There's no wrong time for a burger, but summertime certainly makes them more tempting. If the tantalizing smell of grill smoke has you jonesing, these new spots will satisfy all your cravings. Here are the freshest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for a savory indulgence.
Hop Junction
7600 Greenhaven Drive, Suite 20, The Pocket
Hop Junction is a new bar that is the brainchild of Bay Area-based Jasdeep Purewal and his family, as we recently reported. Located at 7600 Greenhaven Drive, Suite 20 in the Pocket, it's serving up several kinds of burgers to go with its craft beers.
On the menu, expect to find classic bar bites like burgers, loaded fries and chicken sandwiches, as well as a few plant-based options like a berry and bleu cheese salad or the meatless roasted garlic and quinoa burger. The signature Pocket burger comes with bacon, cheese, caramelized onions and jalapeños.
The bar's 20 taps include wine and cider as well as a rotating selection of craft beers like Alpine Beer's Willy (an American wheat ale) and Six River Brewery's Macadamia Nut Porter.
Yelp users have been generally positive about Hop Junction, which currently holds four stars out of 19 reviews on the site.
"Good food with generous portions (both food and drinks)," wrote Yelper Taryn F., who reviewed, Hop Junction on June 15. "Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. I was able to try three different kinds of beer and a cider before settling on a selection."
And Yelper Phan T. agreed, "Burger and fries were solid, as were the fish and chips. Beer menu long and lots of interesting choices. Service was attentive."
Hop Junction is open from noon–10 p.m. daily.
A Taste Above
7485 Rush River Drive, Suite 700, The Pocket
Also in the Pocket area, A Taste Above is an Hawaiian and Asian fusion café that offers burgers along with its sandwiches, grilled meats, and baked goods. Located in Suite 700 of the Promenade Shopping Center at 7485 Rush River Drive, its extensive menu also includes plenty of milkshakes and smoothies.
Burgers on offer, which come with housemade potato chips, include the signature ATA burger: a half-pound patty with housemade barbecue sauce, bacon and cheese on a brioche bun; and the Rush River burger, topped with pastrami, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing.
The Hawaiian style Loco Moco (a grilled beef patty served with a fried egg and gravy over rice) may also intrigue burger enthusiasts looking for a change. To accompany their meals, customers can order a milkshake or fruit freeze made with Gunther's ice cream.
With a 3.5-star Yelp rating out of 62 reviews on Yelp, A Taste Above is still finding its way.
Yelper Lisa S. wrote of the ATA Burger, "Meat was cooked perfectly and bun was toasted, nothing worse than a cold bun. Homemade chips were good as well as the French fries (lightly battered and crispy). My only complaint is I wanted a little more heat."
However, Kristi H. was more critical: "We had 2 burgers, kalbi short rib plate, and a Taste Above combo plate. Honestly, food was overpriced for quality. Burgers advertised to be on brioche bun, but it tasted just like a regular bun with a somewhat flavorful meat."
A Taste Above is open from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday.
Burgers & Brewhouse
1616 J St., Midtown
Over at 1616 J St. in Midtown, check out Burgers & Brewhouse, the latest outpost of the local craft-beer-and-burgers chain. The three-story establishment also houses the bar's Sacrament Brewing Co., as we recently reported.
The plentiful burger options include a spicy guacamole cheeseburger with Niman Ranch beef, housemade guacamole and pepper jack cheese.
Customers can also order loaded fries in several different styles, like the Beast Mode fries topped with melted cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and a housemade red pepper sauce.
Though it only opened at the end of June, Burgers & Brewhouse already has fifty-five reviews on Yelp. However, the business is still finding its feet, with a three-star rating so far.
"Really great burger and shakes!" said Yelper Rachel S., but also criticized the disorganized service. "Unfortunately the last 2 times I ordered pick up they completely messed up the order. Not only did they charge us for the wrong order, they made the right order but with things missing."
And Yelper Ashley C. wrote, "My patty was more like medium well to well done, pair that with a dry hard bun, and you get a really dry burger. At least those curly fries were super yummy but it just wasn't a plate worth $13."
Burgers & Brewhouse is open from 11 a.m.–midnight Sunday-Wednesday and 11 a.m.–3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday.
