Best Burger in OC?

[mrlttran]

It seems all the best burger posts are for LA...Can my orange county buddies recommend a few places? For teriyaki burgers, I like Fuji's in Westminster/HB.

[georgempavlov]

I’ve read the old threads, but since haven’t posted my picks, so I thought I’d put some here.

The best burger I’ve had in Orange County is at – an unlikely place, perhaps a little fancier than you want, but – Onotria, the excellent Italian restaurant on Bristol in Costa Mesa. I believe it’s bison or that (name escapes me at the moment) American Kobe stuff. Heady, beautiful, sublime.

Now, for more casual choices…

I swear I am not a chain person – I really am not – but like it or not, Islands serves a damn good burger. It really exceeds one’s expectations and has never disappoints.

Another - that is way better than it should be – is the soul burger at Memphis, also in Costa Mesa. It’s not for the purists, but it is damn flavorful, and always juicy and perfectly cooked.

And to continue to wax on the theme of preparing your own – as in the older post – I also have my own recipe: It starts the same – get your butcher to trim all the fat he can off of a chuck roast, then grind. Mix this stuff (just like you’re making meatloaf) with salt, pepper, finely chopped shallots, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and garlic. Form into patties, separated by wax paper. Let them rest at room temp for 30 minutes to an hour – especially if they’re cold. Then grill or fry.

And for the record, I find Muldoon’s burgers just okay – but that’s just me. Same goes for TK.

G

[Wonginator]

At Onotria, it's the wild boar burger. I thought it was very good.

My favorite burger at the moment is the one at Chicago's Best. It's among the best that I've had in OC so far.

[cdmedici]

This is killing me!!!!

All this talk recently of great burgers in LA with the new opening of 8oz and the existence of Lucky Devils, Father's Office and 25 Degrees has me feeling left out living down here in OC.

I have had the burger at Ontoria and it is very very goodl. I do love the burger at Cafe R &D and the Hang Over Burger at Crow Bar. I also had a very delicious burger at A Restaurant a few weeks ago. So...until 25 Degrees opens in Newport Beach later this year...can we please add to this list???!!!??

Requirements are that they will cook it medium rare.

[david t.]

Ooo! Guess I have to make the trip to Ontoria.

[cdmedici]

Woops. I spelled it wrong. It is called Onotria. FYI, this place is far from a burger joint. It is however a good Italian restaurant focusing on wine county cuisine.

[bubbles4me]

I'm going to throw in a low-brow burger here but I swear John's Philly Grille, (Edinger & Goldenwest) makes a super messy old school, really craveable burger. Not cooked medium rare....but really tasty, try the mushroom...sooo good.

[I got nothin]

Here's a couple posts from last year on OC's best burgers:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362973
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/433722