Sadly, there is no such thing as the “perfect burger.” It’s too subjective. On one hand, there are the traditionalists looking for that juicy, cheesy ’50s-diner-style burger with crispy fries and a milkshake (and possibly a jukebox). On the other end, there’s the new generation of connoisseurs and gastronomes looking for the reimagined, deconstructed, reinvented burger on a bun (or not) that makes use of a master chef’s skills with sauces, seasonings and cooking styles. Most of us are somewhere in between. The only hope is that you live in a place with enough options in styles, toppings, proteins, produce and plant-based patties that you can find the perfect burger for you. Fortunately, the South Bay is such a place.
Feature Photo: Konjoe Burger Bar
In and Around the Peninsula
1190 California Drive, Burlingame
650.347.3061
As commuter trains rush by, diners at Maverick Jacks — a lively Burlingame neighborhood restaurant adjacent to the Caltrain tracks — dig into a variety of tasty burger combos made with all-natural Painted Hills beef. The Beermeister, for example, is topped with Jack cheese, sautéed mushrooms, deep-fried pickles, iceberg lettuce and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Mustard, while the Monterey Express features Monterey Jack cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes and roasted garlic aioli. There are plenty of accompaniment options as well: French fries (classic, sweet potato and parmesan garlic); tater tots; onion rings; and those addictive beer-battered fried pickles. A selection of salads, sandwiches, an Impossible Burger and even a kids’ menu ensure everyone at the table is well fed.
Multiple locations: San Mateo, San Carlos
650.458.3044; 650.598.9813
Although it may be best known for pastrami, The Refuge also makes a mighty fine burger, and you can experience both specialties if you order the pastrami burger: a beef burger, sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing. Or, try the brie burger smothered in brie cheese with mushrooms, tomatoes, oregano and aioli. Add a side of garlicky, cheesy, pastrami-covered “goofy fries” or house-brined pickled veggies and accompany your meal with a beer from the restaurant’s extensive selection of Belgians on draft — the largest in the Bay Area.
There’s a reason Gott’s Roadside has expanded to so many Bay Area locations, including Palo Alto: The California-inspired fare, crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients is darn good — especially the burgers, which come in a variety of combos. You can’t go wrong with the California burger, topped with Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel cheese, a fried egg, bacon, arugula and balsamic onions, but equally tempting are the kimchi burger and the green chile burger. Gott’s makes substitutions easy, too — swap the beef patty for a veggie patty or Impossible Burger patty, request a burger or sandwich with a lettuce wrap or swap the egg burger bun for a gluten-free bun. The tempting selection of soups, salads, tacos and sides are hard to resist, as are the organic shakes, and a menu of California-centric beer and wine is also available.
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
650.326.6159
This casual counter-service cafe in Palo Alto’s Town and Country Village is a popular lunch spot that is all about the burger. Patties come in ⅓ pound and ½ pound (the latter is more a rectangular slab on a roll), either of which can be dressed from a long list of premium toppings and sauces. Or you can just pick one of the specialty burgers, including the avocado-bacon burger or the Pineapple Express. Either way, save space on the plate for one of the 10 varieties of fries and rings, from Garlic Parm to Cajun Ranch. Tip: Take twice as many napkins as you think you’ll need.
In and Around Silicon Valley
397 E. Campbell Avenue, Campbell
408.340.5916
Specializing in 100 percent grass-fed beef burgers with twists that are as creative and mysterious as the burger names on the menu. While the BCBC is your standard bacon, avocado and cheese burger, more adventurous diners can order the Angry Goat Cheese Burger (BCBC’s Angry Goat Cheese, sautéed jalapenos), the Psychedelic Goat Cheese Burger (truffle and mushroom goat cheese and chives), the Lady Marmalade (bacon marmalade on melted swiss cheese), and the Bleu Popeye Burger (sautéed spinach with red onions and bleu cheese). brownchicken-browncow.com
The owners at Main Street decided that burgers don’t have to be rocket science, and that all you really need is a juicy patty, melty cheese, fresh produce and a well-toasted brioche bun. That said, the menu offers a few creative twists, including the Caprese Burger with tomato, mozzarella, pesto aioli, balsamic glaze and fresh basil, and there are five vegan burgers and bowls using plant-based ingredients.
3555 Monroe Street, Suite 75, Santa Clara
408.642.1165
The only thing better than a local burger bar with really high standards for quality and sustainability is that the place was started by a local guy. Joey Camacho, who graduated from Santa Clara University, says he aims to “set a new standard for quick-service restaurants” by using local ingredients — except, possibly, the milkshakes made with Italian gelato. The menu is divided between the more straightforward grass-fed beef burgers and the specialty burgers, which feature flavors ranging from shiitake mushrooms and sesame mayo to cucumber kimchi and Konjoe sauce, which has been called a cross between Thousand Island and Kewpie-style mayo.
510 Lawrence Expy., Sunnyvale
408.738.8515
This casual, friendly bar and grill has been a staple in Silicon Valley for more than 40 years and seems to pride itself on being a place for no-frills comfort food and atmosphere. Most of the menu is standard sports-bar fare, but St. John’s shines when it comes to sandwiches, including Char-broiled chicken sandwiches, Philly Cheesesteak and, of course, burgers. Highlights include the Bleu Bacon Burgers and the Cajun Burger, but guests who are up for a challenge go for the Big Daddy, three patties and three slices of cheese, about a pound of beef.
Fans of SoCal-based The Stand can now dine at the recently opened Santa Clara, location — the first for the rapidly expanding fast-casual chain in the Bay Area. Choose a burger combo from the menu, including Big Blue with blue cheese, grilled onions, tomato, arugula and barbecue sauce or design your own from an extensive list of toppings. Adding to the flexibility, any burger can be beef, turkey, chicken or veggie, and options for buns include a lettuce wrap, gluten-free bun and pretzel bun. Beyond the burgers, The Stand also serves up a selection of “Standwiches,” wraps, salads, hot dogs, sides and desserts, as well as craft beer and wine, and there’s a kids menu, too.
In and Around San Jose
108 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
With just six items on its menu and nothing over $4.99, it’s no surprise that San Jose’s Campus Burgers has stayed busy. The $1.99 basic smashburger paired with Campus Burgers’ midnight closing time is a late night snack match made in heaven — especially given that the San Jose State University library is just a short walk away from the burger joint.
1645 W San Carlos Street, San Jose
408.298.4340
Well known locally for no-frills, straightforward burgers with good fries, shakes and plenty of options for toppings and upgrades. Probably the most noticeable difference is the menu, which includes what one Yelp reviewer referred to as “exotic proteins” — along with beef, you can order burgers made from bison, elk, ostrich, salmon, turkey and wild boar. For good measure there’s a Garden Burger on the menu, although it’s a safe bet that vegans are not a big demographic for this place.
In and Around the Coast
3068 N Cabrillo Hwy, Half Moon Bay
650.560.8363
Fresh, local ingredients keep fans coming back to this casual eatery with plenty of outdoor seating on Highway 1 time and again, especially for the burgers made from Pomponio Ranch grass-fed beef from San Gregorio. The Hot Farmer, featuring white cheddar cheese, fried onion rings, tomatoes, arugula and house-made buttermilk dressing, is a winner to be sure (add house-pickled jalapeños and sriracha aioli for a spicy kick), but meat-free “The Pretender,” a patty made with farro, mushrooms, garlic, flax and parmesan, is also mighty fine, especially when you add the tart and earthy pickled beets. Accompany your burger with hand-cut fries, one of the seasonal Farm-to-Barn special salads, and a glass of local beer or wine.
Who’s writing these?
Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
