AKRON, Ohio — When it comes to finding the best burger in Ohio, the Galley Boy at Swensons has earned the top spot in a list from Reader’s Digest.
Their recently updated guide -- “The Best Burger in Every State” -- provides a coast-to-coast breakdown for burger fans nationwide.
“These joints are some of the most loved and reviewed by burger fanatics, and they’ve been awarded by critics and competitions,” according to Reader’s Digest. “In other words, it’s pretty much a no-brainer that they made our list.”
As for Swenson’s being ranked No. 1, here’s what Reader’s Digest had to say about the Akron-based burger chain’s iconic Galley Boy burger:
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in Ohio who hasn’t tried a Galley Boy from Swensons Drive-In. This double-patty burger is served on a buttery toasted bun with cheese and two secret sauces. Though the popular drive-in (with multiple locations across the state) has never shared what exactly those secret sauces are, they best resemble tartar sauce and barbecue sauce. The burger is finished off with a signature olive on a toothpick for a recognizable flair.
Earlier this year, Swensons also announced the return of their original cheese -- a change many food fans had been calling for after the chain swapped their slices.
“Over the past year, we listened to our guests and recognized we simply weren’t delivering what they wanted, and we needed to return to our pre-pandemic standards,” according to CEO Jeff Flowers. “Our hometown community made it clear that part of the magic of Swensons is rooted in the unique flavor combination of our original products, especially our cheese. So, we figured out how to bring it all back! And we can’t wait for everyone to come back and try it again!”
Swensons has also been a local favorite of Akron native LeBron James.
"I get a double cheeseburger and onion rings," James previously revealed during an interview at the I PROMISE School in Akron back in 2019. "And then I get a banana milkshake with real ice cream. I have a nice little feast."
Swensons is currently celebrating their 90th anniversary.
"The Swensons’ journey began in 1934 when Wesley T. 'Pop' Swenson started selling fresh-ground burgers to his Akron neighbors out of the back of his family station wagon," the company explains on their site. "The operation soon moved to a single hamburger stand, where it embraced the classic American drive-in model. 87 years later, the Swensons experience remains largely unchanged."
What are the secrets to grilling up a Galley Boy? Here's one of our features from a few years back: