Best Burger

BRAD A. JOHNSON, SCNG FILE PHOTO The ever-popular Double Double has two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato and In-N-Out’s own special spread.

1. In-N-Out Burger

Multiple locations, in-n-out.com

The epitome of comfort food in Southern California, In-N-Out has maintained its traditional core burgers and fries menu since company founders Harry and Esther Snyder opened the first small drive-thru stand in 1948. According to Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick, they maintained a simple business philosophy: “Serve only the highest quality product, prepare it in a clean and sparkling environment, and serve it in a warm and friendly manner. These principles are still what guide us today.”

“We don’t freeze, pre-package or microwave our food,” Warnick continues. “Everything is still made fresh to order, and we deliver fresh ingredients to each In-N-Out location at least every other day. Our hamburger patties are de-boned and ground from whole chucks by our own team of butchers. To this day, locally grown produce is sliced and prepped by associates several times daily, and fresh, whole potatoes are peeled and diced by hand for made-to-order french fries. Our shakes are made from real ice cream.”

In addition to ordering a hamburger, cheeseburger and Double-Double, extremely hungry customers can also triple or quadruple their patties, go bunless or try a grilled cheese from the Not So Secret Menu.

There are 30 In-N-Out Burger locations in Orange County among 378 total throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado.

On the business side, the company supports nonprofit efforts fighting child abuse, substance abuse and human trafficking.

2. The Habit Burger Grill

Multiple locations; habitburger.com

When it comes to cooking charbroiled hamburgers, The Habit Burger Grill is among the top tier of fast-casual eateries.

Started in Goleta as a family-owned business in 1969, a second location opened in Ventura in 1996 and rapidly expanded from there during the ensuing decades. Now there are more than 300 sites, primarily in California.

Burgers are prepared over an open flame for a smoky flavor. The menu features such burger varieties as the Santa Barbara Char (double patties, avocado, onions on sourdough), Portabella Char (mushrooms, roasted garlic aioli), Teriyaki Char with cheese (grilled pineapple), Original Impossible Burger and Veggie Burger (cucumbers, mustard on toasted wheat bun).

Other options include chicken, tenderloin steak and tuna sandwiches, salads and sides like onion rings, sweet potato fries or tempura green beans.

Customer service is a top priority, and Habit employees are very responsive online if an issue crops up.

People who are conscientious about exactly how their food is processed should check out Burger Lounge. Established 15 years ago in La Jolla, it uses 100 percent grass-fed and finished beef, free-range turkey and plant-based burgers. Forbes once spotlighted Burger Lounge on a top 10 list of top upstart fast-casual chains in America. There are currently 19 Southern California locations.

Robert Lane, chief marketing officer, says “the healthful nature and sustainability of our menu stands out” with offerings like turkey and Keto-friendly diet burgers, two fish sandwiches, three chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, two plant-based burgers, chick’n bites, onion rings and fries.

Drinks include milkshakes, a root beer float, house-made lemonade, organic brewed iced tea, batch craft soda and even premium beers and wine. Kid-sized options are available.

Customer George U. of Mission Viejo wrote on Yelp that Burger Lounge has a great selection of sandwiches and was “simply a ‘wow.’”

3. Burger Lounge

Irvine, Costa Mesa; burgerlounge.com