Steve and Steve Jr. turned a tiny Route 46 location into New Jersey’s burger sensation, earning recognition from Food Insider as the state’s best burger. 🍔
What began as a small family operation has exploded into a Garden State legend with multiple locations, serving handcrafted burgers with homemade chili, red onion sauce, and that unmistakable Jersey attitude.
This locally-owned joint earned Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award and the #1 restaurant ranking in Garfield by treating every customer like family and never compromising on fresh, hand-formed patties.
How Steve’s Burgers won Garfield’s hearts
Steve’s Burgers captured New Jersey’s loyalty by delivering authentic, made-to-order burgers that reminded people what real burgers should taste like.
The restaurant took off by refusing to take shortcuts—every burger is hand-formed from fresh ground beef and cooked to order, never frozen or reheated like chain competitors.
Steve and his son personally greeted customers with hearty welcomes, creating an atmosphere where first-timers felt like regulars and regulars felt like family.
The killer red onion sauce became legendary among burger enthusiasts, with customers declaring “Wow, is that some good sauce” after just one taste. 🔥
The tiny location’s David-versus-Goliath story resonated with locals who watched this small family business expand to Passaic Street and North Bergen based purely on word-of-mouth praise.
Travelers consistently called them “one of the best burgers in the country”, with customers willing to endure waits and limited seating because the food was that exceptional.
Food Highlights
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Steve’s Burger: The signature creation featuring cheese, bacon, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce that earned New Jersey’s best burger recognition from Food Insider. 🏆
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Patty Melt: A customer favorite featuring a half-pound burger on buttered rye bread with melted cheese and fried onions that customers call “excellent” every single time.
- Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger: A carb-loading masterpiece that tops beef with creamy macaroni and cheese plus crispy bacon for ultimate comfort food.
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Bacon Cheeseburger: This classic done right features thick, meaty bacon and perfectly melted cheese on a juicy hand-formed patty.
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American Burger: The breakfast-meets-lunch fusion loaded with cheese, fried egg, and bacon that satisfies morning and afternoon cravings. 🍳
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Jersey Burger: A Garden State tribute featuring cheese, fried onions, lettuce, and tomato that captures authentic New Jersey flavors.
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Cali Burger: This West Coast-inspired option comes with cheese, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, and mayonnaise for a fresh, lighter taste.
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YDKJ Burger (You Don’t Know Jersey): A delicious tribute to the Garden State featuring a cheeseburger topped with Taylor ham, the ultimate Jersey ingredient.
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Willy Burger: Topped with Swiss cheese and mushrooms for an earthy, savory combination that mushroom lovers adore. 🍄
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Classic Double Burger: This double-stacked beast delivers twice the fresh beef with your choice of toppings.
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Steve’s Dog: The signature hot dog loaded with chili, peppers, onions, and cheese for maximum flavor explosion. 🌭
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Famous Philly Cheesesteak: Customers rave that this sandwich is spectacular, featuring quality meat with peppers and onions that rival Philadelphia’s best.
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Disco Fries: The Jersey diner staple featuring fries smothered in gravy and melted cheese.
Atmosphere
Steve’s Burgers is a no-frills hole-in-the-wall that proves you can’t judge a restaurant by its tiny exterior.
The original Route 46 location features cramped indoor seating with just a few tables and outdoor seating for overflow, creating an authentic dive atmosphere where the food does all the talking.
Don’t let the size fool you—the flavors and portions coming out of this kitchen are absolutely huge, making every tight squeeze through the door worthwhile.
Bottom Line
Visit Steve’s Burgers for New Jersey’s best burger according to Food Insider, hand-formed fresh beef cooked to order, never frozen, legendary homemade red onion sauce and chili, authentic Jersey classics like Taylor ham burgers and Italian dogs, and family hospitality from Steve and Steve Jr.
Address:
506 US-46, Garfield, NJ 07026
📞 (973) 772-1770
🕔 Mon–Sat 11 AM–8 PM (closed Sun)