Photography Provided By: Rock and BrewsThe 12 Best Burgers You Can Order in Orange County That Are Worth the MOO-la Locale Editors February 10, 2020 Spread the loveWARNING: This Article May Make Your Mouth Water Written By: Raphael Madrid Best Burgers in OC If a friend of yours asks you to recommend an amazing burger spot nearby, would you have any trouble giving them the perfect suggestion? Would finding the perfect burger in Orange County be that hard? Or is it easy? Not only are there so many restaurants out there, but there’s also a variety of burger styles to choose from—old-fashioned, over-the-top, out of this world, obscenely different. The way I see it, there isn’t only one perfect burger; there’s plenty! 1 | Star of the Show Best Burgers in OC Rock & Brews Restaurant Photography Provided By: Rock and Brews Photography Provided By: Rock and Brews Must Order: Gastropub Burger Rock & Brews in Tustin is the grand hall of rock ‘n’ roll restaurants that commemorate the legends. Their Gastropub Burger will rock your taste buds harder than sitting in the front row at a show. The star is their freshly ground chuck patties, hand-formed and grilled to perfection, stacked with bacon, melted swiss, caramelized onions, greens, tomato, garlic aioli and a sunny and runny egg. For a healthier touch (or any vegetarians reading), you can always switch out the meat for the Beyond Meat patty. Native Knowledge: The outdoor patio—equipped with corn hole, couches, and heat lamps—is perfect for families and large group gatherings. Rock & Brews 1222 Irvine Blvd Tustin, CA 92780 657.254.3040 2 | Super-Size Me Best Burgers in OC Burnt Crumbs Photography By: Ed Visions Must Order: Biggie Mac Just steps away from the Irvine Spectrum, you’ll find the second location of food truck-turned-casual cantina, Burnt Crumbs. The sandwich specialists, who are known for their spaghetti grilled cheese, look to elevate your palate with something you might already be familiar with—they call it the Biggie Mac. Their gourmet take on the Golden Arches classic includes two angus beef patties, onions, pickles, lettuce, American cheese and thousand Island dressing. Native Knowledge: While their Pacific City in Huntington Beach location is still going strong, you will only find these burger options in Irvine. Burnt Crumbs 8549 Irvine Center Dr Irvine, CA 92618 949.502.5998 3 | Just an Icon Living Best Burgers in OC Ruby’s Diner Must Order: Hickory Burger Perhaps the most famous, iconic location of any diner on the west coast, Ruby’s on the Huntington Beach Pier is definitely a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. It’s like a Southern California rite of passage. When you go (and I do mean when), grab a booth and order the Hickory Burger, which is lined up with thick-cut bacon, melted cheddar, lettuce, tomato, Ruby Sauce, onion rings and zesty BBQ sauce. Ruby’s Diner (multiple locations) One Main St Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.969.7829 4 | The CEO of Sandwiches Best Burgers in OC Burger Boss Photography By: Mathew Martinez Must Order: Build Your Own! At Burger Boss, you make every decision when it comes to their conscious cuisine. With four locations throughout Orange County, you have plenty of opportunities to create your own masterpiece. Their beef is natural and grass-fed, and there are plenty of options—a vegan black bean patty, gluten-free buns, seven different cheeses and just about an endless amount of combinations. Burger Boss Cypress | Newport Beach | Tustin | Mission Viejo 5 | Hoppy Hours Best Burgers in Orange County Hopdoddy Photography Provided By: Hopdoddy Burger Bar Photography Provided By: Hopdoddy Burger Bar Photography Provided By: Hopdoddy Burger Bar Must Order: Magic Shroom Burger Hailing from the big state of Texas, Hopdoddy brings that same bold attitude to its menu. With happy hour every Monday through Friday at their locations in Newport Beach and Tustin, this burger bar has a whole lot to offer. Their “$5 Happy Hour” includes the El Diablo— properly named because it’s filled with pepper jack cheese, habanero and serrano peppers, caramelized onions, salsa roja, chipotle aioli, lettuce and tomato. Hopdoddy Newport Beach 401 Newport Center Dr, Ste 311 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.640.2337 Hopdoddy Tustin 3030 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92782 714.505.2337 6 | Yippee-Ki-Yay! Best Burgers in Orange County Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern Photo Provided By: Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern Must Order: Cowboy Burger If you’re looking for a bit of southern hospitality and charm, look no further than J-FATs! This homey eatery is home to the Cowboy Burger—headlined by a Mishima Wagyu beef patty, a hefty onion ring, pecanwood-smoked bacon, BBQ sauce, lettuce and cheddar cheese. Jimmy’s is sure to hit the spot when you want some good old-fashioned comfort food. Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern 3325 E Imperial Hwy Brea, CA 92823 714.733.1310 Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern 25001 Dana Point Harbor Dr Dana Point, CA 92629 949.388.8900 7 | Spicy Sunsets Best Burgers in Orange County Tanner’s at Paséa Hotel Photo Provided By: Paséa Hotel and Spa Must Order: Shishito Burger Tanner’s at Paséa Hotel has a stylish, seaside rooftop restaurant and bar, which is perfect for casual meetings and first dates. With a great selection of bar bites and artisanal cocktails, this surf-inspired saloon’s Shishito Burger is packed with serrano aioli, shishito peppers, white cheddar and charred cabbage, all served on a brioche bun; it will help kick your evening up a notch and turn away that chilly ocean breeze. Native Knowledge: The vibrant sunsets at Tanner’s can’t be beat! Tanner’s at Paséa Hotel 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.698.6130 8 | Savory & Social Best Burgers in Orange County SOCIAL Photography Provided By: SOCIAL Photography By: Eric Chan Must Order: Drive Thru Burger SOCIAL is equal parts elegant, casual and modern. This bar and kitchen boasts a crafted experience with great options for every palate. Some places have multiple burger options, but this spot only needs one: The Drive Thru Burger. Akaushi beef patty, bone marrow butter, bacon jam, garlic aioli, American cheese, housemade pickles, red onion and an optional egg is all combined to make a burger that’s savory and delectable as it sounds! SOCIAL 21214 Beach Blvd Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714.374.7715 SOCIAL Costa Mesa 512 W 19th Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.642.2425 9 | Beach Shack Bargain TK Burgers Photography Provided By: TK Burger Must Order: Ribeye Steak Sandwich You could call this beach shack burger joint the In-N-Out of Orange County. TK’s classic charbroiled burgers with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, onions, a secret sauce and special seasoning are every bit as special as the ones between the two palms, but just with a bit fewer locations. TK Burgers Huntington Beach | Newport Beach | Costa Mesa | Mission Viejo | Santa Ana 10 | Tasty in Truffle Umami Burger Must Order: Truffle Burger Umami Burger is one of those unique burger spots that know how to turn a burger into something special by turning it upside down and inside out. One of their most popular, the Truffle Burger, is the perfect example: truffle mayo, truffle cheese, truffle glaze—it’s a triple threat of taste. Native Knowledge: Ask your server for the occasional off-menu items they might have available. Umami Burger Anaheim | Costa Mesa | Irvine 11 | Hey There, Sailor! A&O Kitchen+Bar at Balboa Bay Resort Must Order: A&O Burger The Balboa Bay Resort’s A&O Kitchen+Bar is a waterfront lounge that brags local brews and seafood specialties. While the nautical influences carry through, the A&O Burger—an American Wagyu patty, white cheddar, caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles and ketchup on a brioche bun—puts up a noble fight against all the seafood on the menu. A&O Kitchen+Bar At Balboa Bay Resort 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663 949.645.5000 12 | From Truck to Tavern The Cut Most Order: The Cut Burger From their humble beginnings as a food truck to their wildly modern and rustic kitchen and bar, The Cut brings flavor all throughout Orange County. The self-titled The Cut burger is one of their carefully crafted fan favorites. It features an 8-ounce, 60-day dry-aged prime angus ribeye patty, loaded with two-year aged white cheddar and an optional bone marrow addition really makes this one of the more savory burgers around town. The Cut 3831 Alton Pkwy, Ste C Irvine, CA 92606 949.333.3434 Center map Traffic Bicycling Transit Get Directions
