Oven Ready Beef Burger Gorgonzola Sd Tom S0

Forget fish tacos. In these polarized times, perhaps the one thing San Diegans of all stripes tin agree on is that this boondocks has ascended to burger sky.

Whether they're pressed on a flat top, diner-style, grilled at a gourmet eatery or fabricated to replicate a fast-food archetype, San Diego'south burger-sphere is sizzling.

No casual articulation nor serious eatery worth its ketchup — no mustard! — would cartel to not accept an expertly crafted burger on its card.

Like any cherry-meat-loving, ruby-red-blooded American, I've been a burger fan since I was a kid, preferring them over any other kind of sandwich, junk food or summer barbecue staple. And over the by iii years or and then, every time I've tried a new eating place or returned to an onetime favorite, I've tried the burger.

The goal was to combine one of my favorite foods with the chore of compiling a definitive list of the all-time burgers in town. Brunch, dejeuner or dinner, served with the works, a secret sauce or shrunk downwardly to slider-size, if at that place was a burger to order, I ordered it.

Yup, y'all can bet your brioche bun, that'south a lot of burgers. Or every bit a regular luncheon companion of mine recently asked, "What'due south with you and the burgers?"

Hither's what'south with me and the burgers: No other single nutrient I've had in San Diego has been so consistently delicious — or lived up to the hype surrounding information technology. Not the tacos, the doughnuts, the pho, the poke, the ramen, the sushi, the ice cream, the fried chicken, the barbecue, the pizza, and certainly non the pasta.

When a place shamelessly boasts "Best Burger in San Diego," that's not bulky blowing — to its legions of fervent fans, information technology does have the best burger in San Diego.

So, let the polarization resume, because we're about to plow up the heat by asking who really makes the best burger in San Diego.

The answer: In-N-Out, of course, which is neck-and-cervix with V Guys. Menstruation. End of that listing.

But on the Best Burger From a Eating house That's Not a Fast Food Joint list? In the spirit of National Burger Mean solar day on Tuesday, below are my picks. And, yes, I'm prepared for a grilling.

Best overall

Juniper & Ivy: Richard Blais' faux fast food homage to the In-N-Out Double-Double is a stroke of culinary genius and audacity. It takes a lot of conviction and skill to recreate SoCal's love burger so successfully. The not-so-secret, off-card In-N-Haute burger is a juicy, marvelously messy, umami-packed flavor bomb. Given the haughty setting, using a fork and pocketknife is acceptable merely this once. 2228 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. (619) 269-9036. juniperandivy.com

Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant's famed BH Burger.

Best gourmet burger

Bankers Hill Bar + Eating house: From the talented twosome of executive chef Carl Schroeder and chef de cuisine Jason Gethin comes the inspired BH Burger, with anile white cheddar cheese, lettuce, love apple and, perhaps most substantially, sweet and tart pickled red onions. That it'south so skillful isn't a surprise: You can count on an excellent burger from a eating place that uses only the best ingredients. But Bankers Hill's version is the standout in a very strong category. 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill. (619) 231-0222. bankershillsd.com

Honorable mention

Fort Oak, Mission Hills: Chef Brad Wise's brunch-only, wood-grilled, dry out-anile burger, with aged cheddar, truffle onion jam, aioli and a fried egg, tastes straight out of the glampiest camping trip ever.
Trust, Hillcrest: Some other supremely sophisticated wood-grilled burger from Wise, Trust'due south has asiago, bacon-tomato jam, pickled onions and arugula on a poppy seed bun. Insider tip: It'south not on the dinner menu, but information technology's available if you lot ask.
Nine-10, La Jolla: Information technology seems about criminal to laissez passer on chef Jason Knibb's more refined dinner fare, but the one-half-pound, Angus beef customizable 9-Ten Burger volition free y'all from any guilt. With all the fixings, it just might be San Diego's most expensive burger, at $27.45.
Cucina Urbana, Bankers Colina: A carte du jour classic, the Italian-ish spin on this Wagyu burger includes nutty taleggio cheese and earthy porcini aioli.
Pamplemousse Grill, Solana Beach: San Diego'south most corrupt burger is made with Kobe beef and triple truffled with truffle cheese, truffle mayo and a side of perfectly crispy truffle Parmesan chips.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, downtown San Diego: It's a fact: steakhouses know how to make burgers. Del Frisco's lunch-time prime beef cheeseburger with aged abrupt cheddar is a thing of beauty. And don't miss the crunchy skillet chips.
Born & Raised, Little Italy: For its Big Rip Burger, the trendsetting steakhouse cooks up a mix of freshly basis dry-aged beef, wet-anile beef and bone marrow. Served with California-aged white cheddar, pancetta, and crispy shallots, information technology'south topped with a house m island-manner sauce and nestled on a house-made sesame seed brioche bun. But since only 14 of the buns are fabricated a day, the Big Rip Burger is a express treat.
Little Frenchie, Coronado: This adorable, make-new French bistro has a hit on its hands, with warm raclette cheese poured over "le burger" tableside and addictive onion confit and aioli completing the dish.
Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile, Gaslamp Quarter: When the chic eatery at The Pendry hotel successfully overhauled its carte to Italian earlier this year, one of the only hold-overs was the popular Angus burger, with ten-yr-aged cheddar, caramelized onions and one of the all-time brioche buns in town. Served at lunch simply.

10 Vistal, downtown San Diego: Chef Amy DiBiase's lunchtime Snake River Wagyu cheeseburger is a connoisseur'southward dream, with aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, mayo and staff of life and butter pickles on brioche.

All-time diner-style burger

Royale! Cocktails & Hamburgers: San Diego'due south about mannerly retro java shop puts a modern twist on the flat height-seared diner-style burger, using only grass-fed, organic beefiness and buttermilk and sesame seed buns that are baked fresh daily. The Royale with Cheese (bacon, gruyere, caramelized onions, special sauce) has its devotees simply I'm partial to the American cheese-topped Diner Burger, which is a deliciously glammed up Big Mac. 4204 Voltaire St., Point Colina. (619) 431-5653. royalesd.com

Honorable mention

The Friendly, North Park: The squished-downward, misshapen, super-juicy Dingy Apartment Top Cheeseburger is the reason why napkins were made.
Johnny B's Burgers, Mash & Spirits, La Mesa.: A neighborhood favorite for twenty years, Johnny B's classic diner-rific choices include the aptly-named "Lynn'due south Awesome Patty Cook," with Swiss and grilled onions on rye.
Clayton's Coffee Shop, Coronado: An old-time malt shop, consummate with counter service, Clayton'due south Double Decker Burger, with bacon and cheese, is a double dose of nostalgia.
Harry's Java Shop, La Jolla: A legendary diner serving up Americana on a plate since 1960, Harry's classic All American Burger comes with a quintessential side of crispy hash browns.

All-time iconic burger

Hodad's: Tourists know information technology as the place Guy Fieri named his favorite burger joint in the U.S. Locals call back it for its legendary tardily "Bossman," Mike Hardin. But all the hype and glory can't overshadow the real star here: the exceptional ii-fisted burgers. Locations in Sea Beach, Downtown San Diego, Petco Park and Sycuan Casino Resort. hodadies.com

Honorable mention

Rocky's Crown Pub, Crown Point: Traditionalists proclaim the standard-setting burgers here the finest in America's Finest City. Who are nosotros to fence?
Nessy Burgers, Fallbrook: A North County roadside institution for thirty years now has a permanent home, which means — thankfully — Nessy's cult favorite, Worcestershire-laced burger is here to stay.

Mezé Greek Fusion's Mezé Burger comes with feta-topped fries.

All-time non-traditional burger

Mezé Greek Fusion: A seasoned beef and lamb combo mixed with feta, garlic, onions and mint, topped with "fiery feta" and garlic aioli make for a flavorful burger different any you'll find elsewhere. Order a side of baba ghanoush to dollop on peak for a full-on Hella Hellenic experience. 345 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. (619) 550-1600. gaslampmeze.com

Honorable mention

Queenstown Public House, Fiddling Italian republic: The Bare Lamb Burger is an over-the-summit Kiwi concoction of New Zealand lamb, a fried egg, blue cheese, mint jelly and beets on a focaccia bun that somehow, implausibly, works.
Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Store, E Village: Eschew the cow and opt for a lean, flavorful bison burger, with sweet roasted Anaheim peppers and white cheddar cheese, topped with possibly San Diego's sexiest sauce made from toasted cumin mayo.
Crazee Burger, Due north Park: They got your crazy, like the Muddied Pig, with Nutella, salary and caramelized plantains. My choice is the gut-busting Fine Swine, with an Angus patty topped by pulled pork, pork belly, pepperjack and a warming ginger barbecue sauce.
Kairoa Brewing Co., University Heights: The new New Zealand spot tops its brioche-bunned Kiwi Burger with beet relish, cheddar, tomato chutney and fried egg. Hold the mustard but get the hot chips on the side.

Best of the rest

Hundred Proof, University Heights: An embellished Big Mac-ish burger with English cheddar, Hundred Proof spread, pickles, onions and, naturally, iceberg lettuce on an adorable branded bun.
The Pioneer BBQ, Burgers & Brews, La Mesa: A proper barbecue joint from porcine pro chef Hanis Cavin makes a hateful Double Cow, with brisket, chuck, caramelized onions and cheddar.
Sugar Factory, Gaslamp Quarter: These wacky, little multi-colored sliders come with a free rubber duckie might seem similar they're simply good for an Instagram shot. But — surprise! — they're actually quite tasty.
Mishmash, Barrio Logan: A hipster oasis for burgers and more, the signature MishMash Burger has mozzarella, crispy onions and garlic aioli on a Sadie Rose Amish bun. Leap for it to be stuffed with goat cheese for $1 more.
Half Door Brewing Co., East Village: The HDBC Burger is a almost-perfect season and texture medley, with Irish white cheddar, butter lettuce, oven roasted tomato, pickled red onions and a flossy truffle aioli.
Himmelberg'southward, Due east Village: A condolement food classic, The Himmelburger sports 2 beef patties, American cheese, pickles, onions and special sauce on a sesame bun.
Notorious Burgers, Carlsbad: A kitschy, mob-themed restaurant with ten burger choices, none amend than the Big Poppa, topped with honey-cured bacon, Tillamook cheddar, battered onion rings, homemade barbecue sauce on a fresh-baked bun.
Starlite, downtown San Diego: A trendy restaurant and lounge that never goes out of style, featuring a Brandt beef Starlite Burger with gruyere, caramelized onions and Dijonaise on a brioche bun.

9 Hob Nob Hill, Bankers Loma:. Going strong after 75 years in the condolement food business, Hob Nob'southward original grilled cheeseburger is as San Diego as the sun.
10 Not Not Tacos, Little Italian republic: Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien'southward stall at the Little Italy Nutrient Hall recently introduced a taco cheeseburger, with tender basis beefiness, lettuce, sautéed onions, crispy onions and a chiliad island-ish secret sauce.
11 Funky Chips & Burger, El Cajon and Rancho San Diego: More is more at this Due east County excess express. The Funky OG Burger is loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and pickles then slathered with Funky Firm Sauce.
12 JRDN, Pacific Beach: An elegant, beachside eatery, its trio of Kobe beef sliders sport a puck-sized mound of sharp cheddar, sweet caramelized onions, fried pickles, and thousand island.
13 Leroy'due south Kitchen + Lounge, Coronado: A gustatory jewel on The Crown City, the Leroy'south All Natural Burger, has white cheddar, sweet bacon jam and house-brined pickles.
14 Punch Bowl Social, Eastward Hamlet: An adult playground trades in time-honored nostalgia with its Knockoff Burger, featuring two beef patties, adept quondam American cheese, "Comeback Sauce," pickled onions and shredded lettuce on a sesame seed bun.
xv Marina Kitchen, downtown San Diego: An underrated eating place at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has a classic Drug Store Burger, with cheddar, Brandt Beef bacon, spicy thousand island and special MK sauce, served with chips and crispy onion rings.
xvi Stone Brewing Globe Bistro & Gardens, Escondido and Liberty Station: The craft beer behemoth recently introduced its first (whaaat?) burger, the True Arts and crafts Burger, with organic beef, Hook'southward cheddar cheese, umami-rich miso-maple bacon, homemade steak sauce, mustard aioli and caramelized Vidalia onions, on a circuitous seeded brioche-potato bun.