Written by Aaron-Michael Fox.
It is hard to say no to a good burger. From the all American-grilled classic to smash burgers, loaded burgers, drive-ins, diners, and other unique takes, the popular dish is as much a vehicle for toppings as it is serving delicious, delicious meat.
Thankfully, you have no shortage of restaurants to have a great burger in Huntington. From dedicated burger joints to a staple item on most menus regardless of restaurant category, you don’t have to go far for a good burger.
In this one, I want to share five of my favorite burgers in Huntington. Some of these spots are tried and true burger joints, with many burgers on the menu (and I’ll call out one or two of our favorites to try). Others are a restaurant’s sole burger offering that is just too good not to include.
Although there are more spots that serve burgers, these are the kind that have us going back again and again and covers a nice cross-section of all burger styles.
Note: The following is a list of burgers I’ve personally tried and enjoyed. I am not featuring burgers I have not had. If your favorite is missing from this list it may be because I haven’t tried it yet! As such, it is likely this list will change as I try more and more great burgers in the city.
THE PEDDLER
835 Third Avenue
The Peddler took Huntington’s food and beer scene by storm when they first opened in 2014 in the Morris Building, but a fire in the elevator shaft closed operations within a a few months. They have been located in their current space in the Vandalia Building since 2016.
The Peddler serves everything from crab cakes to pepperoni rolls to shepherd’s pie, but the hamburgers are the featured attraction (along with the beer. More on that later). Burgers are 7 ounces of Certified Angus ground beef served on a house made bun. Be sure to have room for a side of Duck Fat Fries.
I have personally tried the Top Secret, Toadstool, and “Ackenpucky” burgers. The Top Secret is The Peddler’s take on the “Big Mac” concept. The Toadstool is a classic take on a mushroom-Swiss burger. The Ackenpucky is not on the menu and is incomparable to any other burger you’ve had, and could only come from the demented mine of Drew Hetzer.
Other notable standouts on the Peddler menu include the Mac & Cheese options, the “Hadouken” fried chicken sandwich, and the nitrogen kettle corn. If you’re looking to keep it light, go with a Kale Caesar! Salad and truffle fries.
The Peddler is also Huntington’s first local brewery in over a half century, so if you imbibe, be sure to pull a pint of whatever they’ve got on tap this week.
I’ve taken several visiting friends to The Peddler and they have all been impressed. It’s also a who’s-who of Huntington glitterati at the surrounding tables.
Central City Café
529 14th Street West
Central City Café has been in business in West Huntington since 1993, but when you step inside, it feels much older. The décor is full of moments from the neighborhood’s industrial and cultural history over three generations of the diner’s family ownership.
Burgers are 8 ounces of either turkey or beef. Options include with or without cheese and “Hawaiian.” Served with potato chips. A great many Huntingtonians will tell you Central City Café has held the title of Best Burger in Huntington much longer than The Peddler.
Midway West Drive-In
445 6th Avenue West
Midway Drive-In is an experience. Established in 1939, Midway Drive-In has been a staple on the west side of Huntington, WV. Although it has passed through a few hands, Midway has found passionate, enthusiastic owners, determined to maintain this classic take on Americana Cuisine.
Most locals know Midway for their slaw dogs, but many people will tell you their burgers have a strong claim to the title of best in the city.
The 8 ounce USDA choice burgers are ground and pattied daily. Options include with or without cheese, double-decker, mushroom-Swiss, and Philly-style with green peppers, onions, and cheese.
Don’t skip the chili-cheese fries!
The Midway Drive-In experience is more than just delicious hot dogs, crispy fries, amazing cheeseburgers, & decadent homemade milkshakes. Midway is a slice of history, a dream, a passion, and a family.
Frostop Drive-In
1449 Hal Greer Boulevard
Once a national chain, only a handful of classic Frostop Drive-Ins remain. Frostop is straight out of the 1950s with its trademark swirling root beer mug on the roof. Car hops bring frosty mugs of root beer to wash down a variety of sandwiches, including hamburgers, grilled chicken, bar-b-que, and more. Frostop also serves old-fashioned chocolate malts, as well as root beer floats and other ice cream treats.
Like Midway West, Frostop is known primarily for their hot dogs, but I have not had a thing on the menu that’s not iconic of the stellar drive-in food I grew up on. Burgers are considerably thinner than any of the other burgers on this list, but they’re also a lot cheaper at around $4. Available with or without cheese and standard burger toppings.
Have a root beer float in a frosted mug and shoot dirty looks at the McDonald’s down the street.
Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti
920 5th Avenue
You will not be on the ground in Huntington, West Virginia, for long before somebody asks if you’ve been to Jim’s restaurant yet. It’s been a staple in the city since 1938.
The spaghetti at Jim’s is what you’ll likely hear about, but the grilled steak sandwich is also something to write home about.
Jim’s offers a “hamburger,” made with ground beef and topped with mustard, pickle, and onion and served on Texas Toast. For those looking for a more traditional burger, I’d recommend the “grilled steak” sandwich made from ground steak and topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo and served on a bun.
Jim’s recently added hot dogs to their offerings, but they’re not the menu, so order a dog and a grilled steak sandwich and take in downtown Huntington.
No longer owned by the original Tweel family, the new owners have bent over backwards grow the business without “changing” anything.
