Burgers are a Southern California classic — both as a budget-friendly option and an elevated culinary experience. And San Diego knows how to make a great one: Just ask the readers of Travel + Leisure, who picked San Diego as one of America’s Best Burger Cities. Here’s a list of 10 favorite burger spots to help guide your San Diego culinary experience. Enjoy!
Where: 11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037
The classic burger just got a redo with the Drugstore Burger, courtesy of this popular dining spot at the beautiful Lodge at Torrey Pines. Created as a tribute to the lunch counter burger of yesteryear, the dish remains simple with beef, mayo, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and fries. Simple and nostalgic. Enjoy!
Where: 1863 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
This small cocktail and burger bar packs a big-time punch with its burgers and drinks. The Balboa Burger is a favorite among San Diego locals, offering the traditional burger fixings with a twist — in-house zesty aoli. These burgers are the perfect example of a modern take on a beloved classic.
Where: Multiple locations
An upstart San Diego mini-chain, Burger Lounge has grown an impressive following with such selections as the Lounge Burger and the Truffle Mushroom-Swiss Burger. Turkey, chicken, fish and vegetarian options are also on the menu, as are salads, fries and other scrumptious sides.
Where: Multiple locations
A San Diego original, Hodad's loads up its burgers, making them a fun experience to eat. Hodad's has been recognized by CNN as one of the top 5 burger joints in the country, and for good reason. With sizes from a mini to a double double, these extra-large, extra-tasty burgers come conveniently served with large-cut homemade fries in a combo. There are three locations in San Diego, boasting a classic surf grunge atmosphere, including the original burger joint in Ocean Beach, a Downtown San Diego location on Broadway, and an outpost inside Petco Park.
Where: 3786 Ingraham St., San Diego, CA 92109
This Crown Point/Pacific Beach joint is the definition of no-frills dining, but the delicious simplicity of these burgers are at the top of many local top burger lists. Rocky's has been serving its signature burgers and fries for more than forty years. With lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and mayonnaise, these unpretentious creations are a burger purist's dream come true.
Where: 4592 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
A burger joint masquerading as a pizzeria, this no-frills North Park favorite brings in savvy locals for its smashburgers as well as such specials as the Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger.
Where: 2044 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
The Waterfront serves up a top-notch classic burger. Located in Little Italy, this restaurant is San Diego’s oldest tavern. Opened in 1933, The Waterfront remains true to its origin: a neighborhood hangout serving cold drinks and delicious nosh-ables. The tavern is 21 and over only and has a revolving calendar of bands and events. However, the real draw is the burgers: Big, tasty and loaded with grilled onions.
Where: 777 G St., San Diego, CA 92101
Smack dab in the middle of Downtown San Diego’s East Village is Neighborhood. Known for its large selection of local craft beers, Neighborhood offers three distinctive grass-fed burgers: the NH with blue gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and pepper greens; the 777 with baby spinach, plum tomato confit and bearnaise sauce; and the spicy Cajun with pickled radish, pepper-cucumber slaw and chipotle mayo. Try one with their amazing sweet potato fries.
Where: 3993 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Prepare yourself for something out of the ordinary. The chefs at Crazee Burger mean business with exotic meats including buffalo, gator, venison, ostrich, camel, elk, duck and wild boar. If one isn't enough, every burger has the option of a double patty!
Where: Multiple locations
Winner of several "best of" awards, Slaters 50/50 was inspired by the belief that bacon is "meat candy". This means you will find their original 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef burger patty on the menu along with several other delectable flavors of premium natural Southern California beef, grown naturally without any hormones or antibiotics. These delicious burgers, along with local and regional craft beer selections, make Slaters 50/50 a go-to dining experience.
Where: Multiple locations
As the name suggests, Plant Power's dishes are all meat- and dairy-free. Yep. A fast-food joint with burgers and shakes all made from plants! The Big Zac is an ode to the McDonald's Big Mac, but completely vegan. Two "beef" patties, special sauce, "cheese," lettuce, onions and pickles. Your non-vegan friends will love it as well!
Where: 1503 30th St., San Diego, CA 92102
This all-vegan favorite in the trendy South Park neighborhood gets inventive with its Eggroll Burger, made with an Impossible shumai patty, crispy eggroll wrappers, cabbage slaw, pickled carrots, cilantro and sweet chili aioli on a sesame bun, served with grilled gai lan.
- Available to AAA and CAA members only. - Limit of two rooms per member per night. - Membership card required.
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