Unearth The Voyage
Colorado has become a burger lover’s paradise, with chains ranging from homegrown favorites to national icons. Whether you’re cruising through Denver, exploring mountain towns, or road-tripping across the plains, there’s always a great burger stop nearby. From smash-style pioneers to frozen custard specialists, these 12 chains prove that Colorado takes its burgers seriously and serves them with pride.
1. Good Times: The Colorado-grown drive-thru that’s still a Front Range staple
Born and raised right here in Colorado, Good Times has been serving up fast-food joy since the 1980s. You’ll spot these bright, cheerful drive-thrus all along the Front Range, from Fort Collins down to Colorado Springs.
What makes them special? The menu centers around juicy burgers and creamy frozen custard that locals have been craving for decades. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a quick lunch and actually feel good about supporting a Colorado original.
If you want that authentic, only-in-Colorado fast-food experience, this is your answer. The burgers are made fresh, the custard is rich and smooth, and the vibe feels like home. Next time you’re cruising I-25, pull off and give Good Times a shot.
2. Smashburger: Colorado’s smash-style pioneer with plenty of in-state stops
Before smash burgers became trendy everywhere, Smashburger was perfecting the technique right here in Denver back in 2007. They took a simple idea—smash a beef ball flat on a hot griddle—and turned it into a burger revolution.
Sure, you can find Smashburger locations across the country now, but Colorado still has tons of them scattered throughout the state. The crispy, caramelized edges on those patties are what burger dreams are made of. Each bite delivers that perfect combo of crunchy crust and juicy center.
When you order, don’t skip the Smash Fries tossed in rosemary and garlic. Colorado can proudly claim this chain as one of its own success stories, and the quality remains consistently solid across every location you visit statewide.
3. Park Burger: Denver’s neighborhood-burger chain with a prizewinning reputation
Park Burger brings serious burger-bar nostalgia mixed with modern quality standards. With multiple locations around Denver, this small local chain has built a reputation that punches way above its size. Awards and rave reviews follow them everywhere they open.
What sets Park Burger apart is their commitment to quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations. These aren’t your basic fast-food patties—think hormone-free beef, locally sourced produce, and toppings that actually make a difference. The atmosphere feels like your favorite neighborhood hangout, where everyone knows good burgers and cold drinks.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch in Capitol Hill or dinner near Stapleton, Park Burger delivers that perfect balance of comfort and craft. It’s proof that you don’t need hundreds of locations to make a big impact on Colorado’s burger scene.
4. Illegal Burger: A Colorado mini-chain for build-your-own cravings (Denver + Evergreen)
With just two Colorado locations—one in Denver and another in Evergreen—Illegal Burger has mastered the art of making every visit feel special. This is the ultimate build-your-own burger experience, where you control every single topping and flavor.
Heading up into the foothills for a mountain day? The Evergreen location makes a perfect pit stop. Craving a custom burger in the city? Denver’s got you covered. The menu lets you pile on everything from standard cheese and bacon to more adventurous options that match your exact mood.
What makes Illegal Burger genuinely worth the drive is how they balance customization with quality. Nothing feels mass-produced or rushed. Each burger comes out exactly how you imagined it, and the friendly service adds to that neighborhood-joint charm that keeps people coming back repeatedly.
5. Tap & Burger: The burger-and-beer hangout with three Colorado locations
Sometimes your group can’t decide between burgers and beers—and that’s exactly where Tap & Burger shines. Operating three Colorado locations in Highland, Belleview Station, and Westminster, this local trio nails the casual hangout vibe perfectly.
The concept is brilliantly simple: serve great burgers alongside an impressive selection of craft beers on tap. Whether you’re catching up with friends after work or looking for a relaxed weekend lunch spot, Tap & Burger handles both with ease. The menu offers enough variety to please burger purists and adventurous eaters alike.
What really works here is the atmosphere—it’s laid-back without being sloppy, flavorful without being fancy. You can bring your picky eater friend, your beer snob buddy, and your burger fanatic cousin, and everyone leaves happy and satisfied with their meal choice.
6. Snarfburger: The small Colorado chain that keeps it tight (Boulder + Denver)
Snarfburger keeps things refreshingly simple with just three Colorado locations and a straightforward burger focus. No complicated menus, no identity crisis—just solid burgers done right, every single time.
Operating in Boulder and Denver, this small chain has built a loyal following by staying true to what they do best. The burgers arrive hot, juicy, and exactly what you hoped for when you walked through the door. There’s something genuinely comforting about a place that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone.
Consistency is Snarfburger’s superpower. Whether you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or a busy Saturday night, you get the same quality burger experience. For folks who appreciate reliability mixed with local charm, Snarfburger delivers without drama or disappointment. Simple, consistent, and easy to love—that’s the winning formula here.
7. Jim’s Burger Haven: The classic throwback with two locations (Thornton + Westminster)
Step into Jim’s Burger Haven and you’re stepping back in time. With two Colorado locations in Thornton and Westminster, this classic throwback delivers serious old-school burger energy that feels increasingly rare these days.
Everything about Jim’s screams nostalgia—from the cooking style to the atmosphere to the way your burger arrives wrapped and ready. This isn’t trendy or Instagram-worthy; it’s genuine and comforting in the best possible way. The kind of place your parents might remember from their own childhood burger runs.
If you’re tired of modern burger chains trying too hard to be hip, Jim’s offers a refreshing alternative. The burgers taste like they should—simple, satisfying, and made with care. Perfect for anyone who wants their burger experience to feel like a trip down memory lane, complete with all the flavors you remember loving.
8. In-N-Out Burger: The cult-favorite chain with a growing Colorado footprint
When In-N-Out finally arrived in Colorado, burger fans practically threw a parade. This California cult favorite has been steadily expanding across the state, and the lines at each location prove Colorado has fully embraced the West Coast burger legend.
What’s the big deal? Fresh ingredients, a secret menu, and burgers made to order every single time. No heat lamps, no frozen patties—just simple, quality fast food done the way it should be. The Animal Style fries alone are worth the wait in line.
Colorado now has an official In-N-Out location list that keeps growing, making it easier than ever to grab your Double-Double fix. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious first-timer, visiting an In-N-Out in Colorado delivers that same fresh, reliable experience that made the chain famous decades ago.
9. Shake Shack: The burger, fries, shakes chain with multiple Colorado Shacks
From Denver-area suburbs to Colorado Springs, Shake Shack has planted multiple Shacks across Colorado, bringing their famous fast-casual formula to burger lovers statewide. What started as a hot dog cart in New York City has become a reliable go-to for quality burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and thick shakes.
The ShackBurger hits that sweet spot between fast food and sit-down restaurant quality. Premium ingredients meet efficient service, and the result is consistently delicious. Their crinkle fries are perfectly crispy, and the milkshakes are thick enough to require some serious straw power.
Multiple operating Colorado locations mean you’re never too far from a Shake Shack when the craving hits. Whether you’re shopping, catching a movie, or just need a solid burger lunch, Shake Shack delivers that same dependable experience every time you visit any location.
10. Whataburger: The Texas icon that’s actively building out Colorado locations
Texans take their Whataburger seriously, and now Coloradans are discovering what all the fuss is about. This Texas icon has been actively expanding into Colorado, with multiple cities now hosting the distinctive orange-and-white striped buildings.
Whataburger’s Colorado directory shows steady growth, and recent local news coverage confirms they’re not slowing down anytime soon. What makes them special? Bigger burgers, customizable orders, and that uniquely Texan approach to fast food that feels both generous and friendly. The breakfast menu alone is worth waking up early for on weekends.
Open late (or even 24 hours at some locations), Whataburger fills a burger need that other chains can’t quite match. Whether you’re road-tripping across Colorado or just want a substantial burger at an odd hour, Whataburger’s growing presence makes them increasingly convenient and accessible statewide.
11. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: A big Colorado presence for steakburgers + custard
With 36 Colorado locations according to Freddy’s official directory, this chain has become one of the easiest road trip burger bets across the entire state. You’re rarely more than a short drive from a Freddy’s when hunger strikes on Colorado highways.
The steakburger style sets Freddy’s apart—thinner patties cooked crispy on the edges, stacked for maximum flavor. But don’t sleep on the frozen custard, which is richer and creamier than regular ice cream. Combining both in one stop makes Freddy’s perfect for families or anyone who wants their burger and dessert game equally strong.
That retro 1950s diner vibe adds to the charm, making each visit feel fun and nostalgic. Whether you’re in a big city or a smaller Colorado town, chances are good there’s a Freddy’s nearby ready to serve you steakburgers and custard with a smile.
12. Five Guys: The choose-your-toppings chain with a deep Colorado directory
Five Guys’ official Colorado directory confirms what burger fans already know—this chain has deep coverage across the state. When you want a reliable burger almost anywhere you happen to be in Colorado, Five Guys rarely disappoints.
The formula is wonderfully simple: fresh beef patties, tons of free toppings, hand-cut fries cooked in peanut oil, and enough food to satisfy even the hungriest appetites. Ordering a small fries? Prepare for a bag overflowing with extra fries dumped in for good measure. That’s just how Five Guys operates, and nobody’s complaining.
What keeps people coming back is the customization without complexity. Pick your toppings from the long list, and they’ll build your burger exactly how you want it. No shortcuts, no frozen ingredients, no compromises. Just a straightforward, delicious burger experience you can count on at dozens of Colorado locations statewide.
