Mouthwatering Maryland Cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day!

September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day! If you’re like me, you’ll use that as an excuse to indulge in a deliciously cheesy burger that really hits the spot! There’s something about soft buns enveloping savory patties topped with a slab of cheese that just can’t be beat.

For our local readers who want to celebrate this holiday, check out three of Maryland’s tastiest burgers, all from locally owned restaurants. They definitely used their creative juices to craft some unique burgers you’ll definitely want to get your hands on.

McHenry Burger

Vagabond Sandwich Company (Bel Air, Maryland)

If you want to dine like the locals, then this cheeseburger is for you. In Harford County, Maryland, Vagabond’s McHenry Burger is a juicy 8-ounce Angus beef burger (locally sourced from Roseda Farms) topped with bacon, melted cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce, Old Bay-based spread, a mix of seasoned salt and, of course, a 2-ounce lump crab cake (duh … it’s Maryland!). The McHenry burger honors Baltimore’s Fort McHenry and the owner’s Maryland roots. It’s one of six signature burgers on Vagabond’s menu, all served with house-made potato chips. We recommend using the chips to scoop up the leftover drippings from the spread and create your own perfect crab chip … also a Maryland favorite.

Organic B.E.L.T. Burger

Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant (Frostburg, Maryland)    

Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant has been a staple in Allegany County, Maryland for 30 years, offering an extensive menu of specialty dishes. But what happens when you blend classic Italian cuisine with American comfort food? You get the most succulent (and only) burger on the menu – the Organic B.E.L.T. Burger! This must-try gourmet burger is made with grass-fed Piedmontese beef, a breed of domestic cattle that originated in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. Then it is draped with high-country aged cheddar cheese and layered with cherrywood smoked bacon, an organic fried egg, locally grown lettuce, Roma tomatoes, and black pepper aioli on a brioche bun.

The “Brooks” Burger

Harrison’s Harbour Lights (St. Michaels, Maryland)

The Harrison family has been serving authentic local cuisine in Talbot County, Maryland for more than a century. Harrison’s Harbour Lights recently reopened as an upscale restaurant offering some of the best locally sourced seafood on the Eastern Shore with accompanying views of St. Michaels. Harbour Lights is known for dishing out local delicacies like rockfish and “all crab, no cake” crab cakes, but one of their cheeseburgers offers a Southern flare. The “Brooks” Burger is a fresh hand-patted patty topped with cheese, juicy pulled pork and a fried egg. It’s all served with a side of coleslaw. If you’re curious about the moniker, Brooks is the name of the owner’s son (who is named for Baltimore Orioles’ Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson). He played baseball in college and this burger combination became his go-to meal there. Sounds like a home run to us!

Which cheeseburger is your favorite?

This post is in partnership with MBPR.