Best Burgers We’ve Eaten This Year

This is our fluid, ever-changing list of the five best burgers* we've eaten this year-to-date. As the year goes on, it will undoubtedly change and we'll keep track of the burgers that fall in and out of the top spots. We encourage readers to weigh in with their thoughts and opinions on these burgs as well as offer up their own beefy faves; we'll use your tips and suggestions for future burger expeditions. (Note: don't sleep on the burgers that drop out of the rankings-- at one point they were our favorites and it took nothing but the best beef and bun combo to knock them from the perch.) Last ranking change: November 16, 2011 * in no particular order

Double Shack Burger from Shake Shack

Feasted on October 22, 2011

Two patties of Pat LaFrieda beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce. It's a greasy, gooey, cheesy ball of beefy delight. More on the Double Shack Burger in Shake Shack: Grease is F@#*ing Good Shake Shack | 1216 18th Street NW | DC | shakeshack.com

New Jack Zing from Ray's Hell Burger

Feasted on June 2, 2011

A cajun spiced-rubbed 10 oz. patty with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions, charred jalapenos and roasted garlic. More on the New Jack Zing in Burgers From Hell Ray's Hell Burger | 1713 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington | (703) 841-0001

One Eye from Stoney's

Feasted on March 19, 2011

Patty with a fried egg, Swiss cheese and added bacon. More on the One Eye in This Is a Burger Stoney's | 1433 P St NW Washington, D.C. | stoneysdc.com

Cheeseburger from Palena

Feasted April 23, 2011

A 7 oz., Angus patty with Sottocenere al Tartufo cheese and a house mayonnaise on a homemade brioche bun. More on Palena's cheeseburger in Palena's Simple Burger is a Flavor Beast Palena | 3529 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, D.C. | palenarestaurant.com

Open City Burger from Open City

Feasted on July 3, 2011

An 80/20 Hereford beef patty with aged white cheddar and double-smoked bacon on a sesame-seeded potato bun. More on the Open City burger in Burgers, Booze & Bison Highlight Burger Days IV Open City | 2331 Calvert St. NW Washington, D.C. | opencitydc.com

Dropped out of the Top 5 rankings: Cue from BGR The Burger Joint Dropped from rankings November 16, 2011. Replaced by Shake Shack's Double Shack Burger. BGR's June 2011 Burger of the Month. Patty with pulled pork BBQ and coleslaw. More on the Cue in Hide Yo' Kids, Hide Yo' Wife, We're Eating Everything 'Round Here Last ranking change: November 16, 2011

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