Cheeseburger Day: How Expensive Can a Cheeseburger Get?

Every September 18, the U.S. celebrates National Cheeseburger Day. It’s a day for a food that can cost just a few bucks—or several thousand dollars.

The cheeseburger’s story takes us back to 1920s California, when someone had a brilliantly simple idea: add cheese to a hamburger. A century later, that everyday meal can also become an extraordinary splurge. So, how much would you have to win before spending thousands on a burger stopped sounding crazy?

Cheeseburger Day in New York: A $295 Burger

Let’s start in New York. At Serendipity 3, Le Burger Extravagant costs $295.

It combines Japanese Wagyu, truffles, caviar, a quail egg, cheddar and even a gold-dusted bun. That’s a lot of luxury packed into something you still eat with your hands.

Would you order it? On an ordinary day, probably not. After a jackpot win, though, you might be tempted to book a table just to see what a $295 cheeseburger tastes like.

The Golden Boy: Nearly $6,000 for One Burger

Now take that price and multiply it by twenty.

Created in the Netherlands, The Golden Boy sold for $5,967 and earned the Guinness World Records title for the most expensive single-serving burger.

Its ingredients include Wagyu beef, Beluga caviar, king crab, white truffle and a bun covered in edible gold leaf. The first sale had an unexpected ending, too: chef Robbert Jan de Veen donated the full amount to a local food bank.

In Spain, Even the Price Isn’t the Only Barrier

Then there’s SUA, a burger offered by Spain’s Aupa restaurant for €9,450. It features a mix of premium meats, an exclusive cheese and a secret sauce.

But having the money isn’t enough. SUA is available by invitation only, turning a familiar meal into an experience few people can even book.

This Cheeseburger Day, Mega Millions has an estimated $244 million jackpot for Friday, September 18, 2026.

If that jackpot were yours with TuLotero, would these cheeseburgers still seem expensive?