Best burgers in Washington

Here are more of our readers' favorite burger joints:

• "How could you miss the '59er Diner (15361 Highway 2 at Coles Corner, near Leavenworth)? Not only great burgers, but the men's room is papered with pictures of Marilyn, including one life-size image. My wife reports that the women's room has a similar collection of James Dean pictures. They also have a real jukebox, friendly service and a half stick of Juicy Fruit after the meal."

— Thomas Cohen, Seattle

• "I may live in Georgia but I grew up in Skagit County, heading for Hal's Drive-In (321 State St., Sedro-Woolley) after high-school football games. My sister loved the place so much she bought it a few years back. But it is still 'Hal's.' "

— Ron Humphrey, Auburn, Ga.

• "Two Bells Tavern (2313 Fourth Ave., Seattle) serves one of the best burgers around town. Potato salad or soup, 'no fries with that.' They prepare the patty to order and the crusty roll just makes it all work perfectly. I've become vegetarian and don't eat red meat but I'd make an exception for a Two Bells burger, red-potato salad and ice tea, please."

— Barb Geisenhoff, Seattle

• "Washington state has many fine burger stands but the best, hands-down, is Frisco Freeze (1201 Division Ave., Tacoma). It's been around for 50 years or so and just keeps getting better. I've taken many trips south to have their double cheeseburger. It isn't fancy ... but the burgers are the best."

— Peter Cooper, Seattle

• "I don't know how there can be discussion of burgers in Washington without talking about the 8-pound burgers at Fat Smitty's (282624 Highway 101, near Port Townsend)."

— Joe Pelonio, Sammamish

• "Boomer's Drive-In (310 N. Samish Way, Bellingham). Best by far!"

— Daryl Kaiser, Bellingham

• "Small Fries (Fall City, off Highway 202) is a backyard favorite for us Eastsiders. They are open late, too."

— Garrett Silcox, Sammamish

• "The Ice-Burg (Walla Walla) is an all-time favorite. Best relish ever. And the best Coke shakes. Because I don't get back to my hometown of Walla Walla much anymore, Mrs. Beesley's down along Interstate 5 near the Vader exit is a good substitute."

— Liem Bahneman, Bothell

• "While in the Lake Chelan area you must go to My Buddy's Place, a bar in downtown Manson. They not only have the best burger and fries in the area, I think they are the best I have had in Washington state."

— Curt Dalrymple, Bellingham

• "The BBQ burger at 'The Coug' (Cougar Cottage in Pullman) is one of my favorite burgers of all time. I skipped class more than once because I couldn't wait. The Cougar Country Drive-In (Pullman) is a great burger joint as well. A close second would have to be the regular hamburger at Hal's Drive-In (Sedro-Woolley). Nothing fancy, just a great-tasting burger and the best shakes I've ever had."

— Shawn Frisbee, West Seattle

• "The Old Number 3 (Ronald) has the best burgers of any place I've ever been. It's truly a great place to eat. In case you haven't heard of it, it's located about 10 miles northwest of Cle Elum. Check it out! You won't be disappointed."

— Shaun Scott, Poulsbo

• "If you're not in Walla Walla to get an Ice-Burg burger ... then Dick's (various locations) is the only alternative. Red Mill Burgers (312 N. 67th St., Seattle), while tasty with all that bacon, don't come close to one of Dick's grease bombs."

— Odie Miller, Seattle