One of the first questions I get from clients relocating to the Tulsa Metro, right after "which neighborhoods should we look at," is usually about food. And when it comes to food, nothing is more personal than a great burger. Over my years working with families moving here, I have learned that the local burger scene is one of the best ways to feel like you belong, because it is built on places that have been feeding Tulsa for generations.
Tulsa has a burger culture that spans everything from drive-ins that have been open since the 1940s and 1950s to creative newcomers serving modern takes on the classic Okie burger. Below are eight of my favorites across the metro, chosen for the places locals actually go, not just the loudest names.
Eight Burgers Worth the Drive
These eight spots cover the whole story of Tulsa burgers: the classics that built the city's reputation and the new favorites that keep the scene fresh.
Ron's Hamburgers & Chili
1440 S Denver Ave, Tulsa (plus Harvard, Sheridan & Mingo locations)
If there is one burger joint Tulsa newcomers ask me about most, it is Ron's. The place is famous for its massive, hand-formed 100% beef patties and award-winning homemade chili, and its signature Sausage Cheeseburger, a half-beef, half-country-sausage creation, has been voted Oklahoma's best burger. The room feels like an old-school diner, the portions are generous, and the chili is worth a visit on its own.
Order the Sausage Cheeseburger with a bowl of homemade chili.
Ron's is a true Tulsa institution, and it is where a lot of locals have been going for decades. It is exactly the kind of place that tells you a city takes its food seriously.
Bill's Jumbo Burgers
2002 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa
Bill's has been serving the Admiral corridor since 1960, when Annie and Bill Henry opened the doors, and it is still family-run three generations later. Fans have called it the best burger in T-Town for decades, and the name tells you what to expect: big, no-frills burgers that hold up to everything that made them famous. The original building burned in 1964 and was replaced by a building moved from 15th and Lewis, so this is a spot with real Tulsa history baked in.
Order the Classic jumbo cheeseburger, onion rings on the side.
A family-owned Tulsa legend for over sixty years, Bill's is the definition of a local favorite. It is the kind of place you want to know before you move, not after.
Hank's Hamburgers
8933 E Admiral Pl, Tulsa
Hank's is an old-fashioned drive-in that has been a Tulsa landmark since 1949, sitting right along what was once old Route 66. It is the kind of place where you pull up, order at the window, and eat a burger that tastes like it has been perfected over seventy-five years. The Hank's Special is the order that keeps people coming back, and it is consistently ranked among the best burgers in the city.
Order the The Hank's Special.
Few cities have a drive-in burger spot still thriving after three-quarters of a century. Hank's is a piece of living Route 66 history and a genuine Tulsa treasure.
Howdy Burger
1516 E 11th St, Tulsa & Mother Road Market (1124 S Lewis Ave)
Howdy Burger started inside Mother Road Market and grew so popular it added its own freestanding location on 11th Street, in the building that once housed a classic Lot-A-Burger stand. A McNellie's property, it is known for a modern take on the Okie burger, with high-quality, wagyu-style beef and a pressed, crispy-edged patty. It is one of the best of the newer generation of Tulsa burger spots.
Order the Smashed double cheeseburger with house sauce.
Howdy shows how Tulsa's food scene keeps evolving while honoring its roots. It is a great pick for anyone who wants a modern, excellent burger in two easy locations.
Society Burger
1419 E 15th St Ste B, Tulsa (Pearl District)
In the Pearl District, just a short walk from the Gathering Place, Society Burger runs a burger-and-taco concept that locals love. The menu rotates and stays creative, but the burgers are the anchor, with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a neighborhood vibe that makes it easy to linger. It is a great stop before or after a day at Tulsa's most famous park.
Order the Rotating smash burger and house-made tacos.
Society sits in one of Tulsa's most walkable neighborhoods, so it is as much about the location as the food. Perfect for pairing with a Gathering Place visit.
Ruby D's Burger Joint
12 W 4th St, Tulsa (Downtown)
Downtown Tulsa has its own standout burger spot in Ruby D's, a no-frills joint that keeps things focused on what matters: a solid, satisfying burger and friendly service. It is an easy lunch stop for anyone working downtown or exploring the Blue Dome and Arts Districts, and it holds its own against the classics across town.
Order the Build-your-own classic burger.
When you are downtown and want a real burger without the fuss, Ruby D's delivers. It rounds out the metro's burger map with an easy, walkable option.
Arnold's Old Fashioned Hamburgers
4253 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa
Arnold's is a Route 66 burger stand that has been turning out old-fashioned, hand-made burgers for generations, and it is regularly named alongside Hank's and Bill's as one of the best classic burgers in the city. It is simple, it is fast, and it tastes like the kind of burger people have been driving across town for since it opened.
Order the Old-fashioned single with everything.
For pure, unpretentious, old-school flavor, Arnold's is a can't-miss. It is a great example of how Tulsa's West side keeps its culinary traditions alive.
Flo's Burger Diner
2604 E 11th St, Tulsa (Route 66)
Sitting right on historic Route 66, Flo's is a cozy diner that serves classic burgers in a warm, welcoming setting. It is the kind of place where the food is straightforward and excellent, and the atmosphere makes it feel like a neighborhood hangout. It is a perfect stop for a casual burger on the Mother Road.
Order the Classic diner cheeseburger.
Flo's brings that Route 66 diner charm to the burger map, and it is a reminder that some of Tulsa's best meals come from the unpretentious places.
What the Burger Scene Says About the Tulsa Metro
I love pointing relocating clients toward a city's local favorites, because they tell you more than any statistics can. Tulsa's burger scene is a perfect snapshot of what makes this metro special: family institutions like Bill's and Hank's that have fed the city for sixty or seventy-five years, standing right alongside modern spots like Howdy Burger and Society Burger. That balance of honoring tradition while embracing new energy is the same quality that defines so many of the neighborhoods I help buyers call home.
When I help families compare neighborhoods across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and Owasso, I am always listening for that same spirit. A community with strong schools, active parks, and beloved local restaurants tends to be a place where people stay, put down roots, and look out for their neighbors. The burger joints on this list are part of that fabric, and they are a great place to start feeling like a local.
If you are thinking about relocating to the Tulsa Metro, I would love to help you find not just the right house, but the right community. We can talk about what matters to you, and I will point you toward the neighborhoods, schools, and yes, the restaurants that fit. Finding your favorite burger spot is one of the small joys of settling in, and I would be honored to help you get here.
Written by Jessica Ford, Realtor | Chinowth and Cohen Realtors
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most iconic burger restaurants in Tulsa?
The most iconic are Bill's Jumbo Burgers (serving since 1960 on the Admiral corridor), Hank's Hamburgers (a drive-in landmark since 1949), and Ron's Hamburgers & Chili, whose Sausage Cheeseburger has been voted Oklahoma's best burger. Arnold's Old Fashioned Hamburgers on Southwest Blvd is another beloved classic.
Is Ron's Hamburgers & Chili a real, established Tulsa spot?
Yes. Ron's Hamburgers & Chili is a well-known Tulsa institution with a location at 1440 S Denver Ave plus several others across the city. It is famous for its large, hand-formed 100% beef burgers, award-winning homemade chili, and its signature Sausage Cheeseburger.
Where can I find the best new-generation burgers in Tulsa?
Howdy Burger, which started in Mother Road Market and now has a freestanding location on 11th Street, is known for modern wagyu-style smashed burgers. Society Burger in the Pearl District is another favorite, offering a rotating burger-and-taco menu near the Gathering Place.
Are there good burger spots near Route 66 in Tulsa?
Yes. Hank's Hamburgers on Admiral has been a Route 66-era drive-in since 1949, Arnold's Old Fashioned Hamburgers sits along Southwest Blvd, and Flo's Burger Diner is right on 11th Street. Howdy Burger's 11th Street location is also along that corridor.
Why should new Tulsa residents care about the local burger scene?
The burger scene is a great window into a city's character. Tulsa's blend of multi-generational family institutions and creative newer spots reflects a community that values both tradition and growth, which is exactly the balance most people are looking for when they choose where to live.