A San Francisco Guide to Great Burgers

Back when I lived in L.A., I couldn't be convinced that any city had better hamburgers. Between Father's Office and the Apple Pan, what other town could compete in offering, thick, mouthwatering, and creatively concocted hamburgers and cheeseburgers?

However, as a new San Francisco-dweller, I've been blown away by the high quality and great variety of burgers to be found in this city. Here are five of my favorite San Francisco spots for hamburgers and cheeseburgers.

1. The Counter

The Counter is famous for its unique burger menu - a checklist that ensures every burger is bespoke. Diners choose their preferred type and weight of meat (or a veggie patty); they choose to consume their creations on one of three types of buns or atop a bowl of salad greens; then, they're presented with a long and wildly varied list of toppings.

From richGruyère to roasted chiles, from peanut sauce to pepperocinis, if you can imagine putting it on a burger, the Counter can make it happen. With 28 toppings, 10 cheeses, and 18 sauces, the combinations are endless.

Of course, the menu contains a few combination ideas to start off with, but ordering your own, completely custom cheeseburger at the Counter is an addictive experience. Also, don't pass up their delicious sweet potato fries, delightful fried pickle chips, and savory crispy fried onion rings.

The Counter has several locations dotted throughout the Bay Area. Also check out their Twitter account, @CounterBurger, for specials and more info.

2. Taylor's Automatic Refresher

In the spirit of a 1950s lunch counter - but without the relentless kitsch that makes places like Ruby's Diner seem a little too Disneyland - Taylor's hits a sweet spot with their amazingly high-quality burgers. Wrapped in brown waxed paper and piled high with the toppings of your choice, these burgers are huge, juicy, and practically perfect in every way.

While not as made-to-order as what you'll find at the Counter, Taylor's menu of hamburgers and cheeseburgers can be tweaked at modified to give you approximately what you'd want.

In addition to their lengthy list of specialty burgers, Taylor's also provides its patrons with great options for seafood (don't miss the calamari!), chicken, salads, and more. Plus, they have an selection of beers on tap - I recommend the very hoppy IPA.

3. In N Out Burger

A perennial favorite for any Californian, this chain has many locations throughout the San Francisco Bay area. In N Out is more of a fast food-type of restaurant, but they are known for a few outstanding features: Their absolutely fresh, never frozen ingredients; their "secret" menu; and their infinitely expandable burger sizes have made this burger joint a cult classic all over California.

The secret menu is one of the best parts of the In N Out experience. Although the traditional menu is small and leaves little room for customization, with the word-of-mouth secret menu, diners can order extra ingredients and get a little creative. A constantly popular choice is Animal Style burgers and fries, which gives diners cheese-dripping meals piled with grilled onions and special sauce. It's sure to clog your arteries almost instantly, but the taste is worth it.

4. W Hotel, San Francisco

For a more upscale experience, do what downtown and SOMA residents of San Francisco do: Hit the W Hotel for a late-night bite with a few friends. The cocktail bar, XYZ, is always filled with PYTs and interesting types, but the most interesting type of them all is the legendary W Burger.

The most spendy offering on our list, this burger weighs in at $24, but it's worth every penny. Best ordered rare, the juicy beef patty is layered with soft and savory d'affinois cheese and butter-braised mushrooms, all tucked into a sweet brioche bun and served with fingerling potatoes. Go ahead and spring for a decent bottle of wine - this luxe burger deserves better than beer!

5. Balboa Cafe

Another local San Francisco favorite spot, the Balboa Cafe was established in 1913 and remains on many Bay Area burger aficionados' must-eat lists. This saloon is also known for its good wines and strong mixed drinks, but the burgers hold a legendary spot in many San Franciscans' hearts.

Served on a baguette with homemade pickles and shoestring-style French fries, these burgers can be made to order with toppings such as grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, bacon, and avocado. Cheeseburger fans can choose to further enhance their burgers with jack, swiss, blue, and cheddar cheeses.

Of course, there are many more excellent burger joints in San Francisco, but these five each have their place in local legend, in culinary greatness, and in my own heart.