Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
We've seen The Best Burgers in Winter Haven, but now it's time for locals to come in and decide on The Best Burgers in Lakeland.
(And yes, that means we'll be getting The Best Burgers in Polk County for The Best Food In Polk soon as well.)
You guys know I love burgers, which is why we've seen a handful among our food reviews (Mike & Katie's Polk Food Quest) already; so this list has me extremely excited for all the places we need to prioritize for future reviews.
But, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
Special Author’s Note:
I mentioned this in our Winter Haven burger breakdown as well: I LOVE Five Guys burgers. LOVE them. So I hold other spots up to that caliber. Smash burgers are also not *normally* my go-to, but when done right, I admit they are hard to resist.
First Place: S&L Restaurant
The Best Burger Spot In Lakeland, Florida
S&L Restaurant — 2915 S Combee Rd
Coming in as the best place to grab a burger in Lakeland is S&L.
This one was a landslide victory.
If you ask a longtime Lakeland resident where to grab a burger, there is a solid chance S&L is the first place they'll mention.
S&L also came in at number three on our list of the best breakfast spots in Polk County.
S&L is a small, cash-only diner on South Combee Road that has been serving burgers for decades and has developed an incredibly loyal following.
Voters said things like:
- "S&L. Best by far."
- "Hands down S&L!!"
- "S&L creates the best hamburgers. Period."
S&L is simple and affordable but also consistently packed during lunch for a good reason.
Second Place: Grievous Angel
The Second Best Burger Spot In Lakeland, Florida
Grievous Angel — 801 E Main St
Coming in at number two is Grievous Angel.
Despite being one of the newest burger spots in town, Grievous Angel has quickly built a reputation for serving some of Lakeland's best smash burgers.
Grievous Angel is the newest creation from the mind of the same couple (Jeremy and Leah Brumley) who created Lovebird Chicken.
Katie and I reviewed Grievous Angel during their initial opening and Lovebird as well (which has always been a favorite of ours.
Voters said things like:
- "Easy answer: Grievous Angel."
- "Grievous Angel... it's a new place down by Lake Mirror."
- "Grievous for smash burgers. Amazing."
If you're looking for crispy edges, perfectly seasoned beef, and a true smash burger experience, this is the place to start.
Third Place: Mariyah's Smash Burgers
The Third Best Burger Spot In Lakeland, Florida
Mariyah's Smash Burgers — 306 W Memorial Blvd
Taking our number three spot is Mariyah's Burgers.
This is one I'm extremely excited to try ASAP.
Another burger-first spot, Mariyah's has built a devoted following.
When a food truck makes as much noise (in a good way) as Mariyah's — you KNOW the food has to be insanely good.
Voters said things like:
- "Mariyah's Burgers support local!"
- "Mariyah's Burgers hands down!!"
- "Mariyah's smash burgers are the best burger I've had."
For many locals, it seemed like this is the north Lakeland counterpart to S&L burgers [in a food truck].
Fourth Place: Chop Shop
The Fourth Best Burger Spot In Lakeland, Florida
Chop Shop — 118 S Kentucky Ave
Coming in at number four is The Chop Shop.
Located right on the main strip in downtown Lakeland, The Chop Shop has become known for its creative gourmet burgers loaded with unique toppings and quality ingredients.
The branding and vibes inside also make it a fun stop to escape the heat while walking through downtown.
Voters said things like:
- "Chop Shop."
- "S&L and Chop Shop are my two favorites."
- "The Chop Shop in Downtown Lakeland."
If you're looking for something a little more elevated than a traditional diner burger, this is one of Lakeland's most popular choices.
Fifth Place: Super Duper Spot
The Fifth Best Burger Spot In Lakeland, Florida
Super Duper Spot — 640 E Main St #7
Rounding out our Top 5 is Super Duper Spot.
Super Duper Spot is one of the spots on this list that I actually assumed would come in higher on the list ... but I think the fact that it's in the way back of The Joinery has kept it a hidden gem.
That said, it has still quietly built a reputation for serving some of the best smash burgers in the city.
Voters said things like:
- "Super Duper Spot."
- "Super Duper Spot has always been one of my favorites."
- "You can't beat Super Duper Spot for a classic burger."
If you're a fan of thin, crispy-edged smash burgers, this is one that's well worth seeking out.
Other Great Burger Spots In Lakeland, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best coffee in Winter Haven, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here are the rest of the top ten burger spots in Lakeland, Florida (in order 6-10):
- #6 — Burger21
- #7 — Food + Beer
- #8 — Ford's Garage
- #9 — Fat Jack's
- #10 — 716 Burgers & Brew
Which gives us the full top 10 burger spots in Lakeland.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are my top burgers in Lakeland:
- Grievous Angel
- Super Duper Spot
- Saving This Spot
I definitely need to reserve my third spot and keep this top burger section (my personal one) as "Subject To Change" being that I haven't tried S&L or Mariyah's Smash Burgers yet — which makes this a bit lopsided.
That said, I love burgers, so I'll be racing over to them ASAP.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been looking for the best burgers in Lakeland.
- Mike Romaine
Never Miss An Event Or Story
The Peach House has THE best burger and Cajun fries!
Also owned by Jeremy Brumley (Grievous Angel and Lovebirds)! So he’s definitely not just great at chicken; we can confirm he’s amazing at burgers too!