Hinkle’s Hamburgers

Hinkle double w/​cheese: everything a burger should be and nothing it shouldn’t be, in my book. Delicious.

What a magical place local to Bloomington. It’s amazing to walk into a restaurant where the proud and friendly staff, or in this case family, know your name and you joke together while waiting those quick few minutes to get your meal. I also love that there were no TVs and that people actually were sitting and talking with each other during lunchtime. This place screams family-​owned and it is amazingly comforting that it promotes family values all around.
I was too excited to get my greasy paper bag of a burger, fries, and poppers. Although my burger was a little squished when I opened it up from its wrapper, I loved the crispy texture of the burger on its edges. The fries were crinkly and had a crunch on the outside that led to the soft potato on the inside. Poppers weren’t spicy, but melty cheese and a slice of green pepper inside is always a good combination to serve.

What a DIVE! Expect an extra juicy, even greasier, classically cooked, slider-​like burger. I got one cheeseburger and also one bacon cheeseburger. My buddy got a double bacon cheese burger. Fries were classic crinkle-​cut. Delicious breakfast sandwiches also available. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Nice seating area with classic American vibes. Everything is a little greasy however extremely tasty. Would definitely stop back for a quick burger. Unique dive, can’t get a burger like this anywhere else in Bloomington, overall great for what it is.
Quality-​7/​10
Atmosphere-​7/​10
Creativity-7.5/10

Was ok bit burger was small for the $$$. Didnt like the onions that were too old and stringy & tough. Potato salad was like ½ mayo — was tossed.

If you like Five Guys, you’ll like Hinkle’s. Same idea, greasy burgers and greasy fried sides. But it’s always delicious and cheap. You can pay $ 2 – 3 for a burger and be satisfied. I prefer Five Guys (and fast food), but this isn’t a bad option.

So as you can see below someone from Hinkle’s responded to my review asking me to disclose date and time of visit So our visit was the same day as the review. And it would have been around 1130am and the biggest offender of handling raw hamburger meat with his bare hands and then touching my bread and condiments on my sandwich would be the very person who replied below telling me that this is not acceptable behavior and would like to know who did it, based on the pic in the profile that is the very same guy. You make a pretty decent greasy burger just put some gloves on man before you kill somebody, and as for passing health inspections with flying colors we know how small town health inspectors work. Slip them a few dollars or free food and they would sign anything so that is not very impressive. I have seen homeless soup kitchens shut down for violations not nearly as serious as the ones that I listed.

This reminds me of an old-​fashioned roadside hamburger joint. And that’s a compliment. It’s a burger done on a flat top with grilled onions and dill pickles. I had mustard and mayonnaise on my double cheeseburger. Sure it’s greasy, but it’s loaded with flavor and the taste that you can’t get at a chain burger place. They’ve got other stuff on the menu, but get a burger. That’s what this place is about.

Can’t recommend enough. Simple food perfectly executed, I’m a customer for life.
A double with cheese, fries, and a chocolate shake is as comforting as a meal can be. Keep up the great work.

By far the best burgers in town. A local favorite, that not many IU students are aware of/​willing to venture out to, therefore the wait is fairly short. The burgers are a greasy combination of heaven. Their krinkle-​cut fries get the job done. Don’t forget the delicious sweet tea either. You get those three, and you have the terrific triangle. The service is not necessarily friendly per se, but who cares when you are eating one of the best burgers at such a low price. Plenty of parking is available too. Only open during lunch hours, so plan accordingly.

Still the best burger in town. I miss the old lady at the register though.

It was everything I expected and more. I love the small, thin, greasy burgers… and Hinkles did it justice. The bonus is that the burgers are NOT processed. The grilled onions and pickles… so damn good. I ordered a Hinkle w/​cheese & fries. Next time I will just get 2 burgers, they were that good. We are only in Bloomington, IN once a year for Thanksgiving. This will now be a spot we have lunch on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This place is family owned and operated.

While stopping in for some burgers last Saturday, I took a look at their printed menu and found that Hinkle’s opens at 6:00 AM and serves breakfast, too. What caught my eye was the biscuits and gravy — one of my favorite breakfasts.
I have to tell you in all honesty that Hinkle’s makes some of the best biscuits and gravy that I have ever had here in Bloomington. The gravy is spiced very well without being too salty or overly peppered, and the consistency is thick but velvety. The biscuits are big and fluffy, split down the middle and blanketed with that fantastic gravy. At $ 1.29 for a not-​so-​small single order and $ 2.29 for a genuinely large order, this is one of the best breakfast values in town. Even better, this is available all day long while supplies last.
This place never fails to put a smile on my face. I LOVE HINKLE’S!

Not really sure why people give five stars to a place that makes the most greasy and slimy food. Where is there room to review something that is really worth the five stars.
It’s not terrible but it’s definitely not five stars. Just a family run greasy burger joint that’s all. Get over it people its not «trendy» to like dive places anymore.
Actually the fries are limp and greasy and the burgers fall apart. Again, its not disgusting but c’mon 5 stars? What’s wrong with you people.
Honestly if you were blindfolded and taken to this joint or white castle or if I had some old ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ fatty meat and made u a burger you wouldn’t know the difference.
Five stars… ridiculous…
If you were to ask me to sum up in one sentence. I would say «it’s not disgusting». Actually it kind of is though.

Clearly this is a little spot of love, tucked away in Bloomington, IN. The staff was friendly and treated our group like regulars, which is ideal in this atmosphere.
On to the food… I ordered the Double Hinkle Burger with cheease, lettuce and tomato. In my one experience there, I have to say that the condiments are a must. The burgers are smashed so thin and crispy that the mayo and ketchup really do a lot. I enjoyed the burger more and more the more I ate! Everything was really coming together by the halfway point. (A friend who didn’t get the extras regretted that choice-​but I respect his decision to order it «standard.»)
The fries were a tasty accompaniment! I would order a shake next time around.
I’d conclude that this is an important spot to check out if you are a «foodie» and in Bloomington. (Not including «snoodie foodies.”*)
*the term snoodie foodie has been trademarked by me in this review just now.

Hinkle’s was a lot of fun … but hard to describe. It is an old-​fashioned family-​run hamburger joint that has a lot of soul. I suspect you won’t find another like it around Bloomington. It certainly has all the ambiance that is missing from the chains … in reading some of the other reviews you’ll probably smile a bit and they are pretty much all true. Some may like this kind of hamburger and others won’t, but it was an adventure trying it out.
I watched them make the hamburgers and was fascinated. They grind their own beef so it comes out in small balls… which meat they put on the grill and smash down with a flipper. If you order it the regular way with onions and pickles — they then put some fresh onions on top and smash them into the meat patty… then some pickles and smash those into the patty… then they place the top bun on and let it sit. While the meat patty browns the steam rises through the bun top and gets soft. Then they take off the top and place it on one side of the grill… flip the burger to get the other side browned and smash it down again. (By this time the patty is smashed so flat it can’t hold any juice or fat.)
Once done on that side they put the masterpiece together and serve it up. It was really pretty good. Someone else noted that it tasted a bit like a White Castle and I second that — especially because of the onions and pickle that were mated to it. My only complaint is they do smash that little burger a bit too much — there is little juice of any kind left in it and it tasted a bit dry… but it did have a distinctive taste. Fries came out in small bags that highlighted the frying medium… but they were made to order and tasty as well.
Not sure I would try much else on the menu — after all it is a hamburger joint — but the burgers are worth the try and the prices are from the 1960s. We had been by this place any number of times and missed it … I am glad we finally made the stop.

Very hole is the wall place that keeps early hours so it’s hard for a guy who works out of town to make it there. Thank goodness for days off. I needed a light lunch to tide me over so I stopped for a burger.
This is definitely a dive type place which often times means there is great food and it didn’t disappoint. Hot crispy griddled burgers were delivered fresh and along with the pickle and grilled onions made a nice treat. Nothing earth shattering, but if I’m ever out and want a burger, I’d definitely stop here before any of the chain places.

One of the best kept secrets in Bloomington. Because it is off the beaten path of Bloomington, Hinkel’s does not get the attention it deserves – but it is well worth the trip.
While it is not always easy to get a table, the clients of Hinkel’s are worth hanging around for. The servers and customers are Hoosiers through and through, and I have never had a bad experience dining with them. The burgers are always delicious (the perfect amount of greasy), the fries always hit the spot, and the milkshakes are ALWAYS perfection.
Don’t let the rumors deter you – they do have credit card machines!

One of the best burgers in Bloomington. The restaurant has very dive-​y, small town restaurant atmosphere that I like. It is one of those rare gems that is not found too often in major cities these days. The staff is friendly and invitive. A really delicious place to eat!

Oh, yes, this is as good as it gets. I love to come here for a burger because they are so good and I love to be given a hard time, but I do ration my trips. One has to save the good stuff so it does not become mundane. Price is right, flavor is amazing. If you missed out on this little local do yourself a favor and try it. I am even willing to wait in line behind you, because I will be sincerely happy for you. Top that!

Excellent burgers. Not sure if the special is every day, but 3 burgers for $ 5 is filling and delicious. Cheese onions and pickles add a little more money, but well worth it. I don’t think I could find this place again on my travels, but if I do, I will return.