The burger: Grass fed hamburger, pickled onion and french fries $13.

OMG, so good! I ordered it without the onions, which might have added another level of flavor, but it so didn’t matter. This burger was spectacular! The bun was soft and handled the moist meat well, which was perfectly cooked and flavored just right. It was good good good! The juices dripped and the flavor filled my mouth with joy.

The fries were really good too, not perfect but damn near. They were crispy and properly cooked. There were also many other things on the menu I’d like to go back and try. But after having that burger I don’t know if I could go again and not order it! Thanks for the suggestion Lila B!

NOPA on Yelp
560 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117 Map

First of all, I had to make a lunch reservation (the burger is only served at lunch). Who ever makes a reservation to eat a burger? A burger reviewer, that’s who. And no one else.

Second, it took way too long for our server to come. Then a long time for the food to come. Then a long time to get the check. Lunch ended up taking nearly two hours! And that doesn’t include travel time!

The burger however, was fantastic. As listed on the menu: American Kobe Beef Burger – Cowgirl Creamery’s Wagon Wheel Cheese, Heirloom Tomato, House Made Bun, Little Gem Lettuce, French Fries – $15.75.

The presentation was oh so perty with the little doily tucked into the fry pot. When I picked up the burger for the first time it started dripping before I even bit into it – good sign! It was cooked very well, not as in temperature, but as in just-the-way-I-like-it (medium rare). The meat was so soft and smooth – almost too smooth – like the burger didn’t have any character. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying every bite.

The french fries were awesome too! Very crispy and soft in the middle. I probably ate a few too many of them.

So it boils down to a tasty, too-smooth burger against a high price and lots of hassle. Hence, the star subtraction. Sorry Evan, its not my perfect burger, but it came pretty close!

Boulevard on Yelp
1 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94105 Map

Anyway, enough about chicken. I made it to Zuni for lunch and ordered the House-ground grass-fed beef hamburger on grilled rosemary focaccia with aioli and Zuni pickles ($15), along with Shoestring potatoes ($6).

The burger was tasty at first bite and I liked the meat. The bun was delicate and toasted (a little hard on the mouth). Because the bun was so delicate I was afraid to set it down in the juicy mess that formed on my small plate. The meat by itself was pretty simple, not too salty, fairly average and cooked just right (medium rare). The Zuni pickles and onions really made the burger though, without them it might have been boring.

The shoestring fries were fun, but difficult to eat and slightly spongy. They looked like they would be crispy and were disappointingly NOT.

Considering the price ($30 for a burger, fries and iced tea) and simplicity of the meat I can’t give this burger more than three stars.

Zuni on Yelp
1658 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102 Map

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

The burger: Prather ranch dry-aged ground beef, tomatoes, greens, balsamic onions, Dijon mustard, aioli & cheddar, swiss or jack cheese, served with french fries: $12.50 The toppings change frequently as does the rest of the menu and is always creative and delicious. Even though I don’t like mustard, I don’t mess with this flavor palette.

Juicy and quite messy, I loved every bite. They have such good meat, cooked just right – pink and charred on the edges. This burger speaks to me, it says “you know you want to eat me baby!” And I do.

Now I must also mention their fries. I dare say they are the best in the City. There have been a few nights when they have been a bit off, but for the most part they are crack-addictingly fantastic. We always order them as an appetizer. Even if we’re eating brunch!

Eat this burger and these fries. You will LOVE them!

Slow Club on Yelp
2501 Mariposa St
San Francisco, CA 94110 Map

This burger had me at first bite – juice immediately ran down my chin. Every nibble after that was just as good. I actually ate it slowly to savor every bite – because I didn’t want the experience to end (and I’m typically a fairly fast eater). The bun got a little soggy, but I didn’t mind because the burger earned it. You might even say that I got “burger chills”.

The sides were also delicious. My curly fries and Albie’s sweet potato fries were perfectly crispy. The shake was thick, creamy and oh so tasty. Considering the cost and the fact that I couldn’t stop eating any of it, this was a great meal. The restaurant itself was pretty cute too and the staff was super nice.

In a word: FANTASTIC!!!

Update: I originally was going to give this place 5 stars, but I went back again with friends and it wasn’t as good, which has bumped it down to 4 stars. Clearly I need to try it again to see how it holds up.

Bistro SF on Yelp
2819 California St
San Francisco, CA 94115 Map

I ordered the: Prather ranch, arugula, pickled red onions, housemade pickles, acme roll, and french fries. With cheese: $13. The first bite was really good. Not over-the-top, just ‘hey, i’m chililn here bein a good burger’. I sat across from Albie and suddenly heard him screech – juice from his burger had squirted out all over him and his napkin! The burger was so damn juicy it came all over him! Luckily it wasn’t hot enough to burn do damage.

Back to my burger… the pickled onions and other special toppings were good. The meat, for not being seasoned was great – juicy (enough to mess up a fella) and tasty. It caused a good mess on my plate. I would eat there again in a heartbeat, but must remember to save room for ice cream across the street when I’m done!

Serpentine on Yelp
2495 3rd St
San Francisco, CA 94107 Map

Here’s the description as provided by Lazy Bear: “Cheeseburger, our way, fries, and a chocolate milkshake, $20. BYOB. Think housemade black brioche bun. Our own mix of dry-aged natural beef. Special sauce. Cheese. Something green. With thrice-cooked french fries and a chocolate milkshake.”

The bun was most impressive to me, it was so soft and its flavor really complimented the burger. An extremely tasty burger with some excellent special sauce, though the meat was a little too salty. I enjoyed every bite and I know that is the burger for someone out there, but its just not the burger for me. The fries were ok, but the shake stole the side show. It was like a Wendy’s frosty but 20 times better.

I give it four stars because aside from the saltiness of the meat, that was a mighty impressive hamburger – he made his own bun!!!

Lazy Bear on Yelp

But $16 for lunch for two people? Felt like that should have cost more! And the place was empty for lunch. Something doesn’t add up.

Durty Nelly’s on Yelp
2328 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122 Map