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Best Burger
updated: Oct 04, 2012, 10:09 AM

I'm craving a delicious burger for lunch. Where is the best place in town to get one?

Places People Are Talking About:

Boathouse	Brewhouse	Cajan Kitchen
Dargans	Hamburger Habit	Jalama Burger
Kahuna Grill	Pace	Paradise Cafe
Petrini's	Scarlett Begonia

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 327692	2012-10-04 10:16 AM
Burger Bus!! Today in Goleta, but tomorrow they'll be at Samy's Camera.
COMMENT 327693	2012-10-04 10:17 AM
Burger King! oh wait....... never mind.
COMMENT 327694	2012-10-04 10:17 AM
According to many of my friends, and everyone who has eaten there agrees, the best place is Eureka!
COMMENT 327695	2012-10-04 10:17 AM
Julienne just put an awesome new burger on their lunch menu. Dutch Garden has a big, juicy, good burger. Paradise Cafe is always satisfying as well if you want a backyard style burger.
COMMENT 327699	2012-10-04 10:20 AM
Jane on State St.
COMMENT 327701	2012-10-04 10:24 AM
If you like tougher-than-it needs-to-be ciabatta bread with your burger, then go to Burger Bus. If you like sitting in line for 30 minutes and eating soggy, underdone, tasteless fries, then go to In-N-Out. If you like burgers that are cooked until they are hockey pucks, then go to Chubbies or The Habit. There are many sit-down restaurants with good burgers, but if you want a fast burger for lunch then either a Wendy's double or a Carl's Jr $6 jalapeno burger are my recommendations.
COMMENT 327702	2012-10-04 10:26 AM
Jane
COMMENT 327703P	2012-10-04 10:29 AM
The Habit...period.
COMMENT 327704	2012-10-04 10:29 AM
wow 701... Wendy's and Carls Jr?? Good burgers that are $10 or more: Paradise, Jane, Eureka, Pace Good burgers that are cheaper: Habit, Chubby's
COMMENT 327705	2012-10-04 10:31 AM
Man, I'm craving a hockey-puck w/cheese, extra grilled onion lettuce wrap right now!!!
COMMENT 327709	2012-10-04 10:35 AM
Hollister Brew has great burgers.
REXOFSB	2012-10-04 10:35 AM
Angus burger with guacamole at the Tree House Restaurant, adjacent to the Pepper Tree Inn on upper State Street. One of the best guac burgers ever! The fries are great, too.
COMMENT 327711	2012-10-04 10:35 AM
Eating meat is bad for you, mmmkay.
COMMENT 327714	2012-10-04 10:38 AM
Cafe Stella has an excellent burger!!
COMMENT 327716	2012-10-04 10:39 AM
Padaro Beach Grill, where burgers and paradise collide!
COMMENT 327718	2012-10-04 10:42 AM
Burger Bus, hands down.
DILLYDALLY	2012-10-04 10:42 AM
Best sit down burger in town is at the Stone House. Hungry Cat does a nice job too. Arlington Tavern is the newcomer but worth a look. These are all pricey burgers, but places you can be confident in a med-rare preparation. For a burger shack style well done approach, the standards have been mentioned and you cant go wrong with Habit, In-N-Out, Burger Bus (interesting items like the CB&J), or a couple other fast-food joints.
COMMENT 327721P	2012-10-04 10:43 AM
Ok not exactly beef burger...but hands down Natural Cafe Turkey Burger!!!!!!! YUM!!!!!!!!! My secret is I get a side of guacamole (75 cents) and add it on. To get avocado added is twice as much. Great now I'm hungry!
COMMENT 327724	2012-10-04 10:48 AM
Silvergreens hands down... (DeLaGuerra and Chapala)
MESARATS	2012-10-04 10:51 AM
Pug burger. at hungry cat
COMMENT 327727	2012-10-04 10:53 AM
Eureka and Hungry Cat!
COMMENT 327728	2012-10-04 10:54 AM
BurgerBus!
COMMENT 327730	2012-10-04 10:57 AM
The SPOT in Carp is worth a try. I make my own with ground buffalo, available at Albertson's, Vons, and Ralphs (plus Lazy Acres).
COMMENT 327731	2012-10-04 10:57 AM
my house right after my wife makes it.
COMMENT 327732	2012-10-04 10:59 AM
Blue Owl on Canon Perdido.
COMMENT 327733	2012-10-04 10:59 AM
If you can't get a seat on the Burger Bus, check out Kahuna Grill.
COMMENT 327735	2012-10-04 11:01 AM
Dutch Garden!
COMMENT 327738	2012-10-04 11:05 AM
Get on your bad motor scooter and ride up to Jalama. Or the Habit!
COMMENT 327740	2012-10-04 11:07 AM
Lucky's always has the best burger. They actually cook it to how you like it.....
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 11:13 AM
Nobody is mentioning Jill's Place! OMG!!! GREAT burgers and I love the sliders too. In fact, I'm going there, because now you've got ME craving 'em too.
COMMENT 327745	2012-10-04 11:14 AM
Zodo's
NATURE BOY	2012-10-04 11:19 AM
#1: The Hungry Cat. #2: The Paradise Café. End of story!
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 11:20 AM
Oh, and I live in Carpinteria and eat the burgers at the Spot all of the time -- YUM!! I like the ones at Padaro Beach Grill too, but their rare ahi sandwich is really what I go there to get. MMMMMMM . . . good!
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 11:21 AM
Foster Freeze in Carpinteria makes a mean patty melt too and at a VERY reasonable price. How does $3.99 sit with you?
COMMENT 327750	2012-10-04 11:23 AM
I like Derfs!
COMMENT 327751	2012-10-04 11:23 AM
The Nugget in Summerland - YUMMY!!!!!
COMMENT 327752	2012-10-04 11:24 AM
Cafe Stella has incredible lamb sliders. I've never had a "hockey puck" burger at the Habit in Goleta, they are always terrific. I'm looking forward to trying Eureka. Had no idea about Jane! Great thread.
COMMENT 327753P	2012-10-04 11:24 AM
the Habit on Hollister only one that still has their delicious chili burger and thanks to this thread will now be my lunch today
COMMENT 327757	2012-10-04 11:30 AM
Paradise Cafe!!!! With a Bloody Mary!!
COMMENT 327760	2012-10-04 11:33 AM
I've always liked the burgers at Dargans
COMMENT 327762	2012-10-04 11:37 AM
Julienne! Hands down. Yum. And perfect, hand cut fries too.
COMMENT 327763P	2012-10-04 11:37 AM
Boathouse. Kobe beef.
NATURE BOY	2012-10-04 11:41 AM
Kobe beef is illegal to export out of Japan.
COMMENT 327766	2012-10-04 11:41 AM
Brophy Bros!
COMMENT 327768P	2012-10-04 11:42 AM
If you are anywhere near Carpinteria then do yourself a favor and go to The Spot or Padaro Beach Grill. Now you have made me hungry.
COMMENT 327771	2012-10-04 11:55 AM
Endless Summer Rincon Burger...
COMMENT 327772	2012-10-04 11:56 AM
Lucky's has by far the best burger in SB. Others try, but the quality of the meat and the flavors are top notch.
COMMENT 327773	2012-10-04 11:57 AM
Cody's!
COMMENT 327774	2012-10-04 11:58 AM
100% the Nugget if you are looking for a guilty-but-oh-so-worth-it burger. I prefer Goleta because it is closer to town. The Blue Owl is amazing. If you want a blend of flavors that is out of this world, go for their Thai Basil Cheeseburger. The owner is a culinary genius. The Habit is a favorite as well. Don't know what it is about them, but all of their menu options are just so darn good.
SBALAX	2012-10-04 12:36 PM
Drive on down to Carp and go to the Spot! Great fries, too. I order Ranch dressing (.75 but worth it) for the fries. I do like the $6.00 burgers at Carl's, Jr., too. The fries can be good but be sure to ask to have them from a fresh batch.
MTNDRIVER	2012-10-04 12:44 PM
The Paradise, with grilled onions. Oak grilled, never disappoints.
COMMENT 327789	2012-10-04 12:45 PM
Boathouse!
COMMENT 327791	2012-10-04 12:51 PM
The Pan on Cota St. - not open for lunch, but definitely worth checking out.
COMMENT 327794	2012-10-04 12:55 PM
Foster Freeze or Kahuna Grill
COMMENT 327795	2012-10-04 12:57 PM
Another vote for Dutch Garden - so good - someone told me about it and I was like...really dude? But then I tried it and wow...hope you found a good one - enjoy.
COMMENT 327796	2012-10-04 12:58 PM
Cal-Taco in Goleta!!
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 01:04 PM
I'm going to try the Blue Owl next week -- thanks for the recommendations!
SDP	2012-10-04 01:06 PM
Soj Burger (Sojourner)
COMMENT 327801	2012-10-04 01:09 PM
I had a delicious burger at The Habit yesterday. There was a man near me screaming how much he loved his burger. I was able to film the end of his rant and posted it on youtube. Type in "Thank you dear god for this burger" on youtube and watch the sheer joy this man is having!
COMMENT 327802	2012-10-04 01:16 PM
The Habit burgers are so overrated, cooked into oblivion, unbelievably dry and acrid in taste. The albacore though is quite tasty. Cafe Stella puts so many herbs and unnecessary stuff into it is more like meatloaf than a burger. As far as the Burger Bus, for the sake of mankind please get rid of the ciabatta "bun." It is a great burger but this "bun" it a total failure. I love ciabatta but it has no place around a burger, far too tough and results in a backslider effect where the burger shoots out the back. Julienne may have arguably the best burger in town right now, no foo foo nonsense, just a properly executed burger.
COMMENT 327803	2012-10-04 01:16 PM
Paradise oak grilled burger with grilled onions bacon and avocado.....that's my 2 cents.
COMMENT 327804	2012-10-04 01:26 PM
327802 - Finally, someone who knows what they are talking about. Habit burgers are too overdone, and I always hate shredded lettuce. Ironically, the other day I got a Habit chicken salad and the chicken was raw. I do believe I will never again eat at the Habit. Nor In-N-Out, who not only has a burger worse than the Habit, but they have the world's worst fries. And you are right on point regarding ciabatta...horrible choice of breads. On your recommendation I will definitely try Julienne's burger.
COMMENT 327805	2012-10-04 01:27 PM
I tried the Bison Burger @Eureka last week ($14.95) ... there was some kind of sweet condiments in it that totally over-powered the entire burger. Next time I'll try a simpler burger.
KIDS	2012-10-04 01:30 PM
Paradise burger with bacon and blue cheese! Don't forget the yummy fries. Now I'm hungry!
COMMENT 327808	2012-10-04 01:38 PM
801.....was he a little baked?
AQUAHOLIC	2012-10-04 01:43 PM
Brophy's (before menu re-vamp) used to have an excellent burger, 1/2 lb of sirloin goodness...anybody had one there lately?
COMMENT 327812	2012-10-04 01:51 PM
Sorry 801, your youtube video is not there.
COMMENT 327813	2012-10-04 01:58 PM
Panda Express has a great burger
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 02:07 PM
I'm telling ya, try Jill's Place!
COMMENT 327826	2012-10-04 02:22 PM
The Burger Bus, Cafe Del Sol, or Zookers in Carp all have delicious burgers.
COMMENT 327830	2012-10-04 02:32 PM
"Thank you dear god for this hamburger" YOUTUBE IT !!! LOL
COMMENT 327833	2012-10-04 02:40 PM
Up in Goleta: Over $10: Hollister Brewing Company Under $10: Country Meat Market Downtown: Over $10 Jill's Under $10 The Habit
LIMES	2012-10-04 02:42 PM
My go-to for a great burger is Dargan's. Great fries, too!
COMMENT 327838	2012-10-04 02:45 PM
Kahuna Grill...with killer O-rings on the side.
COMMENT 327855	2012-10-04 03:17 PM
1. Pace - so good they ran out last time I was there around 9 pm. Get there early! 2. Blue Owl - definitely tops the charts for originality of burger. 3. Cold Springs Tavern - amazing buffalo burger, don't think many places around town offer that? 4. Also depends on your personal preference too. Some folks like huge patties, some like stacked burgers with lots of additional toppings available, others like small and simple. For me, the beef has to taste good, don't cover it up with sauce! I mean, condiments are good, but to a certain degree. Good bread is important too. Would be good to see why people choose the places they choose to eat because preferences vary so. All of a sudden I am craving a patty melt..mmmmm. Curious to try Eureka and Hungry Cat, too.
PURPLERIDER	2012-10-04 03:28 PM
I miss RG's Giant burgers. But now that I've pretty much given up red meat it no longer really matters.
PURPLERIDER	2012-10-04 03:31 PM
Nature Boy, if that is true then how can The Boathouse sell burgers made from it? I was there they other day and to my surprise one of my companions ordered one.
COMMENT 327866	2012-10-04 03:35 PM
Yeah, it's not true Kobe beef. You can't find real Kobe beef outside of Japan. Maybe they can just call it that?
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-04 03:52 PM
I've seen a number of places stating that they serve "Kobe beef" then in the small print explaining what they really mean, if you're lucky. Check out Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef
COMMENT 327878	2012-10-04 03:59 PM
Pace!
COMMENT 327879	2012-10-04 03:59 PM
There is NO Kobe beef in the USA, this is a FACT. There are no regulations in place preventing a restaurant from claiming to serve Kobe beef. While the burger at Boathouse is not Kobe beef as it claims to be, it is still a darn good burger.
COMMENT 327891	2012-10-04 04:23 PM
Thanks for the info on the fake "Kobe" beef! Now I won't feel like I'm missing out anything when I choose to buy a less expensive burger.
AUNTIE S.	2012-10-04 04:33 PM
Thank you, 796. I was just going to mention Cal Taco in Goleta. Their cheeseburger is to die for and the guy who owns it is the BEST. A hidden gem - he deserves the business.
COMMENT 327901	2012-10-04 04:38 PM
For a good burger in north county (Santa Maria), try Deckers in the mall. I heard good things and was pleasantly surprised when I tried them. Nothing fancy, just a basic burger with a big, juicy patty, thick bacon, good bun, fresh condiments. Now I want a burger.
COMMENT 327909	2012-10-04 04:57 PM
In and Out, because that's what a hamburger is all about. what in the hell is snarky?
COMMENT 327913	2012-10-04 05:18 PM
Cajun Kitchen - Cajun Bacon Burger is awesome, the fries are wide-cut "potatoey deliciousness", as well as the Turkey Burger, YUM!!! I wish they would open for dinner too!
COMMENT 327916	2012-10-04 05:28 PM
All this talk of hamburgers makes me miss the old Carnation burgers on upper State....
COMMENT 327920	2012-10-04 05:40 PM
Somehow I have visions of every restaurant owner entering their restaurant on this thread... So now I see the Edhat crew have added those nice red buttons. More stopgap attempts at homebrewing the site. Guys, seriously, phpBB is open source. Setup the site that way before a bunch of Edhatters break off and do it themselves!
SBFUNLOVER	2012-10-04 05:54 PM
Brewhouse Burger and a Pint. Dont' forget to add Grilled Onions and Chili Mayo
COMMENT 327923	2012-10-04 06:00 PM
Regarding the Kobe beef controversy, Kobe beef is from Japanese cattle raised lovingly (fed beer and massaged daily) in the Kobe prefecture. The Kobe cattle are Wagyu strain (the type of cow). When restaurants say they have Kobe beef, if they're honest it's likely Wagyu which is grown domestically in a few herds. Places like Snake River Farms in Idaho sell it. That being said, I'm not sure any local restaurant (except perhaps Julienne and San Ysidro Ranch) actually buys Wagyu, so I'd ask if you are at one of the restaurants that purportedly serve it or "Kobe". I'd also ask where they source it from, and if it's blended with conventional beef.
COMMENT 327929	2012-10-04 06:34 PM
McDonalds! duh
COMMENT 327932	2012-10-04 06:36 PM
Snarky is a smart ass with a bit of a negative attitude...
COMMENT 327945	2012-10-04 07:09 PM
Cajun kitchen has an amazing burger, the secret is out now.
COMMENT 327946	2012-10-04 07:16 PM
My favorite burger is at Domingo's Cafe in Goleta! They have a few different burgers to choose from ranging in price from $6.00 to $9.00. My favorite is the Double Texas burger with fries... It is so yummy with BBQ sauce,cheddar cheese,bacon, and onion rings!
COMMENT 327953	2012-10-04 07:44 PM
My two favorite take- out style burgers are Chubbies on de la Vina and ElZarape/ BurgerExpress on San Andres (two names, two doors, one reataurant).
COMMENT 327955	2012-10-04 07:57 PM
Auntie S., thanks for reminding me about Cal Taco. I think the guy that runs it is a brother (?) of the guy that owns The Habit. Something like that. He is a nice guy. I kinda liked the Snack Shack in Paseo Nuevo where the old Mel's bar was. They had great patio seating too. But they just closed after only being open a month!!! Wonder what happened?
COMMENT 327963	2012-10-04 08:32 PM
I second that 805
REXOFSB	2012-10-04 11:00 PM
@916: Carnation burger at State & Calle Laureles, where El Pollo Loco is now, was actually called Peterson's. The owners were this incredibly sour-faced couple whose faces, I'm sure, would have cracked in two had they ever smiled. Their hamburgers, however, were fantastic. The building had a large Carnation advertising sign on the roof, which is why some people called it Carnation Burger.
COMMENT 327987	2012-10-05 06:03 AM
Peterson's really did have the best burger, and malts too. What about Stacky's or Tinker's? They always seemed to have pretty good burgers. Don't get to Summerland much anymore. Must agree about burger and a pint at the Brewhouse, chipotle mayo and grilled onions are a must.
MADMAX	2012-10-05 07:03 AM
BROPHIES!
LOUWHO?	2012-10-05 07:09 AM
The chili burger at The Habit in Old Town Goleta get's my vote. This is the only location that serves chili. I wish all The Habits' had chili.
SEEDLADY	2012-10-05 07:14 AM
thumbs up for Tinker's. love the vibe too. Jalama burgers not only good but gets you out there to that FABulous spot. Had a raw burger served to me at Eureka (for what, $14??) sent it back and it came medium rare, (will I EVER be able to stop calling it Medium Rari?--sigh)as I'd ordered; not sure if it came back with extra condiments. Boy, this is an excellent post. Thanks to the OP for opening what may have seemed a very pedestrian question, but which has been responded to with delighted gusto by all!
OLDLAWOMAN	2012-10-05 07:50 AM
Petrini's in San Roque area. By far, the best cheeseburger on the best bun in town (a little secret gift from me to you).
COMMENT 328021	2012-10-05 08:04 AM
Jalama Burger!
COMMENT 328024P	2012-10-05 08:07 AM
There should be one thing clear. WE LOVE BURGERS! There isn't much to complain about with all the above-mentioned places and I have eaten at almost all of them. I think the sit down places that usually change $2-3 more than the fast-food places have better burgers. Just had some very good ones at Darden's and the new Whale-Tail.
COMMENT 328030	2012-10-05 08:16 AM
The Spot is delicious and Cajun Kitchen's burgers are vastly underrated.
COMMENT 328034	2012-10-05 08:25 AM
Kahuna or Padaro Grill in Carp.
COMMENT 328036	2012-10-05 08:27 AM
The Habit. Ask for it with Swiss cheese and on grilled sourdough. It's so much better than the bun and only costs about 75 cents more.
COMMENT 328044	2012-10-05 09:04 AM
PURPLERIDER - I was starting to think that I was the only one who missed RG's. I can remember sitting at the table jammed up on a platform in what was once a retail display window, eating a very juicy drippy burger to the disgust of a number of probable vegetarians walking up and down State St. Ah. . . the good ol' days
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-05 09:17 AM
So, now I notice that we have a new feature here on EdHat -- our comment identity lines are now coded, and I've been identified as "mean," "off-topic," "snarky" and "whiny" when all of my contributions are none of the above! (With the possible exception of this one.)
COMMENT 328051	2012-10-05 09:17 AM
When I was a kid in SB, we would pick up a bag of great burgers at Petersons (7 for a dollar they were), and head to Goleta for "dollar a car night" at the Drive In. Ah, the good ol' days!!!
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-05 09:18 AM
Aha! It's a button! We get to vote now!
COMMENT 328061	2012-10-05 09:52 AM
Ed should check to see if this isn't the most comments on anything ever queried on EdHat. Absolutely amazing that such a simple thing as a burger arouses so many to say so much about so little. Cool.
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-05 09:55 AM
Too bad we don't get a "like" button too. Right on, 061! EdHat counts so many things, I'm sure they're counting comments on threads!!! ;^D
BONNER	2012-10-05 10:07 AM
From the Goleta area I have to have a turkey burger at the Natural Cafe once a week, and my out of town guests ask to go back to The Habit for the chili burger when they visit. Took my french chef son from NY to Jalama Beach and burger and he raved about it, loves fine dining food but also a great fast food burger if made well, and the jalamaburger fit the bill! thanks for the new rating system, seems the posts are better already.
COMMENT 328070	2012-10-05 10:22 AM
Jalamaburger. Yeah, I don't like these red buttons. what is the point? to tattle? self police? besides one persons snarky is another person's mean is another person's off topic which another person may totally crack up at. Get over it.
COMMENT 328078	2012-10-05 10:30 AM
The Hamburger Habit...multiple locations around town means its convenient as well as delicious!
COMMENT 328094	2012-10-05 10:59 AM
Cajan Kitchen, Yummy, delicious, just like the Old Jolly Tiger. Okay, do you remember the Jolly Tiger?
COMMENT 328097	2012-10-05 11:01 AM
That youtube video is the BEST! OMG
EDHATBARBARA	2012-10-05 02:37 PM
Just FYI, I went to the Blue Owl today at lunchtime in hopes of trying the Thai Basil Burger someone posted about but was told that it was only available at night (and their night hours are 11:30 PM to 2:30 AM!!!) -- so no go. I ate a really good eggplant sandwich instead. They have an unusual and interesting menu. I'll have to try some other offerings.
COMMENT 328221	2012-10-05 02:43 PM
@REXOFSB, didn't the Petersons go on to become the local McDonald's franchisee and open all 6 of the local McDonalds restaurants?
CORKY	2012-10-05 04:04 PM
I agree about Burger Bus bun and told them so. Could hardly bite into it.
COMMENT 328326	2012-10-05 07:31 PM
Scarlett Begonia in Victoria Court. Bleu Cheese and bacon. Fantastic. Beware: tourist pricing, but worth it.
REXOFSB	2012-10-06 09:03 AM
@221: No, it was Herb Peterson who was the guy who ran the local McDonald's franchises. I don't think he was any relation to the cranky Petersons. After closing their hamburger place in SB, they relocated to Solvang, with a pretty much identical menu to the SB location. That was...what?...15 years or so ago? Peterson's hamburgers were among the best SB ever offered. You just learned not to make direct eye-contact with the owners.