Sunday is National Hamburger Day. Here are a handful of spots with unique burgers to check out this weekend.
Draft at Belmont Park — Mission Beach: This beachside amusement park sports bar has several burger options. The Dirty Double-Dipper Burger has a Brandt Beef patty with caramelized onions; the Wagyu beef patty melt has a 7-ounce Wagyu patty, cheddar cheese and bacon on sourdough bread; and the Draft Brunch Burger (pictured) is served with three eggs, bacon, ham and avocado. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego. draftsandiego.com
Hamburger Hut — Leucadia: This quick-service outlet, which reopened in a new location last summer, specializes in classic smash-style burgers and cheeseburgers. Options include single, double or triple flattop charred beef patty on King’s Hawaiian roll, with toppings and thousand island-style dressing. The restaurant serves its burgers with tiki-inspired cocktails. 576 N. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. hamburgerhut.com
A cheeseburger from Ranch 45.
(Courtesy of Chris Costa)
Ranch 45 — Solana Beach: Today only, this restaurant and butcher shop will serving the three “finalist” burgers in its fourth annual National Burger Day Competition, which kicked off May 17. Chefs competed in preparing burgers with Brandt Beef and the top-selling burger at each round moved on to the finals. The champion will be crowned later today and will be served as a daily special all weekend. 512 Via De La Valle #102, Solana Beach. ranch45.com
Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint — Coronado: Known for its stacked-high sandwiches, Nicky’s serves the Famous Rottens Burger, with Applewood-smoked bacon and cheddar; the chorizo burger, with crumbled chorizo sausage, cheddar and grilled onions atop a beef patty with sour cream sauce; the mushroom burger with sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese; and the breakfast burger with an over-easy egg, crispy potato cake bacon and cheddar. 100 Orange Ave., Coronado. nickyrottensoncoronado.com
Neighborhood — Downtown: CH Projects’ 16-year-old neighborhood eatery and beer spot serves three different burgers. The OG Hood burger features smash patties, bacon onion jam, garlic aioli and blue and Gruyere cheeses. The Young American is more traditional with smash patties, pickles, lager onions and American cheese. For non-beef eaters, the black bean Soyrizo burger is served with avocado crema, grilled poblano pico de gallo and caramlized onions. 777 G St., San Diego. neighborhoodsd.com
The Grill at Lakehouse Resort — San Marcos: On Sunday, Lakehouse will be serving its El Jefe Burger, made with Brandt Beef, shaved onion, al pastor mulita and avocado crema. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. lakehousehotelandresort.com/dining/