SAY CHEESE! Aaron White, pictured above, is a real cheese(burger) head according to WEAU-13 New's recent feature, "We the People: Growing Eau Claire." We decided to put Aaron's burger-lover knowledge to the test and see what neighborhood joints he thinks reign supreme.

Aaron White, known to many as the City of Eau Claire's community development director, also harbors a much savorier passion: cheeseburgers.

Locals who caught WEAU-13 News' recent "We the People: Growing Eau Claire" feature would have heard Aaron talk about the pros of Eau Claire County. The first thing he mentioned? Cheeseburgers.

When the news station staff asked local stakeholders what makes Eau Claire County a desirable place to live, job opportunities and the creative arts were among the many answers. Apparently, Aaron had protein on the brain instead. “My passion is cheeseburgers, and we have some of the best places that serve some of the greatest cheeseburgers anywhere in the state,” Aaron shared with WEAU-13 News.

As a person who would rather eat a good cheeseburger than a steak, he believes Eau Claire has some great offerings to satisfy such cravings.

"I am about the cheese in my cheeseburgers, it appeals to my roots as a dairy farmer in southern Iowa and my choices are all about the cheese," Aaron told us.

So, this ultimately begs the question: What cheeseburgers are on Aaron's list? In no particular order, here are his top five burger joints — along with go-to orders — in the Chippewa Valley.

1. Amber Inn Bar & Grill

My #1 favorite burger is the Black and Bleu burger served at the Amber Inn Bar & Grill (840 E Madison St., Eau Claire). A ½ pound burger with bacon, tangy blue cheese sauce with big chunks of cheese, side order of curds and a pint of beer on tap (for those 21+) is a great way to end the day!

2. The District

When I want to give my cholesterol medication a workout, I head to The District (101 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) for the Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger. This is a bacon cheeseburger smashed in between two grilled cheese sandwiches. This is a wall of cheesy goodness coming at you. No need for a side, this thing will fill you up.  I pair it with a pint of Guinness; it is awesome.

3. Court'N House

My go to at Court’n House (113 W Grand Ave., Eau Claire) is the Husky: cheese curds, bacon, CNH ranch dressing, and American cheese make this another fantastic burger.

4. Milwaukee Burger

Milwaukee Burger (2620 E Clairemont Ave.,Eau Claire) is the only chain restaurant on my list, and my go to is the Cheese Curd Burger (you may have noticed a pattern here). A thick burger with provolone cheese, a giant cheese curd, and their sauce, with beer-battered fries on the side. Definitely worth a try!

5. Hangar 54 Grill

Hangar 54 Grill (3800 Starr Ave., Eau Claire) offers a Beer Burger topped with cheese curds, drunken onions, and a beer cheese sauce (don't forget fries on the side). Another great combination!

Honorable Mention: "The Bergs"

A special honorable mention goes to Dave Solberg (City of Eau Claire Deputy City Manager) and Lane Berg (City of Eau Claire Community Services Director). These guys lead the grill team for our annual employees picnics, and they do a fantastic job!

Aaron also made sure to note, "I know I’ve missed a lot of other places that friends and colleagues have told me are worth a visit. My list is always changing and I will get them (all) eventually!"

Whether you agree with this guy or not, locals will get at least one more shot to show their support behind the Best Burger in the area during our 2026 Best Of the Chippewa Valley Readers Poll (which will open up for voting in just a couple of months!). Until then, you can view the 2025 Best Of the Chippewa Valley Readers Poll results here.