Looking for a bite? Here are 9 eateries to try for National Hamburger Day on May 28

"Let's throw some burgers on the grill" is one of the best phrases any grill master can utter. The first four words alone can instantly shift the mood of those eager to get their hands on one.

The prized cookout entree isn't just a reward dedicated for the perfect summer day, but is good at any time of day, in any season.

Some prefer to keep it plain, not feeling the need to subdue the sizzling flavors that burst from a simply charred, grilled or smashed patty. For this group, only a slice of cheese and possibly a touch of barbecue sauce is enough to draw out the marinated flavors.

Other foodies are die-hard fans of spaces that really know how push all the boundaries, combining some of the quirkiest ingredients together to construct the perfect stack.

National Hamburger Day is May 28, and to help you celebrate here is a roundup list of just a few of the city's favorite local establishments offering specialty burgers you can wrap your fingers around.

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Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack

325 N. Bronough St.; 850-222-1075; birdsoystershack.com

Oysters may be the main attraction listed in their name, but if you ask true hamburger fans about their favorite picks in town, Bird’s is bound to be on the list. Their 10-ounce patty is a big, juicy burger. Bird’s offers a long list of toppings, ranging from pickles to pineapple to decorate your burgers with. Burgers are served on a Kaiser roll with a side of either French fries, onion rings or cole slaw. Their specialty burgers can be enjoyed both outside on the picnic tables or inside where fun, funky decor fills the space and live entertainment and karaoke nights bring the space alive.

Burger Barn Grill

1817 Thomasville Road; 850-320-6016; burgerbarngrill.com

Coming up on its one-year anniversary, the Burger Barn Grill may be new to town but has grown to be a city favorite. The barnyard-themed casual restaurant decorated in bright red and wooden accents to complement its rustic decor sits in the Miracle Plaza that houses Whole Foods. The burger joint offers a pleasing list of picture-perfect specialty burgers topped with little white flags, signifying a surrender to playing it cute and just digging in. Specialty burgers range from the Hawaiian Burger (bacon, Swiss cheese, grilled pineapple and honey sriracha mayo drizzle) to their new Knife and Fork burger (a classic double-bacon cheeseburger smothered in a creamy cheese sauce topped with bacon). If you're looking to explore, they also have build-your-own options as well.

Chatarras Restaurant

3348 Mahan Drive; 850-727-4804; chatarras850.com

Chatarras Restaurant, founded by local veterinarian Jesus Lamas and his family, opened just last year with a taste of authentic Venezuelan-cuisine street food. With the help of its grand "La Gran Venezuela" burger, the family-operation has developed quite the following. The burger combines a beef patty, pork chop and chicken with a number of dressings with a large kebab that finishes it off to stack with more meats. Other specialty burgers include the "Fried Cheeseburger" (beef patty, fried queso blanco, bacon). Like many of their other burgers and gigantic hot dogs, another popular specialty, they are decorated in a list of ingredients to make the perfect handheld treat.

Dick Mondell's

1808 S. Monroe St.; dickmondells.com

This burger joint with a sense of humor started in Gainesville and open its Tallahassee location in 2023. Dick Mondell’s is owned by Connor Castelli and Chris Leckerling, who invented the name and tongue-in-cheek menu. It's a small drive-thru with some picnic style seating outside. The lineup includes The Big Dick Burger (with two grilled smashburger style patties) plus chicken and vegan versions and a breakfast menu. The sweet potato tots are also a favorite. Tallahassee is the second Dick Mondell location; the first was in Gainesville; and there's now a third location in Jacksonville Beach that opened May 13.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

3425 Thomasville Road; 850-558-6116; hopdoddy.com

Hopdoddy Burger Bar, one of the newest burger chains in the capital city, took over the former Grub Burger Bar’s space in the Trader Joe's Plaza. It offers a number of creative burgers that "pushes the boundaries." Some of the specialty burgers include its burger of the month which for May is "The Birria" (topped with chorizo and Oaxaca cheese quesadilla). Other signature burgers include the "Cadillac" (Swiss cheese, steakhouse bacon, crispy fried onion). To add a little balance after indulging in the hefty burgers, the " loaded brussels sprouts" section of the menu cleanses the palate with a little bit of greenery.

Midtown Caboose

1406 N. Meridian Road; 850-521-1933; midtowncaboose.com

Popular for its unusual combinations, Midtown Caboose's quirky PB&J burger with patties smothered in melted peanut butter and cheddar cheese brings one back to favorite childhood flavors. Midtown Caboose, a railroad-themed restaurant decked out in red, never comes last when Tallahassee diners think about one of their favorite places to go for a sweet or savory burger. Since opening in 2014, owners and brothers Adam and Matt Wells have added creative madness to their burgers, fulfilling foodies' fantasies with crafted handheld delicacies. Other specialty burgers include the “S’mores Than Words," (yes, marshmallow and dark chocolate), the "Mac Daddy," (mac and cheese, bacon and fried pickles) and spicy surf and turf "Maui Wowie" (coconut shrimp). In nice weather, enjoy them out on the large, covered back deck.

Nelson Burger Bar

805 S. Macomb St.; 850- 999-2012; Facebook

The family-owned burger bar which formerly housed Voodoo Dog offers a handful of juicy specialty burgers including the Carolina Burger (patty topped with American cheese loaded with chili mustard slaw and onions) and the "Bulldog" burger (house made ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, sautéed onions, American and bleu cheese). The Perry-based burger joint operated by Scott Nelson and his family for over 10 years offers cheesy sides to pair with its burgers including their chili cheese fries, cheddar cheese jalapeno poppers and broccoli bacon cheddar bites.

Relish Big Tasty Burgers

1935 W Tennessee St.; 850-807-0152; relishtallahassee.smartonlineorder.com

For five years, Relish Big Tasty Burgers, an assembly line style burger joint has given foodies all the tools they need to build their own double stack of goodness. The "Double Tasty" is a favorite, but if you're feeling a little daring, the "Triple Tasty," completed with a sequence of some of the 20 different toppings and sauces offered is destined to fulfill all your desires. The combination of ingredients is endless, leaving no two burgers the same. The Gainesville-based burger chain started off solely catering to hungry Gators at University of Florida and continued to expand across the sunshine state to serve all the Seminoles and Rattlers along West Tennessee Street.

Salty Dawg Pub & Deli

3813 N. Monroe St.; 850-562-6500; Facebook

For over 36 years, the beloved Salty Dawg on the northwest side has served as a space for fans to cheer on their favorite teams, shoot a little pool, enjoy a brew from an ice-cold mug and hang out with friends. They also chow down on the much-touted beef burgers whether it’s the Mushroom Swiss, patty melt or the classic chargrilled. Other winners: cheesesteaks, wings, Reubens and grilled subs plus an atmosphere where customers feel like regulars.

Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know!

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Try these Tallahassee restaurants to celebrate National Hamburger Day