This is a new category for my blog. Occasionally I will write about the best (fill in the blank) in San Diego. Today it will be the best burgers in San Diego. I've eaten quite a few, and I will tell you about my favorites. Most of my choices include restaurants that also serve good fries, as I feel the two go hand in hand.
The history of the hamburger goes as far back as 1209 and Genghis Khan. As the Mongols travelled by horseback and had little time to sit and eat, they literally had a small village travelling behind them on wheeled carts called "yurts". When they needed food the villagers would prepare a lamb or goat and form the meat into a patty and cook over the open fire. To tenderize the meat, they would put the meat under the saddle for a day or two as the army marched on. I don't think this burger had much resemblance to its current form, but it was a beginning. In 1802 German sailors from Hamburg crossed the Atlantic between Germany and New York, and brought the hamburg steak to New York. It was a salted beef steak, good for long journeys as it would not spoil, but again, not like what we know today as the hamburger. In 1826 the first hamburger was on an American menu, at Delmonico's in New York and the price was $.10. This was a ground meat patty, seasoned and cooked and placed on a bun, so this seems like the real beginning of the modern hamburger.
The Claim Jumper(http://www.claimjumper.com/) has a perfect hamburger. Since I like a rare burger, this is an issue at many restaurants today, but the Claim Jumper will prepare it to your specifications. It's a half pound burger, excellent quality meat, served with lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Of course onions, cheese, bacon, etc. are available if you so desire. It is served with delicious skinny french fries, and a dill pickle. For $9.95 it's a great deal. Big enough for two light eaters to split.
Red Robin (http://www.redrobin.com%29is/ another favorite burger of mine. I don't think the meat is as good, but with everything they put on it you'll never know the difference. I like the Whiskey Creek Burger, with meat, cheese, shredded lettuce, mayo and shoestring fried onions. It is so full of flavor, but again, a very big meal. Although I have never done it, my friend Fran tells me you can order the same burger in a junior size. It's not on the menu, but it's a great idea, because you can't finish the regular sized burger. Fries at Red Robin are thick sliced, seasoned with seasoned salt, and very good. They will bring you free refills on the fries. The price is $8.95
Chief's Burgers and Brew(http://www.chiefsburgersandbrew.com/) in Solana Beach is a sports bar with a great menu. Their 1/2 pound hamburger with all the trimmings and good french fries (thin ones) is delicious. The burger is $6.99 without french fries. We often stop there for dinner before our Tuesday night bridge game in Solana Beach. There is a karate studio next door, so many families come for dinner after karate class. There's a big fire pit outside, and inside there are lots of TV's and Denever Bronco memorabilia.
The Red Rooster is an old fashioned bar in Oceanside. Don't go here if you want glitter and pazaaz. This is a bar with pool tables and big TV screens, good service and wonderful people watching. That aside, it also serves one terrific burger. Try the rooster burger. It's a 1/2 pound beef burger cooked the way you like, served on a sesame seed bun, covered with grilled onions, cheese, and an ortega chili. All this for around $6. The fries are great, they're the thick cut, covered in a delicious season salt. Or try the frings, a combo of onion rings and fries. They're great. The sodas are served in frosty mugs, or have a beer, there's always a special of the day.
Other burgers that I enjoy, but are not at the top of the list are as follows: Paradise Grill (kobe beef), George's at the Cove, Nessi's (on Highway 76), Mr. Peabody's, and D Street Bar and Grill. So next time you're in the mood for a burger and fries, try something new. I hope you'll like some of my choices.
The Claim Jumper(http://www.claimjumper.com/) has a perfect hamburger. Since I like a rare burger, this is an issue at many restaurants today, but the Claim Jumper will prepare it to your specifications. It's a half pound burger, excellent quality meat, served with lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Of course onions, cheese, bacon, etc. are available if you so desire. It is served with delicious skinny french fries, and a dill pickle. For $9.95 it's a great deal. Big enough for two light eaters to split.
Red Robin (http://www.redrobin.com%29is/ another favorite burger of mine. I don't think the meat is as good, but with everything they put on it you'll never know the difference. I like the Whiskey Creek Burger, with meat, cheese, shredded lettuce, mayo and shoestring fried onions. It is so full of flavor, but again, a very big meal. Although I have never done it, my friend Fran tells me you can order the same burger in a junior size. It's not on the menu, but it's a great idea, because you can't finish the regular sized burger. Fries at Red Robin are thick sliced, seasoned with seasoned salt, and very good. They will bring you free refills on the fries. The price is $8.95
Chief's Burgers and Brew(http://www.chiefsburgersandbrew.com/) in Solana Beach is a sports bar with a great menu. Their 1/2 pound hamburger with all the trimmings and good french fries (thin ones) is delicious. The burger is $6.99 without french fries. We often stop there for dinner before our Tuesday night bridge game in Solana Beach. There is a karate studio next door, so many families come for dinner after karate class. There's a big fire pit outside, and inside there are lots of TV's and Denever Bronco memorabilia.
The Red Rooster is an old fashioned bar in Oceanside. Don't go here if you want glitter and pazaaz. This is a bar with pool tables and big TV screens, good service and wonderful people watching. That aside, it also serves one terrific burger. Try the rooster burger. It's a 1/2 pound beef burger cooked the way you like, served on a sesame seed bun, covered with grilled onions, cheese, and an ortega chili. All this for around $6. The fries are great, they're the thick cut, covered in a delicious season salt. Or try the frings, a combo of onion rings and fries. They're great. The sodas are served in frosty mugs, or have a beer, there's always a special of the day.
Other burgers that I enjoy, but are not at the top of the list are as follows: Paradise Grill (kobe beef), George's at the Cove, Nessi's (on Highway 76), Mr. Peabody's, and D Street Bar and Grill. So next time you're in the mood for a burger and fries, try something new. I hope you'll like some of my choices.
All these years I've never known about the burgers in Solana Beach. My husband wants to go tonight!
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