Try It: Exotic Burgers

50 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02115 (map)

Yes, you read that correctly. And no, it's not that bad. In fact, if you're familiar with warm satay sauce, you'll find the combination of a juicy burger topped with chunky peanut butter somewhat familiar. ON THE SIDE: Skip the so-so fries in favor of an order of the creamy, artery-clogging White Trash Cheese Dip.

1246 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138 (map)

Not only does this Harvard Square landmark serve the city's most decorated burger, but it also makes its patrons smile (or frown) with its political titles. Try the John McCain ("a real world hero," tomato sauce and mozzarella) or the John Kerry ("he voted this the best burger before he voted against it," swiss and mushrooms). ON THE SIDE: For a spicy spin on a sweet favorite, try the cajun-spiced sweet potato fries.

282 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143 (map)

Many a burger aficionado has claimed this Somerville bar serves the area's best burger. If your answer to "Do you want cheese?" is "Yes, please!" then indulge in O'Sullivan's Three Cheese Burger, where you can combine varieties such as smoked gouda, homemade boursin and feta. ON THE SIDE: Keep it simple by ordering some hand-cut onion rings or steak fries.

1918 Beacon St, Brighton, MA 02135 (map)

Get your picture up on the wall at this legendary BC joint by downing the Challenge Burger (five pounds of beef, 20 slices of cheese and bacon). Mere mortals make do with the Godzilla Burger (one pound of beef, four slices of cheese). ON THE SIDE: As if your arteries aren't in enough pain, pair your mega-burger with an order of dirty fries, made with your choice of beef or turkey gravy.

131 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

This local health food chain hand-packs lean sirloin that's ground in-house daily. The result? A tasty, if somewhat dry, burger that remarkably has only three grams of saturated fat. ON THE SIDE: Stay on the healthy tip with an order of hand-cut, oven-crisped fries (only one gram of saturated fat).