Whether you like it grilled, broiled, or pan-fried, rare, medium, or well done; in your backyard or at a restaurant, the burger is one of the most iconic symbols of American culture.
From McDonald’s and Carl’s Jr., to Burger King and Wendy’s, our favorite fast food joints have been dishing out these meaty and cheesy delights for decades and we foodies have been gluttonously eating them up. However, the tried and true local, independent burger joint is so much more than the newest triple-decker bacon burger to come down the fast food pike.
Fortunately, many San Diego restaurants offer a unique take on the hamburger, far beyond what is offered in the standard fast food chains. From Neighborhood in East Village and The Waterfront in Little Italy, to Crazee Burger in North Park and Rocky’s Crown Pub in Pacific Beach, discover the top ten burger joints in San Diego.
Hodad’s in Ocean Beach
Recognized as one of the top five burger joints in the country by CNN, Hodad’s has been dishing out burgers to the hungry masses since 1969. The original Hodad’s was located on the beach at the end of Santa Monica Ave. in Ocean Beach, and today you can find the same Hodad’s taste at the revamped OB location on Newport Ave., run by second generation “Burgermeister” Mike Hardin and long time friend Teri Rhodes. Choose something deliciously simple such as the Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo, mustard and ketchup, or opt for a Hodad’s favorite, TV personality Guy Fieri’s namesake burger “The Guido” topped with fried pastami, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions. Visit the O.G. Hodad’s in Ocean Beach, or the brand new location in East Village. Learn more at hodadies.com.
Five Guys in Coronado
Established in 1986 by a husband and wife couple from Virginia, The Five Guys burger chain serves up fresh made to order burgers and fries. Far from the run of the mill fast food joint, Five Guys is all about classic and casual food. No order numbers. No fancy schmancy toppings and cheeses. No fuss. Just simplistically delicious Angus beef burgers and fries. Take your choice between the regular hamburger or cheeseburger, the little hamburger or cheeseburger or a hot dog. Once you make your selection, choose to pile your burger high with toppings such as mayo, relish, onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, A1 steak sauce, BBQ sauce, or hot sauce. For more information, please visit fiveguys.com.
The Waterfront in Little Italy
For over 77 years, San Diego locals have continually flocked to the Waterfront for the good food and cheap, cold beer with minimum embellishments. You can never go wrong with the signature Waterfront burger, a quarter pounder topped with grilled onions and lettuce and served with a side of homemade tots; or the Whammy, a half pounder topped with bacon BBQ sauce, avocado, grilled onions, lettuce and tomato served on sourdough with crispy fries; or the hearty Texas Bacon burger, a half pounder topped with bacon, grilled onions, lettuce and served with a side of fries. If you’re a cheese fanatic like me, you’ll love the ample selections to add to your burger including white cheddar, Gouda, bleu cheese, pepper jack, cheddar, American and Swiss. For more information, please visit The Waterfront.
Slater’s 50/50 in Liberty Station
What began as Scott Slater’s SDSU brotherhood concoction of half ground beef mixed up with half ground bacon has now become a San Diego sensation; but this Signature 50/50 is just one of the many reasons Slater’s 50/50 is hitting the top of burger-lovers lists. As an interactive restaurant, you can let your inner burger artists take full control by designing your own unique combination. Sandwiches and appetizers such as Beer Battered Onion Strings, Fried Mac N’Chz, or Slater’s Vampire Dip are other items that pair well with that relaxing post-work brew. Inside the restaurant, you can choose from 100 draught beers, or stand up for local brews at the outdoor bar’s 12 taps. Could this be burger and beer heaven? I think so. Come check out this recently opened burger spot located at Liberty Station and decide for yourself. For more information, please visit slaters5050.com.
Station Tavern & Burgers in South Park
A bar and restaurant located in the quaint community of South Park, Station Tavern provides fresh, and delicious comfort food, and a constantly rotating selection of local and craft beers, as well as a full bar. Go simple and order the classic Hamburger, made fresh with 1/ pound of premium Angus Chuck, salt and fresh ground pepper, plus lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles on a toasted bun. Or opt for The Yardbird made with organic free-range chicken breast marinated in fresh herbs and topped with melted pepper jack cheese and tangy house BBQ sauce on a toasted bun. If you’re a vegetarian, try The Hobo made with golden fried tofu simmered in tomato sauce, topped with onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper, and spices served on a toasted wheat bun; or the House Veggie Burger, made in-house from chickpeas and mild spices, topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber and smoky paprika sauce served on a wheat bun. For more information, please visit Station Tavern.
Crazee Burger in North Park
Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” and dozens of other local reviews, Tioli’s Crazee Burger is a local San Diego burger joint, beer pub, and wine bar all in one. Owned by German gastronomes Wolfgang Peter Schlicht and Lothar Manz, Crazee Burger is unlike any other commonplace burger joint you’ve ever seen. Boasting more than 30 unique varieties, all of Tioli’s delicious made to order burgers are open faced with the trimmings on the side so you can prepare your selection to your liking. Try the racing Antelope burger topped with smoked chili sauce; or the Venison burger topped with poached red wine pear, mushrooms, bacon, and cream & plum jelly; or the ground Ostrich burger with lemon chive cream sauce. If you’re a vegetarian, nosh on the grilled Portabella burger with avocado and sauce tartar; or the Veggie burger made with mushrooms, onions, rice and parsley and slathered in spicy chipotle sauce. Pair your burger with delicious sides such as the Crazee fries with salt and grated parmesan cheese blend, the Texas Beans with bacon, the Sweet Potato Fries with parmesan cheese, or the oven Baked Potato with sour cream and chives. For more information, please visit crazeeburger.com.
Boomerangs in Clairemont
Located in a quaint strip mall in the heart of Clairemont, this unique burger shack one-ups everyday fast food joints with a policy that allows customers to pick their desired ingredients. Served with lettuce, tomato, pickles and red onions, all of Boomerangs’ create-your-own hamburgers are made fresh with 100% all natural premium Black Angus beef. Diners can choose from third- or half-pound Angus beef patty; a half-pound turkey, buffalo, or lamb patty; a half-pound top sirloin steak, chicken breast or bratwurst; or the vegetarian Portobello or Veggie patty. All burgers include a choice of three toppings such as artichoke hearts, bacon, black olives, Cajun spices, carrots, celery salt, cilantro, horseradish, roasted garlic, green olives, onion, jerk spice, green peppers, pineapple, relish, jalapenos, mushrooms, Kalamata olives, sauerkraut, sundried tomatoes, pepperoncinis, sundried cranberries, red onions, oven roasted yellow tomatoes, roasted red peppers and roasted yellow peppers. Cheeses selections include American, gouda, cheddar, feta crumbles, cotija, bleu cheese crumbles, mozzarella, provolone, Swiss, Monterey jack, habanero jack, muenster, gorgonzola crumbles, firehouse smoked cheddar and jalapeno pepper jack. All burgers are served with a homemade side dish including chili peppered crusted onion rings, BBQ beans, chili corn on the cob, mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, garlic mashed potatoes and twice baked mashed potatoes. For more information, please visit boomerangburgers.com.
Neighborhood in Gaslamp
The perfect gourmet burger joint strikes a balance between an urban casual atmosphere and luxurious fine dining. Neighborhood Burger, San Diego's response to fast food made epicurean, has achieved such a balance. Inspired by the classic gastropubs of London and izakayas of Japan, Neighborhood is solely devoted to simple, straightforward food and locally brewed beer. We can’t get enough of the Spicy Cajun Rubbed Burger with pickled radish onion cucumber salad and jalapeno mayo; the 777 Burger with organic baby spinach, plum tomatoes confit, and béarnaise sauce; or the original Neighborhood burger with carmelized onions, blue gruyere cheese and pepper greens. Pair your juicy burger with delicious small plates such as the pale ale battered onion rings with mustard seed mayo, the sweet potato fries with peppered malt mignonette and goldmine shaft cheese crumbles, or the Kennebec fries with garlic herb mayo. For more information, please visit Neighborhood.
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern in Point Loma
As San Diego’s newest gastro-tavern, Jimmy's Famous American Tavern features unfussy, nostalgic American fare and juicy home cooked burgers. Each of JFAT’s burgers are made with ten whopping ounce of Meyer’s all natural ground sirloin beef and are served with a side of garlic thyme fries, coleslaw, potato salad or simple greens. We can’t get enough of the Spicy California, made with choice of burger patty or chicken breast and topped with jack cheese, avocado, pickled jalapenos, and herb aioli; the Blues Burger, made with Maytag blue cheese, bacon, red onion and garlic aioli; or the Cowboy, made with cheddar, BBQ sauce, green chilies, applewood smoked bacon, and crispy onion rings. Every Monday from 3pm until close, JFAT features burger and beer specials where hungry diners can enjoy any burger and any draft beer for only 12 bucks. For more information, please visit Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern.
Nicky Rottens in Gaslamp
Nicky Rottens “hormone & antibiotic free” Brandt beef patties come pre-weighed, pressed to order and drippin’ with flavor. We can’t get enough of the Bacavo Burger, made with applewood smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, swiss cheese and the signature Rottens sauce; the Dirty Sanchez Burger, made with chili, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, onion ring, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and finished with homemade salsa and guacamole; and the Maui Wowi Burger, made with grilled pineapple rings, onions, tomato, lettuce, melted Swiss cheese and topped with Rottens teriyaki glaze. If beef ain’t your thing, all burgers can be substituted for a Basil Turkey Patty, Chicken Breast, Crispy Chicken Fritter, or Vegetarian Patty and are always served with a basket of fries (or opt for the tots!) and a pickle on the side. For more information, please visit nickyrottens.com.
But wait! There's more...More of our favorite San Diego burger joints include Burger Lounge in La Jolla, Maryjane’s in Gaslamp, Chiefs Burgers and Brew in Solana Beach, Alchemy in South Park, O’Brothers in Gaslamp, Dirty Birds in Pacific Beach, Sessions Public in Point Loma, PB Ale House in Pacific Beach, and Hooters in Gaslamp.
Still Hungry? Learn more about brand new burger joints in San Diego Burger Buzz - Hodad's, Smash & Lounge.
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