{"id":29071,"date":"2025-10-29T20:08:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/29071\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T20:08:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:08:08","slug":"highly-opinionated-the-best-veggie-burgers-in-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/29071\/","title":{"rendered":"Highly Opinionated: The Best Veggie Burgers in San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

In San Francisco, there are so many excellent veggie burgers that there\u2019s bound to be a great purging of frozen Boca pucks any day now. Classics in the city \u2014 true institutions like Bourdain\u2019s favorite Sam\u2019s<\/a>, expanding<\/a> newbies like the Hamburger Project<\/a>, and labor-inducing<\/a> mystics like the sandwich at Spruce<\/a> \u2014 generally don\u2019t care to cater to non-carnivores. But the ones that have alternatives make a compelling case for leafy cheeseburgers.<\/p>\n

Many of the top vegan sandwiches in the Bay Area are outside the 48 hills. Toriano Gordon\u2019s Vegan Mob<\/a> is a powerhouse of combo plates, mac and cheese, and burgers from Vallejo to San Bruno. Oakland\u2019s newcomer Hyphy Burger<\/a> is a head-turner<\/a>, the black bean patty blanketed in bright yellow cheese not to be forgotten. Let\u2019s not even get into my raw, primal love of soon-to-be food truck Malibu\u2019s<\/a>. I\u2019d weep.<\/p>\n

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Roam Burger\u2019s vegan burger is a saucy delight. Paolo Bicchieri<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get it twisted: There\u2019s a rubric. The burger has to be well-composed like any meaty bedfellow. That means crisp lettuce, a splashy and firm tomato, plus whatever other topping may be applicable, done to the most outstanding quality. The patty, the main character, can\u2019t be just an Impossible patty slid in, presto chango; if not adjusted for flavor, it can be bit metallic. Nor can the patty be crumbly, mealy, or cloying. A smart burger-aiolo makes their own handiwork, with dialed-in black beans (or other malleable legume) and veg, though more than a handful of these selects make the Impossible patty work.<\/p>\n

Why you should trust me: Much to the chagrin of some readers, not every single one of my meals is an opulent Mughal Empire-esque spread of fine food. In fact, I\u2019ve eaten quite simply since 2016 \u2014 and strictly vegan at home for almost 10 years, indulging in what I call \u201cfreeganism\u201d once out and about. Unlike the dumpster diving version of that term, my version means that if a friend or family member makes me non-vegan food, I\u2019ll dig in. Further, once going in-house at Eater, I began eating whole hog at restaurants, though my preference is still to err on the leafy side of life. I\u2019m an old head on the plant-based burger front at this point \u2014 we\u2019re familiar frenemies. Note that, while some of these burgers fit the definition of vegan, a few due include dairy and other non-vegan ingredients.<\/p>\n

For the bougie bites: Roam<\/p>\n

Few burgers in the Bay come standard with Umaro\u2019s Berkeley-based seaweed bacon and Violife\u2019s dairy-free cheddar. Marin County-raised Joshua Spiegelman\u2019s upscale fast-food spot has one of the most impressive homemade patties in the scene. It\u2019s comprised of quinoa, black beans, brown rice, and dates, amongst other things, making it a high scorer in my personal categories. At $15, it\u2019s also not much more expensive than its competition. This restaurant\u2019s veggie patty can be subbed into other sandwiches, too \u2014 a rarity. Roam Burgers<\/a> (1923 Fillmore Street)<\/p>\n

For the trend-chaser: Smish Smash<\/p>\n

No one reading this needs a smash burger intro. For those looking to keep it crispy and thin, this recent Saluhall addition<\/a> is a must. There\u2019s a real meatiness to the smash burger that\u2019s tough to oversell: The onions reduce atomically, the meat nearly dematerializing into all crispy edges, making for an oily, beefy delight that\u2019s eaten as quickly as the magicians behind the grill can make it. Such unrefined joy can be made vegetarian with an Impossible patty for just $1 extra, and most of the burgers go for under $13. Keep it cheap and powerful with the Reggie Miller, a cheeseburger through and through for $11 total. Smish Smash<\/a> (945 Market Street)<\/p>\n

For the late-night: Om Sabor<\/p>\n

Chefs Dhanistha Rivera and Luis Flores\u2019s restaurant tucked inside Hayes Valley\u2019s Phonobar<\/a> is famous for diners routinely yelping, \u201cThis is vegan!?\u201d like paid extras in a margarine commercial. Same goes for its burger: a $10 medley of Impossible meat, roasted onions and peppers, salsa macha aioli, and pickled red onions on a pretzel bun. Sized appropriately, the Impossible is paired with enough flavor to keep that metallic edge at bay. Plus, the kitchen stays open until 10 p.m. For this level of quality, and in an area not known for nightlife, that\u2019s pretty late! Om Sabor<\/a> (370 Grove Street)<\/p>\n

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The Impossible Gruyere and onion burger at Gott\u2019s. Gott\u2019s<\/p>\n

\u2022 Aiso: The newest in the game is this all-vegan bar and restaurant that took over the longtime Lark location on 18th Street. Here, it\u2019s the jerk slider, a tiny construction of Impossible patty, miso mayo, and pineapple slaw. Aiso<\/a>, 4068 18th Street<\/p>\n

\u2022 Gott\u2019s: Gott\u2019s is the new classic. I recommend going with the veggie patty over the Impossible, as you get less of that cloyingness that Impossible can impart, and it\u2019s a cost-free swap. Try it on the Gruyere and caramelized onion burger if you know what\u2019s good for ya. Gott\u2019s Roadside<\/a>, 1 Ferry Building #6<\/p>\n

\u2022 Greens: It doesn\u2019t get much more classic than one of the city\u2019s oldest, finest riffs. This one comes in at $22 and is the most expensive of my long-list picks. That said, the lentil mushroom patty and avocado crema also make it one of the most iconic in the city. Greens<\/a>, 2 Marina Boulevard<\/p>\n

\u2022 Native Burger: This unfussy Geary Boulevard burger spot offers a straight-up Impossible patty with crisp lettuce and juicy tomato. To be clear, this is a straight-hamburger \u2014 no cheese in sight. Native Burger<\/a>, 3420 Geary Boulevard<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rad Radish: There are rotating specials at this relative newcomer Hayes Valley restaurant from the Back of House group. Try the Le Rad Royale Burger for $16 \u2014 crowned with vegan provolone \u2014 while you can. Rad Radish<\/a>, 301 Hayes Street<\/p>\n

\u2022 Whiz Burger: Like Beep\u2019s<\/a> on Ocean Avenue, Whiz is one of those San Francisco burger spots that\u2019s held on through the many tech makeovers. The Impossible burger here goes for a cool $9.30, which is basically absurd. Whiz Burgers Drive-In<\/a>, 700 South Van Ness Avenue<\/p>\n

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A towering triumph of a burger awaits diners at Hayes Valley\u2019s Om Sabor. Om Sabor<\/p>\n