< Go back to Readers’ Choice 2020 Listings
SAN FRANCISCO
Roam
(locations around the Bay)
When in Roam, you gotta do the artisan beef burgers for sure, but you might want to try bison for a change. So many options on the burgers with incredible cheeses and a variety of relish and sauces. Thick and rich, the shakes are organic dairy, and the sodas are hand-crafted with ripe California fruit. The artisan-baked buns are served fresh daily.
EAST BAY
Gott’s Roadside
WALNUT CREEK (and around the Bay)
(925) 954-6243 • gotts.com
Niman Ranch beef patties are hard to beat, but you can always substitute Diestel Ranch turkey or the vegan/gluten-free Impossible Burger. Impossible not to love their burgers, but you can always consider other things on the menu: fried Brussels sprouts, chili cheese fries, chicken schnitzel, salads, tacos, hot dogs…the list goes on. Oh, and there are often a couple of specials, including Baja shrimp cocktail.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Godfather’s
BELMONT
(650) 637-9257 • godfathersburgerlounge.com
Another year on J.’s best list, according to our readers, Godfather’s prides itself on burgers that are fresh, organic, local, vegetarian and vegan-friendly (the “Beyond Burger” is plant-based and rumored to fool most meat lovers). Godfather’s aims to please, even offering gluten-free buns. Other beef alternatives abound: crab cake burger, salmon burger, chicken burger, and a Philly cheese-steak burger. Sides and salads join shakes, floats and desserts.
NORTH BAY
Shake Shack
LARKSPUR (and around the Bay)
(628) 212-2050 • shakeshack.com
Larkspur is the latest NorCal location for the gourmet burger and frozen custard joint, the Shake Shack, long a favorite around the country. Fried chicken sandwiches, fries of every ilk, Shack-made lemonade, and Fifty/Fifty, their version of an Arnold Palmer. Make sure Fido doesn’t get jealous and want some of your burger: bring home a doggie bag of five ShackBurger dog biscuits made just for the Shack by NYC’s Bocce’s Bakery. Plus, for the first time in print, their cookbook with 70 recipes.
Also On J.
