San Diego’s Top 10 Burgers
Fun Diego Family has been on the search for the best burger in San Diego. We are just getting started but we have our initial list that will be updating regularly. So as of June 2019, here are San Diego’s Top 10 Burgers.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2020: COVID-19 shutdowns have wrecked havoc on many San Diego restaurants. We plan to do a full update when things return to normal but we have noted places that have closed.
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Overview
Our list is in alphabetical order. We had enough trouble deciding on the top 10, let alone the order. We have focused on basic burgers that are reasonably priced. Many high-end restaurants now offer a fancy burger with a price tag to match. We have only picked one burger to represent that category, the Drugstore Burger at the Grill at Torrey Pines.
We are going to be adding places and updating this list on a regular basis. We have personally tried every place on this list at least twice. In most cases, multiple family members have tried the burgers and come to a consensus. The exception is with the 21+ places.
There are still many burger places to try. Also, we have some old-time favorites we are revisiting to make sure they are still up to snuff. We welcome any comments or suggestions.
San Diego’s Top 10 Burgers
Balboa Bar & Grill
This is a classic bar burger with great fries. Along with Rocky’s, this is a 21+ dive bar. Unlike other places, our kids have not tried this burger.
UPDATE: The original Balboa Bar & Grill closed during COVID. However a new location has opened in Chula Vista, the Balboa South.
Burger Lounge
We have been going to the original location since day one. It immediately soared near the top of our list. They are now all over San Diego. We had some consistency issues with some newer restaurants. However, in recent months we went back a total of 5 times and are confident with our selection.
Chicago Fire Grill
This is a family shop with the lamb burger as the specialty. However, the regular beef burger is also one of the best. The combo price is the best deal in town.
Crazee Burger
Another San Diego burger joint that gained fame on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. This place has only gotten better over the years. There are many fancy burgers, but the basic is also stellar.
The Grill at Torrey Pines
We only picked one high-end burger and it was the classic Drugstore Burger. When I drop close to $20 for a dish it is usually not a hamburger. The Grill is an exception because the golf course location in Torrey Pines is worth the premium. Also, we can get a hike in before or after to lessen the guilt.
Grub Burger Bar
This small Texas burger chain opened a location in San Diego’s Carmel Mountain Ranch. It has become a family favorite. Our son picked this place for his 13th birthday.
Hodad’s
I first came here in 1992 when it was just moving to its current OB location. I brought my soon-to-be wife here for lunch in 2002 and she insisted we go back for dinner that same day! In recent years Guy Fieri has made Hodad’s famous. Some say quality has gone down since the passing of owner Mike Hardin. On several recent visits it seems the same old Hodad’s to us.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2020: My daughter had a half day off school and asked me to take her to Hodad’s for lunch. She said even as a sushi loving teenager it is still the best.
In-N-Out
We have probably been here more than all the other places combined. Coming from the East Coast it took me a while to get on board with In-N-Out. But comparing it with Shake Shack on a quality/price ratio and it is not close.
Rocky’s Crown Pub
Another longtime favorite of our 21+ family members. Prices have soared in recent years, but the lunchtime special is still a solid deal.
Slater’s 50/50
There are many options here but we like to go with the full beef burger over the namesake 50/50 bacon/beef combo.
Honorable Mention
These are some specialty burgers that we enjoy on a regular basis
Beef N Bun
This modest joint has been serving hamburgers and milkshakes in El Cajon since 1962. Beef N Bun always has interesting specials.
Bushfire Kitchen Brisket Burger
This is one of our favorite family restaurants. The beef patty topped with brisket is a favorite.
Canada Steak Burger
Canada Steak Burger is an extremely modest joint that reminds me of the low-cost burger places I mused to frequent in the Carolinas. The prices are great and the menu goes well beyond burgers.
Carnitas Snack Shack
The Shack Burger has received rave reviews. We have tried it a couple of times and are fans. Carnitas Snack Shack is a great place to eat right on the San Diego Harbor. However, we usually go for the awesome pork dishes.
Davanti Enoteca
This is an Italian restaurant. However, the happy hour Davanti Burger with fries is a classic. It is priced at around $11. This is more than the $8 it cost when featured in Serious Eats, but still a great deal.
Funky Fries and Burgers
Funky Fries and Burgers has two locations in El Cajon. The specialty is extreme burgers and milkshakes and of course fries, with all kinds of toppings. A typical example is the Pizza Burger which comes with pizza sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese sticks, pepperoni and sausage. For fries you can try the Philly Cheese Steak Fries which is topped with steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella and a garlic truffle aioli.
New Zealand Burgers
San Diego has several New Zealand restaurants that feature lamb burgers. They are part of the NZ Eats Family of restaurants and include Raglan Public House in Ocean Beach, Queenstown Public House in Little Italy, DunedIn New Zealand Eats in North Park and Bare Back Grill in Pacific Beach. These are expensive places, so we don’t get here too often.
Werewolf
This is in the Gaslamp right by the Convention Center. There is a wide-ranging menu of different items, but we are big fans of the Jalapeno Pineapple Burger. A great place for attendees of Comic-Con.
Places We Need to Try
These are some places that come highly recommended and are on our list to try. Let us know if there are any others we should consider.
- Burger Bench: Escondido
- The Friendly
- MishMash: Barrio Logan
- Public House: La Jolla
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