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    Illegal Burger - Writer Square

    3.9 (321 reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Bars, Sandwiches
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Illegal Burger - Writer Square Takeout or Delivery

    Illegal Burger - Writer Square Photos

    ILLEGAL BURGER - WRITER SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Front of Restaurant & Patio
    Lee W.

    If you're looking for a great burger this is the place to go! Tucked away amongst the tall buildings in downtown Denver you'll find Illegal Burger in Writer Square on Larimer Street. (There is another location in Evergreen, CO.) You order at the counter & your food is brought out to your table. The restaurant had an industrial vibe with upbeat music playing. There were lots of interesting photos of Alcatraz Island Penitentiary on the walls as well. Counter service was great & our food was brought out quickly. Note, there was also a large patio out front with tables & umbrellas. What makes these burgers stand out is that they are made with fresh beef - no antibiotics or hormones. Never frozen. They also use locally made fresh buns & their sauces are all homemade. In addition, they serve alcoholic drinks. We had the #7 Mushroom & Swiss Burger. This was delicious... nice & juicy with sautéed mushrooms & onions & Illegal sauce. We also had the #5 Slinger Burger, this was yummy too, it came with bacon, cheddar cheese & BBQ sauce. I loved the fried onion strings on top. Fries are extra & we had the Slammer Fries with Chipotle Mayo & the Illegal Fries with Illegal sauce, both good choices. As they say, "Burgers this good gotta be Illegal"!

    Slinger Sweet Potato Fries
    Miquel N.

    This was 10/10 We got the illegal cream cheese, the boss, 2 slingers, truffle fries, sweet potato fries and the waffle fries! Everyone said it was probably the best burger they've ever had. Service was great. The inside is clean and tidy. We want to come back and try more. Thank you!

    THE UNDERBOSS
    Alston F.

    It was very imaginative to have cheese quesadillas as the bun to a burger. I was visiting Denver and had to try the green chili sauce that they put on sandwiches. I will note I got this sandwich at 8pm on a Friday. It was quite busy with only one guy out front working the cashier and the bar. I will say the idea was nice but poorly executed. The quesadillas were bland, no seasoning just cheese and tortillas, the burger was dry and the only flavor was jalapeño aioli that definitely carried the sandwiches into my belly. I was hungry so I ate the whole thing but under normal circumstances I would have decided on something else. I did get sweet potato fries that I ate in the car on the way home. They were good but a small amount for the price. The green chili sauce was nice but not anything special. This is definitely a pregame spot or in the pinch spot but nothing gourmet.

    Onion rings, green chili fries and KINGPIN BIRRIA.
    Larry U.

    Excellent food, friendly staff, and top-notch service. Joshua was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful--this place is more than just a meal, it's an experience. The décor is cool, the music sets the vibe perfectly, and there's always something interesting on the TVs. Everything comes together to make it a spot we'll definitely be coming back to.

    Truffle Fries
    Phoebe J.

    From the moment we walked in, the staff were super friendly and genuinely attentive, it made the whole visit feel warm and welcoming. Our food came out fast, and everything was just as we'd hoped. I started with a margarita, which was not only delicious but also a great size (no tiny cocktail glasses here!). The burger menu was a dream for anyone who loves to customise, there was a long list of add-ons to make it your own. I added an egg to my chicken club and it was the perfect touch. My boyfriend went with a classic beef burger and said it was juicy and full of flavor. We shared the truffle fries, but honestly... I kind of regret not getting my own portion they were that good. Crispy, rich, and addictive! All in all, a great spot for casual dining with quality food, speedy service, and lovely staff. We'll definitely be back!

    Hotdog Special
    Will M.

    Type of place I'd go to every week. Best prices around for terrific food. Full bar which just adds to the awesomeness. Very casual spot with staff that go above and beyond for their customers.

    Alexanria J.

    Pretty hip atmosphere local burger restaurant with some patio seating. Very delicious interesting menu and carb free option available to have bunless lettuce wrap burger. Very good service and recommend this restaurant for interesting burger. Paid street parking nearby.

    The boss burger

    Everything is insanely good!!!!! If I was capable of eating 3 I would. The boss burger was so good. The pineapple with the jalapeños was chefs kiss. The service was really nice he was helpful with menu suggestions. And the environment was clean and inviting. Definitely going again tomorrow!

    Kayla D.

    This place was amazing!! The food was cooked perfectly! 10/10. Food came out fast. However it was FREEZING in the back of the restaurant so unless you like sitting in a 60 degree ice box stay away from the seating behind the order counter!

    Birria Burger....
    Eric P.

    Visited Denver and found this spot while looking for burgers. Holy crap, what a burger. Got the birria and their "boss" burgers with their nice golden criss cut fries. Their signature sauce is a popular must have! My boy Larry greeted me with excellent service. He noticed that I came back for a second burger so he gave me an order of free fries! THERE ARE ONLY 2 of these burger locations so I suggest all you foodies start making videos about this place! Fuckin' gooooooood! Your Yelp Foodie here recommends - @palencia_7

    Robert N.

    A bit of a weird setup. When walking in it is not apparent that it is a counter service restaurant, and you walk into the seating area/bar. Layout aside, they have an expensive menu, with a lot of options that are very creative. They also serve beer and alcoholic drinks like boozy milkshakes. The food came out pretty quick as well. The actual food itself was mediocre. I found my burger overcooked and dried out. The hot dog was drowned in sauce and the bun was stale and crunchy. On top of the subpar food it was extremely expensive, especially when considering the amount of food served. TL:DR - Great menu, but sub-par kitchen execution and high cost make illegal burger a pass

    The slinger and sweet potato fries!

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Looking for a great burger and fries for a reasonable price? This place is FIRE. Bonus, they also have Beer!!!

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Fantastic burger! Had the off the record avocado and added mushrooms. So good! Loved their sauces too!

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    Page 1 of 9

    Illegal Burger - Writer Square Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Illegal Burger - Writer Square

    Do they still have happy hour?

    Yes, Mary, we have happy hour Monday - Friday 3-6 pm, Come on in and enjoy some refreshing drinks with some good grub!

    What is the house sauce?

    It has mayo, buttermilk ranch, and cilantro ancho seasoning. I hope this helps!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Illegal Burger - Writer Square - burgers - Updated May 2026

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