"Now is this the BEST burger I've eaten."
(in 4 reviews)
"I watched the cook use his giant cast iron skillet filled with Dyer's famed…"
(in 5 reviews)
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Dyer's Burgers
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
21 reviews for Dyer's Burgers
Review Highlights
The grease at Dyer's Hambuger's isn't quite 100 years-old yet, but it might as well be. The burger store legend says that the burgers have been deep fried in the same grease since day one, and from what I can tell, it's true.
When the diner moved to Beale Street, the sacred grease came, too. Every time a new batch of grease is needed, some of the old grease is mixed in with it. Every night at closing time, the grease in the pan is covered with a lid. Every morning, the grease is strained and seasoned. Dyer's is serious about the grease.
If you go to Dyer's expecting a big, thick patty with lots of lettuce, tomatoes, etc., you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for a good, thin, fried Southern burger (the kind with a ton of pickle slices, mustard and onion), you're in the right place.
If you're going to put your stomach to the test, I'd recommend going during the day. Beale Street can get packed at night. Or, you could just wait until basketball season starts and grab a burger before or after a Tigers game in the company of dozens of people dressed in blue.
When our rendezvous with Rendezvous fell by the wayside (damn you, screwy-closed-on-Monday hours!), as any good tourist, we headed to Beale Street. Hungry, dazed and unwisely beginning to drink BEFORE we ate, our decision-making skills clouded. BBQ? No, the BBQ blue balls took care of that urge. Soul food at Miss Polly's? Don't feel it. Hooters? Not even CLOSE to that drunk. It was then that we came across Dyers. Burgers! Fries! Onion rings! Winner!
What also helped is the fact that, as a newly burgeoning food tourist, I'd remembered some article I'd read on burgers in some hackneyed "Best of" article. It could've been Esquire. It could've been Delta's inflight magazine. It was probably both. That helped seal the deal with my wife.
The service was polite but a bit harried. Seeing that only two servers worked the floor, I kind of understood. We'd arrived in the post rush, after a seeming swarm of locust had descended. Tables weren't wiped down, floors not swept. Our server tried to take care of all of it, including us, and was only mildly successful. I won't hold that against her though. However, it was a mistake to gaze upon the kitchen floor at this time. Yikes.
We both had double doubles with fries. It took a while, but we weren't in a hurry. I watched the cook use his giant cast iron skillet filled with Dyer's famed grease. It was both frightening and mouth-watering. Grease is the word indeed.
It's funny that In-n-Out burger and Dyers use identical language. Since Dyer's has been around longer, I'm going to call In-N-Out the plagiarist. And in an even truer sense, Dyer's DID taste like In-n-Out (or should I say vice versa.) There was one vital difference though and that's Dyer's burgers were peppered heavily with, well, black pepper. Being a huge pepper fan, I loved that. Other might not, but those others can go suck it. Another difference is the lack of any vegetable matter. I guess lettuce and tomato would somehow block any grease from flowing freely. So imagine a heavily-peppered, greasier In-n-Out Burger sans veggies and you've got some burger win. Now take what I have to say with a grain of, um, salt since it's been about 8 months since I've had a double double, but that week I spent conducting training in CA lead to many a visit to In-n-Out. Now is this the BEST burger I've eaten? Not quite, but I definitely enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, Dyer's housecut fries are also about as lame as In-n-Out's fries as well. You take the good, you take the bad....
Four and a half stars to Dyers. I'd round up but it takes more than one visit for me to do that. Let's see if fate and my cardiologist leads me to another one.
Don't believe the hype. The burgers are ok, but rather small unlless you order the big stuff (If you want a real burger to go Huey's on 2nd). They cook them in their famed 56,000 thousand year old grease, and that's where the fun stops. They do have a limited liquor and beer selection. Going here is kind of like going to Nathan's on Coney Island.. nothing special about it, just hype.
As another has said, It does taste a lot like a Steak-n-Shake burger. I can't say I got any special taste out of the cooking process, which was disappointing. I had a double double, and with 2 thin burger patties, cheese, onion and mustard, the Steak-n-Shake comparison is uncanny. It's worth going here once for the novelty of it and to say you've eaten there, but if I were back in Memphis I would try Huey's instead of eating here again. The fries were nice and crispy but the majority of them were very short pieces, so harder to eat. There was no wait b/c we were there around 9pm on Sunday. We sat at the counter and the guy who waited on us seemed visibly disappointed/disapporving when we ordered water to drink and wanted to split 1 order of fries. He wasn't real friendly or pleasant, but not rude either.
I had high hopes for this place after seeing it on the Travel Channel. The first thing I noticed was that it's a really run down place for having been on TV. The tables were kind of dirty despite two servers with only one other table to wait on and the seat cushions were so old, there was duct tape and pieces of old grease-fried foods in it, but I pushed it out my mind and tried to love this place. I ordered a plain Dyer's burger because after all, I was there for an untainted taste of the product of 97-year old grease, right? My burger came, looking small and sat on, with 2 slices of thin pickles and 3 stringy pieces of onion, a dabble of mustard and a LOT of ground (not freshly ground, unfortunately) pepper. While it is amazing that the burger patty has good flavor for having no seasoning and having all that flavor from the grease entirely, it's a bit overrated. If you fry something in bacon grease, you get bacon flavored product. It's not an original idea. The burger was tiny and average. The fries were miserable. My boyfriend was disgusted and it was only after 1.5 days of indigestion and gastrointestinal upset that I finally came to my senses. WTH was I thinking eating something that is normally grilled FRIED in grease nearly a century year old?!!?
My friend and I got a fried twinkie and fries, so not a lot to base a review on. However, both were good. The service in particular was great, especially after our horrid experience at King's Palace Cafe about 20 minutes earlier.
After walking down Beale Street trying to figure out where to eat dinner, Boyfriend and I put 2 and 2 together realizing this is the place we saw on Food Network with the deep fried burgers in the ancient century old grease.
100 year old grease=gross. Food Network = we're tried it anyway.
Boyfriend had a deep fried burger, obviously. He said it was good, not great, and really only had minor texture differences to set it apart from anything else.
Since I was in the South for the first time, I had fried chicken. For the third time in one day. Because of every menu I encountered, Fried Chicken was literally the healthiest option, and Dyers proved to be no different.
The honey mustard dipping sauce was a step above the rest, and I did like having a roll as a side. The chicken would have been terrific if I wasn't about to barf from having too much deep-fried in one day.
While it was fun to try out, I'm sure we'll go somewhere else on our next trip to Memphis because I am convinced this city has more to offer than this.
Burgers weren't that great. Yes, it was on the food network... but Robin Miller and Semi-homemade Sandra is on the food network also. Doesn't mean their good either:P Yes, it's popular for it's 100 year old grease... but that doesn't mean it's good. Just makes it unique I suppose. I do recommend their chicken strips though. That was good. The strip is just a fun place to visit. So come here if you want to eat chicken strips and listen to live music playing outside!
Thanks for the suggestion, Food Network; I would have never come here on my own. Or maybe I would, it does look charming enough.
Charm comes from not only the good wait staff and the pretty groovy decor, but also from the ancient grease that the burgers are fried in. While the burger only had a *slightly* different consistency than normal burgers, it did make my heart palpitate just a touch more than your average burger, so that gives it an extra star. In fact, the fries may have been more tasty than the burger.
Definitely not a place for a vegetarian, but if you're in the south looking for some veg, you'll have to search a while.
This is not to say it's not an excellent restaurant; it's just not something that the hype lives up to.
My first experience with deep fried burgers is complete and I'm glad I tried it out. The burger was orgasmically delicious. I personally had the double-double, which I think is the perfect size. The chocolate shakes are among some of the best I've ever had and the fries were spiced just right. As an added bonus, the service was quick, friendly, and attentive.
Went to Dyer's last Monday night to try their famous burgers...
We got there around 9pm and I ordered a Dyer's Single Combo to go, which included an order of fries and a soft drink. The burger was dressed with cheese, pickles, onions, mustard, and mayonnaise. The burger was cooked in a huge skillet pan...drowning in grease that has some remnants of the original grease from the 1920's (their claim to fame). We ate the burger when we got to our hotel which was like 10 minutes later. It was a good burger...I wouldn't call it spectacular. The style and taste was very similar to having a Dick's Deluxe burger in Seattle, WA. The entire experience was very nostalgic but I can't say that the Dyer's burger is the best burger I've ever had. It is definitely a good place to go during a night out after having a few drinks on Beale Street. Overall, It's a good burger and if you're in Memphis, you should try it. The only regret I had was that I wished I had ordered a double or triple instead of the single I got. Keep that in mind.
Bf and I were walking down Beale when I noticed the sign and remembered it was a friend's recommendation and was famous for their fried burgers. Well we quickly found a spot and settled in, taking in the decor.. Our waitress acknowledged us as she cleaned the other tables--usually at these seat yourself kind of restaurants, you have to wait a while to catch their attn. Bf ended up getting a single burger with chili cheese fries and I got a hot dog cut in half with onions.
The burger came out before my order, and I think she just forgot to put in my order....cuz I had to wait a while until mine finally arrived. (minus .5 star) The fries were good, I like when the cheese is still gooey like that. My hot dog was average. Our drinks were constantly refilled, but the first refill she got my drink wrong. :[ She even asked before leaving to get it but she still got it wrong. sigh... (minus .5 star)
I liked listening to the music across the street and people watching. Other than that, I probably wouldn't come back.
One of the best burgers around, I don't think so. I tried it one and it didn't hold a candle to an In- N Out burger. The burger was really missing something. Not worth my time
This was a pretty damn good burger. The staff was friendly as well. The cook just laughed when he caught us gaping at the sight of him squeezing the grease out of the meat.
The fries were also very good- at first glance they look over-cooked and heavy, but they were pretty close to perfect.
Well, I did it. I ate at Dyers on Beale. After seeing it on TV and reading on MSN how it was rated in the top ten Burgers in the USA (fifth I believe), I had to go there. I don't know who their PR person is, but they sure can bring in the media.
My son and I visited Beale and had to eat a burger cooked in hundred year old grease. It was all there; the large wok, the grease, and I watched as the cook sifted the burgers from the vat. We had our burgers and they were good. I kept saying, "I have taste this flavor before." I thought back to the days of my mom frying burgers in lard on the kitchen stove, then I thought, no mom's were thicker but the flavor was close. My son thought he had tasted similar burgers before. We ordered another (just to be sure).
The atmosphere was spot on. The fifties, The door was open and the Blues wafted in from the stage across the street. It was a Friday afternoon and the waitress was dancing a little and singing. I stared at a sign across the street... BIG ASS BEER. I mentioned it to my son about leaving to get one. The waitress informed us that they served BIG ASS BEERS also. Then they had us for awhile!
My only problem was the restroom. When I review a place; I review a place. The restroom was a cramped little space that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a hundred years also!. I washed and had to use my hanker chief to dry my hands and open the door to get out. I don't know about the pro reviewers but I think a place that is rated as highly as that should at least keep their housekeeping up. After all; where do the beer drinkers spend at lot of time?
The next day my son and I stopped at a southern type of White Castle burger fast food place called Krystal Burger. I looked at him after one one bite and said, "now I know where I tasted the Dyers burger before." He agreed.
If you want to save some money and still taste the flavor of one of the top rated burgers in the States. Go to Krystal Burger or White Castle and order a six pack (their small) without grilled onions, only raw, because at Dyers I was proudly told when I asked for grilled onions. " I can deep fry them for you sir," and with a big smile added, " We don't have a grill".
holy mother! this burger simply melted in my mouth!!! the secret? 80 year old grease which they keep under lock and key!
can't wait to come back!
Disclaimer: I have not eaten here...yet. I just watched "Hamburger America" on the Sundance Channel and had to Yelp about this place.
Dyer's looks like it makes one helluva tasty burger. Starting out with fresh ingredients is key, that's for sure. But, going so far as to deep fry a flattened hamburger patty in grease older than my grandmother is the stuff of legends! Holy $#!+ Batman! Cooking food in 90+ year old grease is freakin' insane! But I'll bet the flavor you get in that burger's one-of-a-kind. Now isn't this crazy bit of information enough to pique your interest?
Anyone interested in buying a round-trip ticket to Memphis for a quick burger run?
Burger was good - but was very reminiscent of Steak and Shake. I was expecting something more original. I do like that they only put mustard, pickle and onion on the burger - which is my preferred condiment trio. Get that ketchup away from me! We got a side order of the chili cheese fries and I would estimate that there was a half pound of real cheese. It was gorgeous.
Dyer's Burgers is the best. If you are in Memphis...just go! I had this great experience there. When the waitress took my order she noticed my tattoo on my arm. She asked me about it and we got to talking. I said I wanted more someday but not sure when I would get them done. The waitress then suggested I get one on my next birthday. I had to laugh so I told her that my birthday was just 2 days away. A little bit later the line cook came over and brought me a bowl of ice cream. He said it was an early birthday present! So then I went up to pay after finishing my ice cream and the waitress told me the entire thing was free cuz of my birthday. It goes without saying that I left the waitress a good tip!
unlike the other guy, i have eaten at dyer's on beale street before. it's like stepping into the 50s time warp when you go inside Dyers. you got the red booths and stools of the old diner. it's not the biggest place and you can see where they make the burger.
The burger indeed is fried with the original grease saved from the original location's fryer. The burger itself is not the thick or monster sized. It is a handshaped flat type patty. You can get it as a single, double, or triple. Dressings are simple: mustard, onion, pickle. The bun they do butter on grill. i would get cheese on it. It was a decent burger but not the best burger i have ever had. If you are looking for one of those gourmet burgers with fancy add-ins or dressings, Dyers is not the place for you. If you are looking for a good old fashioned greasy fried hamburger , then Dyer's should be right up your alley (or artery).
Ok. So... Dyer's is supposed to be this AMAZING place. Well, let me tell you, it is the exact opposite. We walked in, and it was a ghost town. Nobody greeted us at the door, or counter. Then, our waitress sucked!! No smile, no personality, and obviously was not paying attention to anything we said. She got our order wrong, which sucked cause we were really looking forward to our meals. The place was also WICKED dirty. As we sat waiting for our food, we noticed the ketchup bottle was filthy, there were dead flies on the window sile next to me, and there was a dirty hair band there, too. We got our food, and it was missing what we asked for. We had to approach our waitress to fix our order. Come on now. How hard is it to check on your ONLY party!!! OH, and the burger left much to desire for. We were expecting this AWESOME burger. Not so. It just tasted like any other really greasy burger. And a triple burger may still leave you hungry. Needless to say, we will never make the drive from ATL to Memphis for Dyer's again.
