Northern California - Best Bay Area Burger?

Okay, I don't have as many as I used to, but I still have an occasional burger after a long, long ride. So, excluding traditional "fast" food, where are your favorite burgers?

In Northbay, I go Phyllis' or RGs, but I travel for burgers, :-)

Joe's Cable Car on mission and silver in SF. A little pricey though considering fries aren't included.

Nation's Giant Hamburgers ... http://www.nationsrestaurants.com/locations/index.html

Also, Clarke's Burgers, on El Camino in Mountain View (next to Washington Mutual, near Castro St.)

I'm biased...but "CATHY'S" (My wife's ) you might have to come over and try one to judge for yourself...

+1 for Clarks. CounterBurger on California in Palo Alto or in Santana Row is pretty good too.

Oscar's in Berkeley. MMMMmmmm. I don't think it's worth traveling to, but if you're in the area, check it out. Shattuck and Hearst.

I would have to say Red Robin. Yes it's a chain, but I would not put them in to "fast food" category.

Juicy Burger on Bascom just south of W San Carlos in San Jose.

Are Kirk's still in business? They used to be in Cupertino and in San Jose. Hamburgers made from ground steak, cooked to order plus all the fixins'. Check them out.

In SF, there is Bill's on Clement and 25th Ave. or Barney's on 24th St. and ??.

Are Kirk's still in business? They used to be in Cupertino and in San Jose. Hamburgers made from ground steak, cooked to order plus all the fixins'. Check them out.

Kirk's is still open in SJ. If you're like me, and don't eat too much red meat, they'll taste great that moment but will linger with you for days. :D

In the south bay it's definitely Kirk's! In the Richmond District of SF (my hood) it's Bill's Place, hands down. the Bitter End also has a pretty good burger. In the Sunset I like Beep's on Ocean near CCSF. At the ferry building, Taylor's is pretty good. If I had to have one burger in the city it would be Bill's.

C'mon...... get real....

Marin Brewing Co. .......
Bikes and bike pics everywhere....
Best beer too....

Yum Yum !!! :beer:

I eat far too many burgers than are good for me...Or not nearly enough, depending on how one thinks. :)

Some favorites,

Red Onion at the end of the El Cerrito Richmond bike path (Richmond end). Not huge burgers, but have that unmistakable old fashioned burger taste.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-onion-el-cerrito

Luka's on Broadway in Oakland. A truly sublime burger and guess what? You can have a beer too! What's not to like about a place that has Racer5 IPA on tap?
http://www.lukasoakland.com/index.htm

Taylors Refresher here in Napa and in St Helena is supposed to have some of the top rated Hamburgers in the country as well as an uber hyped Ahi burger that is supposed to be amazing as well. It would be a really fun ride to leave from Napa and go to the one in St Helena.

I lived near Joe's Cable Car in SF for the last 28 years, and found myself going less and less as the prices went up and up and lately couldn't even get my burger cooked to my spec consistently. I lived near Bill's before that, so always had something worthy nearby.

I just moved to Woodside and now looking for something on the peninsula, any input on Taxi's? Heard they were good but haven't tried yet as they're not all that close. I saw a good review on yelp for The Little Store which is close enough, but hasn't been open when I'm hungry. Alice's would be ideal as it's super close but the two I've tried there won't get me to try again.

For the brew and burger after a ride thing, Iron Springs Brewery in Fairfax does well on both counts. Marin Brewing is good, but don't usually finish a ride near there.

In-N-Out is the best for the fast food scene....mmm double double animal style....

...the burger you eat right after a long hard bike ride. Anything tastes like heaven after a good workout.

Juicy Burger on Bascom just south of W San Carlos in San Jose.

I'm spending a lot of time at Valley Med Center these days. I've driven past Juicy a bunch of times and have wondered whether it's worth stopping in. I'll put it on my list of dining alternatives since the cafeteria here at the hospital has little to offer.

Oh...and thumbs up for Clarks. I ate there on Thursday and it was one of the best burgers I've had in a while (not since my last trip to Hut's in Austin).

Darla's on Irving. I think it is between 9th and 10th, but don't quote me.

We spent a fair amount of time at UCSF for our daughter and Darla's became a quick favorite for many meals.

Try this: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/burger-of-the-gods-recipe/index.html

I usually get some ACME buns, mushrooms and onions to saute, and swiss cheese for my burgers. Takes 10-15 minutes total but completely worth it. I've never tried that particular recipe but it's a place to start :-)

Kirk's in SJ!

Red Robin's is also pretty good. I usually dislike chains, but they make a pretty good burger.

Fudruckers is a good bang for the buck burger.

Zuni's Cafe in SF has a damn good burger too...

I lived near Joe's Cable Car in SF for the last 28 years, and found myself going less and less as the prices went up and up and lately couldn't even get my burger cooked to my spec consistently. I lived near Bill's before that, so always had something worthy nearby.

I just moved to Woodside and now looking for something on the peninsula, any input on Taxi's? Heard they were good but haven't tried yet as they're not all that close. I saw a good review on yelp for The Little Store which is close enough, but hasn't been open when I'm hungry. Alice's would be ideal as it's super close but the two I've tried there won't get me to try again.

For the brew and burger after a ride thing, Iron Springs Brewery in Fairfax does well on both counts. Marin Brewing is good, but don't usually finish a ride near there.

In-N-Out is the best for the fast food scene....mmm double double animal style....

It's not a burger, but I've had a panini sandwhich from the deli in Robert's Market. Holy Mackerel was that good !!


dstrong, if you go the other way on Bascom, toward Campbell, there's a BBQ place on the left side of the road. Not sure if it's past the light at Downing, or not.

I lived near Joe's Cable Car in SF for the last 28 years, and found myself going less and less as the prices went up and up and lately couldn't even get my burger cooked to my spec consistently. I lived near Bill's before that, so always had something worthy nearby.


In-N-Out is the best for the fast food scene....mmm double double animal style....

Wow, I hadn't been to Joe's at least since before I moved to TX back in 2001! Sucks if they are going down the tubes and the prices are going through the roof!

I guess I'll have to settle for the In-N-Out burger as well! :)

First choice is Dave's Giant Burger in Fairfield. They are mom place. Used to be a pop place but pop died and mom took over. Chain wise, I have agree with Spingineer; for me it's Nation's, almost as good as Dave's. (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=35229)

if you go the other way on Bascom, toward Campbell, there's a BBQ place on the left side of the road. Not sure if it's past the light at Downing, or not.

That'd be Sam's (http://www.samsbbq.com/), just north of Downing, on the east side of Bascom at Leon Dr.

Excellent BBQ & chili, and if you're into bluegrass music, they have some of the Bay Area's best bands every Tuesday & Wednesday night (it can get quite busy). They have a burger on the menu (a 1/2-pounder!) and I'm sure it's fine, but I can never get past the BBQ offerings... :beer:

Taylors Refresher here in Napa and in St Helena is supposed to have some of the top rated Hamburgers in the country as well as an uber hyped Ahi burger that is supposed to be amazing as well. It would be a really fun ride to leave from Napa and go to the one in St Helena.

Agree 100%... whenever friends of mine visit Napa and ask where to eat, I don't hesitate to mention Taylor's Refresher.

Kirks got quite a few votes, I will have to try.

I forgot about Smokehouse in Berkeley on Telegraph.

Also forgot about Zuni, thanks for reminding me.

Is the Taylor's at Embarcadero the same as Napa, St. Helena?

Is the Taylor's at Embarcadero the same as Napa, St. Helena?

Supposed to be. They do have excellent burgers (and everything else, mmm, sweet potato fries) but are often crowded. I have never tried the Napa or St. Helena locations though.

In SF, there is Bill's on Clement and 25th Ave. or Barney's on 24th St. and ??.

+1 On the Bill's place ...
an another bump for in-n-out < love me some 3X3 burger :) >

Ooooh I totally forgot about Bill's used to go there 2-3 times a month, until quality started to decline.

Flames on 2nd, in-between Market and Mission, is pretty tasty, and expensive.

Barney's trumps all
+ those spicy curly fries they serve are the best i've had.

berkeley, albany & oakland.

----

i think i just made dinner plans.

Barney's trumps all
+ those spicy curly fries they serve are the best i've had.

berkeley, albany & oakland.

----

i think i just made dinner plans.

And San Rafael.

How far away is Chandler? Can you tell it's closing in on lunchtime as I post this?

http://www.heartattackgrill.com/realmen.html

you could always go get a 'Luther':

http://www.channel4.com/food/images/mb/Channel4/4Food/features/2007/oct/week_2/top%2010/luther_lg_01.jpg

Dutch Goose, Menlo Park, after an OLH climb.

Oscar's in Berkeley.

I haven't lived in Berkeley for 10 years, but that was always our favorite. Is the super-large oriental woman still flipping the burgers?

I just gained twenty pounds by reading this thread! :P

How far away is Chandler? Can you tell it's closing in on lunchtime as I post this?

http://www.heartattackgrill.com/realmen.html

Oh schitt! I will definitely be checking that place out next time I get to ride at South Mountain....problem will be pedaling away afterwards. Makes the In-N-Out 4x4 look like a snack!

you could always go get a 'Luther':

http://www.channel4.com/food/images/mb/Channel4/4Food/features/2007/oct/week_2/top%2010/luther_lg_01.jpg

Nah, donuts are fattening :rolleyes:

i didn't think so until i noticed the grease soaking through my screen.

:twitchy:

Moe's in SF (the one near the Zeum) is ridiculously good, and also expensive. Try the blue cheese burger :) I mean why not, right???

Kirks in South Bay is good too. Brix has the best onion rings though...