Dave Spencer’s 5 Favorite Hamburgers in Owensboro

Here it is National Hamburger Day, and I'm in a quandary. I'm writing about my five favorite hamburgers, it's almost dinner time, and now I'll have to flip a five-headed coin.

I'm ranking my Five Favorite Hamburgers in Owensboro, but, honestly, I'd be happy to eat ANY ONE of them for dinner today.

Now, when it comes to hamburgers, I'm a pretty simple guy. You might, in fact, wonder how I can differentiate since I only like mine with pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard. But if you are a hamburger aficionado, you know that it's not about the additions. THEY are not the burger.

So, here we go:

1. Old Hickory

I'm learning that I'm not the only who discovered something ELSE that was incredibly delicious on the Old Hickory menu besides barbecue. This is the first of three consecutive restaurant choices where the amazing burgers aren't my favorite things on the menu. That's how good they are.

2. The Big Dipper

Do you know how long it was before I actually HAD a Big Dipper burger? I was an adult...in my 30s. Yep. I've always been a grilled tuna sandwich/pig in a blanket guy. I've since added "burger" to that nickname.

3. JD's

When I go to JD's, I'm typically there getting a plate lunch special. But their hamburgers and are NEVER to be overlooked. Absolutely delicious.

4. Gary's Drive-In

I grew up not too far from here and used to ride my bike over and get burgers. That's back when it was Carl's. When it became Gary's several years, it didn't miss a beat.

5. Wonder Whip

Thank heavens for Wonder Whip if I'm on the east side of town and start craving a burger. Bonus points for the picnic tables on a nice day. (Just like the Dipper.)

HONORABLE MENTION (from just outside the tri-state area):

There's a national chain called Cookout that I've seen all over North Carolina and Tennessee. Come to find out they are also located in Paducah and Bowling Green. Their burgers are AMAZING and their meal deals are incredibly reasonable.

There are also some great burgers that WOULD'VE made the list, but the places that made them no longer exist.

I'm looking at you, Dennis & Akers Drugstore lunch counter, Kresge's, and Ferrell's (well, it's not here in Owensboro anymore.)

Enjoy National Hamburger Day!