Is there a more iconic American food than the hamburger? The ground-beef patty between two buns has built restaurant empires and spawned the fast food industry. (For some fun reading on the history of the hamburger, check out these two articles by History and Food & Wine.) Fortunately, the burger has also been elevated above its sometimes questionable fast-food renditions. Which leads us to the question: What is the best burger in Colorado Springs?
Here are your winners, chosen by the voters in our annual People’s Choice Awards.
The Public House
The Public House has been a local favorite since 2013, and its strong burger game has always been a big reason why. You can’t go wrong with the Pub Classic, but you can sure go right with the likes of the Candied Caliente Burger (jalapeño jam, applewood-smoked bacon, cilantro micro greens and cotija cheese) or the Bourbon Glazed Shroom & Swiss Burger (beef topped with portobello mushrooms, sweet bourbon glaze and Swiss cheese). The original Public House is located in Cheyenne Mountain, but now there are three locations where you can savor these excellent burgers.
The Original: 445 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
PH Burger Bunker at Red Leg Brewing: 2323 Garden of the Gods Blvd.
PH @ The Alexander: 3104 N. Nevada Ave.
Brakeman’s Smash’d Burger Bar
Brakeman’s debuted in 2024 as part of the Atlas Restaurant Group (COATI, PigLatin, Ephemera, Ola Juice Bar and others). That’s good company, so it’s no surprised that rolled out an excellent smashed burger concept. It’s a modern take with historical roots and location in Colorado Springs’ restored Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Train Depot downtown. If you like a little spice, order the Street Corn Smash, featuring grilled jalapeños, esquites roasted corn, mayo, cotija cheese and guajillo aioli.
And the Winner of the Best Burger in Colorado Springs Is
Skirted Heifer
No, the cows don’t wear skirts, but the burgers do — cheese skirts, that is, gooey, crispy cheese melted and grilled on and around the beef. The eponymous concept came from owners Kevin and Suzette Megyeri’s favorite style of burgers at home. They launched it downtown in 2014 and have become the best burger in town. The Skirted Heifer has appeared on the Food Network shows Guy’s Grocery Games and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where Guy Fieri featured the must-try The Hangover (fried egg, applewood bacon, cream cheese, bloody mary sauce). You can also start with a Skirted or Naked Heifer and build your own from a long list of free or deluxe toppings. All are made with Colorado-raised, grass-fed beef, and all are divine. Whatever you get, add the sweet potato fries.
Downtown: 204 N. Tejon St.
North: 5935 Dublin Blvd.
Find all of our People’s Choice Awards winners here.
