San Francisco's Best Hamburger 2008

An old-school Financial District bar and grill with strong drinks, gigantic burgers and fine brews.

Reviews:

• “Best Burger Around”
• “Sardine City”
• “best pub experience”
• “Huge Selection Of Beer”
• “Classic Happy Hour Spot!”

Tips: Royal Exchange is open Mon-Fri, and reserved for private parties on weekends.

Royal Exchange or email Royal Exchange

The Haight-Ashbury institution has gone from hippie to hip, and from a laid-back burger and brew joint to an ambitious gastropub.

Reviews:

• “Best Brewpub in the Haight”
• “Terrible sausage, undercooked meat. . .but good beer.”
• “A Great Restaurant No More”
• “Best Hand Crafted Beer”
• “Excellent Beer and Atmosphere – but bad service”

Tips: The booths are cozy but a little cramped. Grab a seat at the communal table, or one of the two-tops near the window for great people watching.

Magnolia Pub & Brewery or email Magnolia Pub & Brewery

With funky decor and a menu of down-home favorites, this Inner Richmond hangout is as comfy as an old shoe.

Reviews:

• “Great Beef Specials”
• “Nice place for burger / different choices of food”
• “The tastiest, filling and unique food to be found in San Fran!”
• “want to feel sick?”
• “Food Below Average, Family atmosphere above average”

Tips: The two sidewalk tables are a nice place to sip one of Q’s well-chosen beers on tap and watch the bustle of Clement Street.

Q or email Q

The country’s first drive-thru chain with made-from-scratch burgers and a devout following.

Reviews:

• “Best Hamburger in San Francisco”
• “best fast food anywhere”
• “Amazing burgers”
• “horrible, worst burger I’ve ever had”
• “No what I expected”

Tips: Secret menu items include burgers protein style (wrapped in lettuce with no bun) and animal style (a patty cooked in mustard and topped with sauteed onions, extra sauce and pickles). Fries can be ordered well-done or animal style.

In-N-Out Burger

Enormous beef, chicken and veggie burgers with inventive twists make this casual mini-chain a California favorite.

Reviews:

• “Disaster on 24th Street”
• “Decline in Burger and chicken sandwich quality lately”
• “Original not the best?”
• “Very, very good burger”
• “FUN PLACE….”

Tips: Alfresco dining is offered on the heated front patio.

Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers

The burgers at this Outer Mission landmark draw raves from all over the city.

Reviews:

• “MOST GRUBBIN’ BURGER JOINT IN SF!!!”
• “Overpriced & food is ok”
• “Numero Uno”
• “The best real Burguer in Town.”
• “WAAAAAAY OVERPRICED!!!!!!”

Tips: Stop in at Joe’s around any holiday, and you’ll probably walk out with a bit of souvenir swag, like a drinking glass or plastic water bottle with Joe’s logo on it.

Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant or email Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant

American road food goes upscale at the Ferry Plaza outpost of the famed Napa Valley hamburger stand.

Reviews:

• “Three Words: Ahi-Tuna-Burger”
• “Dirty Handeling supplies standard burgers”
• “Yummy!”
• “Dang good burgers, fun patio, great location”
• “Great Food with a Great Atmosphere”

Tips: Several microbrews and Napa Valley wines by the glass are available.

Taylor’s Refresher

A gourmet burger fix, California style, with Niman Ranch beef and delicious trimmings.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Burger”
• “Best Burgers I’ve found in 42 of the 50 states”
• “Wonderful burgers and shakes”
• “Overcooked and Pricey”
• “AWESOME”

Tips: This burger joint can cater your event, no matter what size.

BurgerMeister

Decades after its 1979 opening, this San Francisco classic is still at the top of the list.

Reviews:

• “Not worth the money.”
• “A Must Miss!”
• “A great experience”
• “Worst San Francisco experience-EVER”
• “Zuni’s still got it going on!”

Tips: If you seek their signature burger, plan to go for lunch or go late; it’s not on the dinner menu until 10pm.

Zuni Cafe

Colorful New American cuisine dished in industrial Portrero confines with a 30-something bar crowd.

Reviews:

• “Bad bad bad”
• “Best Burger”
• “Good Food but Poor Service”
• “Breakfast just off the beaten path”
• “Brunch was ok, not as expected”

Tips: Reservations are not accepted.

Slow Club

This North Beach burger joint puts a gourmet twist on the all-American sandwich.

Reviews:

• “No Mo!”
• “Great burger, great fries, great price”
• “I Need Mo!”
• “Best burgers – bar none”
• “Best burger in town”

Tips: Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more.

Mo’s Gourmet Hamburgers

This tiny Potrero Hill bistro features classic French cuisine and cozy counter seating.

Reviews:

• “delicious burger”
• “BEST Day of My Week!”
• “Excellent brunch, dinner, late night place”
• “Charming Atmosphere, Delish Eats”
• “Brunch Until 4PM!”

Tips: With service until 11pm, this restaurant is a good option for nights on the town.

Chez Maman

A stylish, winning combination of high-end dining, bar scene, gourmet take-out and intimate sitting room livens up sleepy Presidio Heights.

Reviews:

• “Read this review and skip this restaurant!”
• “Overrated food, great customer service”
• “Didn’t live up to the hype!”
• “Lovely, Excellent Charcuterie, Avoid the Mussels”
• “Beautiful space, superb food, excellent wine list”

Tips: In the mood for sophisticated fare, but not a full-out sit-down? A pared-down menu is available from the restaurant’s carry-out-only cafe.

Spruce

A Hayes Valley hot spot with an upscale bar scene and a creative spin on classic bistro fare.

Reviews:

• “Leaves a lot to be desired”
• “Fresh Seasonal Ingredients”
• “Spare Some Change?”
• “Gem of a restaurant”
• “go for the bar, leave for the food/service”

Tips: Valet service is available after 5:30pm, or self-park at the lot on Gough and Grove streets.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Classic and exotic sausages and grace the griddle at this Lower Haight snack shack.

Reviews:

• “Tasty, Cheap, great selection, next to an awesome pub. What else can you ask for?”
• “Great food,bad service”
• “Great sausages”
• “Definitely a “must stop” if you’re visiting San Francisco"
• “Satisfies your every need”

Tips: Toronado, with the best beer selection in town, is next door. Patrons are encouraged to bring a Rosamunde sausage in and grab a stool.

Rosamunde Sausage Grill

Bay Area restaurant chain serves fresh, cooked-to-order American classics hot off the grill.

Reviews:

• “All night baby!”
• “Nation’s Hamburgers invented the “perfect” burger"
• “Great burgers, pie, and fries”
• “Beats out Fuddruckers!”
• “Best hamburger ever!”

Tips: Order by phone and pick up your favorite Nation’s meal to go

Nation’s Giant Hamburgers or email Nation’s Giant Hamburgers

A gourmet burger fix, California style, with Niman Ranch beef and delicious trimmings.

Reviews:

• “Just Wonderful”
• “Overrated Burger”
• “Great Juicey Burger!”
• “Good burgers – but a lot of char”
• “Niman Beef”

Tips: This burger joint can cater your event, no matter what size.

BurgerMeister

Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers

Smaller is better at this Financial District purveyor of miniature fast-food fare.

Tips: Head to the company’s website and check out the secret menu, featuring numerous ways you can improve on the standard burger. For example, saying “Dill Me” will result in a burger with pickle slices, free of charge.

Best-O-Burger

Popular Russian Hill choice for burger and brunch fare.

Reviews:

• “best burger…”
• “Åvoid this restaurant”
• “ABOMINABLE customer service, don’t even bother with take-out either”
• “Stay away”
• “Great Breakfast!!”

Tips: Don’t miss the curly fries.

Polker’s Gourmet Burgers

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