We searched high and low for Silicon Valley’s 10 best burgers of the moment and learned a thing or two about grilled perfection.
Gott’s Roadside always wows its fans.
KONJOE BURGER BAR
Driven by the mission to serve “a better burger for a better planet,” this Santa Clara eatery dishes up some of the valley’s most environmentally and health-conscious offerings. Regenerative burgers pair perfectly with freshly baked artisan buns—sans preservatives—and local produce. Standouts include the Double Down, a savory double grass-fed cheeseburger prepared with sizzling grilled onions and Konjoe sauce. 170 State St., Los Altos, 650.383.6010, konjoe.com
THE STAND
Euro bliss prevails with the French Onion Soup burger: beef patty, double parmesan-crusted bun, double gruyere cheese, red wine onions and crispy onion strings on a gourmet brioche bun, served with French onion au jus for dipping. Decadent? Sure. But we dare you not to fall deeply in love with this one. 785 Lawrence Expressway, Santa Clara, 408.400.3374, thestand.com
KIRK’S STEAKBURGERS
Kirk’s has been a Silicon Valley staple since the ’40s. Patties are made from scratch from family recipes that have carried the eatery for decades. Standouts like the Big Kirk—a half-pound patty on the restaurant’s famous steak roll—with a side of cheesy bacon fries or the Loaded Fork Fries—comprised of brown sugar bacon, green onion, charred jalapeno, blue cheese, buffalo sauce and buttermilk ranch—will have you coming back for more in no time. 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 2388 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, kirks-steakburgers.com
SLIDERS BURGER
This San Jose institution features burgers that evoke sighs with every bite. We adore the wagyu beef patties and New York strip sandwiches, but the bison burger is the winner, enhanced dreamily with cheese and bacon. 1645 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.298.4340, slidersburger.net
Main Street Burgers offers a legendary Street Lettuce Burger.
MADERA
This kitchen team at Rosewood Sand Hill’s signature restaurant wows guests for dinner, but swing by for lunch and indulge in chef Seamus Mullen’s cheeseburger featuring grass-fed beef, cheddar, tomato, housemade pickle, gem lettuce under a tender brioche bun and served with crispy and perfectly seasoned fries. 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, 650.561.1540, maderasandhill.com
OAK + VIOLET
Dinner at this bright and innovative restaurant located inside the Park James is always a treat, but don’t overlook the ambitious happy-hour menu and its salmon sliders, grilled to perfection and topped with garlic aioli. Sit at the bar, order a side of truffle fries and a California sauvignon blanc, and your afternoon is made. 1400 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650.304.3880, parkjames.com/oak-violet
ROGER
When the Ameswell Hotel’s signature restaurant opened a few years ago, it was clear the restaurant team meant business, especially with inventive dishes like harissa cauliflower, crispy maitake and Koji-aged ribeye. The same ambitions apply to the wagyu and pork belly cheeseburger, which features cheddar cheese, house sauce, caramelized onion, pickle and arugula on a housemade brioche bun. The decadent fries seal the deal. 800 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View, 650.880.1000, rogerbarandrestaurant.com
Look for inventive burgers at spots like Kojoe Burger Bar.
GOTT’S ROADSIDE
Gott’s is a burger institution for a reason: When you see a kimchi burger (fried egg, kimchi, American cheese, Zoe’s bacon and spicy gochujang mayo on a toasted egg bun) on the menu, it’s a sign a venue takes its burgers seriously. We also love the Texas avocado burger and the green chile burger. Don’t miss the chili spice-dusted sweet potato fries served with housemade ranch. 855 El Camino Real, Ste. 65, Palo Alto, 650.326.1000, gotts.com
MAVERICK JACK’S
So many choices, so little time—that’s not the mantra here, but it should be. We love the Bacon Ultimatum (starring hickory smoked bacon) and the Beermiester (featuring Sierra Nevada Pale Ale mustard), but our go-to order is the Outlaw, accompanied by pepper jack cheese, hickory smoked bacon, crispy onion strings, jalapenos, red onions, housemade barbecue sauce and chipotle mayo. Don’t overlook the fried pickles with a side of ranch dressing. 4000 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, 650.458.0020, maverickjacks.com
MAIN STREET BURGERS
The favorite at this halal-American burger joint is the Main Street Lettuce Burger, which features juicy beef, tomato, red onions, pickles and house sauce on a brioche bun. Standout desserts include chocolate lava cake and Key lime pie. 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, 408.354.0163, mainstreetburgers.com
Photography by: DANIELE CERRINI; LOUIS HANSEL; LOUIS HANSEL
