West Oakland
Viral Sensation
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The burger that's breaking the internet! Co-founded by Grammy-nominated rapper Guap and food influencer BayAreaFoodz, this spot serves up crispy-edged smash patties with their legendary "You Feel Me" sauce. The vibe is pure Oakland energy with hip-hop vibes and a bright yellow school bus parked outside.
$7.99 for the Hyphy Burger
Address: 898 W Grand Ave, Oakland
Hours: Daily 10:30am - 1:00am
Ingleside, San Francisco
Retro Drive-In
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A true time capsule! Operating since 1962, Beep's serves thick Angus beef patties with their secret sauce (mayo, ketchup, paprika, and cayenne) in a classic drive-in setting. The retro signage is still intact, and everything here screams vintage California cool.
$12.25 for cheeseburger
Address: 1051 Ocean Ave, San Francisco
Vibe: Outdoor seating only, pure nostalgia
Mission District, San Francisco
Smashburger Specialist
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The smashburger spot that has SF chefs raving! Thin, crispy-edged patties with perfectly melted cheese and fresh toppings. This new-school joint opened in 2016 but has quickly become a local legend among burger aficionados.
Around $15
Why it's special: Chef-approved, consistently perfect smash technique
Albany
Mesquite Charcoal
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While everyone else is obsessed with smashburgers, Al's sticks to old-school flavor with 100% mesquite charcoal grilling. The burgers have seductive grill marks and that unmistakable smoky flavor. Don't miss the chili cheese fries!
Under $10 + $1.25 for cheese
Signature: Thick rounds of onions, crisp lettuce, smoky char
Alamo Square, San Francisco
Wood-Fire Grilled
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This isn't just a burger—it's an experience. Thick patties cooked on a wood-fire grill give you that pure, no-fuss taste of premium beef. Chef-approved and served medium rare with cocktails on the side. It's the fancy burger that's worth every penny.
$29
Pro tip: Order it with everything, medium rare, and get a cocktail!
West Oakland (Prescott Market)
Farmers Market Origins
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From farmers market stand to food hall favorite! This smashburger specialist follows the Golden Arches formula but does it right—ketchup, mustard, raw onion, and perfectly smashed patties with crispy edges.
Affordable smash pricing
Location: Inside bustling Prescott Market food hall
Hayes Valley, San Francisco
Rosemary Focaccia
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An SF institution that towers above the rest—literally! This burger comes stacked with bacon, charred onion, house-made pickles, and blue cheese, all served on slices of their famous rosemary focaccia instead of traditional buns.
$22
Unique twist: Zucchini pickle with real zing, focaccia bread
Mission District, San Francisco
Late Night Champion
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The most basic burger on any list, but available until midnight any night of the week! Red-side patty with white American cheddar, razor-thin pickles, red onion, and LOTS of secret sauce. Perfect for those late-night cravings.
Bar pricing
Best for: Late-night munchies, simple perfection