May 28 is National Hamburger Day.

To celebrate, make sure to enjoy one —either at home, or at your local favorite eatery.

If you go out, here are some staff hamburger reviews to help you choose.

Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers, by Pamela Seal

When it comes to hamburgers, I’m not usually one to deviate from my “usual” which is a single patty (well done), lettuce, ketchup, mustard and pickles on a toasted bun. Why mess with a good thing — especially when I know I can get exactly what I want at Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers, 2001 Oak Park Blvd.

In honor of National Hamburger Day, I decided to live it up. I opted for the Egg Burger ($2.89). It’s like rolling breakfast and lunch all in one meal.

Cotten’s was an “egg”celent choice for my inaugural egg burger. It “egg”ceeded my “eggs”pectations in more ways than one. The egg was fried hard, just like I asked, and it made for a filling lunch when stacked on top of the meat patty.

Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers is open Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (dining room hours); and Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (drive-through hours). Phone: 477-9759.

I can’t let National Hamburger Day pass me by without bragging about Round Top Burger House, 1153 Sampson St., in Westlake. A new favorite for me is the Bacon Cheddar Burger. I even dared to try the jalapeno mayonnaise which gives the burger an extra kick. Other specialty burgers on Round Top’s menu include the Western Burger, Mad Dog Burger and Mushroom Swiss Burger. Round Top is open Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Phone: 429-2775.

Mary Ann’s Cafe, by Donna Price

Here’s a bit of advice to a novice eater of a hamburger from Mary Ann’s Cafe: Have plenty of napkins nearby because you will need them. These handmade ground chuck burgers are juicy. Hamburgers at Mary Ann’s are cooked right in front of you as soon as the order is placed. Burgers don’t get any fresher than that. The bun is toasted on the grill, too. I had a cheeseburger for $3.99 and it was wonderful. All burgers come with shredded lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and onions. Ketchup, mustard and pickles are available if you ask for them.

If one needs further convincing that Mary Ann’s hamburgers are excellent, take it from the late actor John Wayne. There is a quote from him on the menu that reads, “The best hamburger I ever ate was at Mary Ann’s Cafe in Lake Charles, Louisiana.” Enough said.

Mary Ann’s Cafe is located at 110 W. Broad Street in Lake Charles. They are open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Phone is 337-436-9115.

Dairy Barn, by Rhett Manuel

With its mom-and-pop ambiance, the Dairy Barn, located at 4453 Nelson Road, has established its place among the Lake Area’s favorite place to eat a hamburger.

Its earned its place. The approach is straight-forward — a single patty, toasted bun and standard dressings. All of which is freshly prepared. Add-ons such as grilled onions, grilled jalapenos or extra meat are all available at an additional cost. The finished product is a classic burger experience which would feel at home in one’s home kitchen.

Chastain’sFood &, by Michael Cooper

I like a plain, simple burger.

With that in mind, I went with the old fashioned with cheese and grilled onions from Chastain’s Food & Spirits.

The burger comes with choice of fries, onion rings or chips. For $5.50, I don’t know if there is a better value in town. I don’t know if there is a better burger in town either.

The meat was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. There were no signs of blood and the patty was juicy without being greasy.

I am really picky when it comes to grilled onions and Chastain’s gets it right. The caramelized onions, as they should be, were dark brown and slightly sweet.

The cheese helped hold the burger together and added a big of creaminess.

All in all a great burger that I will be ordering again.

Big Daddy’sSports Grill, by Johnathan Manning

Big Daddy’s hamburger offering is named the same as the restaurant — the “Big Daddy.”

The burger is big enough that its going to be a full meal for those with big appetites and perhaps could be shared among light eaters. Fresh vegetables are standard, as are pickles, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. Cheese can be added for a fee.

Facebook Response

Local Facebookers have opinions when asked “Who has the best hamburger in Southwest Louisiana?” A total of 70 local residents responsed to this question in a recent informal Facebook poll. Besides the ones listed above, here is a list of the best hamburger places, as recommended by respondents (in no particular order):

• Nina-P’s Cafe

• Pujo Street Cafe

• Zeus

• Pitt Grill

• Otis and Henry’s, Isle of Capri

• MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub

• Coyote Blues

• Green Shack Diner

• Renee’s Cafe, Capital One Tower

• Southern Spice

• Jimbo’s

• Mr. Bill’s Seafood Express

• 121 Artisan Bistro

• Pioneer Club Grill

• Luna Bar and Grill

• Rocket Drive-in, Jennings

• Rooftop Burgers, Westlake

• Rabideaux’s, Iowa

• Shop Rite, Sulphur

• Peto’s Deli, Moss Bluff

The Egg Burger from Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers. (Michael Cooper / American Press)

The Old Fashioned from Chastain’s Food & Spirits. (Michael Cooper / American Press)