Shadowbrook Restaurant – Capitola, California
April 19, 2026Mai Tai Tom & Tracy’s Best Burgers 2025/2026
After our Best Burgers of 2021/2022 post, we took some time off from posting about burgers, however in the past year we’ve come up with some new favorites to help harden those arteries.
Sadly, one hamburger you will not see on this list is the purported “World’s Best Hamburger.” Hundred Burgers in Spain was voted the #1 burger in the world in 2025 by the Burger Dudes, “the world’s largest burger review website.” There is a Hundred Burgers location in Madrid, but on the day we were in that part of the city and within spatula flipping distance of Hundred Burgers, Tracy said she was not hungry. Kicking ourselves over that miss.
We still like all the burgers on the 2021/2022 list but have made an entirely new list for this year. Although I have to say that HiHo Cheese Burger remains my favorite, and we are excited that they recently opened a location in Pasadena.
All of the burgers on this list happen to be from Southern California this year, so if you are in SoCal you can’t go wrong with any of these, in our humble burger opinion. In no particular order:
Teddy’s By the Sea: Carpinteria, California – This is our favorite restaurant in Carpinteria where we dine frequently on the dog friendly patio. The Teddy’s Tavern Burger is 100% grass-fed wagyu beef patty topped with tasty combination of lettuce, tomato, crispy shallots, thick-cut bacon, white cheddar and candied jalapeño mayo. You need to cut this bad boy in half to get it in your mouth. It comes with crunchy house-made potato chips or French fries. You san’t go wrong with either of those two choices.
Dang Burger: Carpinteria, California – Whenever we dine at Teddy’s By the Sea in Carpinteria we can’t help but notice the long line of people waiting next door at Dang Burger. Dang makes smash burgers using “100% grass fed and carrot finished beef.” Not sure what carrot finished means, but these burgers were amazing and explains why there is always a crowd waiting to eat.
There are four burgers, a veggie-patty and a hot dog on the menu. All served on a soft, squishy bun. The fries are hand-pressed and fried twice in beef tallow. Plus, boiled peanuts? … hmmm, maybe we could get some to go for our squirrels. Tracy, who never met a chile she didn’t like, had the Hot Dang, two patties, charred poblano pepper, sautéed jalapenos, griddled onion and herby spiced mayo topped old school-style with shredded lettuce and white American cheese. That dollop of spiced mayo on this burger was spot on. I had the Single Dang, one expertly seasoned, not too thin patty, griddled onions, New School American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato and secret sauce. Perfectly cooked with crispy edges and melting American cheese. Dang that’s good sauce! I asked what it was and the reply, “silly sauce.” Dang those are good burgers!
Dave’s World Famous Burgers * Dogs – Long Beach, California: We lived in Long Beach for years but somehow missed this old-school, no-frills burger shack even though it was right next door to our veterinarian’s office and literally just a few blocks from our home. Tiny, walk-up place in a gas station parking lot with people stopping by the entire time we were here.
Dave’s makes burgers (beef, chicken and turkey), hot dogs and including something called a Chubby Burger (chopped up hot dogs in a burger). The classic burger is topped with lettuce, pickles (but not for me), onions and thousand island dressing on a sesame seed bun. And the fries? Crispy and well-seasoned.Burgers and fries are served up in colorful retro plastic baskets. Canned sodas (“It hasta be Shasta”) are in an ice chest and there are a few picnic tables if you don’t mind dining in a parking lot. 3396 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, California. 10 am – 6 pm (closed Sunday)
Home Restaurant: Los Feliz (Los Angeles), California – We usually come here for one of their many great breakfast dishes, but they make delicious burgers too. 100% all natural ground chuck patties served on toasted brioche buns. There are four beef burgers to choose from as well as a vegan black bean burger.
I am partial to the Crispy Onion burger with “HOMEmade beer batter onion rings,” roasted jalapeño relish, Swiss cheese, and the secret HOME sauce on a toasted brioche bun. It was served with a tiny pickle on the top which Tracy quickly whisked away as I am not a pickle fan. All the burgers come with your choice of fries, fruit or house salad.
Foothill Restaurant: Pasadena, California – We like dining at the large outdoor patio at this restaurant. They have two wagyu beef burgers on the menu both of which are half-pound burgers served on toasted brioche buns. I recommend the BBQ Jam Burger with cheddar, tomato, arugula, crispy onions, garlic aioli, Serrano jam and house BBQ sauce. Fries are great.
Gott’s Roadside Stand at the Original Farmer’s Market, Los Angeles, California – Originally a roadside hamburger-stand from the Napa Valley in Northern California. Now a mini-chain, a new location recently opened in the Original Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles. We were excited to try this place because … wait for it, Tracy’s mom used to work at the original location when she was in high school in 1959!
A lot has changed since that time. The current owners have been expanding the concept since 1999. There is an extensive list of ten burgers, salads, sandwiches and even tacos. All the burgers are 1/3 pound beef patties “cooked medium well (a little pink inside).” That works for me, although I usually like my burgers more on the medium to medium rare side.
Tracy had the Green Chile Cheeseburger with grilled Anaheim chiles, Jack cheese, lettuce, red onion, salsa verde and charred jalapeño mayo on a toasted egg bun. I went with the Gruyere & Caramelized Onion burger with garlic mayo. And don’t forget the onion rings! Good stuff.
Eureka!: Carlsbad, California – Here is another small chain restaurant with a good burger menu and craft beverage program. Tracy dined at the location in Carlsbad but they have other locations mostly in California. Eight burgers on the menu. Tracy shared the Fresno Fig, fig marmalade, melted goat cheese, bacon, tomato, red onion, arugula and spicy porter mustard which was delicious. She also shared the Bacon Jalapeno Jam Burger made with a spicy charred Fresno chile, bacon-infused jalapeno jam (what?!!), smoked mozzarella and whisky caramelized onions.
Do you have a favorite burger? We’d love to know. If we’re in your neighborhood, maybe we’ll give it a try.
