Burgers can be classified by their patties, cooking methods, sizes and toppings. Some are thick and juicy, others have thin patties with crisp edges, and some replace beef with chicken, vegetables or plant-based alternatives.

The most common types of burgers include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, grilled burgers, smash burgers, gourmet burgers, sliders, stuffed burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers and plant-based burgers. In this guide, we compare their flavours and textures so you can choose a burger that suits your appetite.

You can also explore our complete collection of burger guides for more detailed comparisons.

Types of Burgers at a Glance

Burger type	Main characteristic	Typical texture	Best for
Hamburger	Beef patty served in a bun	Juicy and straightforward	Classic burger flavours
Cheeseburger	Hamburger topped with cheese	Rich and creamy	Cheese lovers
Grilled burger	Patty cooked over a grill	Juicy with a browned exterior	A substantial, beef-forward meal
Smash burger	Thin patty pressed onto a hot griddle	Crisp edges and browned crust	Strong seared flavour
Gourmet burger	Distinctive ingredients and flavour combinations	Varies by recipe	Creative toppings
Slider	Small burger served on a mini bun	Light and easy to eat	Sharing or a smaller appetite
Stuffed burger	Filling enclosed inside the patty	Thick and rich	An indulgent meal
Chicken burger	Chicken patty or fillet served in a bun	Tender or crispy	An alternative to beef
Veggie burger	Patty made from vegetables, grains or legumes	Varies by recipe	A vegetable-forward, meat-free option
Plant-based burger	Meat-free patty designed to resemble meat	Usually firm and meat-like	A familiar burger experience without beef

These categories can overlap. A cheeseburger may also be grilled and gourmet, while a veggie patty can be prepared in a smash-style format. One term may describe the patty, while another describes the cooking method, size or toppings.

What Makes One Burger Different from Another?

The biggest differences between burger styles come from five elements:

• The ingredients used in the patty
• The thickness and size of the patty
• The cooking method
• The type of bun
• The cheese, sauce and toppings

The patty forms the base of the burger, but the cooking method determines how much browning, moisture and crust it develops. The bun and toppings then influence whether the final burger feels classic, fresh, spicy, rich or heavily loaded.

1. Hamburger

A hamburger is the classic starting point: a cooked beef patty served inside a sliced bun. Common toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Despite its name, a hamburger does not normally contain ham. The term generally refers to a burger made with ground beef.

A hamburger is a good choice if you want the beef and fresh toppings to remain noticeable without cheese becoming the dominant ingredient.

2. Cheeseburger

A cheeseburger is a hamburger topped with one or more types of cheese. Adding cheese gives the burger more saltiness, richness and moisture while creating a smoother connection between the patty, sauce and toppings.

Cheddar provides a stronger flavour, mozzarella is mild and stretchy, and cheeses such as Havarti can create a smoother, creamier finish.

Choose a cheeseburger if you enjoy:

• Melted cheese in every bite
• A richer burger than a traditional hamburger
• Cheese paired with mushrooms, peppers, eggs or sauces
• A wide range of topping combinations

The basic distinction may be simple, but cheese can significantly change the flavour and texture of the final burger. Read our complete comparison of a hamburger vs cheeseburger for a closer look at their differences.

If cheese is an important part of your decision, our guide to the best cheese types for burgers explains how popular cheeses differ in flavour and meltability.

3. Grilled Burger

A grilled burger is cooked over a heated grill rather than on a flat cooking surface. Direct heat browns the outside of the patty and can create a lightly smoky, charred flavour while the inside remains juicy.

Grilling works particularly well with medium or thick patties because it creates contrast between the browned exterior and the substantial centre.

What does a grilled burger taste like?

A grilled burger is usually:

• Savoury and beef-forward
• Browned on the outside
• Juicy in the centre
• Slightly smoky or charred

This style is ideal when you want the patty to remain the main feature of the meal. Grill Gate’s burger selection focuses on charbroiled, gourmet-style burgers with substantial 8 oz beef patties and a variety of cheeses, sauces and toppings.

A quick burger safety note

Patty thickness and appearance alone do not confirm whether ground meat is safely cooked. Health Canada recommends using a food thermometer and states:

“For burgers, insert food thermometer through the side of the patty.”

According to Health Canada’s safe cooking temperature guide, ground beef burgers should reach an internal temperature of 71°C or 160°F.

4. Smash Burger

A smash burger starts with a ball of ground beef that is pressed firmly onto a very hot flat cooking surface. Pressing the patty increases its contact with the heat, producing a thin burger with a deeply browned surface and crisp edges.

Smash burgers are often served with two thin patties because each patty is smaller and flatter than a typical thick grilled burger.

Grilled burger vs smash burger

Feature	Grilled burger	Smash burger
Cooking surface	Grill	Flat-top griddle
Patty	Usually medium or thick	Thin and pressed
Exterior	Grilled and browned	Deeply seared with crisp edges
Centre	Thicker and juicier	Thinner with more crust
Best for	Beef texture and a substantial bite	Browning, cheese and crispy edges

Neither style is automatically better. Choose grilled if you prefer a thick, juicy centre. Choose smash if browned crust and crisp edges are more important to you.

For a closer comparison of their preparation, texture and flavour, read our guide to grilled vs smash burgers.

Grill Gate’s current menu does not describe its burgers as smash burgers. The restaurant focuses on substantial charbroiled burgers made with 8 oz beef patties.

5. Gourmet Burger

“Gourmet burger” does not describe a particular type of patty or cooking surface. It usually refers to a burger created with distinctive ingredients, carefully selected cheeses or more complex flavour combinations.

Common gourmet burger toppings include:

• Mushrooms
• Avocado or guacamole
• Pesto and fresh basil
• Eggs or bacon
• Grilled or spicy peppers
• Smoked eggplant
• Speciality cheeses and sauces

A gourmet burger does not need to contain as many toppings as possible. The best combinations balance richness, freshness, texture and sauce without hiding the patty or making the bun fall apart.

Grill Gate’s menu reflects this style with combinations such as the Mushroom Cheeseburger, Guacamole Cheeseburger, Spicy Cheeseburger, Basil Pesto Burger and Eggplant–Parmesan Cheeseburger.

Most Grill Gate beef burgers are built around a substantial 8 oz patty. Our dedicated guide explains what makes an 8 oz gourmet burger different from smaller and thinner burger styles.

6. Slider

A slider is a small burger served on a mini bun. Sliders are easy to share and allow diners to try more than one flavour without ordering several full-sized burgers.

They can be a practical choice for:

• Sharing with a group
• Appetizers and party platters
• Smaller appetites
• Sampling different toppings

A slider is not simply a thin burger. Its defining characteristic is its smaller overall size, including both the patty and bun.

7. Stuffed Burger

A stuffed burger contains cheese or another filling inside the patty rather than placing all the ingredients on top. The filling becomes warm as the patty cooks and may create a rich centre.

Because the filling sits inside the meat, stuffed burgers are generally thicker than standard hamburgers. The patty must be prepared carefully so the filling stays enclosed and the meat cooks evenly.

Stuffed burgers suit diners who want an indulgent burger with a noticeable contrast between the exterior and the centre.

8. Chicken Burger

A chicken burger may contain a ground chicken patty, grilled chicken breast or breaded and fried chicken fillet. Its texture and flavour depend heavily on the preparation method.

A grilled chicken burger is usually lighter and more tender, while a fried chicken burger delivers a crisp coating and richer finish. Typical toppings include lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese and creamy or spicy sauces.

Chicken burgers are a useful alternative for diners who want a burger-style meal without a beef patty. A whole chicken breast served in a bun may also be described as a chicken sandwich, depending on the restaurant.

9. Veggie Burger

A veggie burger replaces meat with a patty made primarily from vegetables, beans, lentils, grains, mushrooms or a combination of these ingredients.

Unlike meat-resembling alternatives, many veggie patties are intended to retain the flavours and textures of their plant ingredients. Some are soft and vegetable-forward, while others have a firmer and more substantial bite.

The Grill Gate Veggie Burger combines a veggie patty with lettuce, tomato, baba ganoush, pickles, mozzarella, parsley, onion, onion chips and special sauce.

A veggie burger is not automatically vegan. Cheese, sauce and the bun may contain animal-derived ingredients, and preparation surfaces may be shared. Diners following a strict vegan diet or managing an allergy should confirm current ingredients and preparation practices directly with the restaurant.

10. Plant-Based Burger

A plant-based burger is meat-free but is often developed to resemble a beef burger in colour, texture and savoury flavour. Ingredients vary and may include pea protein, soy, wheat, mushrooms or other plant-based components.

The main difference between a veggie burger and a plant-based burger is the experience each one attempts to create:

• A veggie burger usually highlights vegetables, beans or grains.
• A plant-based burger usually attempts to recreate the texture and flavour of meat.

“Plant-based” does not always mean vegan. The patty may be served with dairy cheese, egg-based sauce or a bun containing animal-derived ingredients.

Thick vs Thin Burger Patties

Patty thickness changes how a burger cooks and feels in each bite.

Thick patty	Thin patty
Juicier centre	More browned surface
Stronger meat texture	Crispier edges
More substantial bite	Easier to stack
Works well with grilling	Works well on a flat-top griddle

A thick patty is generally better suited to diners who want a substantial beef texture. A thin patty is a better match for those who value browning, crispy edges and a higher ratio of cheese and toppings to meat.

Explore the differences in more detail in our guide to thick vs thin burger patties.

How Does the Bun Affect a Burger?

The bun has to support the patty, sauce and toppings without becoming soggy or falling apart. Its flavour and texture also affect the balance of the burger.

Common options include:

• Brioche buns with a soft and slightly sweet flavour
• Potato buns with a tender and flexible texture
• Sesame buns with a familiar, versatile taste
• Sturdier buns for thick patties and generous toppings

A simple burger may work well with a very soft bun, while a thick gourmet burger needs enough structure to hold its ingredients together.

Our guide to popular burger bun types explains which buns work best with different patties and toppings.

Is a Grilled Burger the Same as a Hamburger?

Not exactly. “Hamburger” describes the overall food: a beef patty served in a bun. “Grilled” describes how the patty is cooked.

A hamburger can therefore be grilled, cooked on a griddle or prepared using another suitable method. The same burger can belong to several categories at once; for example, it can be a grilled gourmet cheeseburger.

Veggie Burger vs Plant-Based Burger

Although both options are meat-free, they are not necessarily the same.

A veggie burger typically tastes like the vegetables, grains, beans or mushrooms used to make it. A plant-based burger is usually formulated to look, cook and taste more like a traditional meat patty.

Choose a veggie burger if you enjoy vegetable-forward flavours. Choose a plant-based burger if you want an experience closer to a beef burger without eating meat.

Which Type of Burger Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on the texture, richness and portion size you prefer.

Choose a hamburger if:

• You prefer simple and familiar flavours
• You want the beef and vegetables to stand out
• You do not want cheese

Choose a cheeseburger if:

• You enjoy a creamy, melted layer
• You want a richer version of a hamburger
• You like pairing cheese with different toppings

Choose a grilled burger if:

• You want a thick and substantial patty
• Beef flavour is your priority
• You enjoy grilled or lightly charred flavours
• You want a filling meal

Choose a smash burger if:

• You prefer thin patties
• Crisp edges are important to you
• You enjoy a strongly browned surface
• You like stacked patties with cheese and sauce

Choose a gourmet burger if:

• You want toppings beyond the classics
• You enjoy creative flavour combinations
• You like ingredients such as mushrooms, pesto, guacamole or egg
• You want the burger to feel like a composed dish

Choose a slider if:

• You have a smaller appetite
• You want to share
• You would like to sample multiple flavours

Choose a stuffed burger if:

• You want a thick and rich burger
• You enjoy cheese or another filling inside the patty

Choose a chicken burger if:

• You want an alternative to beef
• You prefer grilled chicken or a crispy chicken fillet

Choose a veggie or plant-based burger if:

• You want a meat-free meal
• You enjoy vegetable-based patties
• You want a meat-like burger without beef
• You are looking for different textures and flavours

Which Grill Gate Burger Matches Your Taste?

Grill Gate offers a range of gourmet beef burgers as well as a veggie option. This quick guide can help narrow down your choice:

If you enjoy…	Consider trying…	Why it may suit you
A cheese-forward burger	Gourmet Cheeseburger	An 8 oz beef patty with cheddar, mozzarella, onion chips and special sauce
Familiar toppings and vegetables	Classic Cheese Burger	Lettuce, tomato and pickles with cheddar, mozzarella and special sauce
Earthy, savoury flavours	Mushroom Cheeseburger	Mushrooms paired with cheddar, mozzarella and special sauce
Spicy toppings	Spicy Cheeseburger	Grilled pepper with mozzarella and cheddar
Creamy avocado flavour	Guacamole Cheeseburger	Guacamole paired with an 8 oz beef patty and two cheeses
Fresh herbs and pesto	Basil Pesto Burger	Havarti, avocado, pesto sauce and basil
A heavily loaded meal	Big Deal Burger	Cheese, barbecue sauce, onion chips, chips and fresh toppings
A meat-free choice	Veggie Burger	A veggie patty with baba ganoush, vegetables, mozzarella and special sauce

Menu availability and ingredients may change, so review the current Grill Gate menu before choosing your meal.

Explore Burgers at Your Nearest Grill Gate

Ready to choose your burger? Find the most convenient Grill Gate location:

• In Richmond Hill? Explore the burger selection at Grill Gate Richmond Hill.
• Near 832 Sheppard Avenue West? Visit Grill Gate North York–Sheppard.
• Near Yonge Street in North York? Visit Grill Gate North York–Yonge.
• In Aurora? Explore the menu at Grill Gate Aurora.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burger Types

What are the most popular types of burgers?

Popular types include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, grilled burgers, smash burgers, gourmet burgers, sliders, chicken burgers and veggie burgers. Burgers can also be classified by patty thickness, filling and cooking method.

What is the difference between a grilled burger and a smash burger?

A grilled burger is cooked over a grill and usually retains a thicker centre. A smash burger is pressed onto a hot flat surface, creating a thin patty with more browning and crisp edges.

What makes a burger gourmet?

A gourmet burger uses distinctive ingredients or thoughtfully balanced flavour combinations. Toppings may include speciality cheeses, mushrooms, pesto, guacamole, eggs, smoked vegetables or signature sauces.

What is the difference between a hamburger and a cheeseburger?

A hamburger contains a cooked beef patty served in a bun, while a cheeseburger adds cheese. The cheese changes the burger’s richness, saltiness and texture.

Is a veggie burger the same as a plant-based burger?

Not always. A veggie burger normally highlights ingredients such as vegetables, beans or grains. A plant-based burger is often designed to imitate the flavour and texture of meat.

Is every veggie burger vegan?

No. A veggie burger may contain dairy cheese, egg-based sauce or other animal-derived ingredients. The bun and preparation method may also prevent it from being vegan.

Which type of burger has the crispiest edges?

A smash burger generally develops the crispiest edges because the thin patty is pressed directly against a very hot flat cooking surface.

Which type of burger is usually the juiciest?

A properly prepared thick grilled burger can retain more moisture in its centre than a thin patty. The result also depends on the meat, fat content and cooking time.