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Brookeville, MD - Many consider the Sunshine Burger from the Sunshine General Store in Brookeville, MD (often referred to as Sunshine, between Olney and Damascus) the best burger in Maryland. The burger boasts a ½ pound of ground beef topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. However, part of the burger’s charm lies in the unique atmosphere of the General Store itself.
A Look Back
Six years ago, we provided a step-by-step look at the Sunshine General Store where the famous burger is made. In our 2018 piece, we wrote, “The inside looks like a truck stop diner scene from an ’80s movie. After passing the register, you’ll see a few tables and four stools at the counter of the dining area.” At that time, the Sunshine General Store didn’t accept credit cards, and the closest ATM was a few miles away in Olney or Laytonsville. However, that’s no longer the case, as you can now pay with your card.
Customer Reviews
According to reviews on Yelp, where the General Store currently holds a 4.2 rating with 183 reviews, don’t judge a book by its cover:
“This place’s super run down & it looks like it hasn’t passed inspection in decades. However, don’t let it fool you because they serve the best burger in DMV!”
“Hands down the best burger you will ever eat. Be prepared to wait 15 minutes for it and don’t scrutinize the inside. If you need night crawlers, gas or Twinkies, you’re covered too. It’s a quaint old store that’s family-owned and operated.”
Washington Post Recognition
In 2023, the Washington Post released its “10 Best Burgers in the D.C. Area” list, and Montgomery County’s very own Steeze Burger was ranked the #1 burger in the area. It was the only MoCo burger to make the actual list, with burgers from Soko Butcher (Takoma Park) and Quarry House Tavern (Silver Spring) named as honorable mentions. After going back and trying some readers' picks, writer Tim Carman believes MoCo’s Sunshine Burger deserved a spot on the original list. Carman wrote, “The Sunshine burger deserves a spot on the original list. It checks all the boxes: an unassuming preparation that trusts the basic building blocks of a good burger, even if they’re not necessarily the kind of ingredients sought out by chefs in white-tablecloth restaurants.”
Taste and Experience
The burger itself is generally loved by many, but there are also plenty (based on various comments through the years on our various social media posts) who can’t get past the look of the Sunshine General Store, where the burger is made.
Tim Carman described the taste, “...the Sunshine burger is a tender bite. Your teeth sink into it with little resistance, the ground beef, seasonings, and fat just barely held together under a layer of good, gooey American cheese. The raw onions are placed on top of the patty, the thickly sliced dill pickles and tomatoes on the bottom. It’s a simple burger, executed to perfection.”
Conclusion
The Sunshine Burger at the Sunshine General Store is a beloved culinary gem in Brookeville, MD. Despite its unassuming appearance, this burger has garnered a loyal following and critical acclaim for its simple yet perfect execution. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Sunshine Burger is worth the visit for a taste of Maryland's best.
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