It’s time for more burgers. Last time, none of the burgers came close to beating out my current favorite at Monsieur Benjamin, but I’m still on the hunt for the best burger in the city. This time, I went to Little Griddle (at Dough), Seven Stills Distillery, and back to Niku Butcher Shop. Will any of them outdo the competition?
1. Hot Mess Burger from Little Griddle
I was in the area after doing some volunteer work, and I decided to swing by and give the burger at Little Griddle a try. They had a pretty big selection, but I went for the Hot Mess Burger ($13) with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions and chipotle sauce. It came with fries or salad, and this time I opted for some fries. The burger looked great and the bun really held up. The taste was nice, but it wasn’t anything I was really excited about, and I was expecting a lot more heat from the description than what I actually tasted.
2. Smash Burger from Niku Butcher Shop
Now, I know I’ve already been to Niku, and the burger was really good (so good it got into the top five), so I knew I had to go back to try the other burger available, their Smash Burger. It’s the same price as the butcher burger at $24, so be prepared for some expensive meat. It’s two 50/50 Wagyu patties though, so I was also expecting a lot of flavor. It definitely comes across as a fancy In-N-Out clone. But this time, I also decided I needed to try the fries with bucher butter ($8). Honestly, this burger was sublime. The smash patties really added so much flavor to the meat with that nice crunch, but still not overcooking them. I was pretty much in burger heaven. And the fries were also divine. Butcher butter appears to be a mix of butter, soy sauce and beef fat, and honestly there didn’t seem like a better topping for fries. There were a lot of fries though, so unless you are very hungry, it’s best to stick with the chips and kimchi sides that come with the burger, or maybe you could have a friend nearby who can help.
3. Grass-Fed Beef Cheeseburger from Seven Stills Distillery and Brewing
After enjoying the small plates from Seven Stills so much, I knew I wanted to go back and try the cheeseburger for the burger hunt. When my parents were in town, we came here for dinner, so it seemed like the right time. The burger is two smashed four ounce patties, with smoked cheddar, tomato, red onion, pickles and house made aioli ($16). It also comes with a side of fries. And all together, it was a really enjoyable burger. Those classic burger flavors were all there, and the patties were well seasoned. The fries were fine, but it had me wishing I was eating more of the pulled pork poutine.
Winner: Niku Butcher Shop
Niku Butcher Shop was hovering at the bottom of my top five for awhile, but honestly the Smash burger from there is one of the best burgers I’ve eaten. It may be pricey, but it was worth it. And the fries really do make it extra, so either go really hungry or bring a friend (or two) to share. The regular burger was also pretty fantastic, and the fact that they do two amazing burgers makes me feel like they deserve top ranking at the moment. While the burger from Seven Stills was pretty good, the small plates are far superior, and I can’t really see the point of getting it again. Can I find a burger that will do better than Niku? We’ll see! And if you have any stellar burger recommendations in San Francisco you think I need to try, please feel free to let me know in the comments! Thanks for coming on this journey with me.
My current top five:
1. Niku Butcher Shop
2. Monsieur Benjamin
3. Comstock Saloon
4. Fort Point Valencia
5. Wayfare Tavern
Honorable mentions:
Classic toppings/burgers:
Gaspar
Nopa
Epic Steak
4505 Burgers and Barbecue
Magnolia Brewing
The Showdown
Spruce
Little Creatures Brewery
Frankie’s Java House
Unusual toppings/burgers:
City Beer Store
The Saratoga
ABV
Biergarten
Son’s Addition
Rock Club Burger
Multiple toppings/burgers:
Papa Mak’s
Brickhouse
Super Duper Burgers
Beep’s Burgers
Hoopla Burger
Sides:
Umami Burger
Wes Burger ‘n’ More
WOW, New champion!!!
FYI, folks, here is the description of their Smash Burger online:
Two 1/4 pound 50/50 Wagyu patties, American Cheese, Pickles, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Special Sauce Grilled Onions on a Toasted Brioche Bun.
Served with a side of kimchi and potato chips.
Impressive that the new winning burger is a pretty straightforward, good ol’ classic burger! Congratulations Niku Butcher Shop, I can’t wait to come try out your Smash Burger (and those fries– That butcher sauce! YUM!).
Yeah, I think ultimately, it’s the quality of the patty that makes it amazing. I do love interesting toppings, but if you get that and the patty itself is disappointing, well, something is lacking!
Niku is pretty close to home, so I’m sure we could give it a try sometime if you’re up in the city, although they do only serve it for lunch, so it might involve a bit of planning!