These 8 Restaurants Make Turkey Burgers You'll Actually Want To Eat

Turkey burgers tend to exist in the same realm as veggie burgers, in that they're generally regarded as poor substitutes for actual hamburgers. But just like some restaurants serve surprisingly great veggie burgers, there are plenty of restaurants that have managed to create turkey burgers that are delicious in their own right, and we've tracked down eight. 

This New York mini-chain (with a location in Boston) serves some seriously delicious burgers; when they say you'll need five napkins, they mean it. They've put a lot of care into their turkey burger as well, which starts with a thick, herb-filled turkey patty. It's topped with melted mozzarella, spicy tomato sauce, and vinegar-kicked peppers and is served on a sesame egg roll. It's light yet still filling, and full of flavor.

Find more on 5 Napkin Burger here.

You know a turkey burger is good when it's one of the most popular items on the menu, and that's the case at this Minneapolis mainstay, with three locations in the Twin Cities. Their turkey burger is somehow just as juicy as a beef burger, and it's topped with flavors that all work to complement the turkey: cilantro-lime aioli, sliced radishes, arugula, and crushed pistachios.

Find more on Red Cow here.

With locations in Santa Monica and Venice, Pono Burger is quickly catching on as a place for high-end burgers made with locally-sourced ingredients. Their Palahu Turkey Burger is made with fresh-ground organic turkey from San Joaquin Valley-based Mary's, and is topped with housemade Asian coleslaw, avocado, pea shoots, housemade sesame ponzu dressing, housemade almond ginger sauce, and wonton chips. It's a flavor explosion.

Find more on Pono Burger here.

An old-fashioned butcher shop that also happens to serve great burgers, Butcher & The Burger takes a unique approach to their burgers, in that they let you choose the patty, spices, toppings, bun, and add-ons. Want your turkey burger topped with onion soup seasoning, mozzarella, barbecue pork belly, avocado, caramelized onion, and a fried egg? Go for it. How about Creek Bottom Game Mix, sautéed foie gras, an Amish duck egg, and black truffle aioli? All yours. The ball's in your court, and the result is always delicious.

Find more on Butcher & The Burger here.

This Miami-based restaurant has six Florida locations and one in Puerto Rico, and the name pretty much gives it away:  It's a casual joint for good beer and truly stellar burgers. Their Freebird starts with a half-pound patty of fresh-ground seasoned turkey, and it's topped with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and umami-rich sautéed Portobello mushrooms. It's served on an onion bun, and is anything but bland.

Find more on Burger & Beer Joint here.

Bobby Flay's entrée into the fast-casual world has had great results, with his Bobby's Burger Palace empire turning out creative and delicious griddled burgers in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Any of their burgers are also available with a fresh turkey patty; we suggest you try it with the Miami (pressed with ham, Swiss, pickles, mustard, and mayo) or the now-legendary Crunchburger (topped with American cheese and a stack of potato chips).

Find more on Bobby's Burger Palace here.

New York-based Bareburger is completely organic, and the turkey that goes into their popular turkey burgers is 90 percent lean and cage-free. While you can create your own burger, we suggest you go with their SoCal, topped with aged cheddar, pickled red onions, alfalfa sprouts, and guacamole on a sprout bun.

Find more on Bareburger here.

The moist and decadent creation served at this funky retro Boston joint will completely change the way you think about turkey burgers. The toppings change regularly, but this particular variation – caramelized onion jam, fried shiitake mushrooms, and ginger soy glaze – should give you an idea of the creativity at play here.

Find more on Trina's Starlite Lounge here.