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The classic cheeseburger is one of the most unfussy foods around. It's also one of the most affordable meal options, as evidenced by the boom in fast-food burger joints like Shake Shack, Five Guys and BGR.
But a number restaurants are catering to upscale burger enthusiasts by taking the humble cheeseburger to decadent — and expensive — new heights. Many use fancy ingredients like American Kobe beef, foie gras, and decadent cheeses.
So get those wallets ready. The following area burgers are among the most expensive around, and at more than $20 each, do break the bank.
Where: BLT Steak (1625 I St. NW)
The Burger: The American Kobe hamburger, which is topped with a fried egg, smoked brisket and American cheese.
Price: $27
Where: America Eats Tavern (1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean VA)
The Burger: José Andrés' serves up a foie gras burger — a beef patty topped with foie gras and a mix of caramelized onions and huckleberries — at his Tysons Corner eatery.
Price: $25
Where: The Grill Room (1050 31st St. NW)
The Burger: Stop by Georgetown for lunch and try chef Frank Ruta's Grill Room burger, topped with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese.
Price: $22
Where: Joe's Amazing Burgers (6710 Old Dominion Drive, McLean VA)
The Burger: The millionaire's burger features Kobe beef, foie gras, black truffle oil, fontina cheese, spinach, onions and truffle aioli.
Price: $26
Where: Quill (1200 16th St. NW)
The Burger: Order Martin's angus sirloin burger, which comes with cheese on a brioche bun.
Price: $21 with the option to add bacon, avocado or mushrooms for $2.
Where: Thunder Burger and Bar (3056 M St. NW)
The Burger: Get fancy with the big pimpin burger - a Kobe beef patty covered with seared foie gras, Morbier cheese, a balsamic vinegar reduction, tomato and remoulade.
Price: $25
Where: Blue Duck Tavern (1201 24th St. NW)
The Burger: Lunch features a dry-aged Shenandoah burger. It's topped with a choice of cheddar or blue cheese on a brioche bun.
Price: $22
UPDATE: A reader points us to a new pricey burger in town:
Where: Stanton & Greene (319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
The Burger: The Greene Burger features two six oz, bacon-infused patties, smoked gouda, bacon aioli, bacon ad onion rings on a pretzel bun.
Price: $24