The Ultimate Guide to Best Burger Toppings

We believe that burgers should never be boring. Perfecting the balance of savory, creamy, fresh, and spicy to sweet toppings is an art. Get to know the burger building blocks, with ten toppings that take delicious burgers to the next level, and learn about some of our signature burgers on the Wings and Rings menu. 

1. Onion Rings

A delicious burger plus crispy fried onions rings, does it get more amazing than that? Call it a Wings and Rings signature, because our onion rings, breaded and fried to golden perfection, add an unexpected but delightful crunch to any burger. Onion rings already top our BBQ Bacon Burger, but who’s to say you don’t order some rings and put them on any burger from our menu. That’s what we call taking your burger to the next level.

2. Tomatoes

Kicking it off with a classic. Fresh, juicy tomatoes add a wonderful touch of sweetness, crunch-factor, acidity, and moisture to any burger. Although they are tasty all-year-long, ripe and delicious tomatoes are at their best in the summer. Generous slices of meaty beefsteak tomatoes are a classic, but you can always switch it up with other varieties like sweet heirloom tomatoes or the bold tanginess of sundried tomatoes. Whichever tomato is you favorite, they are just the refreshing taste you need to balance out the hearty flavors of your favorite beef or veggie patty. 'Nuff said. 

3. Bacon

What meat lover can say no to bacon? Pan fried and crispy, bacon’s a crowd favorite and a sure-fire way improve any burger. Bacon and burgers are an easy match, because bacon’s natural saltiness amps up the savouriness of your classic beef patty. Plus, the smokiness of a slab of bacon helps bring out the best flavors of the beef for a more complex flavor profile. That’s why we bring on the bacon on our BBQ Bacon Burger and Classic Bacon Cheeseburger on the Wings and Rings menu. Every bite has that extra satisfying crunch that sets these burgers over the top.

4. Avocado

Avocado toast, we’ll do you one better—try it on a burger. Avocado brings a smooth and rich dimension your favorite burger, balancing out the flavors while keeping it refreshing and light. On our menu you can enjoy avocado on our Southwestern Veggie Burger, featuring a flavorful black bean patty, Cheddar Jack cheese plus spicy mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickles on a brioche bun. Yum!

5. Jalapeños

For fans of all things spicy, a nice topping of sliced jalapenos brings just the right amount of heat. These little peppers are a great way to bring an extra edge to any burger you favor. At Wings and Rings, we use fresh jalapeños on our burgers which have a refreshing crunch and noticeable heat. You can try other pepper possibilities, like pickled jalapenos for its sharp tartness from vinegar, or roasted jalapeños that mellow the heat and adds a nice smoky flavor. And if you really want to test your heat limits, you can enjoy fresh jalapeños on our hot Ghost Pepper Ranch Burger that packs a seriously fiery kick.

6. Lettuce

It may not be the star, but you’d miss it if it wasn’t there. Lettuce brings a crunchy texture and a refreshing note to any burger. It's the unsung hero that balances the richness of the other ingredients, adding a cooling effect and a contrasting texture that only elevates your burger.

7. Cheese

What’s a burger without cheese? American cheese is the classic from backyard cookouts to your favorite burger joint. But, at Wings and Rings you have plenty of cheesy options to customize with like Pepper Jack, or Cheddar Jack cheese each contributing a unique, creamy flavor. Want it funky? For cheese lovers we recommend our Black and Blue Burger which pairs Bleu Cheese crumbles with a tangy Bleu Cheese sauce for an extra cheesy delight.

8. Saratoga Chips

Just because they are a side, doesn’t mean they have to be on the sidelines. Our thinly sliced, perfectly seasoned, and crisp Saratoga Chips on the Wings and Rings menu make an irresistible and unique topping for burgers. Because they are cooked kettle-style Saratoga Chips add a distinctive crunch and a salty note, taking the humble burger to a whole new level of deliciousness.

9. Pickles

Another burger topping classic. Pickles bring an element of tanginess and a crunch that cannot be overlooked. We top up our burgers with bread and butter pickles, which are on the sweeter side. They cut through the rich flavors of any burger, delivering a refreshing zing, and enhancing the overall taste profile. So don’t hold ‘em, try them!

10. Sauce Flight

No burger is complete without a good slathering of sauce. And at Wings and Rings we have plenty. From Sweet BBQ Sauce and tangy Bleu Cheese Dip to fiery Ghost Pepper Ranch and exotic Spicy Mayo, the choice of sauce can transform your burger. And of course, we also have the timeless classics – ketchup, mustard, and mayo.

Celebrate Cincinnati Burger Week the Wings and Rings Way

With these 10 delicious burger toppings, we hope you are feeling inspired to enjoy your best burger creation yet. Whether you make it your own or try one of our signature burgers off the Wings and Rings menu, you can’t go wrong.

Plus, we have some news for our Cincinnati locals. We’re gearing up to be part of the best Cincinnati Burger Week yet, which runs this year from Monday, July 10th to Sunday, July 16th. You can join the celebration by eating and drinking your way across the city and sampling some of the best burgers in Cincinnati. Using the Cincinnati Burger Week App, if you check in to at least 5 participating restaurants across the city, you are eligible for a grand prize drawing and the bragging rights of Cincinnati Burger Week royalty.  

Just don’t forget to make Wings and Rings part of your ultimate burger journey. Special for Cincinatti Burger Week, you can get our fan-favorite BBQ Bacon Burger for just $7. Simply check in with the Cincinnati Burger Week App at one of our locations anytime from July 10th to July 16th to earn points. We hope to see you soon, burger fans!