Whether you like yours with caramelized onions, bacon or an egg on top, here's where to find the gooiest, most delicious burgers around.
Ultimate Burger, Catelli's in Geyserville: House-ground mix of Kobe beef frisket and sirloin that's best eaten silkily rare and with a minimum of condiments, plus cheese, of course. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com. (Chris Hardy)
Acme Burger, Acme Burger in Cotati: Angus beef, lettuce, tomato and “Awesome Sauce," American, Swiss, or Cheddar cheese, $1 for fancy stuff: Brie, Pt. Reyes Blue, goat cheese. 550 E Cotati Ave, Cotati, 707-665-5620, acmeburgerco.com. (Heather Irwin)
The Amy Burger, Amy's Drive Thru in Rohnert Park: Double veggie patty, double cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, Fred Sr.’s secret sauce (reg or spicy). 58 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park, 707-755-3629, amysdrivethru.com. (Beth Schlanker)
The Butcher Burger, Butcher Crown Roadhouse in Petaluma: All-Natural Angus brisket and chuck patty, cheddar and jack cheese, shredded iceberg, grilled onions, pickles and their signature Crime sauce on a Portuguese bun. 1905 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, 707-559-3735, butchercrown.com.
(John Burgess)
Don Chava Burger, Picazo Cafe in Sonoma: This well-hidden little gem of a restaurant has gotten their vote as Sonoma’s top burger spot for several years. 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, 707-931-4377, picazocafe.com. (Photo courtesy of Picazo Cafe)
Happy Hour Burger, Salt and Stone Restaurant in Kenwood: Though tiny, this is a mighty burger, served with cheddar aioli on a brioche bun. No shortcuts here, with lots of beefy, juicy flavor. 9900 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-6326, saltstonekenwood.com. (Heather Irwin)
Classic Burger, Palooza Brewery and Gastropub in Kenwood: Quarter-pounder with all the classic toppings, plus garlic aioli. 8910 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 707-833-4000, paloozafresh.com. (John Burgess)
Cheeseburger, Superburger in Santa Rosa, Cotati and Windsor: Charbroiled burger topped with double slices of American cheese plus fixings. originalsuperburger.com/contact. (Beth Schlanker)
The Western Burger, Carmen's Bistro in Santa Rosa: Features onion rings, cheddar cheese, applewood bacon, and barbecue sauce. 619 4th St., Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker)
Cheeseburger, Piner Cafe in Santa Rosa: The former owner of Sequoia burger knows her beef, and fans of these old-school burgers know Piner’s are some of the very best. Their 7-ounce freshly ground chuck cheeseburger is served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard and mayo. Includes your choice of French Fries, soup, green salad or homemade deli salad. 975 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, 707-575-0165, pinercafe.com. (Courtesy photo)
The Inglewood Burger, Handline in Sebastopol: Pastured beef, St. Jorge Fonduta, iceberg lettuce, spicy pickle relish and thousand island on a toasted bun. 935 Gravenstein Ave., Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com. (John Burgess)
Cheeseburger, Sequoia Burger in Sebastopol: This divey little walk-up shack has been around as long as anyone can remember, and their burgers have been pretty much the same as long as anyone can remember. Thin patties made to order, ridiculously huge portions of fries and onion rings, straightup sesame seed buns, and real-deal shakes. Picnic tables outside. 1382 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol, 707-829-7543, sequoiaburger.com.
The Mondo Double Cheeseburger, Healdsburger in Healdsburg: Simple and great. Weighs in at 14 ounces. 48 Healdsburg Ave. Healdsburg, 707-473-9604, healdsburger.com. (Chris Hardy)
Cheeseburger, Geyserville Gun Club in Geyserville: This burger has an honest grassfed flavor, topped brilliantly with American cheese (so daring, so delicious!), caramelized onions and secret sauce. 21025 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, 707-814-0036, geyservillegunclub.com. (Heather Irwin)
Half Pound Burger, Sweet T's in Windsor: Choice of American, cheddar, jack or pepperjack cheese. Served with French fries or choice of one side. Add Bacon and avocado, substitute blue cheese or Gruyere. 9098 Brooks Rd S, Windsor, 707-687-5185, sweettssouthern.com. (Heather Irwin)
Kin Burger, Kin Restaurant in Windsor: Half pound certified angus beef patty, topped with smoked white cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. 740 McClelland Dr, Windsor, 707-837-7546, kinwindsor.com.
Worth the Drive -- Stemple Creek burger with Grazin’ Girl gorgonzola, Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen: Comes with special sauce, shredded lettuce, and caramalized onions. Served on a brioche bun with fries. One Beach Avenue, Dillon Beach, 707-878-3030, dillonbeachresort.com. (Courtesy photo)
I’m truly sorry to do this to you. Especially if you’re reading this hungry. Or on a diet. Or on a desert island. But you’re about to see so much cheeseburger porn that you may just pass out from happiness.
Personally, a burger without cheese always seems like a flower without petals. It needs that gooey, melty, cap to really sate my hunger. That’s why, we’re feeling a little like Wimpy these days. We’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a cheeseburger right freaking now….
