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The best burgers in Sussex County, NJ come from smash burger counters, brew pubs and lakeside taverns spread from Sparta and Newton to Wantage, Franklin and Branchville. Our team picked 9 confirmed-open spots where burgers are a real focus of the menu, not an afterthought.
We checked each restaurant’s own menu and its Google Business Profile, and we listed the addresses and phone numbers so you can plan a burger run across the county.
1. Burger & Butcher, Sparta
Burger & Butcher at 37 Woodport Road is built around the smash burger. Patties are smashed on the griddle for crispy edges, and the kitchen cooks in 100% pastured beef tallow with no seed oils. It is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM. Phone: (973) 270-9186.
2. Cow Patty’s, Wantage
Cow Patty’s at 154 Route 23 is a roadside burger stop with a local twist: Life In Sussex reports its beef comes from Green Valley Farms, just down the road in Wantage. Stacked cheeseburgers are the main event. Phone: (973) 997-7515.
3. Mountain House Tavern and Grill, Branchville
Mountain House Tavern and Grill at 19 Route 206 pairs a full burger section with a view of the water from its outdoor tables. Life In Sussex highlights house burgers like the Ammo Burger and the Blue Smoke. Phone: (973) 250-3300.
4. The Barnyard, Augusta
The Barnyard at 94 Championship Place in Frankford Township keeps its focus right in its tagline: burgers, wings, salads and shakes. The patio is a good fit for a casual dinner, and the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. Phone: (973) 948-0780.
5. The Quarry Grill, Franklin
The Quarry Grill at 107 Route 23 serves smash burgers in a casual grill setting, a handy stop on the Route 23 corridor through Franklin. Phone: (973) 287-7475.
6. Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, Sparta
Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub at 23 White Deer Plaza near Lake Mohawk brews its own beer and backs it with a strong burger lineup. The menu includes a Wagyu double patty smash burger with Gruyere, mustard sauce and crispy onions, a build-your-own brisket burger, and a house-made butternut squash and kale burger for non-meat eaters. Phone: (973) 729-8428.
7. McQ’s Pub at Lake Lenape, Andover
McQ’s Pub at Lake Lenape at 168 Andover Sparta Road is a neighborhood pub with an Italian burger on its menu alongside pub classics. It is an easy stop between Andover, Newton and Sparta. Phone: (973) 786-5080.
8. O’Reilly’s Pub and Grill, Newton
O’Reilly’s Pub and Grill at 271 Spring Street is known for O’Reilly’s Famous Burgers, built on a 9 ounce handmade patty, with turkey or black bean patties available as a swap. It keeps late hours, opening at 11:30 AM daily. Phone: (973) 383-4091.
9. Wayback Burgers, Newton
Wayback Burgers at 17 Hampton House Road is the quick-service pick, with stacked cheeseburgers and shakes. It is open daily from 10:30 AM to 9 PM. Phone: (862) 275-7188.
Plan a Burger Night in Sussex County
Sparta and Newton have the most burger options close together, so start there if you want choices. For a full sit-down meal in any of these towns, our town guides go deeper: the restaurants in Sparta, the best restaurants in Newton and the countywide list of the best restaurants in Sussex County.
Featured photo: Burger & Butcher via Google Business Profile. Restaurant photos in this guide come from each restaurant’s Google Business Profile.
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