Winner: Ray’s Place

Celebrity chef Michael Symon spent more than two minutes on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” praising the Ray’s Place Mo-Fo burger. In his words, “I own restaurants that specialize in burgers and I still go to Ray’s to get the Mo-Fo. That’s how good the burger is.”

Best of Kent voters also think highly of Ray’s burgers, voting them into first place. The famous Mo-Fo burger is a big double bacon cheeseburger with mushrooms, but if that isn’t your thing, Ray’s also offers a selection of less massive burgers.

Second: Five Guys

Five Guys is not unique to Kent, but it is uniquely good. Customers love the simply made but highly customizable burgers, including 15 topping options like lettuce, tomato, mushrooms and green peppers. Its standard burger includes two hand-formed patties on a soft, toasted bun.

Third: Bistro on Main

Sitting just inside the Kent/Stow borderline is Bistro on Main, a self-described “chef-driven, family-owned and operated neighborhood restaurant.” It also happens to have some of the best burgers in Kent.

Their BOM Black Angus Burger, which is half-off on Mondays, is made of fresh ground chuck, sharp white cheddar, house mayo, tomato, organic baby arugula and honey vinegar caramelized onions.