There’s no better way to kick off the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day weekend than with a roundup of our favorite hamburgers in San Diego County.
For three months, five Union-Tribune reporters spread out across the county and tried burger after burger. From Tanner’s Prime Burgers in Oceanside to Burger Kook in Bonita to Hayes Burger in San Diego, here are 26 burgers to put on your culinary bucket list for summer 2026.
Editor’s note: To even the playing field a bit, we all agreed to stay within a certain price bracket — hovering around the $20 range. Some burgers were well below $20, while a couple were just slightly over. That eliminated a few offerings from higher-end restaurants, some of whom do serve up some tasty burgers.
The Hangover Burger from Annys Burger is made with potato chips, bacon, swiss and cheddar cheese, a fried egg, pickles, ketchup and mayo. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Anny’s Fine Burger
Kearny Mesa
This might be one of the messiest burgers on the list, but that’s because it’s an entire brunch between two buns. No need to order fries, as the Hangover Burger comes with a salty potato ribbon on top, adding a dramatic flair. Protein nuts can get excited about the fried egg and thick-cut bacon on top. Flavorful and fun, this burger doesn’t skimp on any ingredient and still keeps a great Angus beef flavor. All of this for $15.25. 5375 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego. annysburger.com
— Abby Hamblin
The Coach at Average Joe Burgers contains American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, red onions and a secret sauce. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Average Joes Burgers
Food truck, various locations
What started as a late-night pop-up on the corners of downtown San Diego is now a food truck serving meaty burger bliss across San Diego County. Average Joes Burgers has five burger options, with different toppings and named after professions: The Bus Driver, The Coach, The Construction Worker, The Firefighter and The Mechanic. The Coach ($14) is more of a classic burger with a five-ounce beef patty, American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, red onions and a secret sauce that hints at Thousand Island dressing. The burgers are served on soft and buttery buns. Average Joes Burgers is typically parked at 2205 E. Belt St. in Barrio Logan during the week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at various locations in the evenings and on weekends. The weekly schedule is posted on its social media account. Various locations. 619-831-9584. Instagram: @average_joes_burgers. facebook.com/p/Average-Joes-Burgers
— Carlos Rico
The classic OG Burger served at Balboa South in Chula Vista. (Jayne Yutig / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Balboa South
Chula Vista and Bankers Hill
This is your spot for an expertly grilled, fat and juicy burger served on a house-made roll. The Balboa South boasts a simple menu, with a handful of burgers, all featuring a fresh ⅓-pound beef patty. Their OG Burger is $13.65 and comes in a toasted bun with American cheese and a house-made aoli. It’s stacked so high that it’s served with a knife sticking out in the middle holding everything together. Add salt-and-pepper or garlic fries to your burger for an additional charge. Both are delicious with the zesty aioli. If you can handle the heat, ask for a side of the Chiles Toreados, which are seasoned serrano peppers blistered on the grill. 290 Third Ave., Chula Vista. (619) 349-2109; 863 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 955-8525. Instagram: @thebalboasouth
— Jayne Yutig
The Barrio Burger Especial is filled with caramelized onions, bacon jam, melted white cheddar cheese and angus beef patty on toasted bun. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Barrio Burger
Barrio Logan
Since December 2024, this women-owned diner has been making burgers with a little Mexican twist. Barrio Burger’s menu is simple, with three burger options. La Tropuda is a remix of an al pastor taco with marinated pork, grilled pineapple, guacamole, red onions and a bacon-and-cheese-wrapped serrano pepper on top. The Barrio Burger Especial ($14.75) is sweet and savory with caramelized onions, bacon jam, gooey melted white cheddar cheese and juicy angus beef patty. It’s served on a slightly flat-top toasted bun that is an excellent balance of crunch on the outside and softness on the inside. There is also a traditional cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles and red onions. Barrio Burger features an outdoor patio and indoor seating, including a diner-style counter with a view of the kitchen. 1805 Newton Ave., San Diego. 619-310-6747. Instagram: @barrioburgerofficial
— Carlos Rico
The Joint Burger from The Burger Joint in Miramar is made with a beef patty, caramelized onions, pickles, melted American cheese and joint sauce on a toasted bun. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Burger Joint
San Diego
The Joint Burger is a classic smashburger with a beef patty, caramelized onions, pickles, melted American cheese and joint sauce. Even just a single patty can hold its own against a delicious butter bun because the flavor is so nice. It has a perfect balance of ingredients. The single, available for $9.69, keeps it on the affordable end of the spectrum, but diners can also order double- or triple-patty options and add mushrooms. The Burger Joint also has a halal menu with multiple burger options. 7094 Miramar Road, No. 122, San Diego. Instagram: @theburgerjointsd
— Abby Hamblin
Tucked in a residential street in Bonita is a house turned burger joint, the Burger Kook, dishing out patties made with a blend of filet mignon, ribeye, and top sirloin. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Burger Kook
Bonita
Tucked in a residential street in Bonita is a house-turned-burger joint, dishing out patties made with a blend of filet mignon, rib eye and top sirloin. One of Burger Kook’s top sellers is the Bacon Burger ($17.50) with melted American cheese, sweet caramelized onion, a savory secret sauce, thin and soft buns, crispy and salty bacon, and a juicy and tender meat patty. This burger is messy, but the flavors hold up and taste like a meal from a five-star restaurant. Burger Kook doubles as the home of Chef Pennywise and his family. The garage and part of the home have been converted into a kitchen and walk-up eatery that also serves various milkshakes, beer-cheese fries and chicken sandwiches. There is communal seating in the driveway and a small children’s play area in the front yard. 5114 Central Ave., Bonita. 866-274-5665. Instagram: @burgerkook. burgerkook.com
— Carlos Rico
This 8-ounce steak burger with bacon is served at Canada Steak Burger in Chula Vista. (Jayne Yutig / The San Diego Union Tribune)
Canada Steak Burger
Chula Vista and San Diego
With a local legacy spanning four decades, this family-owned shop serves up deliciously charbroiled steakburgers that start at $10.99. The combination of the flame-grilled beef, sesame bun and traditional toppings will make you feel like you’re eating a home-cooked meal. This isn’t the place for a thin smashburger. Instead, its specialty is fresh beef patties ranging from 4 to 8 ounces, grilled to perfection. Be sure to try the fries, which come topped with a signature savory seasoning. This backyard-style burger is the definition of comfort food. 409 Telegraph Canyon Road, Chula Vista. 619-420-1300; 3604 University Ave., San Diego. 619-283-4345. Instagram: @canadasteakburger
— Jayne Yutig
The Burger at Copper King Burgers in North County has two 3-ounce smash-style beef patties on a house-baked bun with house-made American cheese, fried onions, pickles and Copper sauce. (Pam Kragen / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Copper Kings Burgers
San Marcos
Named after the pioneering Irish and American copper mine workers in 1800s Montana, this 5-year-old business was started by Irishman Dermot Owens and American Jonathan Petr, who launched their smashburger pop-up in 2020 after losing their local bar jobs when the pandemic hit. Their signature is The Burger, with two house-ground 3-ounce beef patties served on a house-baked Japanese milk bun with house-made American cheese, fried onions, pickles and house copper sauce (mayo, mustard, onions, Worcestershire sauce and spices). At $13.50, the burger is pricey for just six ounces of beef, but everything’s made from scratch and it’s well-seasoned and tasty. Add a big side of batter-dipped farmhand fries for just $6. 925 W. San Marcos Blvd., Suite B, San Marcos; (second location opening later this spring: 3838 Oceanside Drive, Suite 411, Oceanside). Instagram: @copperkingsburgers. copperkingsburgers.com
— Pam Kragen
The Signature Burger, with a 6-ounce Angus beef patty and American cheese, at Crazee Burger in North Park. (Pam Kragen / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Crazee Burger
North Park
At this casual, 20-year-old spot, diners can order burgers made with buffalo, alligator, elk, camel, ostrich and buffalo meat. But the tasty Signature Burger, made with 6 ounces of well-done and well-salted Angus beef on a tall toasted bun, is the top-seller. The burger is $11, or $12.50 with a choice of American, cheddar, Swiss or pepper jack cheese. It comes with leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes and red onions. There’s no mayo or house sauce, but bottles of ketchup, mustard and hot sauce are available tableside. Tip: Get the Crazee Fries, which are battered, fried extra crisp and sprinkled with salt and Parmesan cheese. 3993 30th St., San Diego. 619-282-6044, crazeeburger.com
— Pam Kragen
The Double Onion Burger at Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burger in La Mesa. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Duke’s Old Fashioned Onion Burgers
La Mesa
It’s no wonder there’s always a long line at Duke’s in La Mesa: Simply said, the burgers are good. It’s the brainchild of Frank Schulz, who grew up in San Diego and attended Patrick Henry High School before heading to Tulsa, Okla., for college. There, he discovered Oklahoma-style burgers: patties cooked with onions. Lots of it. Schulz loved it so much that when he moved back to San Diego, he started cooking his burgers Oklahoma-style for family and friends. And the rest, as they say, is history. The $14.44 Single Onion Burger sounds simple enough, but the mixture of the onions and beef creates an extremely flavorful burger. Order it the Duke’s Way, and it’ll come with cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and pickles. Toss in jalapeños, and you’ve got yourself a party. A side of fries is $5.95 and quite plentiful. 5020 Baltimore Drive, La Mesa. Instagram: @dukesonionburgers 619-439-6177. dukesoldfashionedonionburgers.com
— Michael James Rocha
The Flamin’ Smash at Farm to Smash. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Farm to Smash
Point Loma and Escondido
This simple-looking restaurant is serving up simple smashburgers with only the best ingredients. You can see the chef freshly grind their beef, which is hormone-free, 100% free-range and grass-fed. They don’t use seed oils and cook their crispy fries in beef tallow. The thin, caramelized smashburgers start at $8.95 for a single and can be topped with grilled onions, jalapeños, plus your choice of three different spreads: classic, chipotle or garlic. 3555 Rosecrans St., No. 109, San Diego; 1604 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. (619) 413-0299. Instagram: @farmtosmash
— Jayne Yutig
The Double Wide BBQ Burger at Grand Ole BBQ. Served with fries, this smash burger ups the ante with a topping of chopped brisket, sweet barbecue sauce and red onions. (Michael James Rocha / Union-Tribune)
Grand Ole BBQ
El Cajon
Located in the Flinn Springs neighborhood of El Cajon, Grand Ole BBQ is all about the meat. This East County hangout — self-billed as “real and authentic central Texas BBQ” — is not shy when it comes to its proteins. The Double Wide BBQ Burger has all the elements you’ve come to expect from a barbecue place: cooked-to-perfection beef — tender, smoky with just the right amount of sauce. This $18 burger, served with fries, takes the Grand Ole BBQ smash burger and ups the ante with a topping of chopped brisket, sweet barbecue sauce and red onions. There’s a reason this popular barbecue joint, which has a sister restaurant in North Park, has fans near and far, including the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with Guy Fieri, who visited the restaurant in 2019. 15505 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon. Instagram: @grandolebbqflinnsprings 619-312-0714. grandolebbq.com
— Michael James Rocha
The Smashburger at the Hamburger Factory in Poway: two 1/4-pound patties smashed and seared, with American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato nd awesome sauce. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Hamburger Factory
Poway
When you have the word “hamburger” in your name, you’d better deliver. Thankfully, the Hamburger Factory in Poway does exactly that. Located in Old Poway Park, the Hamburger Factory has a big menu, with hamburgers getting top billing. There are 11 burgers on the menu. You’ll find everything from the basic burger, called Lariat Burger ($17.50), to the crowd favorite Maple Bourbon BBQ Burger ($18), which has gouda cheese, bacon, grilled onions, jalapeños and a bourbon glaze. We tried the Smashburger: two ¼-pound patties smashed, seared and then topped with cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato and the Thousand Island-like “awesome sauce.” The burger was flavorful, just the right size and tucked in between a delectable brioche bun. It’s $18, and comes with a choice of seasoned fries, tater tots, potato salad or homemade chips and dip. 14122 Midland Road, Poway. Instagram: hamburgerfactorypoway. 858-486-4575. hamburgerfactory.com
— Michael James Rocha
The Harland Smash Burger features two smashed beef patties tucked in between a delicious brioche bun. It comes with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato and the house special sauce. (Michael James Rocha / Union-Tribune)
Harland Brewing Co.
4S Ranch, Scripps Ranch and South Park
At its newest location in 4S Ranch, Harland Brewing Co. is serving its signature burger, the Harland Smash Burger. The $18 sandwich features two smashed beef patties tucked in between a delicious brioche bun. It comes with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato and the house special sauce. The caramelized onions take the burger to a more heavenly level, if we’re being honest. For a side, you can choose between house-made fries or salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette. Live a little, and choose the fries. 16480 Paseo Del Sur, No. 105, San Diego. 858-397-7910. harlandbeer.com
— Michael James Rocha
The regular hamburger from Hayes Burger in Barrio Logan is made with an Angus chuck patty, lettuce, a Roma tomato, grilled onions and house 1000 Island dressing on a brioche bun. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Hayes Burger
Barrio Logan and Normal Heights
Eating at Hayes Burger means eating in the heart of the city, especially at the Barrio Logan location where visitors can sit at outdoor tables with a view of Chicano Park. The no-frills menu offers an opportunity to choose your own adventure, starting with a smashed Angus chuck patty with a strong meaty flavor. And it only gets better the more you pile on, including multiple patties and slices of American cheese, but especially with chopped chile or spicy ketchup. These burgers are precise, easy to eat and start at $10.50. 3460 Adams Ave., San Diego; 2060 Logan Ave., San Diego. hayesburger.com
— Abby Hamblin
The “El Jefe” at Jeff’s Beach Burgers in La Jolla. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Jeff’s Beach Burgers
La Jolla
The restaurant’s two owners are carrying on a La Jolla shores tradition that was started in 1974 by the original Jeff: burgers by the beach. Burgers start at $8.95, but at $12.95, the double cheese and double patty burger called “El Jefe” is what you need to try. The juicy double cheeseburger features a soft bun, sweet and savory diced grilled onions and a signature burger sauce. Don’t forget to add on crispy curly fries and ask for a side of burger sauce for dipping. 2134 Avenida De La Playa, San Diego. (888) 535-2227. Instagram: @jeffsbeachburgers. jeffsbeachburgers.com
— Jayne Yutig
The Wild Style Burger at The Lion’s Share is made with a Waygu blend patty, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, boar bacon jam, crispy shallots and barbecue sauce. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Lion’s Share
Downtown
Here’s another burger on the fancier and pricier side, but it’s a happy hour staple at The Lion’s Share. It’s served as part of a “burger and beer” deal for $16. But this one really hits a high note when it’s ordered “wild style” with boar bacon jam, crispy shallots and TLS barbecue sauce. It’s tall and messy but makes for a very pleasant, and almost sweet, combination of flavors. The Lion’s Share is known for its unique meat offerings — frog legs or elk chops, anyone? — so it’s no surprise this burger is an adventure. 629 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. lionssharesd.com
— Abby Hamblin
The Original Nessy Burger from Nessy Burgers in Fallbrook includes a half-pound beef patty on a toasted 5-inch bun with fresh onions, tomatoes, lettuce and house sauce. (Pam Kragen / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Nessy Burgers
Fallbrook
Founded in 1989, this family-owned roadside stand offers one of the county’s tastiest — and best value — burgers. Its Original Nessy Burger, priced at $12.95, features a half-pound patty of fresh-ground beef mixed with Worcestershire sauce, dried onions and spices, then grilled to order and served on a 5-inch toasted sesame seed bun with American cheese, fresh onion and tomato slices, iceberg lettuce and Nessy sauce — a house-made twist on Thousand Island dressing. It’s worth the drive. 3235 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook. nessyburgers.com
— Pam Kragen
The Wagyu Smashburger at Queenstown Village in La Jolla — two wagyu smashed patties topped with American cheese, pickles, Thousand Island dressing and fried habañero onions. (Michael James Rocha / Union-Tribune)
Queenstown Village
La Jolla
Part of a family of New Zealand-style restaurants, Queenstown Village in the heart of downtown La Jolla has enough items on its menu to keep you coming back for more. The Wagyu Smashburger is a favorite. Here’s why: two wagyu smashed patties topped with American cheese, pickles, Thousand Island dressing and — are you ready for this? — fried habañero onions. This burger is definitely a flavor bomb. It’s $19, and for another $7, you can get a side of fries. 1044 Wall St., La Jolla. Instagram: @queenstownvillage. 858-667-7925. q-town.com
— Michael James Rocha
The Rare Society Signature Burger from Rare Society in University Heights is made with a Wagyu beef patty, boschetto al tartufo cheese, onion marmalade, truffle aioli and a brioche bun. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Rare Society
University Heights and Solana Beach
Rare Society’s signature burger is only on the happy hour menu, but it’s worth the extra effort if you’re free between 5 and 6 p.m. It’s made with a wood-grilled wagyu patty, and the taste and perfect char on the burger alone are worth the $21 splurge. But it’s also topped with a boschetta al tartufo cheese, onion marmalade and truffle aioli, making for an incredible combination of textures. Yes, this burger is on the fancy side, but it’s one of the best fancy burgers out there. And it comes with a side of fries. 4130 Park Blvd., San Diego; 330 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. raresociety.com
— Abby Hamblin
The old-fashioned 1/3-pound cheeseburger at Rocky’s Crown Pub on Mission Bay in San Diego. (Pam Kragen / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Rocky’s Crown Pub
Mission Bay
Open since 1977, this neighborhood sports bar across the bay from Mission Beach is famous for its tasty, no-frills, backyard-style burgers, which are grilled to order and served on a toasted bun with sliced tomatoes and red onions, leaf lettuce and mayo with pickles on the side. The price is $10.25 for a 1/3-pound burger (a good size for most diners) or $12.25 for a half-pounder. Add a slice of cheese for 25 cents. Burgers are cooked to order, so expect a 10- to 20-minute wait, depending on how busy they are. For most of its history, Rocky’s was a cash-only bar, but it recently began accepting credit cards (card-users will pay a 3 percent convenience surcharge). On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., check out the lunch special, which includes a 1/3-pound cheeseburger, fries and soda or pint of select beer for $21, plus tax. 3786 Ingraham St., San Diego. 858-273-9140. rockyburgers.com
— Pam Kragen
The double-decker Rosie Mac Burger at Rosemarie’s Burgers in Mission Beach. The company will open a second location in Ocean Beach this fall. (Pam Kragen – U-T)
Rosemarie’s Buns & Brews
Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Encinitas
Chef Nick Balsamo’s three-store burger chain sells only sliders (wagyu beef, chicken thigh, shrimp or eggplant). The top-seller is the juicy and flavorful RosieMac, featuring a ¼-pound wagyu beef patty on a Turano Bakery brioche bun with onion confit, American cheese, Kewpie mayo and house sauce. It’s $8.50. (Add a second patty for $14 total.) 3852 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; 1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ocean Beach; 608 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas. rosemariesburgers.com
— Pam Kragen
The Gud Burger at Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill
Spring Valley
A purple bun on a burger might put off some, but they would be missing out on a savory-and-sweet meal. Tambayan Filipino BBQ & Grill is serving The Gud Burger, a double American wagyu smashburger on a sweet and fluffy house-made ube milk bun. The meat is cooked medium and is soft and juicy. The sweet chili aioli sauce gives the burger a slightly tangy heat to it, the pickled red onion and butter pickles offer crunch and texture, and the white American cheese adds gooeyness. It’s $15. 8300 Paradise Valley Road, No. 110, Spring Valley. 619-512-1700. Instagram: @tambayansd. tambayansd.com
— Carlos Rico
The signature Prime Burger at Tanner’s Prime Burgers in Oceanside includes a third-pound patty on a brioche bun topped with cowboy beef bacon, caramelized onions, New School American Cheese, Tanner’s sauce, leaf lettuce, tomato and onion slices and a cascabella pepper. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tanner’s Prime Burgers
Oceanside
Michelin-trained chef Brandon Rodgers (The French Laundry, Benu) and Brandt Beef owner Eric Brandt opened this fancy burger stand in 2024. It picked up a coveted Michelin Guide recommendation in 2025. Rodgers’ delicious smashburgers are made with 100 percent Prime Brandt beef. The signature Prime Burger, priced at $10.95, includes a third-pound patty on a brioche bun topped with cowboy beef bacon, caramelized onions, New School American Cheese, Tanner’s sauce, leaf lettuce, tomato and onion slices and a cascabella pepper. Add a second patty for $4 extra. 510 Vista Way, Suite 101, Oceanside. Instagram: @tannersprimeburgers. tannersprimeburgers.com
— Pam Kragen
The dry-aged burger from The Wise Ox contains bacon, Havarti, house pickles, mayo and mustard. (Carlos Rico / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Wise Ox
North Park and Carlsbad
For those who like their burger well-done, where the bun is the unsung hero, try The Wise Ox. This butcher shop with a smoker out front sells a dry-aged burger whose beef patty is crispy on the edges and tender in the middle. The $13.99 burger features thick slices of bacon, pickles for acidity, a tangy Havarti cheese and a loaded combo of creamy mayo and mustard. The large bun holds the patty together from falling apart and is soft, fluffy and buttery, like a croissant. 2855 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. 619-64-8976; 7750 El Camino Real, Suite P, Carlsbad. 760-477-0377. Instagram: @thewiseoxsd. thewiseoxsd.com
— Carlos Rico
858 Burger located in La Jolla serves up its namesake “858 Burger” with grilled onions and a bacon jam. (Jayne Yutig / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
858 Burger
La Jolla
Located on La Jolla’s Pearl Street and Fay Avenue, this is your spot for a very special smashburger. The classics start at $11 with all of the toppings of your choice, including jalapeños. The standout on the menu is the namesake “858 Burger.” Its patty has crispy, lacy edges and is topped with sliced grilled onions, bacon jam and an unforgettable umami sauce. Sides range from “Dirty Fries” to onion rings. If you love to dip, don’t forget to order one of each of the signature sauces. 615 Pearl St., San Diego. (858) 732-0034. Instagram: @858burger. 858burger.com
— Jayne Yutig