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Best of San Diego
The definitive San Diego burger ranking
Last updated · See what changed
The Winner
The only burger that makes a national TV spot feel deserved. Thick, messy, seasoned patty with a soft bun that somehow holds together. The OB original is cash-only and worth the wait.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is the best burger in San Diego — a thick, seasoned patty, soft bun, and the rare national-TV spot that locals still agree with. Rocky's Crown Pub in Pacific Beach is the best simple burger, and The Balboa in Barrio Logan is the best upscale smashburger.
This is the scored ranking. For burger styles, price ranges and neighborhoods, read the full San Diego burgers guide.
| # | Place | Neighborhood | What to get | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hodad's | Ocean Beach | Hodad burger | $12–16 | 92 |
| 2 | Rocky's Crown Pub | Pacific Beach | Cheeseburger | $12–15 | 90 |
| 3 | The Balboa | Barrio Logan | Balboa burger | $16–20 | 88 |
| 4 | Notorious Burger | Encinitas | Notorious burger | $15–19 | 87 |
| 5 | Slater's 50/50 | Multiple | Bacon-infused burger | $15–18 | 86 |
| 6 | Born & Raised | Little Italy | Steakhouse burger | $24–28 | 85 |
| 7 | Burger Lounge | Multiple | Grass-fed burger | $13–16 | 85 |
| 8 | Eureka! | Multiple | Cowboy burger | $15–18 | 83 |
| 9 | The Kraken | Carlsbad | Cheeseburger | $14–17 | 83 |
| 10 | Nomad Donuts | North Park | Vegan burger | $12–14 | 82 |
Scores here are weighted against this list's criteria. A place that appears on several lists can score differently on each; its review and /spot page always show one canonical score, taken from the list it scores highest in.
The only burger that makes a national TV spot feel deserved. Thick, messy, seasoned patty with a soft bun that somehow holds together. The OB original is cash-only and worth the wait.
Read our full Hodad's review — scored 92/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
Local tip: Go during off-peak hours; the OB line can stretch to the sidewalk on weekends.
Locals' favorite hole-in-the-wall pub. Half-pound patties, simple toppings, and a cold beer. The best basic burger in San Diego because it never tries to be anything else.
Read our full Rocky's Crown Pub review — scored 90/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
An upscale smashburger with great cocktails and a patio. The patty crust is textbook, and the toppings are dialed in. Best burger for a date night.
Read our full The Balboa review — scored 88/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
North County's best. Thick patties, creative toppings, and a strong beer list. The move after a morning at Swami's.
Read our full Notorious Burger review — scored 87/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
Bacon-infused patties and over-the-top shakes. Great for groups and anyone who wants a burger that commits to the bit.
Read our full Slater's 50/50 review — scored 86/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
A steakhouse burger made with dry-aged beef. Pricy but precise — the best burger to pair with a martini.
Read our full Born & Raised review — scored 93/100 in our Best Steakhouses in San Diego with pros, cons and what to order.
Grass-fed, cleaner fast-casual burger. Reliable across locations and a good default when you want something lighter.
Read our full Burger Lounge review — scored 85/100 with pros, cons and what to order.
Gourmet burgers with craft beer pairings. Consistently good and a strong choice for a casual dinner.
Beach-adjacent dive with a solid cheeseburger. The kind of place you find after a long day and leave happy.
A vegan burger that wins over meat eaters. Creative and surprisingly hearty, in a shop better known for donuts.
Read our full Nomad Donuts review — scored 86/100 in our Best Bakeries in San Diego with pros, cons and what to order.
These picks earned a standalone review — verdict, what to order, pros, cons and price. Each review shows the place's canonical score, which comes from the list it scores highest in.
Every revision to this ranking, newest first — additions, removals, and rank moves.
Latest
Our rankings are editorial. This part is yours — vote for your favorite burgers in San Diego. One vote per reader. 87 votes so far · leading: Rocky's Crown Pub
Taste
Patty seasoning, crust, bun, and overall flavor balance.
Value
Portion size and price relative to quality.
Consistency
Repeatability across visits and locations.
Atmosphere
Vibe, service, and whether the setting fits the burger.
Uniqueness
A signature element that sets it apart.
Scores are out of 100 and weighted toward the eating experience. We visit anonymously, pay full price, and only rank places that are currently open and consistent.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is the consensus #1 — a thick, seasoned, messy burger that lives up to the hype. Rocky's Crown Pub in PB is the best simple burger.
Locals head to Hodad's, Rocky's Crown Pub, The Balboa in Barrio Logan, and Notorious Burger in Encinitas. Tourists and downtown visitors often default to Born & Raised or Burger Lounge.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach and Rocky's Crown Pub in Pacific Beach are both within a few blocks of the sand.
Born & Raised in Little Italy and The Balboa in Barrio Logan both serve refined, higher-end burgers worth the splurge.
Every list is scored with the same methodology. See all rankings → See every 2026 winner →
Hour-by-hour itinerary, taco stops, parking notes, and a packing list — sent to your inbox, plus one weekly email of new spots and events.
Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.
