Best Burger in Santa Barbara?

[desylicious]

I've had my fair share of In 'n Out and Habit- and tried my luck (rather dismally) with a lamb and feta burger on a squished grilled english muffin at Blue Agave- so I'm hoping to avoid disappointment by asking for any suggestions for sit-down restaurant burger and fantastic fries? Something worth every calorie?

[trebenstein]

Another great burger is at The Tupelo Junction Cafe. Whenever I want a great gourmet burger, that's what I first think of. They serve deep fried pickles with it and if you like pickles, its a holy experience. They've also got a great spicy Bloody Mary. I hope you give it a try.

[magneto]

Lucky's in Montecito has no match yet (my standard was set by "father's office" santa monica) best burger in the area

[desylicious]

magneto- i totally agree, Father's Office's burger is the one I think of when I'm disappointed with the burger I'm eating.

I tried Paradise Cafe on Thursday night, and was not impressed. It was thick and had a nice smoky oak flavor, but was dense and dry- reminded me of a hockey puck. Also, onion roll, very squishy and didn't hold up to the toppings and burger. Fries just average. Oh, well. Upside, icy cold pilsner urquell, and the bf's fillet was quite good.

[Got Cake]

I vote for Paradise Cafe.
But I have been hearing great things about both Hungry Cat and Quantum, will have to go try those soon.

[desylicious]

I've been to the Hungry Cat on Sunset and Vine, and ordered the pug burger. The burger is really thick and piled high with great ingredients, but is SO thick that it almost has to be eaten open-faced. We also ordered it med-well, but got it very rare- as in loose red beef in the middle rare- that we haven't ordered it again. Haven't tried the SB Hungry Cat version yet.

We went to Tinker's last night per your advice, Diana. A perfectly decent burger. I got the double, with two patties and two slices of cheese and I would compare it to a larger Double Double from In 'n Out. While good, I would really prefer a thick patty and not two very thin ones on top of each other. The fries were industrial shoe-string style, and the onion rings are batter dipped and yummy. Its a shack for sure, but not on the beach, but across the highway from it. Next time we'll get it all to go and walk down to the public park that fronts the ocean.

[Diana]

Lookout Park is a great place to eat. A good walkway leads to a nice beach to walk it all off! Aslo, try Stacky's!

[Diana]

Everyone's wrong! Go to Summerland and get a burger at Tinker's! Beach shack all the way!

2275 Ortega Hill Rd, Summerland, CA 93067
805 969-1970

Also try Stacky's

But Tinker's is the best!

[majmaj4]

Another gourmet option is Quantum. I haven't tried it myself but others have reported that they are great.

[glbtrtr]

Hands down - the $14 Pub Burger at the new HUNGRY CAT (Corner West Anapamu and Chapala - comes with more delicately fried onion rings than you can eat. Nothing comes close from my experience -- from a real burger fan here.

[DoctorQuality]

it's not what it used to be, but i still stand by Derf's on de la vina as having the best burgers in town...doesn't cost much either!

[JalamaMama]

Well, if you have a free afternoon- try the World Famous Jalama Burger, at Jalama Beach. Located about 45 minutes N of Santa Barbara- on the coast south of Lompoc. Best view in town, and great fries to boot! Ask at the kiosk- and the ranger will give you a burger pass- to avoid County Park fees. I proudly take my name from the good old days of cooking burgers at Jalama- the best job a teenager could have hoped for!!

[finickygal]

My daughter and I were told that the burgers were worth the drive. After about 15 minutes on that road we were not so sure. By the time we arrived we were starving so anything would have done. But those burgers! What a treat. Think I'll take up camping so I can stay there for more than one meal.

[rll4e]

There is another in Lompoc, (jalama Burger) but to me it is not the same. very different tasting to me.
Buellton California has a place called Firestone Brewery, they have a very good burger.
it is a Colby beef and is a 1/2 pound burger. i have had a lot of different burgers and this one rates right up there with the best. very nice place, great atmosphere and the list of beers they have are out of this world. i think for 6.99 you can try 3 or 4 different beers. only 3 ounces each but you get to keep the glass. and were talking 3 or 4 different kinds of beers after all.
Happy eating

[peasoup]

you'll likely get as many different answers as there are replies - getting people to agree on the best burger will be difficult.
My vote - Cafe del Sol, across from the Bird Refuge. Big, juicy burger - but the fries aren't fantastic - simply average fries. The place has a nice patio though - so you can enjoy the view.

Now, IMO the best burger in the area is up in the Valley - at the Hitching Post II in Buellton - but, they only serve it on Monday nights, and only in the bar.

[joebert]

I recently had a burger from The Country Meat Market (off Fairview, next to Zodo's) and in my opinion (and a few buddies who were with me) it's the best burger in Santa Barbara by far - give it a try.

[Cheese Please]

The Paradise Cafe makes a pretty nice burger. I like it with grilled onions and bleu cheese - rare all the way.

[Loradio]

I mean Habit

[Loradio]

go to the habic it has been there for thirty years