National Cheeseburger Day is a chance for people across the country to celebrate one of America’s most beloved foods, and the Alabama Gulf Coast offers a setting that makes the day even more special. With its mix of beachside dining and vibrant food culture, the region is a natural fit for honoring the American classic cheeseburger.

This year’s celebration happens today, Thursday, September 18. From Orange Beach to Gulf Shores, restaurants are preparing to serve up everything from gourmet burgers topped with creative ingredients to no-frills favorites that focus on flavor and tradition. The variety reflects both the region’s culinary range and its welcoming coastal spirit.

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The Gulf Coast experience adds something extra to the holiday. Whether enjoying a cheeseburger with waves crashing in the background or relaxing in the salty air, the atmosphere enhances every bite. For many, it’s not just about the food but also about the setting.

Jimmy Buffett’s hit song “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” first released in 1978, continues to be part of the soundtrack for the day. The lighthearted anthem is still played at local spots and gatherings, blending music and food into a celebration of Gulf Coast living.

National Cheeseburger Day on the Alabama Gulf Coast is more than just an excuse to indulge. It is a celebration of community, music, and the simple pleasures that make coastal life unique. A cheeseburger in paradise, enjoyed by the shore, captures the spirit of the day perfectly.

The burger patty first became famous in Germany but quickly caught on in the States through travel and immigration. By the 1800s preparations of raw beef that had been chopped, chipped, ground or scraped were a common prescription for digestive issues. After a New York doctor, James H. Salisbury suggested in 1867 that cooked beef patties might be just as healthy, cooks and physicians alike quickly adopted the “Salisbury Steak”. Around the same time, the first popular meat grinders for home use became widely available (Salisbury endorsed one called the American Chopper) setting the stage for an explosion of readily available ground beef.

Now the hamburger was off to the races. Many Americans say that Wisconsin invented using the buns and made the hamburger famous, but McDonald's surely put it in the stratosphere of popularity.

So lets review some of the popular hamburger places in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area:

BLEU’S BURGERS

This gourmet craft burger stop has 16 burger choices with beef and three with chicken so it’s gonna be next to impossible to feature them all. We’ll pick out a few but you can see them all here. The Beer Cheeseburger has smoked cheddar, grilled onions, beer-pickled jalapenos, crispy onions and house beer cheese on a brioche bun.

TACKY JACK'S

With 3 locations in the area, Tacky Jacks has long been a location known for its burgers. The TJ Burger is 2 Quarter Pound Burger Balls – Hand Smashed and Griddle Flashed to Juicy Perfection. Served on a fresh Butter Toasted Bun with Lettuce, Tomato, American Cheese, Fries & Chips. Then you can " Jack It Up" with toppings.

SUNLINER DINER

Sunliner is located in the heart of Gulf Shores and many people post pictures of their burger creations. The Jukebox Burger is a stack of three griddled burger patties, topped with American, Swiss and cheddar cheese, bacon, fried green tomato, onion ring, fried egg, and fried pickles. Drizzled with our creole hollandaise on a buttered brioche bun.

FLORA-BAMA

The Bama, and lots of places, offer a build your own burger option based with a char-grilled patty and served open faced on a Brioche bun. Pick from lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Make it your own with mushrooms, jalapenos and bacon and it’s topped with both Swiss and cheddar cheese. It comes with fries. The Flora-Bama Yacht Club and Flora-Bama Ole River Grill have the same options on their menus.

LULU'S GULF SHORES

LuLu’s two offerings are seasoned with LuLu's Salty Peppa Seasoning Blend and include the “Pa-menna” cheese with bacon and a fried green tomato. The Crazy Sista burger has lettuce, tomato, red onion, sweet pickles and a choice of cheese Both are served with fries and you can add sauteed onions or mushrooms or jalapenos for a buck or bacon, guacamole or a fried green tomato for two bucks.

COSMO'S RESTAURANT

The burger is a gourmet blend of certified Angus beef including ground chuck, short rib and brisket, chargrilled and served on a toasted sourdough bun with lettuce, tomato and red onion. Cheese will cost you a buck, add bacon for $1.50. Sister restaurant GTS's on the Bay has the same burger offering with a choice of a side.

THE HANGOUT

This beachfront restaurant offers six burgers including a traditional Hang 10 and a mushroom-swiss option. The Lifeguard is a load with two half-pound patties with cheddar and pepper jack cheese, fried onion straws, fried egg, thick bacon and Monarch fried pickles. Also available are the Alabama Wagyu with locally raised beef and traditional toppings, the Shaka Burger topped with fried shrimp, remoulade shaka cheese sauce and traditional toppings. If you’re looking for a smoky taste, try the Bama BBQ Burger with sweet sauce, cheddar, coleslaw and onion straws.