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 6-ounce ground prime chuck patty topped with cheddar, tomato, red onion, shredded iceberg, dill pickle, onion butter and fancy sauce on a brioche bun. Pair with “dirty fries” — a pile of crispy fries, chevre 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 smashburger. 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8636; 6700 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol, iggysburger.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, red onions, jalapeños and mustard barbecue sauce. 406 Larkfield Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-6835; 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-620-0258, machadoburgers.com
Bijou Burger, Bijou: As close to burger perfection as I’ve come recently. A soft brioche bun cradles a well-seared patty with honey bacon and cheddar. Shoestring fries arrive hot and crisp. Order the extra aioli and thank me later. 190 Kentucky St., Petaluma, restaurantbijou.com
The Classic, PRESSED: I love a deal, especially when you can get fries and a cheeseburger for roughly what you’d pay at In-N-Out ($6.80) or McDonald’s ($8.58). Price-wise, the single is hard to beat, but the double has the better meat-to-bun ratio, with two patties, cheese, pickles, onions and housemade Pressed sauce (a sort of Thousand Island-meets-ranch situation). Keep in mind, this is a smashburger, so the patty is thin, well-done and nicely crisped. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Suite 123, Rohnert Park, 707-992-0067, facebook.com/pressedburger
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. 308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
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. 1501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-4016; 8204 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-665-9790, 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. Locations in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Cotati, acmeburgerco.com
Shack Burger, Shake Shack: Two Angus beef patties, American cheese, special sauce, lettuce and tomato on a toasted potato bun. I keep coming back to this favorite again and again. Don’t miss a side of frozen custard. At Montgomery Village, 2424 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-581-8242, shakeshack.com
In-N-Out, Cheeseburger: Add grilled onions. ‘Nuff said. You know where to find one. in-n-out.com
More Great Burgers
Double Smash, Smash: This brand-new burger spot from chef Ari Weiswasser has a nearly single-minded focus on the ultimate smash burger — flat patty, soft bun, melty cheese and all the fixings. Upgrade your experience with bacon marmalade, extra special sauce and a boozy milkshake. 497 First St. W., Sonoma, instagram.com/smashsonoma
The Burger, Healdsburg Bar & Grill: The classic. American cheese, special sauce, bacon marmalade, all on a toasted brioche bun. You really can’t go wrong at this family-friendly spot just off the Healdsburg Plaza. 245 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg; 707-433-3333, healdsburgbarandgrill.com
Burger Bar, Stark’s Steak & 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, sauteed mushrooms and steak sauce to make it yours. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkssteakhouse.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. Also find the burger at Americana’s sister restaurant, Estero Cafe, in Valley Ford. 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, with a Salvadoran twist: an orange-marinated chicken pupusa burger between a choice of two stuffed pupusas and filled with pico de gallo, guacamole, lettuce, cheese and chipotle cream. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.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, jillysroadhouse.com
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. 7667 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, grass-fed beef, Toma fonduta cheese sauce, local lettuces, spicy pickle relish and Thousand Island on a toasted bun. 935 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com
Sea Ranch Burger, Sea Ranch Lodge: A perfect coastal burger with a perfect coastal view. The ground beef patty is topped with shallot jam, aged white cheddar and special sauce on a brioche bun, 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 Windsor: The Kin Burger features certified Angus beef, smoked gouda 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: This hidden gem serves an excellent burger featuring a half-pound beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion and garlic aioli. Go for add-ons like avocado, grilled onions and bacon. 8910 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com
Happy Hour Burger, Salt & 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, carmensbistroandbar.com
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; 691 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-935-9100, hopmonk.com
