614 Feast presents the ‘Columbus Burger Battle’; first up, the best Northeast Columbus burgers

I wanted to write about my favorite burgers in the city, but there were just too many for one article! With the football season fresh on my mind, I decided to split the city into four divisions—not Big 10, Big 12, SEC, and ACC, but Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest burger divisions. So, which part of the city do you think has the best burgers? I’m starting off with my area, the Northeast side. 

Sexton’s Burger Bar (921 E. Johnstown Rd.)
I love the simplicity of their menu. It features four versions of their perfectly smashed burgers, fries, and several sauce options. The Classic Smash Burger is a standout with its great sear and crispy edges. Thanks to the Maillard reaction, the patty gets a golden-brown crust that locks in flavor and creates that crispy, caramelized texture on the outside while staying juicy on the inside.

Flip Side Easton (3945 Easton Station)
With over 15 burger varieties and a customizable option, anyone can have a feast here. My personal favorite is the Chili Pepper Burger, topped with pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, crispy chili onion rings, sriracha, and smoked chili ketchup. 

Northstar Café at Easton Town Center (4015 Townsfair Way)
With multiple locations in Columbus, Northstar is a favorite for many. I recommend the Pimiento Cheeseburger—made with Niman Ranch brisket and chuck, ground in-house daily, and topped with pimento, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. You can taste the freshness and quality in every bite.

Fitzy’s Old Fashioned Diner (1487 Schrock Rd.)
This iconic greasy spoon is known for its top-notch breakfast items, but don’t sleep on the Fitzy’s Burger. It’s a house brisket blend, smashed to perfection. A single patty is great, but I always go for the double. Perfectly seasoned and topped with fresh ingredients, it’s the ultimate diner burger.

Howdy’s Deli (3651 Karl Rd.)
If you’re a fan of diners and delis like I am, you’ll love their Classic Cheeseburger. It’s served with American cheese and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mustard, mayo, and ketchup—simply delicious.

The Columbus Burger Battle—where should we go next? Northwest, Southeast, or Southwest? Which burger is the best?

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