When it comes to burgers, everyone has an opinion. What’s better, a thick, juicy patty or a “smashed” patty with crispy edges? Is a sesame-topped, brioche, or egg bun superior? Do fancy restaurant burgers outrank inexpensive ones at casual places — or is it the other way around? And don’t overlook the ones from steakhouses or butcher shops, where the burgers are often made from steak trimmings.
This list of essential burgers includes everything from under-the-radar, under-$10 selections to those with ingredients of such high quality that it proves that a burger can indeed be a very fine dish.
Hamburger Hut
This Encinitas institution on Pacific Coast Highway isn’t just a burger joint. While the interior dining area is decked out in disco lights, the outdoor patio has a fire pit and live music on select nights. Go for the classic smash burger, made with Brandt beef, bundled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and thousand island dressing in a Hawaiian buns.
576 North Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, California 92024
Swagyu Chop Shop
Swagyu is going back to the basics with a renewed emphasis on their signature wagyu smash burger. The ½-pound OG burger is a blend of Australian, American, and Japanese wagyu, while the American wagyu burger is the more economical option. Though its other locations have shuttered the Poway branch is still open for burgers while a new outpost in the Westfield UTC food court is due in late March. Swagyu is currently reshuffling, focusing on expanding on LA and Orange County.
14149 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, California 92064
The Swagyu Burger
The Butchery
Don’t sleep on this butcher shop and specialty store’s kitchen menu, which includes a mighty-fine grilled steak tip sandwich as well as a standout burger comprised of a house-ground patty, grilled onions, American cheese, arugula, and tomato. Located in the One Paseo in North County, be sure to grab something from the meat case as well.
3720 Caminito Court, San Diego, California 92130
The Grill at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Easily one of San Diego’s most classic burgers, the Grill at Torrey Pines’ Drugstore Burger is a slice of Americana. A nostalgic ode to Midwest lunch counters of years gone by, the simple-yet-perfect drugstore burger consists of Niman Ranch chuck and house-made mayo on a sesame bun. An industry favorite, it’s also available at the hotel bar and by request at its fine dining restaurant, A.R. Valentien.
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar
Known best for exquisite fine dining dishes, those in the know are hip to the fact that La Jolla’s Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar also serves a very fine burger. The half-pound patty, made of grass-fed beef, is served on a brioche bun with sides of pickled veggies and perfectly fried fries, which can also be truffle-ized for a few bucks more.
910 Prospect St (at Jenner St), La Jolla, CA 92037
Nine-Nine-Ten Restaurant
Rosemarie’s Burgers
Specializing in sliders, the Mission Beach burger joint uses wagyu beef between their buns. The Classic comes with onion confit and Kewpie mayo dressing up their double patties. Another version (with daily limited availability) features bacon whiskey sauce and baby arugula. Choose two or three sliders, along with hand-cut pommes frites, for a meal.
3852 Mission Blvd., San Diego, 92109
Eat Crispy Burger
One of the newest burger joints on the scene, the popular North County restaurant plans on having five locations by the end of the year, expanding south to Kearny Mesa as well as Chula Vista’s Eastlake neighborhood. The popular “OG” crispy smash burger boasts Angus beef patties, grilled crispy at a high temperature, and served with American cheese, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing.
905 Orpheus Ave. Encinitas, CA 92024
Original “OG” Crispy Double Burger
Rocky's Crown Pub
Very little about no-frills, cash-only legendary burger joint has changed since the 1970s, except that it’s become a bit more crowded due to its high-flying reputation. Proving that beauty often lies in simplicity, diners can order a perfectly greasy third- or half-pound burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese with pickles on the side and pickled banana peppers in a tableside pot.
The Friendly
The Dirty Flat Top cheeseburger features two patties smashed so hard on the grill that the seared edges turn remarkably crispy. Then a slice of good ol’ American cheese is applied, melted so that it practically merges with the patty. Both of two locations have the Dirty Flat Top, along with burger varieties created by each chef.
4592 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
The Wise Ox Butcher & Eatery
Order from this butcher and know you’re getting quality burgers where beef is the star. The daily menu selection features two burgers: a double cheeseburger featuring two ground chuck patties thousand island dressing, lettuce and pickle. Then there’s the dry-aged burger where the meat truly shines and is accompanied by house cured bacon, havarti, mayo, mustard and pickles.
2855 El Cajon Boulevard, CA 92104
Crazee Burger
Crazee Burger is best known for its exotic wild game burgers with toppings to match, such as elk with port wine and currant jelly reduction and wild boar with red wine-poached pears, mushrooms, bacon, whipped cream and plum jelly. But the more approachable burgers made with fresh black Angus meat or A5 wagyu shouldn’t be overlooked, especially by first-time visitors.
3993 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Chubby Charlie at Crazee Burger
Canada Steak Burger
A father-son team has been running this classic local restaurant for decades. The charbroiled steak burger comes in 4-ounce, 6-ounce, or 8-ounce seasoned patties. An optional add-on to the burger is gyro meat from their Greek family recipe.
3604 University Ave (at 36th St), San Diego, CA 92104
Hodad's
Byron and Virginia Hardin established Hodad’s in Ocean Beach as a burger stand in 1973. These days, there are two full-fledged restaurant locations operated by their grandchildren. Hodad’s is probably the most famous name in San Diego burgers, thanks in part to national recognition. The burgers are huge; a double bacon cheeseburger ordered “all the way” is half a foot tall and more than a meal for two. Get the best of two worlds and order “frings” — a mix of both the onion rings and wonderful fries with battered exteriors and interiors almost as tender as mashed potatoes.
5010 Newport Ave (at Bacon St), San Diego, CA 92107
Double Bacon Cheeseburger at Hodad’s
Bun & Patti
The Little Italy bistro does their burgers with lettuce, sauteed onions, cheddar, and secret sauce on toasted brioche buns. The Model is their gluten-free option with avocado and vegan secret sauce on a gluten-free bun. Accessorize your burger with the boujee tots paired with caviar, egg, and lime crème fraiche.
2171 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Waterfront Bar & Grill
One of San Diego’s oldest watering holes serves a burger that’ll complement any beer on the menu. Their signature waterfront burger is a one-third-pound burger with two slices of American cheese on a fresh baked bun but it’s the pile of grilled onions that adds the punch of flavor.
2044 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
The Balboa
You’ll find friendly service in the Balboa’s bars in Banker’s Hill and Chula Vista. Their well-loved Original Balboa burger features their own aioli, along with lettuce, tomato, and onions on a brioche bun. Pair with a brew or a cocktail, like the Balboa with Hennessey whiskey and sarsaparilla bitters.
Two Ducks
This game meat-focused bar and restaurant serves a “Wild Style” burger with boar bacon jam and crispy shallots or you can also order the more traditional “Our Burger” with wagyu blend, cheddar, and pickles. Food is served until 1 a.m. here, along with a daily happy hour available from 4 to 6 p.m.
629 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Hayes Burger
There’s beauty in simplicity when it comes to the burgers sold at this popular Barrio Logan spot. The streamlined menu offers a burger, a cheeseburger, and a double cheeseburger; all served in a brioche bun. Ask for the patty to be cooked with mustard and try the homemade habanero ketchup or the Jimi (Hendrix) spicy fries sprinkled with habaneros.
2060 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Hayes Burger
Is there a San Diego burger you can’t live without? Let us know in the comments.