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We all know that craving. A need for something substantial at the end of a long day; a need for fulfillment of meaty nourishment. We don't want anything fancy, we just want to indulge in tasty satisfaction and maybe get a little buzzed while we do it. It's the burger, and in my opinion, it's best enjoyed with a pint of beer so cold you can barely grip the glass. It really is the perfect combination, and while it isn't the healthiest of meal options, it is best to have everything in moderation. And you deserve this.

Perhaps the most infamous burger joint in the St. Petersburg is El Cap, which has been serving up their casual fare for over 24 years. It’s family owned and quite reasonably priced, although they will charge you for little things like splitting a burger or lemon in your water. That last part shouldn’t matter though, because you’ll want to choose from their wide selection of beer to complement your cheeseburger. All burgers are home made and juicy, served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions if you'd like, all for under $5. And although the place may seem a little "hole in the wall"ish, El Cap is great if you’re craving a classic, simple burger with all the standard trimmings, done right.

El Cap's World Champ Cheeseburger

My other top pick for burgers in St. Pete is very much the opposite of El Cap; it’s a major chain restaurant, so they can afford to go all out in the realm of venue, hence the extravagant décor and 200 inch plasma TV for your sports viewing pleasure.  Its one of my personal favorite places to go in town: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. It's a little further from downtown, but well worth the drive. Their menu is long and includes everything from tacos to chicken parmesan, but I tend to gravitate toward their burgers, perhaps because they go so well with the hand crafted beers they brew themselves. All of their unique varieties of beer, brewed only for BJ’s restaurants, are a dollar off on happy hour, M-F 3-7pm, and Sunday-Thurs 10pm-12.  And the burgers! All are made of pure angus beef and weigh a half pound, but it's really the unique combinations of toppings that makes these burgers unforgettable. My personal favorite is the California Burger, topped with avocado, green chilies, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo, all on toasted sourdough. 

BJ's Burger Melt

If you want to skip the burger and go straight for the beer, there are plenty of bars around town who will be happy to serve you a $4 bottle of Bud Light, but I have found that for beer lovers like me, you can often enjoy a unique brew for little or no extra money if you know the right places to go. World of Beer on 4^th street has a beer menu which resembles a wine list at a five star restaurant. Most are on tap, but they offer a variety of bottles as well. Some of the beers can get a little pricey, but they offer small tastes for no charge at all, and shot glass sized samples for very little. Although you can't get a burger at World of Beer, it’s a fun experience to go in and order a few samples so that you’re able to taste several different beers and enjoy them individually.

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If you're in the mood to travel to Tampa, Ybor city in particular, you should feel obligated to check out Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Like BJ's, this restaurant is also a microbrewery, meaning they brew their original beers in-house. In fact, they normally have nine of their beers on tap, some seasonal and some served year-round. Conveniently enough, they are also known for their handmade burgers and sliders (fancy talk for mini-burgers). Open til midnight on the weekends, this joint lets you indulge in USDA choice Angus beef, but also lets you substitute chicken breast, turkey burger, or veggie burger for no additional charge. Their burgers range from $9-$12, but are of superior quality and include either french fries, cheddar mashed potatoes, or rice and beans. The Brewer's Choice burger, with creamy blue cheese and fried onion strings, will be burned into your mind forever (try it with the Wild Warthog Weizen, similar to Shock Top or Blue Moon but about a million times better.)

1)   El Cap - Come here for casual, no-frills food that will make both your wallet and stomach happy. Ask for the grilled onions on your sandwich for additional burger bliss. 

3500 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33704-1310
(727) 521-1314

2)   BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse - This microbrewery is a must for a sophisticated burger washed down with one of their one of a kind beverages. Be sure to try the California Burger, the toppings will change everything you thought a burger could be.

3800 Park Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
( 727) 525-4640 

3)   World of Beer- Hundreds of beers...do you need any more reason to go?

5226 4th St N
St Petersburg, FL 33703-2914
(727) 525-4589

4) Tampa Bay Brewing Company - Kobe Sliders..mmmmmmm....

1600 East 8th Avenue
Ybor City - Tampa, Florida

813-247-1422