Albuquerque has no shortage of options when it comes to burgers. Whether they be steakhouse or smash, green chile or plain, fast food or fine dining, burger connoisseurs will have no trouble finding what they need. I went looking for the ends of the burger universe: the cheapest burger I could find and the most expensive.
Cheapest: Bob’s Burgers: $3.55
At the bargain end is Bob’s Burgers, located at 424 Central Ave. SE, a drive-thru spot (and, for the record, no relation to the sitcom). Their cheapest burger clocks in at $3.55, which in 2026 U.S. dollars feels like discovering a rare artifact. At that price, this burger basically qualifies as a civic resource.
The restaurant is about as no-frills as it gets. The owners clearly built it for the drive-thru first, with a small dining area attached for anyone who wants to stay put. Inside, the vibe is mostly sterile, clean pragmatism: think the bright, functional atmosphere of a modern McDonald’s, but with just enough diner-chic to remind you that this place is doing its own thing. The $3.55 option is a small Old Fashioned burger, which turned out to be much less sketchy than it seems at first blush; it is genuinely a decent portion for the price. It has everything you would hope for: mustard, pickle, onion, lettuce, tomato, the works. It’s the kind of sandwich that evokes hazy memories of being able to feasibly pay for a light lunch using the spare change you find in your seat cushions back in the mid-2000s.
Most Expensive: Artichoke Cafe — $24
On the opposite end of the spectrum sits Artichoke Cafe at 1101 Central Ave. NE. The atmosphere here is a world apart, featuring white tablecloth seating and a cozy lounge area with a bar and high-top tables. It’s polished without being stuffy, and it feels like a place that knows exactly what kind of experience it’s offering. That said, when I went, the fireplace was running hot enough that the seat next to it was too warm to tolerate.
The $24 Double Burger definitely delivers. The burger arrived larger than advertised, which eased any concerns about the price point. You’re getting a substantial burger built around a wagyu-angus blend, and it does retain that signature wagyu flavor. The result is a burger that’s flavorful but a bit drier than you might anticipate given the pedigree of the meat…