The Best Burgers in Port Washington, Ranked
WTF cheeseburger with crispy onion rings and a refreshing pint
Port Washington’s burger scene runs deep. You can get a barbecue-loaded smash burger inside a revived neighborhood tavern, a half-pound classic overlooking the harbor or an old-school bar burger alongside a game of bowling.
To build this ranking, we asked local diners to name their favorites. We focused on locally owned restaurants and excluded chain options.
Planning a bigger burger crawl? Check out our ranking of the best burgers in Ozaukee County.
Related: Port Washington Fish Days 2026: Complete Family Guide
9. The Patio Bar & Grill — Port Washington
601 N. Wisconsin St.
The Patio has been serving Port Washington since 2009, and its burger menu is considerably deeper than its reputation as a fish-fry destination might suggest.
The current Patio menu starts with a one-third-pound Black Angus burger and expands into the Haystack, Rodeo, Bacon Blue, Pizza Burger, Jalapeño Burger and Patty Melt. At $7.95 before cheese or sides, the basic burger is one of the better values in the city. The outdoor patio and fire pits make this an especially good summer stop.
What to order: Rodeo Burger with bacon, fried onions, cheddar and barbecue sauce
Best for: An affordable burger on a relaxed patio
8. Tello’s Grille & Catering — Port Washington
200 W. Grand Ave.
Tello’s is best known for its colorful combination of Mexican, Greek and American food, but don’t skip the burger section. Commenters specifically praised its burgers, including the Mushroom Swiss and Mucho Burger.
The current Tello’s menu offers several substantial choices. The Mucho Burger combines grilled poblano peppers, onions, mushrooms, pepper jack and avocado. The Homestead adds bacon, pepper jack, remoulade and a fried egg, while the Hickory Burger goes in a more traditional bacon-and-barbecue direction.
What to order: Mucho Burger
Best for: A burger with a Mexican-inspired twist
7. Dockside Deli — Port Washington
218 E. Main St.
Dockside Deli has long been a favorite for breakfast, soup and sandwiches, but its current owners have expanded the harborfront restaurant into legitimate burger territory.
The updated Dockside menu features double-patty smash burgers served with fries or soup and a pickle. Choices include the Classic, Mushroom Swiss and Southwest Burger with chipotle ranch, avocado, bacon and pepper jack. There’s also a double-smash Patty Melt on griddled rye.
One reader nominated Dockside for both its burgers and its fries worth enjoying with the marina view.
What to order: Southwest Burger
Best for: A lunchtime smash burger by the harbor
6. Fork & Tap — Port Washington
Beer Brat Burger
203 E. Main St.
Fork & Tap received one of the most specific endorsements in the survey: “Spicy Garlic Burger all day, every day.”
That recommendation checks out. The Fork & Tap menu tops the burger with spicy garlic aioli, pickled jalapeños, pepper jack, shredded lettuce and Roma tomatoes. Other options include the Hatch Burger with bacon jam and Hatch chile spread, the barbecue-loaded Pub Burger and a build-your-own option.
Hand-cut russet fries seasoned with salt, garlic, parsley and Parmesan make an excellent addition.
What to order: Spicy Garlic Burger
Best for: Big flavor and a little heat
5. Inventors Brewpub & Edison Hall — Port Washington
305 E. Washington St.
Inventors moved into its large harborfront brewery and event facility in 2024, giving Port Washington a destination where families can pair burgers, poutine and house-brewed beer with Lake Michigan views.
Its current menu is built around Black Angus smash burgers. The Bruschetta Smash adds Swiss, roasted-garlic aioli and bruschetta tomatoes. The Western Smash piles on bacon, aged cheddar, onion straws and barbecue sauce, while the Bacon Me Crazy doubles down with pulled Nueske’s bacon, bacon strips and bacon-habanero aioli.
An important correction: older coverage has mentioned a PB&J Burger, but it is not on the current adult menu. The only peanut-butter-and-jelly item listed now is a grilled PB&J on the children’s menu.
What to order: Bruschetta Smash Burger
Best for: Harbor views, craft beer and family-friendly dining
You can find more local options in our Milwaukee-area smash burger guide.
4. Between the Greens — Saukville
3315 County Road I, Saukville
Between the Greens is not technically in Port Washington, but it has enough support to earn this nearby exception.
The burgers are built around half-pound Angus patties served on toasted Sciortino’s rolls. The current burger menu includes the mushroom-loaded Mushroom Swiss, spicy Capone with giardiniera and pepper jack, Bacon Black and Blue and the Cowboy Burger with bacon, cheese, onion rings and barbecue sauce.
These are large, unapologetically messy Wisconsin bar burgers. Bring an appetite and several napkins.
What to order: Capone Burger
Best for: A huge half-pound burger worth the short drive
3. Schooner Pub — Port Washington
114 N. Franklin St.
The harbor view is part of the appeal, but the burgers stand on their own. Schooner’s current menu starts with a half-pound classic and includes Black and Blue, Western, Mushroom Swiss and bison burgers.
The headliner is the WTF Burger: a half-pound patty topped with cheddar, bacon, brisket and Carolina Gold barbecue sauce. It’s the kind of burger that demands two hands and probably eliminates the need for dinner later.
What to order: WTF Burger
Best for: A hearty burger with a downtown harbor view
2. Plier’s Full Circle Pub & Restaurant — Port Washington
3704 Highland Drive
Plier’s finished second with 10 endorsements, including specific praise for its Full Circle, B-L-T and oversized specialty burgers.
This is the choice for diners who believe a burger should be large enough to become tomorrow’s lunch. One commenter recommended cheddar, Swiss and fried onions, while another noted that the portions are big enough to split into two meals. The Half Circle Burger—which combines a burger patty with prime rib—has also developed a loyal following.
Plier’s is located just off I-43 on the north side of Port Washington. The restaurant’s official website confirms current hours, with the kitchen open Wednesday through Monday and closed Tuesdays. Reservations are strongly recommended during busy periods.
What to order: Full Circle Burger or B-L-T Burger
Best for: Big portions and classic Wisconsin pub atmosphere
1. Lucky Devils Bar & Grill — Port Washington
551 N. Wisconsin St.
The vote was not close.
Lucky Devils is the overwhelming community favorite. Commenters repeatedly named it without hesitation, and several specifically praised the Ol’ Sundance.
Lucky Devils occupies the renovated former Sundance Tavern building and describes itself as an “upscale dive bar.” Its food draws from the barbecue background of owner James McMahon, who is also behind Big Ed’s Smoke Pit in Belgium.
The current Lucky Devils menu offers a build-your-own smash burger for $10.75, along with several specialties. The Hangover Brunch Burger adds a fried egg, cheddar and drunken bacon-onion marmalade. The Western BBQ is topped with brisket, bacon, cheddar, crispy jalapeño strings and grilled onions.
But the burger to start with is the Ol’ Sundance. The restaurant calls it its bestseller: grilled onions, American cheese, bacon, garlic aioli and diced dill pickles. It’s a fitting tribute to the tavern that once occupied the building—and the clearest answer to the question of who makes Port Washington’s favorite burger.
Lucky Devils also offers half-priced burgers on Tuesdays for dine-in customers.
What to order: The Ol’ Sundance
Best for: Port Washington’s community-approved burger champion
Menus, prices and operating status were checked July 14, 2026. Restaurant offerings and hours can change, so confirm before making a special trip.
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Port Washington’s burger scene runs deep. You can get a barbecue-loaded smash burger inside a revived neighborhood tavern, a half-pound classic overlooking the harbor or an old-school bar burger alongside a game of bowling.