightly, but the Gabby burger with melted cheddar and grilled onions brings that ah-yeah moment.
Once you slide into a stool, you notice the rhythm of regulars and the easy smiles of staff. The address sneaks up on you at 493 Humphreys St, Nashville, TN 37203, tucked in an area where good food hides in plain sight.
Fries are straightforward and golden, and the bun stays loyal through every bite.
Expect a no-nonsense vibe that keeps attention squarely on the patty. Ask for a medium cook, and the juices politely flood your plate.
If you crave extras, a fried egg or jalapenos add punch without stealing the show, turning a detour into a habit.
2. Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden
Sunlight drapes over picnic tables, and the clink of glasses sets the tone at Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden. Burgers arrive tall but balanced, with smart layering that keeps each bite tidy.
The garden setting makes everything taste a little brighter.
You will find it easily once you aim for 1011 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210, a pocket of calm amid busy arteries. Craft brews pair neatly with the house Cledis burger, where tangy pickles and a swipe of sauce tie things together.
The fries lean crisp, perfect for dunking in a mustardy aioli.
Bring a friend who thinks ambience cannot influence flavor, then watch them soften at the first sip and bite. Service stays easygoing, and staff know their pairings.
Weeknights feel like neighborhood block parties, the kind that invite lingering.
3. Dreamburger
Thin patties, huge personality. Dreamburger nails the smash technique, pressing flavor right to the edges until they frill into lacy crispness.
The double stacks slip under a soft bun like they were born there, and the cheese fuses into a glorious blanket.
Hunt it down at 2038 Greenwood Ave, Nashville, TN 37206, in the Harris-Hill area where culinary surprises bloom on quiet corners. Seasoning leans savory with a hint of pepper, and the house pickles pop.
Ask for extra griddle onions if you chase that sweet-savory swing.
Everything moves quickly, so you will have lunch in hand before second thoughts show up. Fries are thin and salty, great for scooping runaway cheese.
If you are the type who debates condiments, their special sauce ends arguments fast.
4. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Classic never felt so lively. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden marries old-school burgers with a sprawling patio that hums like a backyard party.
Patties land juicy and straightforward, designed to let beef and bun do the heavy lifting.
Make your way to 731 McFerrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206, and plan a little wait that somehow heightens the first bite. The onion rings batter up airy and shatteringly crisp, and house-made sodas bring a playful twist.
A bologna sandwich sneaks onto the menu, winning a surprising number of hearts.
Grab a seat under the trees and sip something cold while chatter washes over you. The Classic Pharmacy burger with mustard and pickles proves less can be more.
Go heavy on napkins, light on expectations, and let simplicity charm you.
5. Bad Luck Burger Club
Nothing unlucky about a burger dripping with personality. Bad Luck Burger Club plays with flavors like a band testing riffs, and somehow every track slaps.
Expect specials with heat, crunch, and a wink, layered on smash patties that stay snappy at the edges.
Steer toward 918 Woodland St Suite B, Nashville, TN 37206, a tucked-away nook buzzing with regulars. The Bad Luck signature stacks cheese, pickled jalapenos, and a tangy sauce that keeps you chasing the next bite.
Fries come hot and confident, especially with a dusting of seasoning.
Lines move fast and the soundtrack leans fun, so your patience has rhythm. If you like a messy burger, embrace it proudly and double down on napkins.
The team is quick with suggestions, and the daily board rewards curiosity.
6. Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint – Germantown
Beer lists can overwhelm, but here they just invite exploration. Jack Brown’s in Germantown leans into cheeky burger builds and a rotating lineup of brews that somehow feels curated just for you.
The patties are smaller, so order two to play with combinations.
You will find it at 1123 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208, amid brick facades and a buzzy neighborhood stride. The Greg Brady with chips and barbecue sauce hits childhood nostalgia in a grown-up way.
Sweet potato fries arrive caramelized at the edges and gone too soon.
Seat yourself, ask for a quick beer pairing, and watch the tapboard for surprises. The staff has opinions and they are usually spot on.
If you collect small joys, this place hands them out by the basket.
7. Burger Republic
Polished without feeling stiff, Burger Republic gives you the grown-up burger night you secretly want. The patties are thick and juicy, with toppings that read indulgent but eat balanced.
Shakes arrive towering and photogenic, and somehow you will still finish them.
Set your GPS to 420 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, right in the Gulch where the energy hums. The Tennessee burger with Jack Daniel’s honey glaze leans sweet-savory in an addictive way.
Tots are the move, especially with a side of queso for dunking.
Service runs tight and friendly, and the bar program backs up the menu with bourbon-rich personality. If you are a sauce sampler, ask for a flight and go wild.
Date nights, pre-show bites, or casual catch-ups all feel at home here.
8. Brothers Burger Joint
Sometimes you just want a burger that tastes like someone cared. Brothers Burger Joint does that with thick patties seared hard enough to lock in flavor, then crowned with gooey cheese.
The vibe feels neighborly, and first-timers become regulars quickly.
Make the short hop to 2821 Bransford Ave, Berry Hill, TN 37204, a music-studio dotted pocket with creative energy. Lettuce stays crisp, tomatoes behave, and buns get the gentle toast they deserve.
Add bacon if you want smoky punctuation in every bite.
Portions are generous, so bring an appetite and maybe backup. Staff will steer you right toward the best sides of the day.
Onion rings have that golden hush that cracks like a perfect cymbal. The room carries an easy rhythm, with conversations drifting between tables and orders called out like friendly cues.
It feels familiar fast, the kind of place you mentally bookmark before the plate even clears.
9. Dyer’s Burgers
History tastes like salt and sizzle at Dyer’s, where the mythic seasoned grease anchors a century of burger lore. Patties get a quick deep-fry that seals in juice and adds a vintage carnival crisp.
The first bite feels like a time machine with mustard.
Head to 205 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, and soak in neon, music, and the hum of tourists mixing with locals. The single with onions and pickles is perfect in its simplicity, and the fries ride shotgun without complaint.
A chocolate shake cools down the Beale Street buzz.
Purists argue about technique, but your taste buds will vote yes fast. Grab extra napkins and embrace the messy grin that follows.
Dyer’s is a living museum where the exhibit arrives hot on a bun.
10. Huey’s Downtown
Character clings to the walls at Huey’s Downtown, where toothpicks in the ceiling tell decades of playful stories. Burgers are hand-formed and griddled to a juicy center, with just enough char to keep things interesting.
The vibe is pure Memphis hospitality.
Point yourself to 77 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, then settle into a booth that feels lived-in in the best way. The Huey burger with cheddar and mayo hits the classics squarely.
Seasoned fries crunch softly, and a root beer float seals the deal.
Service moves with calm efficiency even when the room buzzes. Bring friends, trade bites, and try to land a toothpick shot without giggling.
It is the sort of place that turns quick lunches into long conversations.
11. Earnestine & Hazel’s
Stories whisper from the walls at Earnestine & Hazel’s, a labyrinthine bar where the jukebox knows every mood. The Soul Burger is simple and perfect, a burger that tastes like late-night confession and laughter.
Onions caramelize into sweetness, tangled with mustard and pickle.
Find your way to 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, then climb stairs and follow music like a breadcrumb trail. The griddle perfumes the air with a promise that always delivers.
No frills, just a burger that belongs to the room as much as the plate.
Order, wait, and let the place work its magic on your appetite. The first bite snaps you into focus.
If you love haunted histories and honest food, you will feel right at home here.
12. Farm Burger Memphis
Farm-to-bun feels effortless at Farm Burger Memphis, where grass-fed beef meets playful Southern accents. The patties taste clean and bright, letting toppings like pickled jalapenos or pimento cheese sing.
Sides lean seasonal, and the slaw keeps everything snappy.
Roll over to 1350 Concourse Ave #175, Memphis, TN 38104, inside the Crosstown Concourse with its striking architecture. The No. 1 with aged cheddar and caramelized onions brings comfort without heaviness.
Sweet potato fries ride along like dependable friends.
Customizing is half the fun, so build boldly and trust the kitchen. You can taste the sourcing in every crunchy lettuce leaf.
It is the kind of place where eating well feels easy, and leaving room for a shake becomes a good problem. The space stays lively without feeling rushed, helped along by the steady flow of neighbors and Crosstown regulars.
It fits neatly into a visit that might also include wandering, people-watching, and coming back later than planned.
13. Stock & Barrel
Road trips through Knoxville should detour for Stock & Barrel, where burgers read like love letters to craftsmanship. The beef is rich, the buns hold their ground, and the toppings lean smart rather than showy.
Bacon jam might ruin you for regular condiments.
You will spot it at 35 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902, a lively plaza that turns meals into mini events. The Tennessee Stud burger rides in with spicy notes and a silky melt of cheese.
Duck fat fries deliver that extra oomph you did not know you needed.
Bourbon lists stretch temptingly, and staff pair pours with burger builds like pros. Reservations help during peak hours, but bar seats move quickly.
Every bite feels precise, and the last one hurts just a little.
14. SmashCity Knoxville
Edges so crispy they almost sing. SmashCity Knoxville delivers smash burgers with a focus that borders on meditative, every press locking in flavor.
The double gets you that ideal ratio of meat, cheese, and bun.
Navigate to 211 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902, where the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. House pickles snap, and the special sauce nudges everything forward without shouting.
Fries come hot and salted just right, ready for quick disappearances.
Order at the counter, grab a stool, and watch the griddle show. You will likely plan a return visit halfway through the first burger.
Simple, satisfying, and exactly what you wanted when hunger started negotiating. The room hums with easy conversation and the steady rhythm of spatulas meeting steel.
It feels like the kind of place that turns first-timers into regulars without trying too hard.