The reviews are in, and these are the top 9 highest-rated restaurants to visit for burgers in the Mahoning Valley, according to Yelp.
Yelp reviewers ranked the top ten restaurants cooking up quality burgers with all the fixings for the Mahoning Valley.
9 Eagle Grille and Tavern
Eagle Grille and Tavern, located in Hubbard, is a family-owned restaurant that’s been open since 2018.
In addition to a variety of burger options on the menu, Eagle Grille and Tavern also serves fried fish, chicken wings and steak.
Try the signature stuffed banana peppers, greens or sweet potato fries on the side.
Visit on Tuesday for build-your-own-pasta nights with house-made sauce.
Reviews on Yelp highlighted the five-star service, cleanliness and coziness of the restaurant right off of Interstate 80.
Find Eagle Grille and Tavern at 29 North Main St. in Hubbard and follow their Facebook page for upcoming events.
8 The Alternative
The Alternative Food Truck Facebook
Residents may recognize this food truck’s head-turning flaming skull logo from recent drives around town.
The Alternative food truck serves some of the area’s best burgers, hot dogs, cheese fries, and sandwiches.
According to #1 Cochran Chevrolet, the food truck’s menu has over two dozen toppings you can add to your sandwiches and hot dogs, including wasabi mustard, caramelized onions, pulled pork, chili and different varieties of cheese.
The Alternative food truck is run by Greg Saunders, who’s been bringing “good old American food” to hungry customers around the Youngstown State University area since 2014.
Saunders has 50 years of experiences owning and operating food trucks.
Customers can usually find The Alternative from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday at Lincoln Ave and N Phelps St. in Youngstown, as well as annual Mahoning Valley events like Food Truck Fridays in Howland.
Customers have been enjoying the food at The Elmton, which has been open in the Struthers community since May of 1945.
The business is the oldest pizza house in the Mahoning Valley, still run by the Walters family.
Find The Elmton at 584 5th St. in Struthers, open from 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
6 StoneYard Grill and Tavern
At StoneYard Grill and Tavern, the highly-rated burgers are made from 100% certified angus beef.
Established in 2012, the StoneYard Grille and Tavern is located at 41 S Main St. in Niles.
On Yelp, there are over 100 reviews highlighting the restaurant’s outdoor patio atmosphere, friendly service and flavorful entrees.
The Niles restaurant is now open from noon - 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday.
5 Coaches Burger Bar
Customers who left a review on Yelp after visiting Coaches Burger Bar spoke highly of the poboys and burgers.
Sweet Heat Burger Coaches Burger Bar
Try specialty burgers like the Pittsburger which comes topped with cole slaw and french fries, or the Sweet Heat Burger with Jamaican jerk sauce and crispy onions.
The locally-owned, fast casual restaurants have been serving award-winning burgers since 2015.
There are six Coaches Burger Bars, including the highest-rated Poland burger location at 3032 Center Road.
There’s also a Coaches Burger Bar in Salem, Austintown, Youngstown and Calcutta.
On Yelp, happy customers praised the accomodations made by friendly staff members and enjoyed the indulgent milkshakes.
4 Swensons Drive In
The first Mahoning Valley Swensons Drive In opened in 2022 and has since become a favorite among Yelp reviewers.
Known for signature burgers like the Galley Boy, Swenson’s sold its first burger in 1934 when Wesley T. ‘Pop’ Swenson began serving customers out of the back of his family station wagon.
Nearly 90 years later, Swenson’s restaurants are run the same, including never freezing the burgers and friendly, curbside service.
Swenson’s Drive In is open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. at 1247 Boardman Poland Road in Poland.
3 Sam’s Southern Eatery
Sam’s Southern Eatery is an Austintown restaurant with several seafood and specialty burgers on the menu.
From southern-style seafood like oysters, to fried chicken, fries and burgers, there’s something for everyone at Sam’s Southern Eatery, located at 2705 South Ave. in Austintown and 5832 Youngstown Warren Road in Niles.
Sam’s Southern Eatery started in 2008 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Now there are fifty-one locations in the U.S.
2 Sespe Burger
Owner Jeff Porter opened Sespe Burger Boardman burger joint inspired by his family’s favorite California-style burgers.
Yelp reviewers highlighted Sespe Burger’s quality of service, tasty smash burgers cooked to perfection and the side of fries topped with avocado and an over-easy egg.
Visit Boardman Sespe Burger from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The Columbiana location is now open from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday.
1 The Federal
The highest-rated restaurant serving burgers in the Mahoning Valley area is The Federal in downtown Youngstown.
Operated by Dan Martini, The Federal serves 13 specialty burgers that can be cooked to customers’ preferences with ground beef, turkey and vegetarian options available.
