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Roasted Garlic Ranch Burger, Americana: Stemple Creek grass-fed beef, Estero Gold cheese and enough roasted garlic to scare off any vampire. 205 Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Rosa, americanasr.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Bacon Cheeseburger, Buns Only: Jose Cazares' perfectly cooked bacon cheeseburgers are among the most satisfying we’ve come across. Go for the mound of “dirty fries” with sweet al pastor, guacamole, onions, cheese, escabeche (pickled carrots and jalapeños) and crema. Food truck locations on Instagram @bunsonlysr. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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The Western Burger, Carmen's Bistro and Bar: Featuring onion rings, cheddar cheese, applewood bacon and barbecue sauc, this burger will require your jaw to unhinge for a bite. 619 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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Sonoma Beef Burger, Acme Burger: This is the place for tried-and-true burgers on a budget. The Sonoma Beef Burger is $7.95 (single). Pair it with onion rings, chili cheese fries or Cajun fries. 1007 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa; 550 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, acmeburgerco.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Burger Bar, Stark's Steak and Seafood: The Stark Standard is a half-pounder with smoked bacon, peppercorn salsa verde and Cambozola. Add-ons like onion rings, a truffled sunny-side-up egg and steak sauce make it yours. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com. (Stark's Steak and Seafood)
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St. Helena Ave. Burger, Superburger: You just know a burger’s gonna be good when the counter sports rolls of paper towels rather than napkins. The St. Helena has onion rings, bacon, cheddar and barbecue sauce. Santa Rosa, Cotati and Windsor locations. originalsuperburger.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Beyond Burger, Cozy Plum Bistro: Meatless doesn't mean tasteless. All the fixings make this hearty Beyond Burger a satisfying stunt double for beef, whether you're a carnivore or not. 1899 Mendocino Ave. Suite B, Santa Rosa, cozyplum.com. (Cozy Plum Bistro)
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The Burger, Jackson’s Bar and Oven: Perfectly cooked and always flavorful, Jackson’s burger is a solid go-to, just as good plain as it is smarted-up with Point Reyes Blue, caramelized onions, jalapeños and mushrooms. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, jacksonsbarandoven.com. (Jackson's Bar and Oven)
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Vine Burgers: Chef James Byus III has included not only beef burgers on his menu, but lamb, turkey, chicken, a pork and bacon blend, Cajun ground tuna, salmon and a piled-high crab cake "burger," along with his signature fried pickles and cherry peppers, garlic fries and shakes. 3579 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-536-9654, vineburgers.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Bacon Cheeseburger, Machado Burgers: Is this bacon cheeseburger the most perfect burger in Sonoma County? Quite possibly. Don't miss the Piggy Tots, tater tots topped with homemade chili, pulled pork, cheese, onions and jalapeños and mustard sauce. 406 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6835, machadoburgers.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Weinburger Patty Melt, Grossman's: This is the best patty melt in our lineup of amazing patty melts (Mac’s Deli has a great one, too)! Start with a perfect burger, then top with pastrami, gooey Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions on rye. If you’re on the go, it stands up to a car ride like a boss. 309 ½ Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Ultimate Burger, Catelli’s: The ultimate Wine Country burger is a house-ground mix of Kobe beef brisket and sirloin that's best eaten silkily rare and with a minimum of condiments. Required pairing: Truffle fries with chili, Parmesan lemon zest and truffle oil. 21047 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, mycatellis.com. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
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Hangover Cheeseburger, Healdsburger: This mostly-locals spot does all kinds of burgers, but we especially appreciate the Hangover Cheese Burger with sriracha hot sauce, a fried egg, bacon, cheese and lettuce on an Italian bun. After a day of wine tasting, you'll need this protein and carbo-load. 48 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-473-9604, healdsburger.com. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
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Smash Burger, The Wurst Restaurant: Though they’re passionate about sausage, Wurst’s burgers always get top billing in Healdsburg. Our favorite is the exceedingly simple half-pounder with grilled onions, sharp cheddar, pickles and a slather of lemon pepper tarragon sauce. Fries come separately but are required eating, as is the frozen custard. 22 Matheson St., Healdsburg, wurstrestaurant.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Kin Burger and Turkey Burger, Kin Restaurant: The Kin Burger features certified Angus beef, smoked white cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, housemade barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and toasted brioche bun. Their gobbler is panko- and Parmesan-crusted with arugula, grilled tomato, melted Brie cheese and tomato aioli. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, kinwindsor.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Butcher Burger, Butcher Crown Roadhouse: Tender beef brisket burger with house “Crime” sauce, American, cheddar and jack cheese, iceberg lettuce, onions and pickles on a sweet Portuguese bun. 905 Bodega Ave., Petaluma, butchercrown.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Farm Burger, Brewsters: Simple and delicious, the Farm Burger features white cheddar, aioli, pickles, onion and romaine lettuce. 229 Water St. N., Petaluma, brewstersbeergarden.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Pupusa Burger, Don Julio’s: Now for something completely different: an orange-marinated chicken pupusa burger with a choice of two stuffed pupusas filled with pico de gallo, guacamole, lettuce, cheese and chipotle cream. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, donjulioslatingrill.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Western Burger, Bear Republic: Go for the view, stay for the burger. There’s no going wrong here, but we love the towering Western burger for its onion rings, barbecue sauce and melted cheese. 5000 Roberts Lake Road, Rohnert Park, bearrepublic.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Organic Burger, Amy's Drive-Thru: The best non-meat burger. Period. Best with a dairy-free chocolate shake. 58 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, amysdrivethru.com. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
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Moo-Ben, Mike’s at the Crossroads: In the annals of Sonoma County hamburger history, Mike’s holds a special place in almost everyone’s heart. Original owner Mike Condrin's take on a Reuben has got all the usual fixings: corned beef, Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing, piled on a burger. 840 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-778-8222, and 7665 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-665-9999, mikesatthecrossroads.com. (Matt S. / Yelp)
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Inglewood Burger, Handline: The Inglewood Burger features pastured beef, St. Jorge fonduta, iceberg lettuce, spicy pickle relish and thousand island on a toasted bun. 935 Gravenstein Ave. S., Sebastopol, handlinerestaurant.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Burger Harn, Lunch Box: Their signature Burger Harn is the kind of messy, smushy, everything-that's-good-about-beef masterpiece you rarely find. Paired with “dirty fries" (a pile of crispy fries, chevre ranch dressing, bacon, green onion, roasted garlic and pepperoncini), you’ll need a handful of napkins and a stout appetite. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, lunchboxsonomacounty.com. (Lunch Box)
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Smash Burger, Sonoma Burger: A single smash burger with cheese is $7, with fries for an extra $2.75. You can jazz things up with sauces, sides and a killer root beer float. But if you're on a budget, the quality is about as good as it gets. 173 Pleasant Hill Ave. N, Sebastopol, 707-827-8817, sonomaburger.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Happy Hour Burger, Salt and Stone: This lil' darling of a burger is just right for a nosh with your martini. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, saltstonekenwood.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Burger, Tips Roadside: This family-friendly (with a full bar, how lovely) roadhouse knows how to do a burger. Grass-fed beef, white cheddar, garlic-mustard aioli and tomato jam on a brioche bun. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, tipsroadside.com. (Tips Roadside)
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Brie & Bacon Burger, Palooza Brewery and Gastropub: An excellent burger with caramelized onions and apple aioli. 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, paloozafresh.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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Don Chava Burger, Picazo Cafe: Locals know exactly where to find the best burger, and this well-hidden gem of a restaurant has gotten their vote as Sonoma’s top burger spot. The Don Chava, named for the owner’s dad, piles it on with local grass-fed beef, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, pepper jack, jalapeño, pickled red onion and spicy Picazo sauce. 19100 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, picazocafe.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
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Sliders, Hopmonk: Modern pub dining with a focus on great beer and beer-friendly dishes, like delicious sliders. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol and 691 Broadway, Sonoma, hopmonk.com. (Hopmonk Tavern)
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Lodge Burger, Sea Ranch Lodge: A perfect coastal burger with a perfect coastal view. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch,
707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com (Courtesy of The Sea Ranch Lodge)
