Disclaimer #1: As all matters of taste, burgers are a subjective business. My priorities are as follows:
- Meat should be sourced with an eye toward sustainability.
- Burgers should be cooked consistently to temperature.
- They should not be too tricked out; classic condiments and presentations are best.
Disclaimer #2: I’ve spent the last month checking out the most highly regarded burgers in Berkeley and Oakland (16 spots), and I’ve narrowed these down to nine. I’ve just heard of three places I didn’t try (that sound like potential winners) and three new places that are soon headed our way. It’s time to stop the madness and publish this current list, which will certainly evolve.
If I’ve missed your favorite, please share in the comments.
Without further ado, here are my top picks, in alphabetical order: