Surfside Burger Shack: A Review

While visiting my vegetarian sister in Eureka, California, I knew that at some point in our five day visit I would need some meat. Preferably, some red meat. Usually when visiting California, I stick with my old standby, In & Out Burger, for any necessary red-meat fixes. Alas, the gorgeous old-growth redwoods that necessitate narrow, winding roads to Eureka mean that many a chain restaurant declines to set up shop in Eureka. That's okay with Eurekans, and fine with me. I'd take Surfside Burger Shack over In & Out any day.

Surfside Burger Shack is situated at 445 5th Street, and can be easy to overlook amidst the many boutique shops and small private businesses. Look for the small red and white surf board sticking out into the sidewalk. Parking isn't always easy in this area, but you'll never have far too walk. It's Eureka, after all.

It's small, but quaint, and if the sign in the window is to be believed, biker-friendly. Booths and small tables are available if you elect to stay and eat, which I did the first time I visited Surfside. In addition to a pinball machine, there's a seated dual-player Ms. Pac-Man machine, and if and when the pinball machine eats your quarter, the cashier is more than happy to come over and set you up with a few free games. The place is plastered with pictures of someone I presume to be the owner's very young, very cute child, as well as local fliers for shows and events. It feels like a small-town family establishment, blended with just the right cut of hip and unpretentious.

Speaking of customer service: the young man at the counter was friendly and eager to please. It's hard to ask for better customer service than I received at Surfside-- all of our questions were answered, we were never rushed, and anything we requested we were cheerfully provided.

The first time at Surfside, I ordered the grass-fed beef hamburger (beef grass-fed in Humboldt County), which came on a fresh bun loaded with fresh vegetables and just the right amount of condiments. Ordered medium rare, the patty was juicy and flavorful in a way I had never experienced. It was without a doubt the smoothest, most melt-in-your-mouth beef patty I'd ever had. My sister had the vegetarian burger with tator tots, and proclaimed them excellent. I don't usually go back to the counter at a diner or fast food restaurant to compliment the chef, but I'm glad I did. I believe the cook working the griddle at the moment was in fact the owner, and he turned a little red but seemed very happy to receive positive feedback. Both orders were, we felt, worth the premium pricing. In additional to the classic hamburger I ordered, Surfside also offers many specialty burgers and chicken sandwiches. Once I'd tried the classic burger, I stuck with it, but I have no doubt the more exotic burgers are just as tasty.

The praise was well-earned, as that was the best burger I'd ever had in my life. It was so good, in fact, that on my last day in Eureka, I turned to my sister and said, "I can't stop thinking about that grass-fed burger." Her response was, "I know! I want another [vegetarian] one, too!" And so we made another trek to Surfside, this time calling ahead for take-out. Our order was just finished when we arrived, and we took our burgers and tater tots to eat at the Redwoods State Park. Although my grass-fed beef burger was still good, I realized my critical mistake: I'd forgot to request medium rare. It does make a difference in this lower-fat beef. This time I sampled the tater tots, and they were generously portioned and perfectly crisp.

Surfside Burger Shack also offers a selection of conventional and local micro brews. While in Eureka, I became particularly fond of Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. It's available at Surfside and almost every other restaurant and retailer in Humboldt County, and while there are other fine brews to be found in the area, this was by far my favorite.

The downside of visiting the Surfside Burger Shack is that it will ruin you for mainstream burgers forever. I immediately came home and sought out sources of local grass-fed beef. In & Out Burger misses me.

Well worth it.