Burgers

McCormicks and Schmick’s has one of the best burger deals in the Gaslamp, with a cheeseburger and fries for $3.95 during happy hour, but you’d better like your burger medium-well, because that’s the only way they cook ‘em.

From stunning views, to strong drinks, to a tasty burger, Bali Hai checks all the boxes. Juicy half-pounders are grilled to order and topped with a double spread of killer truffle black pepper mayo. You can get a salad on the side, but the brown butter fries should be considered mandatory, as should the tiki drinks.

In honor of National Cheesecake Day (celebrated on July 30th), here is an in-depth look at three burgers at The Cheesecake Factory, including a classic burger, a “Skinnylicious” burger, and one topped with a deep-fried ball of breaded macaroni and cheese and creamy cheese sauce.

Skinnylicious burger from The Cheesecake Factory

I never got swept up by the bacon craze of the early aughts. Bacon on a club sandwich? Yes. Bacon on cupcakes? Oh hell no. But, one thing to come out of the nation’s preoccupation with pork is bacon jam, which can make an excellent addition to a burger.

At this point, I’m surprised bacon grease isn’t leaking from my pores. In the span of four days, I consumed a 100 percent bacon burger from Slater’s 50/50 (dubbed the ‘Merica burger) and a “Son of Baconator” from Wendy’s. Both reviews, I feel like it’s necessary to note, were done for A Hamburger Today, and were aided by my complete lack of dignity.

Slater's 50/50 bacon burger and Wendy's Son of Baconator

With nearly 100 burger reviews for A Hamburger Today under my belt, I don’t think I can ever eat burgers like a normal human being again. I started covering the San Diego burger scene almost two years ago, and have developed a technique that I’m positive makes me look like a total weirdo. Here’s how it’s done:

Options for cheap eats near the San Diego Convention Center (and Comic-Con) abound, if you know where to look. Most of the spots on 5th, right across from the SDCC aren’t worth your dining dollar, but there are a few gems right on the strip. If you go a little farther north, or east, that’s where you’ll really strike gold. Here are my top picks for cheap eats near the Convention Center (and in downtown SD, in general).

On National Cheeseburger Day (September 18th, if you didn’t know), Sacramento will be hit with a blizzard of burgers at the Sacramento Burger Battle. Local restaurants will put their best burger forward, and I’m going to be in the center of the storm as one of the official judges.

Some burgers look great, but taste terrible. For others, the reverse is true. The burger at Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge, made with 100% fresh-ground brisket, is both visually stunning and scrumptious.

There’s a lot going on with The Red Door’s brunch burger, but it works (and stays intact) surprisingly well. The half-pound patty is topped with aged cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, fresh veggies, a fried egg, and hollandaise sauce.