At Sonoma Magazine, we’re always ready to celebrate great bun-patty-bun combos. So it’s a good thing we’re not exactly picky about what’s between the buns — be it Wagyu beef, chuck, turkey or even a plant-based burger. Because here’s the thing: A great burger is really all about the whole package, with melted cheese, a soft bun, crisp veggies and a moist and chewy patty in the middle.
Scroll on below to discover some of our favorite burgers in Sonoma County, and click through the above gallery for a peek at the meaty deliciousness.
Don’t see your favorite? Let me know at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com.
Dining Editor’s Picks
Burger Harn, Lunch Box: The signature Burger Harn is the kind of messy, smushy, everything-that’s-good-about-beef masterpiece you rarely find. It’s a third pound of Oak Ridge Angus topped with cheddar, tomato, red onion, shredded iceberg, dill pickle, onion butter and fancy sauce on a Costeaux brioche bun. Pair with “dirty fries” — a pile of crispy fries, chèvre ranch dressing, house-cured and smoked bacon, green onion, roasted garlic and pepperoncini. You’ll need a handful of napkins and a stout appetite. 128 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-347-9881, lunchboxsonomacounty.com
The Iggy, Iggy’s Organic Burger: A tasty organic patty cooked in beef tallow is topped with Clover cheddar cheese, pickles, pickled onions, ketchup and mustard on buttery Hawaiian buns. A delicious take on a classic smash burger. 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8636, angelasicecream.com
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 housemade chili, pulled pork, cheese, onions, jalapeños and mustard sauce. 406 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6835, machadoburgers.com
(Coming soon to Bell Village Business Center, 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor.)
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 beef patty, 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
(photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
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. Locations in Santa Rosa, Cotati, Petaluma and Windsor, originalsuperburger.com
Sonoma Beef Burger, Acme Burger: This is the place for tried-and-true burgers on a budget. The Sonoma Mountain Beef Burger remains a great value. Pair it with onion rings, chili cheese fries or Cajun fries. 1007 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-615-7306; 550 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati, 707-665-5620; 330 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-559-3820, acmeburgerco.com
The Mac Daddy, Road Trip: A 7-ounce Oak Ridge patty topped with cheese, pickles, onions, shredded lettuce and secret sauce on a sesame milk bun. A top-notch burger from chef Crista Luedtke — someone who knows her burgers and isn’t afraid to reinvent the McDonald’s classic. 16218 Main St., Guerneville, 707-604-6102, eatatroadtrip.com
Shack Burger, Shake Shack: Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce and cheese on a sweet bun. I keep coming back to this favorite again and again. Don’t miss a side of frozen custard. 2424 Magowan Dr. at Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa, shakeshack.com.
In-N-Out, Cheeseburger: Add grilled onions. ‘Nuff said. You know where to find one.
More Great Burgers
Burger Bar, Stark’s Steak and Seafood: Start with the Stark Standard, a half-pounder with smoked bacon, peppercorn salsa verde and Cambozola. Then choose add-ons like onion rings, a truffled sunny-side-up egg, mushrooms and steak sauce make it yours. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkrestaurants.com
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, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Basic Burger, Americana: A third pound of Stemple Creek Ranch beef is dressed with housemade aioli and a choice of organic Clover cheddar, pepper jack or swiss (with an option to upgrade to Estero Gold or Gorgonzola) on a freshly baked bun. Served with lettuce, onion, pickle spear and choice of fries, onion rings, coleslaw, cup of soup or a side salad. 205 Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-755-1548; 162 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-827-3309, americanasonomacounty.com
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, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
Organic Burger, Amy’s Drive-Thru: The best nonmeat burger. Period. Best with a dairy-free chocolate shake. 58 Golf Course Drive W., Rohnert Park, 707-755-3629, amysdrivethru.com
Smashburger, Jilly’s Real Food Roadhouse: On sunny days, sitting on the rustic patio outside Jilly’s Real Food Roadhouse in Jenner is a Zen moment, but the burgers are high-energy fun. Go for the double with caramelized onion jam and special sauce. 9960 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-756-0119.
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, sauerkraut and thousand island dressing, piled on a burger between marbled rye. 7665 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-665-9999, mikesatthecrossroads.com
Farm Burger, Brewsters Beer Garden: Simple and delicious, this meaty sandwich features white cheddar, aioli, pickles, onion and romaine lettuce. Served with shoestring duck fat fries. 229 Water St. N., Petaluma, 707-981-8330, brewstersbeergarden.com
Inglewood Burger, Handline: The Inglewood Burger features organic beef, St. Jorge fonduta, local lettuces, spicy pickle relish and thousand island on a toasted bun. 935 Gravenstein Ave. S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com
Lodge Burger, Sea Ranch Lodge: A perfect coastal burger with a perfect coastal view. The ground beef and lamb patty is topped with aioli and smoked Gouda, served with fries. 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
Hangover Cheeseburger, Healdsburger: This mostly-locals spot does all kinds of burgers, but we especially appreciate the Hangover Cheeseburger with sriracha hot sauce, a fried egg, bacon, pepper jack 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
Kin Burger, Kin Restaurant: The Kin Burger features certified Angus beef, smoked white cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, housemade barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted brioche bun. 740 McClelland Drive, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com
Classic Burger, Palooza Brewery and Gastropub: An excellent burger featuring a half pound of your choice of chuck or brisket, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion and garlic aioli. Go for add-ons like avocado, grilled onions and Brie cheese. 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com
Happy Hour Burger, Salt and Stone: This lil’ darling of a burger is just right for a nosh with your martini. A quarter pound of house-ground beef with cheddar and aioli on a brioche bun. 9900 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com
The Western Burger, Carmen’s Bistro & Bar: Featuring onion rings, cheddar cheese, applewood bacon and barbecue sauce, this burger will require your jaw to unhinge for a bite. 619 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-843-5186
HopMonk Cheeseburger, HopMonk: Modern pub dining with a focus on great beer and beer-friendly dishes, like the house burger topped with aioli, tomato chutney, white cheddar and crispy shallot on brioche. 230 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-7300; and 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-9100, hopmonk.com
