It seems only fitting that just as the days are getting longer, and our thoughts turn to firing up the grill, that National Hamburger Month should also roll around. If you’d rather have someone else do the grilling for you, here are a few hamburger standouts in Lake Oswego for you to try.

Killer Burger. There are lots of reasons to try Lake Oswego’s Killer Burger. Number one—it’s the new kid in town. Number two—its fan favorite is the Peanut Butter Bacon Pickle Burger and aren’t you just a little curious about that?! Number three—the Lake Oswego location is owned by former Oregon Duck football player and Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James, so go Ducks! Google reviewers will provide you with lots more reasons describing the burgers as “last-meal worthy” and admitting that, “I could eat here every day if my kidneys wouldn’t fail.” All burgers come with bacon (for some of us, that would be reason Number four) and then things really get creative with add-ons that include brined red peppers, bleu cheese fondue or crispy jalapeño. French fry fans also get to choose from four different dipping sauces, including peanut butter, just in case you didn’t get enough on your burger. 9 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 3, 503.747.5877.

Giant Drive-In. From the new kid on the block to the oldie but a goodie. Giant has been around for over 40 years, coming in #5 in the Oregonian’s 2011 roundup of favorite classic burgers in the Portland metro area and showing that it certainly has staying power. To find out some of the reasons Lake Oswegans keep going back, check out my earlier blog below. 15840 Boones Ferry Road 503.636.0255.

Little Big Burger. This Portland-born joint has grown to 13 locations in Oregon alone with other locations in Washington and North Carolina (yup! You read that right). Burgers come with your choice of cheese (lucky for all you goat cheese lovers out there) and are quite frequently paired with their popular truffle fries. Little Big Burger made Honorable Mention on the Female Foodies Best Burgers in Portland list and came in second on Global Grasshopper’s “Where to find the best burgers in Portland” roundup. 3 Monroe Parkway, Suite T, 503.744.0792.

Next Level Burgers. This is the perfect spot for vegans who are tired of looking at a menu and seeing all the things they can’t have. Next Level is a 100% plant-based burger joint with enough choices to make sure you never feel deprived for choosing to eat sustainably. And that goes for the French fry selection as well! Next Level made Thrillist’s list of best burgers in Portland and came out on top on the Global Grasshopper’s best burger list so see if you agree. It’s tucked inside Whole Foods 365 at 11 S. State Street, 503.305.6146.

Lardo’s. Although touted as a sandwich place, the Kumar Burger here came in #18 on PDX Monthly’s listicle of Portland’s 20 best cheeseburgers. Consider it the antidote to Next Level with its moniker that it “worships at the altar of bovine and swine.” Located in Mercato Grove, 4205 Mercantile Drive, 503.303.9227.

Burgerville. The Burgerville website knows how to talk to Pacific Northwesterners, speaking to things like locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. The beef here comes with a name like “Grass Fed, Grass Finished Carman Ranch Beef Patty” and you’ll recognize other producers like Grand Central Bakery (for their buns), and Tillamook and Alpenrose Dairy (for those hard-to-beat milkshakes). Started in 1961, the chain has grown to 40 locations across the Pacific Northwest so it seems that Burgerville not only knows how to talk to us, they also know how to feed us. 15650 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road, 503.684.8142.

I don’t just hand out burger recommendations. If you’re looking for recommendations on where to live in the Portland metro area and particularly in Lake Oswego, please give me a call at 503.939.9801, email me at costellok@hasson.com and/or check out my website.