"We really do love our burgers in Kansas City," says IN Kansas City food columnist Jenny Vergara. From joints like Town Topic to fine dining establishments like The Savoy, the humble hamburger is on menus everywhere.

"We can't just say 'burgers,'" food blogger Mary Bloch points out. "We've got to be a little bit more specific on that," she says, noting smash burgers are big with diners right now.

Then are pub burgers and veggie burgers, with a number of places having all three options on offer.

For those who think vegetarian burgers can't cut the mustard, Carlton Logan, a former chef and an administrator for the Facebook Group Kansas City Eats, would like a word.

"I think with the new innovations, you almost can't tell that it's a veggie burger," he says.

Below Vergara, Bloch and Carlson offer their picks for burgers done well — and medium and rare.

Carlton Logan, Kansas City Eats: