You’ll find plenty of excellent dining options when vacationing in South County, RI, and choosing where to eat will be challenging. After all, fresh seafood is abundant in this part of the world, and chefs take full advantage of their available ingredients.
However, something is comforting about grabbing a burger for lunch or dinner while on vacation. Burgers are relatively standard options, making them a solid go-to when you’re on the road.
South County is home to numerous burger restaurants that provide a family-friendly meal at any time of day.
Here’s a look at the top five burger joints to check out from your South County vacation rental.
1) Graze Burgers
Downtown Westerly is home to Graze Burgers, a popular burger spot open for lunch and dinner every day of the week. Every burger available at Graze Burgers is made with 100% grass-fed beef, which contains more omega 3s, antioxidants, and vitamin E than grain-fed options. It’s also lower in LDL cholesterol. You might be happy to know that this beef comes from a farm in nearby Stonington, Connecticut, too.
Other menu items include antibiotic-free chicken burgers, plant-based burgers, salad bowls, fries, milkshakes, chili, and hot dogs. The deep fryer at Graze Burgers runs on 100% beef tallow rather than vegetable oil, making these items healthier for you, as well.
If you like to know where your meat comes from and are health-conscious, Graze Burgers is worth a visit.
2) Crazy Burger
A lot is going on at Crazy Burger Cafe and Juice Bar, as this spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, allows you to bring your own booze for a corkage fee, and was once featured on the hit television show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” This place is also quirky and lively and enjoys a convenient location on Boone Street near the Narragansett Sea Wall.
As for the burgers, they’re made from scratch on-site, and there’s a ton of variety on the menu. Of course, there are beef burgers with multiple topping options, but you can also opt for vegan, turkey, chicken, or salmon burgers if you’re not feeling beef at the moment.
Available sides include fries, onion rings, pickles, coleslaw, salads, and veggies, and you can also choose from various smoothies, appetizers, milkshakes, and espresso drinks on their diverse menu.
3) Buster Krab’s Grill and Beach Bar
Buster Krab’s Grill & Beach Bar is hidden away in the village of Galilee, a short distance from Narragansett’s Salty Brine State Beach, but its impressive menu makes it worth the trek.
You might think of Buster Krab’s as a seafood restaurant, and it certainly has that element to it with its lobster dishes and fish tacos, but the burgers here aren’t to be overlooked because they’re simply delicious.
You can opt for a traditional beef or cheeseburger with fries or a salad at this restaurant, or go with a chicken, veggie, or fish burger if you desire. You’ll also find a great selection of local beers on tap at Buster Krab’s, and their cocktail menu is second to none.
4) Albie’s Place
Albie’s Place is a counter-service shop near the University of Rhode Island in Kingston that has been an institution for locals since 1987. The diner isn’t in a tourist area, so you’ll have to make the trip north to check it out, but it’ll be worth the journey once you try their burgers.
The menu at Albie’s Place has a bit of everything, including breakfast items, grilled cheese, wings, salads, and sandwiches, but the burger platters bring in the crowds. Burger options include cheddar, mushroom, and chili cheese, and they also offer chicken and veggie options. These burger platters come with steak fries, or you can substitute onion rings, tater tots, chili fries, coleslaw, or pasta salad.
Albie’s is open until 2:00 AM on weekends, too, making it the perfect late-night stop while vacationing in South County.
5) Mews Tavern
Mews Tavern is an iconic Wakefield establishment dating back to 1947 with three bars, 69 beer taps, and an extensive menu featuring locally-sourced meats and seafood. While this spot isn’t a traditional burger joint, the quality of the burgers makes it worth a stop when you have those cravings.
You’ll find many beef and chicken burger options on the menu at Mews Tavern, including always-popular dishes like the Sunset Burger and the Mews Hot Chicken Burger. There’s also a salmon burger, an eggplant burger, and a black bean burger, and all meals come with a side of fried pickle chips.
Mews Tavern is a little pricier than some other spots on this list, but the quality of their food is outstanding.
Grab a Burger in South County
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite before returning to the beach or want to sit down for a burger and a beer in the evening, these restaurants can fill your needs while you enjoy South County.
It’s nice to know that even though coastal Rhode Island is known for its seafood, you can still grab an excellent hamburger at these wonderful local establishments.