Sometimes a burger craving calls, and you need to answer right away. These 14 neighborhood spots have you covered.

New or updated entries for 2025 in this alphabetized list are marked with an asterisk. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know at eat@pioneerpress.com.

MORE FROM THE 2025 BURGER GUIDE:

Elevated: 17 “cheffy” burgers.
Cult Faves: 9 hype-worthy burgers off the beaten path.
Cheers: 20 burgers at bars and dives to pair with a drink.
Destination: 11 burgers worth the drive.

* Altera

A burger with St. Andre cheese and cognac-grilled onions is served at Altera in Highland Park on July 21. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

Although there are more interesting items on the menu at fancy Highland Park newcomer Altera, the “Le Cheeseburger” kicks up a classic burger to a more elegant and French-ified level with rich St. André cheese and cognac grilled onions. The cognac in the onions gets a bit lost, but this is a solid burger at a cute new spot for a neighborhood night out.

— J.K. 

Altera: 721 S. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul; 651-788-7009; alterarestaurant.com

Bebe Zito

The Burger from Bebe Zito at The Market at Malcolm Yards. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

The folks behind this Uptown Minneapolis ice cream shop started slinging an inexpensive burger during the pandemic, and almost immediately, lines began to form. It was only available on weekends, which was part of its allure. But lucky for us, they now have counters at The Market at Malcolm Yards and a sparkly new Woodbury spot in the Woodbury Lakes shopping district, so we can all get our hands on this bacon-infused, thinly smashed, properly cheese-enrobed burger, which gets extra flavor from kicky pickled cukes and onions. The ice cream is amazing, too.

— J.F. 

Bebe Zito: 704 22nd St. W., Minneapolis; The Market at Malcolm Yards, 501 30th Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 9000 Hudson Road, No. 620, Woodbury; bebezitomn.com

Everywhen Burger Bar

The Nicollet Burger at Everywhen, inside Centro on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, is a single smashburger that contains the classic fixings, shown here on Oct. 21, 2022. Everywhen is a concept launched by the same team behind Centro and Vivir. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

This burger spot, from restaurateur Jami Olson and executive chef Jose Alarcon, shares space with taco-centric Centro. Their Nicollet Burger is a single smashed patty with the fixings: American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo. And it rocks. The meat itself is perfectly seasoned and crispy. And with just one patty, it’s a good lunch burger — not so heavy that it weighs you down for the afternoon. Nothing over-the-top; a classic done right.

— J.K. 

Everywhen Burger Bar: 750 S. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul, 612-489-5558 or 2412 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, 612-452-9785; everywhenburgers.com

* Le Burger 4304

Le Burger 4304’s flagship burger is conveniently and confidently named “le burger,” and you know what? I think it’s deserving of the title. Super juicy, and the sauce is (controversially?) under the patty, so it melts a little into the bottom bun, which I quite liked. Speaking of, the bun is lightly sweet and toasted and neither too thick nor too flimsy, though the festive custom paper wrap helps keep everything contained. (And if beef burgers aren’t your speed, they’ve also got options with fish, chicken, mushroom, chickpea and beet patties.) It’s a cozy space, so seating gets tight during busy hours.

— J.K. 

Le Burger 4304: 4304 Upton Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-328-9267; leburger4304.com

Local Rumor

The burger at Local Rumor on St. Paul’s Selby Avenue. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

We’re loving this affordable little neighborhood gem in the former Blue Door Pub space on Selby, and the perfectly seasoned, hand-pattied double burger for just $12 is no exception. It is topped with melty mild cheddar, pickles and a generous dollop of garlic aioli, but no fries. No matter, that means you can order a side of kicky broccolini instead. You know, for health reasons. (They do have a shareable portion of rosemary-spiked fries for $7 if you prefer.)

— J.F. 

Local Rumor: 1811 Selby Ave.; 612-790-0614; instagram.com/localrumor

* Lost Fox

A burger is served at Lost Fox in Lowertown on Oct. 16, 2025. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

This all-day coffee shop/restaurant/bar, open 8 a.m. to midnight (till 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays) is one of my top picks for a convenient, reliable Lowertown stop no matter what I’m looking for. In this case, of course, it was a burger, and they delivered: The Lost Fox burger, a double smash with white American cheese on a sturdy bun, is loaded with pickles, caramelized onions, fried onion straws — oh, did I mention onions? It’s like French onion soup dreamed of becoming a burger, which I’m very much on board with.

— J.K.

Lost Fox: 213 4th St.; 651-493-4694; lostfoxlowertown.com

Lynette

The burger at Lynette, a new neighborhood restaurant in Minneapolis, is has plenty of dijonnaise, as shown on Oct. 20, 2024. The restaurant opened summer 2024 and is run by the management team behind the former Lyn65 in Richfield and Petit Leon in Minneapolis, alongside the former executive chef of Cov in Edina. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

Lynette, which opened last summer in Minneapolis’s Longfellow neighborhood, has pedigree; it comes courtesy of the guys behind the former Lyn65 in Richfield and Petit Leon and Little T’s in Minneapolis. And hey, they’ve got a pretty good burger. Two juicy, slightly irregular patties with cheese and pickles on a well-griddled bun, and they’re not shy with the dijonnaise, which helps amp up the savoriness of the beef. If you want fries, you can get a cone of duck-fat fries for $10; the portion is large enough to split. The patio is gorgeous for any remaining warm fall evenings we might get, and little soft-serve ice cream cones that come free with the check are a delightful touch.

— J.K. 

Lynette: 3753 42nd Ave S., Minneapolis; 612-223-8060; lynettemn.com

Mac’s Diner

The Mac Daddy (left) and Rodeo Smash (right) burgers at Mac’s Diner in North St. Paul, on Oct. 14, 2023. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

This North St. Paul spot opened a couple years ago, picking up the proverbial torch (and restored neon sign) from the landmark but long-closed Mac’s Dinette. New Mac’s is bright and tastefully retro, and their signature burger — the Mac Daddy — is a nicely crispy-edged double smash with sauteed onions, fairly gooey cheese, pickles and a house burger sauce. Their other burger, the Rodeo Smash, tops its two patties with cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce, seasoned sour cream (unnecessary) and crispy onions (very necessary). The “M” logo branded into the buns is a nice touch, too.

— J.K. 

Mac’s Diner: 2526 E. Seventh Ave, North St Paul; 651-777-9995; macsdinernsp.com

Matt’s

With a belly fully of a Jucy Lucy President Barack Obama leaves Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

The menu includes a completely unfancy Jucy (their spelling, not ours) Lucy on a completely unfancy bun in a divey neighborhood tavern. But the burger is very Minnesota, and everyone should eat it at least once. Plenty of famous people have visited, including President Barack Obama in 2014. The fries are fast-food quality but plentiful, and the well-worn griddle produces a tasty burger char.

— J.F. 

Matt’s Bar: 3500 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis; 612-722-7072; mattsbar.com

MyBurger

Although this local chain is dangerously close to fast food, the burgers themselves are a big step up from what you can get in a drive-through. Properly seasoned, smashed on a griddle but still juicy enough, with quality toppings and reasonable prices, it’s a family-friendly option for busy nights. The fact that the St. Paul location is on a busy corner without much parking kept us from trying these burgers for too long.

— J.F. 

My Burger: Multiple locations, including 1580 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-7816; myburgerusa.com

* Pajarito

Pajarito, the Mexican-inspired spot tucked away on West Seventh, added a burger to its menu earlier this year and, like everything else they do, it delivers. It’s a double-smash with onions, white cheddar and pickled jalapeños, which are a clever and spicy touch that plays well with the slight sweetness of the cheese. My one nitpick is that pickling the peppers and cooking the onions, while delicious, make everything a very similar soft texture; I wish there was a crisp crunchy element here. Pajarito’s cocktail program is consistently fantastic, too, though, making this a solid stop if you’re heading along West Seventh.

— J.K. 

Pajarito: 605 W. Seventh Street; 651-340-9545; pajaritorestaurant.com

Smorgie’s

The burger at Smorgie’s across the street from the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

This downtown newcomer is a great place to get in and out of quickly before an event, and they have a tasty, inexpensive burger to boot. The pretty basic double smash is well-executed, if a little overly crispy, but is served on a fresh bun with good burger sauce and is a steal at $12, and that included perfectly crispy tater tots.

— J.F. 

Smorgie’s: 127 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-204-3730‬; smorgiesbar.com

World Street Kitchen

A couple summers ago, trendy Minneapolis favorite World Street Kitchen added the beef kofta burger to its lineup of fast-casual global street food — and it’s a home run. Kofta, spiced ground beef that’s common in the Middle East and North Africa in meatball or kebab form, works perfectly as a burger patty topped with white American cheese, pickles and a not-so-spicy harissa burger sauce. The spices in the meat itself are fine-tuned, and all the toppings play off each other well. It’s unbelievably saucy (to be clear: in a good way!), so grab more extra napkins than you think you’ll need. Oh, and Milkjam Creamery is right next door.

— J.K. 

World Street Kitchen: 2743 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis; 612-424-8855; eatwsk.com

Yum! Kitchen and Bakery

The Burger at Yum! Kitchen & Bakery in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

If you’re at this bakery and cafe, you might not think to order the burger, but we’re here to tell you that you absolutely should. It’s two juicy patties with really fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and a special sauce on a house-made bun. It’s served with a crisp pickle and the cafe’s thin, crisp and addictive house-made potato chips. This is one of our favorite lunch spots, especially if we have a meeting, because the space is bright and airy, and we never feel rushed to give up a table because there’s plenty of space.

— J.F. 

Yum! Kitchen and Bakery: Four locations, including 164 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul, 651-615-1230; and 8340 City Centre Drive, Woodbury, 651-603-4444; yumkitchen.com

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By Summer Ballentine, The Detroit News

Heavy discounts on new electric vehicles and buyer skepticism about their durability continue to push down used EV prices, which experts say has opened up a traditionally pricey market to more U.S. drivers.

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While new EVs on average cost $9,000 more than similar gas models, prices on used EVs now are competitive with their internal combustion counterparts at about $680 higher on average, Cox Automotive EV analyst Stephanie Valdez Streaty said: The used market “is one area where you can find affordable EVs.”

In September, the average transaction price for a new EV was $58,124, while the average listing price for a used EV was $34,575, according to Cox Automotive. The lower price tags could be key to winning over an unenthusiastic U.S. market, which has been further dampened by the Trump administration’s move to roll back greenhouse gas regulations and end federal EV tax credits.

“It’s important, because one of the biggest barriers for adoption is price,” Valdez Streaty said.

Retired Naples, Florida, resident Jon Peter Vollmer, 65, owns two used Chevrolet Bolts, including a 2020 model he bought earlier this year for $7,500. At the time of purchase, Vollmer said the Bolt had been driven 45,000 miles.

For comparison, Kelley Blue Book values a used 2020 Honda Civic sedan at about $14,000 and a 2020 Toyota Camry at roughly $15,000.

“The cost was so incredible,” Vollmer said. “They were much more cost-effective.”

It’s unclear how the loss of $7,500 tax credits for new EV buyers and lessees will impact new vehicle prices, and in turn used EV prices, analysts said. A credit of up-to-$4,000 for used EV purchases also expired Sept. 30, but other factors so far have meant steep depreciation for used battery-powered models.

“Some of the prices on used EVs are just nuts,” said Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry. “And so there are some really good deals to be had up there, and they may get a little bit better in the coming months. But they’re already pretty low, so they probably won’t drop too much more.”

Why are used EV prices so low?

Discounts on new EVs, the draw of new tech featured in new models, and lack of consumer confidence in the lifespan of EV batteries are top factors driving used values down, Valdez Streaty said in an email.

“Automakers are cutting prices and offering substantial lease incentives to stay competitive,” she said. “In many cases, a new EV — after discounts — costs less than a used one, which puts downward pressure on resale values.”

Issues with early model EV batteries also have lingered in buyers’ minds, analysts said, hurting used sales in particular. First-generation Nissan Leaf batteries degraded more quickly because they lacked pricier battery coolers, Abuelsamid said. He said 2026 Leaf models will have updated cooling systems — which many other EV brands have offered for years — that should help battery lifespan.

“Pretty much all of the other EVs, after 10 years they typically have at least around 90% of their original capacity,” Abuelsamid said. “Manufacturers, apart from Nissan with the first Leaf, they have been very careful with the thermal management of the battery, because what causes the battery degradation most of the time is overheating the battery.”

Battery life is “not really something that consumers should be worried about,” Abuelsamid said.

Consumer confidence in the durability of EVs and the longevity of their batteries — by far the most expensive component — likely will grow with time, Valdez Streaty said.

“When we’re able to show these batteries are really good and are going to last a long time, that’s going to help also with the depreciations of EVs,” she said.

How long will prices stay low?

Prices on used EVs will increase or decrease depending on demand and how new EVs are priced, analysts said. Demand rose in recent months, spurred by pull-ahead sales from buyers and lessees hoping to take advantage of the EV tax credit before it expired.

Used EV sales so far this year were up 76% as of September compared to the same time period last year, according to Valdez Streaty.

In response, used EV values also grew more than 6% in September compared to the same time last year, according to wholesale used vehicle auctioneer Manheim. Gas-powered vehicles saw a 1% hike in appreciation during the same period.

“The expiration of federal tax credits created a short-term demand spike that helped stabilize values,” Valdez Streaty said in an email.

“Consumers kept the pace of new and used EV purchases high over the quarter, prior to the expiration of the tax incentive,” said Jeremy Robb, deputy chief economist for Cox Automotive. “This heightened demand pushed EV wholesale values higher again (in September), making EVs the strongest-performing segment in year-over-year value appreciation.”

Moving forward, used EV prices will “depend a lot on how much automakers put prices on new EVs,” Abuelsamid said.

“If we see a bunch of price cuts, especially on existing models, that will hurt residual values,” Abuelsamid said. “So we may see some of the used EV prices start to come down, and that will help sales of those vehicles. EVs have always had, up until now, a lot of depreciation anyway, in part because the tax credits went to the new car buyers. Until the (Inflation Reduction Act) came along, there were no incentives for buying a used EV.

“And so the used EV prices were lower than a comparable gas vehicle. We may see those prices come down even a little bit more in the coming months if we see more price cuts on new EVs, but it probably won’t go down too much more than it is now,” Abuelsamid said.

Another dip in prices could be coming in a few years. More drivers opted to lease EVs beginning in 2023, when the Inflation Reduction Act made tax incentives available to lessees regardless of income. U.S. drivers have leased roughly 1.1 million EVs since 2023, Valdez Streaty said. As lease terms end in the next several years, those vehicles will flood the used market.

“The used EV market is very small right now,” said Cox Automotive spokesperson Mark Schirmer in an email, “but certainly growing as the new EV market grows. The real acceleration is coming, in 2027 and 2028, when a heavy load of leased EVs come back to market, something we will be watching carefully.”

©2025 www.detroitnews.com. Visit at detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By JOSH FUNK, AP Business Writer

The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 county offices all across the country Thursday despite the ongoing government shutdown to help farmers and ranchers get access to $3 billion of aid from existing programs.

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The USDA said each Farm Service Agency office will have two workers who will be paid even though the government remains shutdown. These offices help farmers apply for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster aid and other programs. Thousands of other federal employees like air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown.

A USDA spokesperson said this move reflects President Trump’s commitment to helping farmers and ranchers, who are traditionally some of his strongest supporters. Recently, some of them have been unhappy with Trump’s latest moves although his support remains strong across rural America.

Just this week, ranchers were unhappy with Trump’s idea to import more beef from Argentina because that could hurt their profits, and earlier this month soybean farmers complained that a $20 billion aid package for Argentina allowed that country to sell soybeans to China. Farmers are also still waiting on details of an aid package Trump promised to help them survive his trade war with China, but that aid has been put on hold because of the shutdown.

“President Trump will not let the radical left Democrat shutdown impact critical USDA services while harvest is underway across the country,” the USDA spokesman said. A White House official said the administration is using funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA agency that addresses agricultural prices.

Republicans like Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven and farm groups like the National Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association praised the move while Democrats accused the administration of using farmers as political pawns in the shutdown fight. Both parties have been unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and end the shutdown that began Oct. 1.

“With farm country being in the middle of harvest season, producers cannot afford delays in these programs,” Hoeven said. “They are essential to help producers maintain their operations, especially when facing challenging markets.”

Kenneth Hartman Jr., who is chairman of the Corn Growers Association, said this is a crucial time because farmers are getting ready to place orders for next year’s seed and fertilizer right now as well as settling up with the bankers for this year’s operating loans. And farmers are grappling with soaring costs.

“Because of the inflation factor, the farm economy is really in a critical situation here. So anything that the farmers can get when it comes to support from the farm programs from the farm bill of last year, we need to get that open and get that money out to them,” said Hartman, who is in the middle of harvesting his crop near Waterloo, Illinois.

The House Agriculture Committee Democrats said on X that this shows that Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins “could have supported farmers all along, but you chose not to because you’d rather use farmers’ pain to score cheap political points while increasing the cost of living for ordinary Americans by making food and health care more expensive.”

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this story from Washington.

By BEN FINLEY and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders at the Pentagon have significantly altered how military officials will speak with Congress after a pair of new memos issued last week.

In an Oct. 15 memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg, ordered Pentagon officials — including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — to obtain permission from the department’s main legislative affairs office before they have any communication with Capitol Hill.

The memo was issued the same day the vast majority of Pentagon reporters exited the building rather than agree to the Defense Department’s new restrictions on their work, and it appears to be part of a broader effort by Hegseth to exert tighter control over what the department communicates to the outside world.

According to the memo, a copy of which was authenticated by a Pentagon official, “unauthorized engagements with Congress by (Pentagon) personnel acting in their official capacity, no matter how well-intentioned, may undermine Department-wide priorities critical to achieving our legislative objectives.”

Sean Parnell, the top Pentagon spokesman, called the move a “pragmatic step” that’s part of an effort “to improve accuracy and responsiveness in communicating with the Congress to facilitate increased transparency.”

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Previously, individual agencies and military branches within the Pentagon were able to manage their own communications with Congress.

A second memo, issued Oct. 17, directed a “working group to further define the guidance on legislative engagements.”

The memos were first reported by the website Breaking Defense.