We like big buns and we cannot lie. We suspect you do as well, or you wouldn't be reading this right now. But you are reading this right now, which makes us believe you're in the mood to skip the salad and enjoy something truly eye-capturing and mouth-watering between two buns. And this guide to the Bay's most extravagant, juicy, exorbitant, ridiculous, delicious, towering, insanely (we're running out of words over here) great burgers can help make that happen.
Crispy Rice Buns
Multiple Locations
Sounds crazy but don't knock it til you try it. These crispy rice buns add the perfect little crunch when paired the kalbi short rib or braised pork. Heck, they go perfect with whatever fix-ins you choose.
Camel Burger
1516 Broadway, San Francisco
How many of us in The Bay can say we've ever had a camel burger? We're guessing not many. Be a part of the burger 1% with the ONLY camel burger in SF. It's big enough to share so you can get your friends in on it too.
Pulled Pork & Pork Belly Sliders
Photo: dandy.eats
807 Ellis St, San Francisco
These sliders may be small, but they're packed with flavor. Lau sausage, pulled pork, or pork belly - whichever you choose, you'll leave feeling full and satisfied. Also, don't forget the tots!!
Lamb Burger
10905 Shoreline Hwy 1, Point Reyes Station
Nestled in the wilderness south of Point Reyes, Marin Sun Farms does it fresh. They're a butchery by trade and dedicated to sustainable farming and the farm-to-table lifestyle. They also serve up some gnarly burgers, including the decadent lamb burger with Manchego, chimichurri, and house-cured lamb bacon. (Right?!)
Drive-In Burger
475 3rd St, San Francisco
This burger owns its crazy. You can get a single patty, which is already a third of a pound of certified Angus beef. You can also get a double patty and attempt to finish it. Get it with the fix-ins: grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and thousand island dressing on an Acme bun.
Wood-Grilled Burger
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco
Nopa is known for its so-called New American vibes and incredible menu, but if you want to get down and dirty in a classy atmosphere, the Wood-Grilled Burger is for you. It's so simple yet so right: thicc burger, thicc bun, all stacked beside a pile of fries. Dig in, baby.
Ringmaster Donut Burger
203 Octavia Blvd, San Francisco
It's possible you've spotted one of these over-the-top concoctions at Outside Lands -- this bad boy is a recurring festival favorite. Golden Gate Meat Co. organic ground beef, melted cheddar, and jack cheese lie in wait between two house-made glazed donuts. And holy freaking everything, it is so damn good.
The Hot Wes
2240 Mission St, San Francisco
Man, it's a hot one. Like seven inches from the midday sun. You get it. Anyway, From Wes Roe comes the Hot Wes, a 6oz. patty piled high with onion rings, queso, and pickled jalapeños. Let's do this, boys.
Kalbi Beef Burger
Multiple Locations
Konjoe's burger menu is short but substantial. Get the Kalbi beef burger and don't look back. You won't regret it. Throw a fried egg on there and call it a day.
The Impossible Burger
Found at various restaurants around The Bay
Vegans and vegetarians - if you made it this far into our guide, don't think we forgot about you. Whether or not the Impossible burger is all hype, it's pretty damn good. It truly tastes and feels like the real thing that even your most carnivorous friends would be fooled. (You can even snag one of Questlove's Impossible Cheesesteaks at Live Nation venues this summer).
Want a drink to wash down that crazy burger? Of course you do. That's why we made guides to the best beer gardens in San Francisco and the East Bay, found the best bars to get your game on, and compiled a big ol' list of happy hours.
