The Best Burgers In San Diego (Updated for 2022!)
We asked our readers to tell us their pick for the best burgers in San Diego so we’ll know where to go when we’re in need of one…NOTHING beats a good burger when you’re craving one!
The mouth-watering list below is the result!
One takeaway from putting this list together: San Diego has some damn good burgers!
Yeah yeah…we know “(insert your favorite place that isn’t on this list here) actually has the best burger in town”, so go ahead and let us hear it. We want to try them all!
The Balboa (#1)
The Balboa won first place for the best burger in San Diego by a good margin, so we are giving them the credit they deserve (the others are not specifically ranked as their votes were pretty close and this isn’t exactly a scientific study, now is it?!).
The Balboa scared the hell out of every burger-lover when they initially announced a permanent closure in the depths of the pandemic, but lucky for us, they pulled through. We’ll plan on eating enough burgers this year to ensure that they won’t have to worry about closing every again!
Rocky’s Crown Pub
You guys love a Rocky’s Crown Pub burger – that’s for sure. We heard you loud and clear!
Next to The Balboa, Rocky’s burgers definitely seemed to have the most passionately supportive and vocal fan base.
The Friendly
No website, no inside seating, and no modifications on your order – we love it! And you do, too…The Friendly’s smash burgers consistently come up as a best burger in San Diego.
Hodads
Of course, these guys made the list…Hodads is an institution!
Neighborhood
Neighborhood recently underwent a major renovation, but they still have an amazing burger on the menu! Pro tip: make it ‘extra hood’.
Mish Mash
Mish Mash in Barrio Logan serves a burger with peanut butter and bacon – don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it! Order it with a side of Hangover Fries…then call your doctor. 😉
Craft + Commerce
Samburgers
Sam the Cooking Guy knows how to make a damn good burger!
Swagyu Chop Shop
A hamburger made from Wagyu?! How could that NOT make the list?
Swagyu Chop Shop is a Wagyu-focused butcher shop by Chef Steve Brown featuring the best Wagyu in the world from USA, AUS, and Japan. He’s got locations in Pacific Beach, Imperial Beach, and Poway to ensure that you can get your burger fix anytime!
Honorable Mention
These burgers were mentioned by more than a few readers and/or our editorial team has had them and is convinced they’ll make it on next year’s list of the best burgers in San Diego!
Rombomb Burgers
We love the story behind this burger pop-up as much as their fans love the burgers (they are getting quite the reputation after their first few pop-ups).
The Original 40 Brewing Company
Chow down on the OG Burger made with lettuce, red onion, tomato, white cheddar cheese, garlic aioli and served with a side of house-cut French fries while sipping on a cold Original 40 beer.
Sounds like the perfect way to end your day, right? We think so too!
Vogue Tavern
Looking for the best burger in Chula Vista? Try the Bison Burger at the Vogue Tavern, put together with 50% buffalo and 50% ground pork patty, smoked gouda cheese, caramelized onions, tomato and garlic aioli. Pair it up with than an order of salted and crispy French Fries and a turn at one of their classic arcade games.
Rouleur Brewing Company
Stop by the North Park brewery to taste the Endo West Coast IPA and munch on the Lamb Burger made with provolone cheese, harissa aioli, mixed greens and served with your choice of fries or tots.
The Smoking Gun
In the past year, The Smoking Gun switched to almost all wagyu beef…that caught our attention! Our favorites are the Smoking Gun Burger and the BBQ Pork Bacon Burger, both made with juicy ½ pound wagyu beef patties.
There you have it…the best burgers in San Diego. Plot your course to try them all!
See you there!
