The Best Burgers in Ozaukee County, Ranked

The PB&J Burger

Ozaukee County does burgers right. From lakefront brewpubs in Port Washington to a 1950s drive-in tucked off a covered bridge road in Cedarburg, the county delivers more great patties per square mile than most folks realize. We hit the road, ate way too much beef, and ranked seven of the best burger spots in the county. The very best one is saved for the bottom of this list.

6. The Stilt House — Cedarburg

The Stilt House is better known for craft cocktails and a stylish patio than for being a "burger place," but anyone who's ordered the burger here knows it deserves a seat at the table. A juicy patty, smart toppings, and a setting that feels a notch more polished than your average pub. Pair it with one of their bourbon flights and you've got a date night in downtown Cedarburg.

5. 13 North — Grafton

13 North was previously the Ale House and recently underwent a remodel of both space and menu, with the new space a bit more elevated than before. The kitchen kept the crowd-pleasers and dialed up the execution. The burger has become a standout, served alongside other favorites like beef short rib, citrus salmon, and a Croque sandwich. It's a great pick when you want a slightly dressed-up burger night without leaving Grafton. Yelp

4. Highland House — Mequon

Highland House isn't your typical burger joint, and that's the point. Located in Mequon, Highland House is a destination for top-tier burgers with a unique twist, known for its fun, colorful atmosphere and "always on vacation" vibe, with burgers that are a harmonious blend of California, Caribbean, and Mexican influences. If you're tired of straight-up bacon cheeseburgers and want something with a little flavor passport, this is your stop. Bonus points for the margaritas.

3. Inventors Brewpub & Edison Hall — Port Washington

The 2024 move into a much larger lakefront space turned Inventors from a beloved local secret into a true destination. The expanded menu includes vegan and vegetarian options, as well as mouth-watering dishes like the PB&J burger, fried chicken sandwich, and chicken pot pie poutine, all served in a bright building with stunning Lake Michigan harbor views. Inventors has won awards including Best Bar with the Total Package, Best Local Brewery, and Best Bloody Mary in Ozaukee County. The PB&J burger sounds like a stunt but eats like a revelation. Show up early on summer weekends or expect a wait.

2. Wayne's Drive-In — Cedarburg

Wayne's is what Wisconsin burger nostalgia tastes like. Tucked off Covered Bridge Road in a quirky twelve-sided building, this spot is a Cedarburg institution that draws families, classic car enthusiasts, and ice cream chasers all summer long. All of the quarter-pound patties are 100% Black Angus USDA Choice ground chuck "steak" burgers, served with a heap of butter on a lightly toasted Sheboygan hard roll. The Sheboygan hard roll is the secret weapon, and the butter is non-negotiable. Stick around for Cedar Crest ice cream and a Wednesday Corvette Night and you've got the full experience. The kids love it. So do you. It's only beaten on this list by one place.

1. Skippy's Burger Bar — Thiensville

If you're going to crown one place the burger king of Ozaukee County, it has to be Skippy's. The Thiensville tavern committed to burgers in a way no one else in the county has. The building has housed a bar since it was built in 1855, making it the oldest bar in Ozaukee County and very likely among the oldest in the state. Owners Ken and Janis Kucharski rebranded it from Skippy's Sports Pub to Skippy's Burger Bar in 2018 to reflect a more intentional focus on their food, namely burgers. There are 17 burgers on the menu, plus a veggie burger, with the option to sub a veggie patty for any of the beef burgers.

Seventeen burgers. In a building older than the state of Wisconsin. That's not just a menu, that's a mission statement. Order the Skippy, settle in at the bar, and you'll understand why this place keeps winning over locals who've eaten their way through every other spot in the county. Skippy's is the best burger in Ozaukee County, and it's not really that close.

Plan Your Ozaukee County Burger Crawl

If you want to hit all seven in one weekend, start in Belgium, work your way down through Port Washington and Cedarburg, swing through Grafton, and finish strong at Skippy's in Thiensville. Or do it the smart way and just go straight to Skippy's first. We won't tell.

Your turn to VOTE!

We ranked our favorites, but now it’s your turn. Which Ozaukee County burger spot would you send a friend to first? Cast your vote below and see how other NSFA readers are weighing in.