1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ocean Beach; 2852 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; 608 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas.<\/p>\n
619-228-9891; rosemariesburgers.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nothing flatters a quarter-pound Wagyu beef patty more than Kewpie mayo, the Japanese condiment that has people ditching their Hellman\u2019s. Rosemarie\u2019s started as a mobile food truck and has expanded to three brick-and-mortar locations. Each offers a variety of sliders ranging from soft-shell crab and eggplant to a few chicken choices. Yet it is the chubby sliders made with never-frozen Wagyu and adorned with the special mayo that merit blue ribbons, especially the \u201cLittle Sal,\u201d which is gussied up with arugula, onion confit and sweetish bacon-whiskey sauce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Burger Kook in Bonita<\/strong><\/p>\n 5114 Central Ave., Bonita.<\/p>\n 866-274-5665; burgerkook.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save the ground beef for another day and be prepared to dine in the front yard of a residential home. The burgers at Burger Kook are made with a luxurious combination of filet mignon, rib eye and top sirloin. They are grilled along with other fare by a married couple who operate their unconventional \u201crestaurant\u201d under a San Diego County Microenterprise Home Kitchen permit. The duo refers to their burgers as being \u201cthe world\u2019s second best.\u201d Return customers insist they are being modest.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Lefty\u2019s Chicago Pizzeria<\/strong><\/p>\n 4030 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills., 619-299-4030; 3448 30th St., North Park, 619-299-4030; leftyspizza.com.<\/p>\n Surprise! Few would guess that a Chicago-style pizzeria famous for its deep-dish pies also happens to flip one of the best char-grilled burgers in town. Lefty\u2019s rises to the occasion with a half-pound beef patty stamped with the classic flavor of a burger served from a flaming backyard grill. If you\u2019re feeling gluttonous and have your cholesterol under control, look no further than the \u201cHefty Lefty Double\u201d with cheese.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cali \u201cO\u201d Burgers<\/strong><\/p>\n 1290 University Ave., Hillcrest.<\/p>\n 619-692-9999; calioburgers.com.<\/p>\n Elk burgers at this quaint retro-style diner are a big deal not only because of their obscurity, but due to their lean, flavorful quality. The \u201cElk Grove\u201d is adorned with grilled onions, zesty remoulade and a fried egg for added richness. Beef, turkey, bison and veggie burgers are also available, any of which come with the option of being griddled or flame-grilled.<\/p>\n Raglan Public House<\/strong><\/p>\n 1581 Bacon St., Ocean Beach.<\/p>\n 619-794-2304; raglanpublichouse.com.<\/p>\n Based on Raglan\u2019s luscious lamb burger with mint jelly and blue cheese, and its organic beef burger mantled in buttery Edam cheese, we\u2019re placing bets that the chef\u2019s May burger will go down as one of the kitchen\u2019s top-selling trophies. It is called the \u201ctruffle Munster,\u201d which uses an onion bun to capture a Wagyu beef patty, sauteed \u2018shrooms, pancetta, arugula and melty Munster cheese. Hiding within is a dribble of truffle oil for good measure.<\/p>\n Juicy Burgers<\/strong><\/p>\n 2810 El Cajon Blvd., North Park.<\/p>\n 619-225-7648; juicyburgers.net.<\/p>\n Launched in Santee during the late \u201970s, Juicy Burgers expanded to several locations across the county until the Covid pandemic brought them all to a close. But the brand re-emerged in North Park, where the burger patties are substantial in size and made to order from a menu that offers lots of customized options. We took great satisfaction in a flat-grilled beauty topped with a preference of only red onions and Swiss cheese. The menu also extends to signature creations such as the \u201cAvocado Smash Burger\u201d as well as double and triple-stacked burgers.<\/p>\n Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill<\/strong><\/p>\n 7510 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley.<\/p>\n 619-764-4411; woodranch.com.<\/p>\n Imagine a burger that tastes part smoked and part wood-fired. The untypical combination of flavors distinguish Wood Ranch\u2019s burgers from all others, especially if you request your burger cooked medium-well (gasp!). That extra time on the grill intensifies the char and infuses a little extra smokiness into the meat from white oak, which is the signature fuel source used at this spacious West Coast chain. So if you\u2019re tired of ubiquitous, greasy smash burgers, you\u2019ve come to the right place.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado<\/strong><\/p>\n 3302 32nd St., North Park<\/p>\n 619-720-2211; grandolebbq.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n People flock here for the ribs, brisket and Texas hot links, but lucky are those who discover the hefty \u201cGOB smash burger.\u201d The construct features two smash-style beef patties loaded with two slices of American cheese, grilled and raw onions, pickles, mayo, mustard and ketchup. For an added flourish of smokiness, the \u201cdouble wide bbq burger\u201d delivers with its decadent topping of smoked brisket and sweet barbecue sauce.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cali-O-Elk-burger-with-egg-1024x749.jpg\")
<\/a>The elk burger with egg at Cali \u201cO\u201d Burgers in Hillcrest (Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Wood-Ranch-Grill-burger-May-2026.jpg\")
<\/a>Wood Ranch Grill grills consistently flavorful burgers. (Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mr-Charlies-Mr-Chuck-burger-in-Pacific-Beach.jpg\")
<\/a>The \u2018Mr. Chuck\u2019 at Mr. Charlie\u2019s is a vegan knockoff of a McDonald\u2019s Big Mac. (Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Feast-and-Fareway-burger-the-classic-from-Feast-and-Fareway.jpg\")
<\/a>The classic cheeseburger at Feast and Fareway (Photo by Feast & Fareway)<\/p>\n