Wolfs Head
Hamburger restaurant · Buckman ·

Wolfs Head

Hamburger restaurant · Buckman ·

Old-school diner burgers, cheese curds, malts, and secret items

smash burgers
curly fries
cheese curds
malt shakes
friendly service
delicious food
good burgers
chili cheese fries
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by Ron Scott/Eater Portland
Wolfs Head by Ron Scott/Eater Portland
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null
Wolfs Head by null

Information

80 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214 Get directions

$10–20

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Cozy

Information

Static Map

80 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214 Get directions

+1 503 206 7712
wolfsheadburgers.com
@wolfsheadpdx

$10–20 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Cozy
•Good for solo dining
•Comfort food
•Credit card accepted

Last updated

Dec 23, 2025

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@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

The Best Burgers in Portland, Oregon | Eater Portland

"Wolf’s Head has received praise from local food writers for its smash burger, though for accuracy’s sake, it’s worth noting that this hamburger falls more in the realm of an old-school diner burger. Under the Hawthorne Bridge in the Waterman building, visitors will find burgers along with deep-fried cheese curds, malted milkshakes, and perhaps a secret menu item or two, such as the chicken fried steak burger." - Rebecca Roland

https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-oregon-best-burgers-restaurants-pdx
Ron Scott/Eater Portland
Wolfs Head
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Mind-Blowing Burgers in Portland and Beyond

"Wolf’s Head has received praise from local food writers for its smash burger, though for accuracy's sake, it's worth noting that this hamburger falls more in the realm of an old-school diner burger. At this brick-and-mortar location under the Hawthorne Bridge in the Waterman building, visitors will find burgers along with deep-fried cheese curds, malted milkshakes, and perhaps a secret menu item or two, such as the chicken fried steak burger. Wolf’s Head also operates food carts in Beaverton and Happy Valley." - Ron Scott, Janey Wong

https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-best-burgers-restaurants-pdx
Ron Scott/Eater Portland
Wolfs Head
@eater
391,575 Postcards · 10,993 Cities

Beaverton Food Cart Wolf’s Head Will Open a Portland Burger Restaurant | Eater Portland

"I’m excited they’re bringing their cart burgers to Portland with a restaurant opening under the Hawthorne Bridge in Central Eastside on July 10 at 80 SE Madison Street, Suite 100. The owners, Jason Wittek and Roy Doty—who met at the produce-centric Bay Area restaurant Stem Kitchen & Garden—turned brisket trimmings from their original Beaverton barbecue cart into a popular burger, and the Portland menu continues that tradition with single, double, and chili-cheese burgers plus add-ons like bacon and fried eggs. The patty has evolved from a near-50-percent-fat brisket grind to a blend closer to 70 percent lean so the burgers stay juicy when smashed on a griddle; they call them “old school” Midwest-inspired smash burgers that are fully cooked yet retain moisture rather than being char-centric. Sides lean into Americana nostalgia—curly fries tossed in a house seasoning (also available as chili cheese fries), battered and fried cheese curds served with ranch as a nod to Wittek’s Minnesota roots—and the drink menu offers Coava coffee with free refills alongside old-fashioned malts (strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel) plus a malt, burger, and soup of the month (seasonal malts like Marionberry pie and lighter soups such as sweet corn or gazpacho are planned). The dining room reflects a Pacific Northwest, woodsy theme with paintings of flora and fauna, taxidermy, and mounted antlers, and the overall vibe is meant to be classic Midwest—family-friendly, chill, and focused on coming in, getting a burger, and relaxing." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

https://pdx.eater.com/2023/6/27/23775996/wolfs-head-burgers-portland-restaurant-opening
Wolfs Head

Nicole F.

Google
The best tastiest burger I’ve had hands down! And the cheese curds!! Omg I can’t say enough how yummy it was. You gotta try their malts! We got the salted caramel and it was a perfect pair to our burgers. We are definitely coming back! Also wanted to mention the sweetest and friendliest service as well!

John M.

Google
Burgers are incredible! The cheese curds are also amazing. I've tried a couple malts so far and they have both been great. Overall Great food, simple no fuss menu quick and pleasant service. Definitely recommend.

Paige S.

Google
My first smashburger experience was a success! The restaurant is under the Hawthorne Bridge just past the RR tracks and parking was available. The staff was friendly and excited to see us. Ordered a single and curly fries. The burger was delish! Truly smashed, crunchy on the outside with great flavor. The curly fries were good, but I'm more of a natural or steak fry enthusiast. They have seating in the back which was convenient. Overall, all great experiences.

Angelyka C.

Google
Absolutely delicious restaurant that specializes in smash burgers and sides. You can smell its savory goodness from outside the building and it only gets better as you walk inside. They don't have a lot to their menu, but what they offer is so good. I'd highly recommend their burgers, as they are filling and full of flavor. I wasn't able to try their fries because they were out at the time, but I did get their cheese curds, which were really tasty, though maybe a bit too rich for me with the burger as well. Service is nice and you can tell that they truly care about what they do, there's a lot of love present in their food. Best of all, it's a great place to eat before spending a day at OMSI.

Rebecca Y.

Google
Located just under the Hawthorne Bridge, Wolfs Head was a surprising gem of a burger joint! We were in the area and decided on a burger for lunch. I picked Wolfs Head because it had 4.8 stars on Google Reviews, so I figured it must be worth a stop, and it definitely was! Customer service was top notch! The girl at the counter was welcoming and answered all our questions about the menu. The menu was small, simple and reasonably priced. The burgers are more of an old-fashioned style and they were delicious! I opted for the single patty burger and my husband got a double, and both were well seasoned with plenty of toppings. The milkshakes were delicious as well. I got the Olive Oil & Sea Salt Vanilla shake made with Tillamook Vanilla Bean ice cream and he got a chocolate malt. Thank you, Wolfs Head, for amazing customer service and food! We will be back when the craving for a good burger returns!

Alyssa W.

Google
Delicious! I already wanna go again. I got the cheeseburger with bacon and fixings and wow I loved it. My partner got the burger of the month(pesto burger) and that was good. Cheese curds were good! But the star of the show might have been the deluxe curly fries. They had melty cheese, bacon bits, and grilled onions diced. So. GOOD! Really friendly staff and quick service.

Courtney S.

Google
Great smash burger. Most I've had are too salty and this one was perfect. Really good ranch and amazing curly fries. Would definitely come back

Ashley K.

Google
My team and I work right down the street from Wolfs Head and we all absolutely love their burgers! Just tried the Thai Peanut burger and it is next level good! 5 stars all day! Thank you for your excellent food, top notch customer service, and unbeatable prices. Wolfs Head all day.
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Stacey C.

Yelp
Hidden Gem! Keep your eyes open because you might miss it, but you will find it if you follow your nose. Smells delicious from the outside and we were glad it didn't disappoint. We shared a few things: deluxe burger - nice char grilled flavor chili cheese fries - flavorful and generous chili portion strawberry malt - rich and creamy without being too sweet. Definitely recommend.
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Tina L.

Yelp
Originally saw this place on Tik Tok and had to try it for myself. It is pretty good, especially the cheese curds. Burger isn't overwhelming good but a solid burger if you add cheese and bacon (extra $2). I opted to also add lettuce and tomato (.50 cents each). Extra point in my book because their ranch is good. Chocolate malt shake could have been thicker, kinda runny/already melted but still good flavor. They are located right in front of train tracks so not the nicest view or quietest area. Overall, would recommend and go back myself if in the area.
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Mike S.

Yelp
The best food doesn't need to be pretentious or too fancy. It just needs to be cooked with some soul and some quality ingredients. Everything about Wolf's Head is simple, and simply amazing! It's a bit off the beaten path but service was friendly and the food came out quick. It's a small space and doesn't try to be all hipster. The burgers were juicy, fries were crispy, and the Malts are killer!!
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Darian G.

Yelp
Decent burger. It's tasty and big and the combo is very decently priced. The service was fast and the place was very small, so we were served quickly. It's a good, greasy, filling burger, but I've also had better burgers. For the price I paid I'm pretty satisfied though!
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Terrence M.

Yelp
Order: Double Combo w/ IBC Cream soda Pros: This was a good damn burger!!! Probably the best burger I have actually had in Portland. They served my burger straight off the grill and it had steam coming right of the burger! The ingredients were fresh!!! The tomato was cored and halved. I really get sick of places not coring their tomatoes and I bight into a pit. Their pickles they chose to use was A1! I love their choice of pickle. The bread bun was good and light. The sauce used was good. The patties were great. They could use a tad but more salt and pepper but overall it was still good. Curly frys were amazing and seasoned extremely well. Not to much not to little. Cons: n/a Side Note: Looks can be deciving. I was driving through the janky alley to grt to this place and I was a lilttpe skeptical of the outside appearance (they cant control that). However, once inside, the place is airy and clean. It's also next to a railroad track so keep in mind when lookin
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Anne F.

Yelp
Solid place when you're craving a smashburger. I had the chili burger and the deluxe fries (cheese sauce, burger sauce, griddled onions, and bacon). Quick and friendly service. I can't wait to go back and try a milkshake.
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Lynne T.

Yelp
Finally was able to try Wolf's Head Burger today. Probably shouldn't have had it to go, but that's how things worked out. I got the single burger which they say is 1/4lb. The patty is larger than the bun, because it's smashed, which I normally love. This burger patty was so dry that the cheese, pickles, onions and burger sauce couldn't help it out. This was one dry burger. The cheese curds were over-fried! I like crunchy, but this was beyond. Based on today's visit, I would not recommend Wolf's Head Burgers. This was not the experience I had been hoping for, but now I know. I'm still looking for my go-to burger! But got to say the employees were nice.

Jonah S.

Yelp
Wolf's Head screams Portland food. The burgers are weird, the vibes are right and the people are nice. I was very pleasantly surprised with the food, the fries and the burger were very good. Plus, they have plenty of funky and weird burgers if you want a unique experience. A must try for anyone in the area.
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Tom T.

Yelp
Secretly placed in the corner under the Hawthorne bridge , not more than 20 seconds from OMSI on water ave. Ordered a single combo with curly fries and upgraded to a Malted Chocolate shake. Quick service . My time from when I came in to when I finished was about 45 minutes. Nice place to take kids to when the trip to OMSI is over.
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Marc F.

Yelp
I saw Logan with metal claws in his hands Walking through the streets of Madison in the rain He was looking for a Mercury Burger Week retreat Going to get a big Elote with flamin' hot cheetos Ah-hoo, Wolf's Head of Portland Ah-hooooooooooooo Ah-hoo, Wolf's Head of Portland Ah-hooooooooooooo If you hear him howling around the Waterman floors You better not let him in Double Chili Cheese got mutilated late last night Wolf's Head of Portland again Ah-hoo, Wolf's Head of Portland Ah-hooooooooooooo Well, I saw Wolverine walking with the X-men Under the Hawthorne Bridge I saw Stan Lee drinking Malts with Warren Zevon The multiverse has cursed me again Ah-hoo, Wolf's Head of Portland Ah-hooooooooooooo
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Dina E.

Yelp
Came mid-afternoon -- was super slow (good for me) and there was ample parking. I ordered the sandwich week burger, curly fries and special malt shake. The curly fries are well-seasoned and crispy and came with mustard-forward fry sauce. The burger had pulled pork atop the burger with a mustard-forward sauce. Though I am NOT a mustard on burger fan, it worked well w the accoutrements. If it was a regular burger I would have applied a little ketchup. The malt was olive oil flavor...very smooth and tasty. (recommended by staff). Service was quick and friendly. They have a seating area in the back. I got my order to go, though. Will definitely be back!
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Scott L.

Yelp
New burger joint nicely hidden under the Morrison bridge. I came here for their special burger week burger which is a cream corn with hot cheeto dust burger and they absolutely Nailed it! Elote is my fav and ghe quality of the sauce was outstanding. The front desk lady was so nice and cheerful. They have malts here but for this week, and hopefully more is a cinnamon toast crunch cereal malt. Amazing texture and flavor without overdoing it. I'll have to come back to try more of their malts. Lastly there is plenty of parking and a Mortal Kombat 3 arcade machine here to play while waiting.
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Lisa D.

Yelp
Everything we ordered was good, albeit too salty. The malt was fantastic, the burgers were messy in the best way possible and the cheese curds were excellent, but did not need to be salted imo. I would also suggest cutting back on the salt in the burger patties too. Had a hard time removing my rings after this meal. #noregerts
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Patrick S.

Yelp
One of if not THE best smash burger in town. The malt shakes are also top notch. The service is fast and friendly. There is limited seating in the back with an ambiance of a typical burger shop.
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Sandra L.

Yelp
My absolute favorite burger restaurant in Portland. I used to drive out to Beaverton before they opened their SE brick and mortar. The restaurant is small but adequate and has a hipster vibe. I love the glass covered checkered table cloth which i watched them clean meticulously between customers. I also like that you can watch the cooks make your burger and mix your malt. We ordered a burger of the month Pimento Mac burger. It was perfect as usual The smash patty is cooked like a smash patty should with crispy, craggy-edges, cooked-through but juicy, caramelised, beefy. Topped with American cheese cold pimento mac salad topped with pickles. Dont let the cold Mac throw you off it works and it's so delicious it will not matter. We also ordered cheese curds, and a cookies and cream malt. The cheese curds are delicious the Parmesan coating makes them fluffy and easy to eat. I love that Wolf's Head is not afraid to try new things. During Portland Burger week they killed it with their version of a Elote Burger. It was my favorite out of all 47 burgers offered. Imagine a delicious smash patty topped with grilled corn smothered in a creamy mayo sauce and topped with chili powder, cheese and dusted with hot Cheetos. Drop the mic.

Ronald B.

Yelp
Such rude inconsiderate people. I will never come back. In lean people got sick the first time here and only time I'll ever come here
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Charlie T.

Yelp
If you are looking for a filling meal, this is the place to go to. The burgers here are rich and filling. The curly fries are a great addition to the meal. We tried the chili cheese fries as well as the deluxe curly fries. We tried the deluxe burger as well as the burger of the month - Pizza Burger. Both these burgers were great and tasty. They are pretty heavy, and I could feel my arteries clogging up, but that didn't stop me from finishing them. The service is pretty quick and friendly. The interior is small, with a few seating options inside.

Julie M.

Yelp
Cool ambiance and great burgers! The curly fries and cheese curds were excellent as well!
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Amy C.

Yelp
Make Wolf's Head a destination! I ordered a single patty with the works! Cheese was melty and creamy, caramelized onions, pickles, special sauce...so delicious! Curly fries had just the right seasoning with a ranch type dipping sauce and a tall "cold" can of Rainier to round it out!! Inside dining is easy, clean has plenty of light. I loved watching the railcars pass by too!
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Ernie C.

Yelp
I can already feel my arteries clogging, but the burger and chili cheese fries were delicious. Super excited to see something back in this location under the bridge, and especially glad that they're using the east side door (and the adjoining space) as customer facing space, and not just storage like the various previous tenants have done. Large and open area where you order (though likely a bit disorienting if you come in through the building's lobby). The interior is pretty much the same as the previous tenants - counter along the south wall/window, open kitchen with a low counter on one side, and a few tables thrown in to fill out the space Regardless, I got a single with lettuce and tomato ($8) and chili cheese fries ($10). Both items came out in plastic baskets with blue checkered paper liners, adding to the nostalgic feel. The chili cheese fries are curly fries, with a generous helping of chili and cheese on top. The chili is super meaty, no beans. If anything, the chili is almost too meaty, being super hearty and filling. I could have used a little hot sauce, and when they saw me checking out the service station and walking away empty handed, they asked what I was looking for, and then said the hot sauce was on the way. They also offered to cut up a jalapeno for me, but I passed on that as I was busy devouring the fries. The burger was definitely a throw back, a greasy smash burger, wrapped in that blue checkered paper. The bun was little lacking, struggling to hold up with all the cheesy and juicy goodness. Probably didn't help that I had added lettuce and tomatoes. Regardless, a substantial burger, and it hit the spot. The highlight for me was definitely the chili cheese fries, but the burger was solid as well. I exercised a little restraint and didn't get a malt, but definitely on my list to try out. Overall, delicious food . . . a little on the spendy side, but man, it was a nice time machine back to the era of greasy burger joints/diners.
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C... D.

Yelp
Delicious food, be aware that smash burgers are on the smaller side( hubby probably would get 2 for dinner), fries were delicious ( we got the regular curly fries but the deluxe fries sounded amazing as does their beanless beef chili ones) I got the special ( beef cheek reduction with horseradish sauce on top of a patty with grilled onions( quite the flavor bomb), hubby got their hot Korean fried chicken sandwich which was so good, he wanted more! The olive oil / salted malt was also excellent- I love a good malt and the beef in the patties was "chefs kiss".. the underneath the bridge/ warehouse vibes was a fun vibe too- We will be back!
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Scott S.

Yelp
Delicious hot fresh burgers and fries. Super fast and friendly service. Quality ingredients. I will definitely be back as this is an incredibly welcome addition to the southeast food scene. These guys are crushing it so please go support what is one of the best burgers I've ever had. Love this place?
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Denise C.

Yelp
We were excited to try the new burger place that moved into the neighborhood, Wolf's Head Burgers and we have a winner! The single patty smash burger with bacon and cheese was/is the best burger I have had in a long time. Loved the crispy but soft curly fries and it was the first time I had tried the strawberry shake and I loved the more creamy nutty taste of the malt shake. Great dipping sauce too

Courtney F.

Yelp
Almost perfect but gave me a really bad stomach act after the fact. Will eat again just only once a year
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Tobey S.

Yelp
Great food here at Wolf's Head! Juicy burgers (the bun could barely handle it!), seasoned curly fries, and awesome malts! I tried the double deluxe and shared curly fries and a chocolate malt with my partner and we seriously enjoyed it. Small little location with a bit of seating in the back and the owner checking in with us after our meal was a great touch. Definitely coming back here in the near future!
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Ariel F.

Yelp
Best burger joint in Portland. That double delux burger=10/10 Quality, tasty, perfected burgers. Wtf. new go to spot
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Amanda D.

Yelp
The burger was pretty messy and lacked the hype it gets from reviews and IG. I ordered it fully expecting it to knock my socks off and was pretty disappointed. The only thing that saved the meal was the really great customer service provided by the employee at the register. It's not a spot I would go out of my way for again.
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Gloria T.

Yelp
It's a good burger for a decent price - but it will take 2 burgers for me to be full. Good place to grab a quick bite. Lettuce and tomatoes are add-ons for .50 cents. They have tater tots! Very good service.
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Remi S.

Yelp
Amazing food, great service! The burger was juicy, the veggies fresh, the bun well cooked, the fries were fire. 5/5
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Pechluck L.

Yelp
Classic Midwestern nostalgia with these burgers and malts. Juicy burgers, loving the cheese curds as an option, and yes we all need more malts in our lives. The atmosphere here is very basic and it is right by the train tracks and under the bridge, giving it a hole in the wall blue collar burger vibe, they offer a special burger and melt every month

PDXStevie S.

Yelp
I went to the food cart location today in Beaverton, expecting only a "decent" burger. What I got was a surprisingly great burger! Even better, it was $7! (Actually $9 since I also added bacon). In today's market where a gross McDonald's Big Mac is around the same price, this "smash burger" was a veritable bargain. Seriously...finding a really good burger these days is getting harder. Finding one at a decent price is even harder than that. (Five Guys now wants $13 for their cheapest burger!) When I'm craving a burger this will be my new go-to location. Honestly, for the quality, taste and size (1/4 pound), this place is serving up a legit burger. No wonder it was busy! I can highly recommend. That's saying something too since, if you read my other reviews, you'll see I never hesitate to call out places that aren't good. Now, go enjoy a burger in Beaverton!
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Jeremy T.

Yelp
Incredible lunch. Friends group has been going to lunch trying to find "hidden" gems of just great food. This was the top spot so far in over a year. The lady who created us was great. Explained the menu well and pointed out the special menu. Food arrived amazingly fast, was clearly fresh and tasted amazing. I had the chicken special which was maybe the best sandwich I have had in a very long time. Friends had the burger and claimed the same.
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Mummer F.

Yelp
Highly recommend this place! Burger was AMAZING & I try MANY different PDX burgers! Curly fries were spot on! And then topped off with malted shakes... yum! We will def be back... often! Oh, the people we really friendly and helpful too, but food was so good I'd go back even if there were jerks... haha

Parker B.

Yelp
So good!! I was craving a simple burger so the single smash hit the spot. I'm excited to try their other burgers next time. The sauces are perfect, and the curly fries are the ones that you hope every restaurant has. I got the chili cheese fries too which were indeed delicious. 10/10 recommend
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Sara H.

Yelp
Our fav smash burgers in the portland area, and we've tried several. Tater tots are yummy too!
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Mark N.

Yelp
Great burger and shake. Worth the trip to stop in at this location under the bridge.

Arnie V.

Yelp
Best cheeseburger in Oregon! You need to try the deluxe fries! Cheese, sauce, grilled onions and get this, bacon! Thought I was in heaven!! Then I had a vanilla milk shake to wash it down! A tad bit expensive, but worth it. Hands down the best! Do not leave Portland until you've tried this place. You'll be sorry.

Izabelle C.

Yelp
Really great service and amazing food! Absolutely loved the lucky charms shake special last month and the cheese curds and of course the burgers were great too!

delvin f.

Yelp
Best burger I've had in 2023 Hot juice, great tasting cheese Curly fries delicious I will be back soon
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Valerie L.

Yelp
YES, if you've been craving a midwestern-style chocolate malt! YES, if you've been missing a smashed Culver's butter burger (sans butter, but their good sauce and crispy edged burger patties almost make up for the lack of butter). YES, if you like a really good single burger patty with cheese and sauce on a Franz burger bun and other fixings are available. HOWEVER, the Franz buns can barely stand up to the double or delr circle fries had a nice crunch and weren't at all

Kristin L.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem! Fresh burgers, good quality the cheese curds are on fire! Ended with an amazing chocolate malt. Can't wait for them to be open on weekends!