Attention, burger fanatics! I’ve done the work for you: polled social media, called on, driven to, and chewed my way through some of the top burgers in town. Here are some you may or may not know about but should definitely try. And though I’ve listed several “specialty burgers,” rest assured—if you’re a basic burger lover, each of these purveyors of the patty on a bun serves a quality ground beef sandwich, too. Here they are, in no particular order…

The Dive

Boundless Brie Burger

In addition to Out of Bound's quality craft brews, their Boundless Brie Burger—which is essentially a cheese plate with a patty—is also worth sampling. The combination of brie, sliced apples, walnut-fig jam, balsamic reduction, field greens, tomatoes, red onions, house aioli, and brisket short rib beef works in myriad ways. The seasoning and medium-rare cook on the beef are both spot-on, which, in an era of frozen patties and over-salted food, is a pleasant surprise.
Out of Bounds Craft Kitchen and Biergarten
13407 Folsom Boulevard, Suite D, Folsom, 916-357-5250, outofboundsbrewing.com

 

Golden Eagle

Most times, when I’m craving a burger, I gravitate to my favorite flavors: BBQ, cheddar, bacon, and onion rings. Call it a Western, Cowboy, BBQ, or at Primo’s—Golden Eagle. This huge half-pound patty is grilled over an open flame (as are all of their burgers), topped with cheddar, and crowned with my prerequisite helping of onion rings and a slather of BBQ sauce. The flame-grilled flavor makes their burgers taste like they just came off the “Q” at home (and I don’t have to break out the deep fryer for the onion rings!).
Primo Pizza Rocklin
2600 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 103, Rocklin, 916-259-1010, primopizzarocklin.com

Sriracha PB&J Bacon

I’ve tried a few renditions of a peanut butter burger, but like a lot of things The Chef’s Table serves, this one is just that much better. Granted, you have to be adventurous (and willing to ask for it; it’s not always listed on the menu), but the peanut/sriracha combination impart a Thai flavor to their burger that makes it a “must-try!”
The Chef’s Table
6843 Lonetree Boulevard, Suite 103, Rocklin, 916-771-5656, thechefstablerocklin.com

Beast Burger

“The Beast” was named the 2019 Sacramento Burger Battle Judges’ Pick, beating out some meaty competition. Featuring an eight-ounce, house-ground patty, house-made brioche bun sprinkled with ODB seed mix, butter lettuce, ash onions, heirloom tomatoes, B&B pickles, and Dijon aioli, this is a classic American hamburger on steroids. Get there for lunch; it’s not on the dinner menu…yet.
Beast + Bounty
1701 R Street, Sacramento, 916-244-4016,
eatbeastandbounty.com

South Burger

Porch Burger

More Southern goodness from the folks at The Porch in Sacramento—adding pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes to their Braveheart Black Angus Beef patty. Did I mention there’s also bacon…and a sesame seed bun? So, let’s analyze this: It’s a fried green tomato BLT burger with pimento cheese, which makes me want a glass of sweet tea. How about it, ya’ll?
The Porch Restaurant and Bar
1815 K Street, Sacramento, 916-444-2423, theporchrestaurantandbar.com

 

By Lorn Randall // Photos by Dante Fontana