Merica! Northern Californians do a cheeseburger around here like nobody’s business. We may be known around the country for our clean eating and healthy lifestyle, but there’s something about a juicy Angus patty with melted cheese and a soft bun that just makes us want to indulge.
As burgers go, our taste buds can be subjective. So, in no random order and no particular ranking, I think you need to see the 12 burgers that made our list below.
- 900 Grayson - Berkeley
Yelp/John L.
900 Grayson US Weekly picked this spot as one of the top 25 burger joints in the US. Here’s where you’ll discover creative twists on comfort foods like grits and eggs or chicken and waffles. But, the burgers here? Yeah, they’re the star of the show.
- Val’s Hamburgers - Hayward
Tripadvisor/TravelJohnsonJ.
Yelp/Michelle W. One part diner and one part malt shop, customers have been coming to this spot for more than 55 years. Vinyl booths and a long counter take folks back to an earlier time. Those “Happy Days” vibes are what bring customers back year after year.
- Sam’s Giant Burgers - San Lorenzo
Sam’s Burgers
Sam’s Burgers This vintage burger joint has been around since the 70s. With dual drive through windows, you can even walk up to order and it’s open until 2:30am!
- The Habit Burger - Novato
Yelp/MysteryM.
The Habit Burger Grill Sure, we know this is a chain restaurant. But, even a big business deserves some props for being consistently awesome!
- Surfrider Cafe - Santa Cruz
Tripadvisor/PeterSchofield37
Facebook/Surfrider I’d like to introduce you to the “Slippin’ Jimmy Pesto Burger.” Swiss cheese, bacon, and pesto topped with a garlicky tomato bruschetta mix. (We’ll take two.)
- Cafe 152 Burger - Gilroy
Yelp/RavV.
Cafe 152 If this sensational bacon mushroom cheeseburger doesn’t bring you in, maybe their thick chocolate milkshakes will.
- Gott’s Roadside Grill - Palo Alto
Gott’s Roadside
Gott’s Roadside Well, there are actually four locations to serve us Northern Californians. Started by brothers in St. Helena, their microbrews and boutique wines are not too shabby, either.
- The Plant Cafe Organic - Burlingame
The Plant Cafe
The Plant Cafe Voted #1 by SF Weekly, this vegan burger is the pinnacle of clean eating success. A house-made burger with lentils, mushrooms, beets, cashews, and bulgar wheat served on a sourdough bun with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions and aioli. You get the picture.
- In N’Out Burger - Northern California
Tripadvisor/Superbad777
Tripadvisor/DoctorFoxtrot Okay, so we know this one is a Golden State favorite, but we just have to include it. One of the few chain burgers that we’re loyal to–and keep us coming back for more. Plus, their “secret menu” is pretty ahhhmazing.
- Nation’s Giant Hamburgers - Bay Area Locations and now in Folsom!
Yelp/Shaunda D.
Founded in 1952, this establishment is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to a juicy burger and a thick shake. Oh, and don’t forget their homemade pies. To. Die. For.
Wikipedia
- Redrum Burger - Davis
Yelp/Jason G.
Yelp/Susan L. Many people still refer to it as “Murder Burger.” Under the old name, Murder Burger was a Northern California legend established in 1986 at the Davis location. It was later changed to “Redrum Burger” after their second location in the city of Rocklin complained. That second location is no longer around.
- The Squeeze Inn - Sacrameto
Yelp/Bryan S.
Yelp/Jason G. This old favorite is the bomb dot com. Their 1/3 pound of melted cheese makes a golden skirt around an already delicious burger! Guy Fieri calls this one an “off the hook” burger. We agree!
Whether you order with pickles, without onion, or just drown yours in a gallon of ketchup, Northern California is known for some dang good food – burgers included! This meaty dozen doesn’t even come close to naming all the great burgers in our part of the state.
Yelp/John L.
900 Grayson
US Weekly picked this spot as one of the top 25 burger joints in the US. Here’s where you’ll discover creative twists on comfort foods like grits and eggs or chicken and waffles. But, the burgers here? Yeah, they’re the star of the show.
Tripadvisor/TravelJohnsonJ.
Yelp/Michelle W.
One part diner and one part malt shop, customers have been coming to this spot for more than 55 years. Vinyl booths and a long counter take folks back to an earlier time. Those “Happy Days” vibes are what bring customers back year after year.
Sam’s Burgers
This vintage burger joint has been around since the 70s. With dual drive through windows, you can even walk up to order and it’s open until 2:30am!
Yelp/MysteryM.
The Habit Burger Grill
Sure, we know this is a chain restaurant. But, even a big business deserves some props for being consistently awesome!
Tripadvisor/PeterSchofield37
Facebook/Surfrider
I’d like to introduce you to the “Slippin’ Jimmy Pesto Burger.” Swiss cheese, bacon, and pesto topped with a garlicky tomato bruschetta mix. (We’ll take two.)
Yelp/RavV.
Cafe 152
If this sensational bacon mushroom cheeseburger doesn’t bring you in, maybe their thick chocolate milkshakes will.
Gott’s Roadside
Well, there are actually four locations to serve us Northern Californians. Started by brothers in St. Helena, their microbrews and boutique wines are not too shabby, either.
The Plant Cafe
Voted #1 by SF Weekly, this vegan burger is the pinnacle of clean eating success. A house-made burger with lentils, mushrooms, beets, cashews, and bulgar wheat served on a sourdough bun with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions and aioli. You get the picture.
Tripadvisor/Superbad777
Tripadvisor/DoctorFoxtrot
Okay, so we know this one is a Golden State favorite, but we just have to include it. One of the few chain burgers that we’re loyal to–and keep us coming back for more. Plus, their “secret menu” is pretty ahhhmazing.
Yelp/Shaunda D.
Wikipedia
Yelp/Jason G.
Yelp/Susan L.
Many people still refer to it as “Murder Burger.” Under the old name, Murder Burger was a Northern California legend established in 1986 at the Davis location. It was later changed to “Redrum Burger” after their second location in the city of Rocklin complained. That second location is no longer around.
Yelp/Bryan S.
This old favorite is the bomb dot com. Their 1/3 pound of melted cheese makes a golden skirt around an already delicious burger! Guy Fieri calls this one an “off the hook” burger. We agree!
The best cheeseburgers are hardly a secret, so don’t keep yours to yourself. We want to know! Where do you go for the best cheeseburger ever?
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