Royce Burger Bar

Downtown Reno · Burgers · $ · 115 Ridge St. · (775) 440-1095 · roycereno.com

The best burger in Reno hides under a red awning on Ridge Street, in a 1930s cottage that feels like someone's living room — fireplace, couches, the kind of comfortable clutter that says stay a while.

That someone clearly has good taste.

Start with the Japanese chicken wings which arrive with a sidecar of wasabi ranch and don't miss the fried cheese curds — molten and stretchy, exactly the kind of thing that makes you order another round before the burger arrives.

Insiders know to order different burgers and share. The Frenchified is a solid choice: peppercorn dijonaise, Gruyère, caramelized onions on a perfectly beefy patty. The Green Chile runs a close second: pepper jack, poblano, jalapeño, pickled red onions and tomatillo salsa. But the classic Royceburger — lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese, sauce — is the purist's move and never disappoints. Choose from a deep list of local craft beers or order a Rainier Tall Boy and you understand why Reno has been talking about this place for years. #RainOnMe

The patio at Royce is where the magic happens. On any given evening it feels less like a restaurant and more like a neighborhood party you've somehow been invited to. The beer is cold, and nobody is in a hurry.

This is the place. It has been for a while.