Image courtesy of Roam.
Ah, the humble hamburger. It can be as simple as a grilled meat patty sandwiched between bread, or enter the realm of the fantastical with toppings that range from standard (onion, cheese) to outlandish (pineapple, jalapeno).
There are hundreds of delicious burger joints scattered across the Bay Area, many of which are accessible by BART. Some restaurants keep things simple, like Beep’s Burgers in San Francisco, which comes in quarter-pound and half-pound varieties with lettuce, tomato, and sauce. Others go all out, with bacon, avocado, and garlic aioli (Chop Bar – we’re looking at you).
No matter how you take yours, May 28 – National Hamburger Day – is the perfect excuse to grab a juicy burger. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots.
Image courtesy of Yelp.
At Barney’s, it’s all about options. Choose from five varieties of patty (including two meat-less options) and get it made up in 19 different varieties, ranging from the "Maui Waui", with teriyaki glaze and grilled pineapple, to the "Alpine", with Swiss cheese and sauteed mushrooms and onions. You can’t go wrong!
Where: 5819 College Ave, Oakland
Station: Rockridge
Walk Time: Three minutes
One of the hottest spots for beers and burgers in Oakland, Lovely’s offers a juicy hamburger made of Stemple Creek grass-fed beef in four varieties. For just $7.50, grab “The Original Fried Onion,” with American cheese, griddled onion, pickle, ketchup, and mustard on a potato bun.
Where: 2344 Webster St., Oakland
Station: 19th St Oakland
Walk Time: Eight minutes
An adorable roadside joint with classic-style burgers, fries and milkshakes, Beep’s Burgers has been grilling the goods since 1962. The “beep” in the name has a very Space Age origin: it comes from the “beep” of satellites. The menu is short and simple, offering burgers in quarter-pound of half-pound options.
Where: 1051 Ocean Ave, San Francisco
Station: Balboa Park
Walk Time: Nine minutes
Image courtesy of Yelp.
Chop Bar in Oakland has a diverse menu, with hits like the Classic Reuben and the pork belly rigatoni. The burger certainly stands out, with bacon and avocado perched carefully atop. The restaurant is als just a few blocks from Lake Merritt, so you have the option to walk your burger off, if needed.
Where: 190 Fourth St, Oakland
Station: 12th St Oakland
Walk Time: 15 minutes
An old-school spot that does its burger just like grandma made it, Red Onion in El Cerrito will transport you to a time when things were simpler. There are also turkey, salmon, and veggie burgers on the menu if red meat isn’t your thing. We’re told the crews currently working near the station drop by Red Onion on the regular.
Where: 1190 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Station: El Cerrito del Norte
Walk Time: Nine minutes
Image courtesy of Yelp.
Get your burger with a side of foamy beer at the Fourth Bore in Orinda. Stick with the classic – cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and onion – or go for the BBQ Smokehouse, topped with bacon and onion strings. And when you’re done, catch a flick at the historic Orinda Theatre.
Where: 2 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda
Station: Orinda
Walk Time: Three minutes
With five locations in the Bay Area – and one easily accessible by BART – you know you’ll be getting a reliable burger when you visit Roam. Choose from beef, turkey, bison, or veggie, and choose from nearly ten styles. Can’t decide? You’ll never go wrong with the seasonal offering. For spring, it includes chimichurri, mozzarella, tomato, herb mayo, and greens.
Where: 23 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
Station: Lafayette
Walk Time: Seven minutes
Image courtesy of Peter's Cafe.
A charming old-timey restaurant with diner food and German pancakes, Peter’s Café also makes an excellent hamburger. Go for the Royal Hawaiian – with Jack cheese, ham, pineapple, and teriyaki – or make it a “challenge” with the Challenger Burger – with three patties and three slices of cheese.
Where: 10 El Camino Real, Millbrae
Station: Millbrae
Walk Time: Two minutes
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