Take a Bite: Mouthwatering San Francisco Burgers
Written By: Jamie Kwang and Chelsea Raineri
Photographed By: Anthony Rojo
Burger lovers rejoice! We traveled around the city in search of San Francisco’s most epic burgers, and we were not disappointed with the results. Whether you are craving a classic double cheese or something a little more fancy, this is your guide to satisfying all your burger needs.
4505 Burgers & BBQ
Unless you live under a rock, chances are you already know about 4505 Burgers & BBQ. Their self-proclaimed “Best Damn Cheeseburger” is their most popular burger on the board, and we must say it really lives up to its name. Their grass-fed beef patties are cooked to perfection and served on a buttery, toasted sesame scallion bun with iceberg lettuce, onion and secret sauce. It’s a simple burger, but it’s a burger done right. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and indulge! (Just be prepared to wait in what is usually a substantial line to do so.)
Native Knowledge: Great for when the sun comes out of hiding! The outdoor patio has several picnic benches for you to enjoy burgers with friends or just a few beers from their awesome selection of taps from local microbreweries.
705 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117
415.231.6993
Calibur
When it comes to a classic burger joint that all types can enjoy, Calibur is your place. The options are endless, and with a simple but customizable menu, it’s easy to satisfy your burger craving. First choose the size of your organic patty, and then, let the fun begin. Once you’ve decided on the amount of beef you’re willing to take down, choose everything from egg, to mushrooms, to jalapeños or all of the above. Next time when you’re on the M or K-line, hop off at West Portal station and build your masterpiece … then eat it in all of its glory. Best of all, your vegetarian friends can’t complain because they also happen to make a killer grilled cheese.
Native Knowledge: Kids go crazy for this place! They serve ice cream and shakes to go perfect with your burger.
68 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
415.742.4931
Gott’s Roadside
Located in the Ferry Building, Gott’s Roadside is a perfect balance between diner and restaurant, and they make some seriously delicious burgers. The Green Chile Cheeseburger is simply incredible. Beef patty with a whole grilled Anaheim chile, jack cheese, lettuce, onion, salsa verde and charred jalapeño mayo on a toasted bun. The Anaheim chile is perfectly grilled and adds just the right amount of mild spice without taking away from the delicious meat (if that were even possible). If you haven’t been to Gott’s, seriously drop whatever you are doing and go right now.
Native Knowledge: If you miss lunch time, come with the after-work crowd, plenty of beer and wine for all! And if you miss the after-work crowd, come for dessert! Hand-churned soft serve ice cream. Nuff said.
San Francisco Ferry Bldg
1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.318.3423
Bartlett Hall
Located a block away from the sea of tourism in Union Square sits a huge, modern gastro pub called Bartlett Hall. Walking past the front door this place looks like a theater of some sort, but the real show here is the food. The star of this show? The Bartlett Burger: a Niman Ranch beef patty topped with caramelized onion, chive aioli, gem lettuce, house pickles and served with your choice of extra sharp cheddar, gorgonzola or brie all sandwiched between an Acme bun. They also have their very own microbrewery so you can wash down the mouth-watering Bartlett with one of their many house-brewed beers.
Native Knowledge: Bartlett Hall also makes their own beef jerky! So if you’re a jerky lover, get some for the road, or do what the locals do and throw some in your bloody Mary. You know you want to.
242 O’Farrell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.433.4332
Roam Artisan Burgers
Roam Artisan Burgers on the Filmore strip is grillin’ up farm fresh meat and building some seriously mean burgers. Take their Tejano Burger, for example; a juicy grass-fed beef patty piled with pepper jack, avocado and tomato, loaded with white corn strips, and finished off with herb ranch and jalapeño. If you’re not a red meat person, choose from a number of protein bases for your burger, including vegetarian and gluten free options. Pair this with one of their ever-rotating local beers, and you are sure to leave more than satisfied.
Native Knowledge: Add an order of their extremely bomb sweet potato fries to take your meal to the next level.
1923 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
415.800.7801
Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers
This family owned burger joint located in Lower Nob Hill has their game on point! Pearl’s Deluxe has everything you need to satisfy your burger craving. This place is truly a burger lover’s paradise. There are no frills here; just good ol’ fashion perfectly cooked fresh meat. We recommend the Bula—jack cheese, bacon, mayo and spicy barbecue pineapple sauce. They also offer buffalo meat, which is arguably even better than the Kobe.
Native Knowledge: Create your own milkshake! Pearl’s Deluxe milkshakes are made with soft serve vanilla ice cream and can be ordered in a variety of flavor combos, including delicious Nutella!
708 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.409.6120
Causwells
Nothing beats a classic. Head to this friendly neighborhood bistro for an Americana Burger that is sure to impress. Topped with American cheese, Causwells’ sauce, lettuce, pickles and onions between two sesame buns, this burger is a staple that you don’t want to miss out on. Add some avocado or bacon, always bacon, for a small fee. Either way, this is one burger that won’t let you down.
Native Knowledge: Now you can get Causwells’ delivered to your door! Order through CAVIAR and UberEATS to enjoy these burgers in your home.
2346 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415.447.6081
Marlowe
Dine at SOMA to experience a French-American bistro with a killer burger. The self-entitled Marlowe Burger comes topped with caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, and, wait for it—horseradish aioli. Enjoy your burger with a side of fries while you take in the beautiful design of this very Instagrammable location. Trust us, you won’t leave without taking a photo here.
Native Knowledge: The interior of the restaurant was designed by Ken Fulk, and was inspired by butcher shops with the white hexagon tile flooring and drawings of animals marked for cuts.
500 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415.777.1413
Born and raised in Orange County, Chelsea is a local through and through. A true foodie at heart, you can find Chelsea face first in a grilled cheese or in line for the latest food craze. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Chapman University, she is excited to bring her passion for writing, editing, and all things trendy to Locale Magazine.
