During O.C. Burger Week, July 14-20, burgers range from classic to creative, from beef to plant-based, and from $10 to $25.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
Presented by The Fork Report, the foodie event highlights burgers from more than 50 Orange County restaurants. Here are our picks variously offering menus priced at $10, $15, $20 and $25 at lunch and/or dinner.
$10 MENUS
Memphis Soul Cafe & Bar | Costa Mesa
Burgers:
Soul Burger with Angus chuck, chipotle aioli, pepper jack cheese and house barbecue sauce.
The Cobra with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cheddar and house ranch.
Bison Burger with Gorgonzola, cranberry mayonnaise and red onion.
Garden Burger with pesto, roasted oyster mushrooms and Gruyere.
Sides: hand-cut shoestring fries, sweet potato fries, Caesar salad or Memphis house salad.
Cocktail: St. Mark with Maker’s Mark, Suze Gentian liqueur, Carpano Bianco, orange curacao, lemon twist ($12). Available for lunch and dinner. 2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.432.7685.
Pickled Monk | Fullerton
Burgers:
The Blue Truffle with beef, blue cheese, mushroom demi-glaze, grilled onion, tomato, arugula, truffle vinaigrette.
Monk Burger with bourbon-bacon jam, Dijonnaise, bleu cheese and arugula on a bagnat bun.
The Impossible Burger with smashed avocado, tomato, arugula, chimichurri on vegan ciabatta bun.
Available for lunch and dinner. 101 N. Harbor Blvd. #100, Fullerton, 714.793.9100.
Sealegs at the Beach | Huntington Beach
Burgers:
Burgeritto with brisket/chuck patty, melted cheddar cheese, grilled onions, tomato, romaine, dill pickle chips and hand-cut fries in a toasted flour tortilla.
Beyond Burgeritto with a Beyond Meat vegan patty, grilled bell peppers and onions, tomato, romaine, dill pickle chips, fries and avocado in a toasted flour tortilla.
Available for lunch and dinner. 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.698.4188.
$15 MENUS
Back Bay Bistro | Newport Beach
Burgers:
Bison Burger with ground Prime bison patty, hickory-smoked bacon, garlic chive blue cheese, buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion-garlic aioli on brioche bun.
Vegan Burger with black bean/corn patty, avocado, goat cheese, arugula, cilantro pesto, chipotle aioli, tomato and onion on whole wheat bun.
Turkey Burger with grilled Santa Fe green peppers, hickory-smoked bacon, provolone, sundried tomato/basil spread, basil aioli, arugula and bean sprouts, tomato and onion on whole wheat bun.
Sides: truffle fries or sweet potato fries.
Cocktails: dark-rum old fashioned, Bay Runner blackberry mojito and basil-jalapeño margarita ($10 each).
Available for lunch and dinner. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144.
Craft House | Dana Point
Burgers:
Craft House Burger with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, white cheddar and bacon.
Asian Pork Burger with ground pork, smoked brown sugar, ginger, jalapeño, garlic, coconut-peanut sauce and kimchi pickles.
Chickpea Burger with chickpeas, zucchini, onion, garlic, carrot, peanut butter, Sriracha, cilantro and tzitziki.
Sides: Hand-cut fries or mixed green salad.
Available for dinner. 34094 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.481.7734.
Habana | Irvine
Burgers:
Cubano Burger with 50/50 beef/pork patty with melted Swiss cheese, dill pickles, roasted garlic, yellow mustard and applewood-smoked ham, served with chicharrones.
Habana Kobe Beef Burger with Snake River Farm ground Kobe beef with lettuce, tomato, onion, fire-roasted tomatillo sauce, and cheddar and manchego cheese, served with yucca fries.
Habana Impossible Burger with two Beyond Meat patties topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickle and secret sauce.
Sides: Every order comes with housemade empanada and take-home dessert.
Available for lunch. 708 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.419.0100.
Mozambique | Laguna Beach
Burgers:
Mozambique Steak Burger with 10-ounce, freshly chopped filet, cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion on a brioche bun.
Grilled Herb Chicken Sandwich with grilled chicken breast marinated with citrus and Maputo herbs topped with Swiss cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato on a ciabatta bun
OC Prego Steak Sandwich with 6-ounce beef filet marinated with garlic, lemon and Maputo herbs topped with provolone cheese, mushrooms, grilled onions, arugula and Peri-Peri sauce on a ciabatta bun.
Available for lunch and dinner. 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.7777.
Pacific Hideaway | Huntington Beach
Burgers:
Hideaway Burger with “double double,” American cheese, onion, lettuce, pickle and secret sauce on house onion bun.
Lamb Burger with harissa aioli, sheep’s-milk feta, cucumber relish, pickled onions, arugula and house english muffin.
Mushroom Burger with roasted maitaki mushrooms and black beans, cajun-ailoi, fried tomato, cilantro salad and house onion bun.
Cocktail: Risky Business with Maker’s Mark, orange juice, kumquat, Thai chili and egg white ($13).
Available for lunch and dinner. Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.965.4448.
$20 MENUS
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails | Irvine
Starters: Farm Field Greens with Scarborough Farms organic greens, shaved almonds, Persian cucumbers, baby heirloom tomatoes and white-balsamic vinaigrette; or seasonal soup.
Burgers: Andrei’s Cheeseburger with wagyu beef, havarti cheese, red-onion preserves, seasonal tomato, butter lettuce, dill pickles, bacon aioli on brioche bun, served with pomme frites.
Crab Cake Burger with panko-crusted deep-sea crab cake, seasonal tomato, red onion, organic lettuce and tarragon aioli on a brioche bun.
Lamb Burger with Superior Farms ground lamb, heirloom tomato, arugula, shaved cucumber, onion, feta and fennel-lemon aioli on a brioche bun. (Lettuce-wrapped option available).
Cocktail: Southern Lady with Maker’s Mark bourbon, peach liqueur, peach bitters and champagne ($12). Available for lunch and dinner. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887.
Fable & Spirit | Newport Beach
Burgers:
House-Ground Creekstone Farm Steak with crispy buttermilk shallots, brie fondue, bacon and sweet onion jam. Mary’s Crispy Free Range Chicken Sandwich with Gochujang aioli and pickled serrano slaw.
Sides: Kenter Farms mixed greens with heirloom cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion and Meyer lemon vinaigrette; or white-truffle thyme frites.
Cocktails:
Donnelly Visa with Tito’s vodka, grapefruit, lemon, elderflower and basil ($12).
Out of the Ordinary with Lost Republic Rye, strawberry-rhubarb, lemon, sugar and Peychaud’s bitters ($12).
Available for lunch and dinner. 3441 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949.409.9913.
Ocean at Main | Laguna Beach
Burger: Gourmet OAM Burger with caramelized onions, cloth-bound cheddar, bibb lettuce, crispy shallots and wagyu-beef aioli, served with truffle fries.
Cocktail: Plein Air with Makers Mark bourbon, apricot, sage syrup and lemon ($12).
Available for lunch and dinner. 222 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.715.3870.
Orange Hill Restaurant | Orange
Burgers:
The Euro Burger with Cape Grim pasture-raised beef, raclette cheese, crispy Parma ham and truffle aioli on a Parmesan-crusted brioche bun.
Niman Ranch Short Rib Burger with Cape Grim short rib, honey-mustard barbecue sauce and smoked cheddar cheese on a Parmesan-crusted brioche bun.
Sides: Truffle fries, beer battered onion rings or local greens salad.
Cocktail: The Kentucky Buck with Maker’s Mark bourbon, ginger beer, strawberry and mint ($13).
Available for dinner. 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, 714.997.2910.
Salt Creek Grille | Dana Point
Burgers:
Queso Fundido Burger with beef patty, Oaxacan, Jack and American cheeses, fire-roasted poblano peppers, chorizo, Guajillo aioli, pickled red onion and greens on a bagnat bun, served with Cajun spiced waffle fries.
Creek Burger with ground short rib, chuck and brisket, arugula, Prairie Breeze aged white cheddar, caramelized onion and bacon jam on a bagnat bun, served with truffle Asiago fries.
Stuffed Blues Burger made with Gorgonzola-stuffed fresh-ground chuck, arugula, fried onions and blue-cheese aioli on a bagnat bun, served with Asiago garlic fries.
Available for lunch and dinner. 32802 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.661.7799.
SideDoor | Corona Del Mar
Burger: Table Side Burger with an 8-ounce Butchers Table blend patty of short rib, brisket and rib eye, prime-rib chili, Provolone cheese, sliced pastrami, onion rings, jalapeño bottle caps, tomato, pickle and cheddar sauce on a brioche bun, served with fries.
Available for dinner. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949.717.4322.
SOCIAL | Costa Mesa
Burgers:
Drive Thru Burger with Akaushi beef, American cheese, bacon jam, red onion, house pickles and garlic aioli on a brioche bun.
Western Bacon Cheeseburger with grilled braised bacon, sweet Maui onion ring and black-garlic barbecue sauce.
Harissa Lamb Burger with tzatziki, fava-bean puree, confit sweet peppers and grilled Early Girl tomato.
Sides: Fries.
Dessert: Chocolate Budino with peanut butter foam, salted vanilla whip and brown butter crumble.
Cocktail: Coffee is for Closers with Maker’s Mark, salted vanilla, coffee tincture and cherrywood smoke ($13).
Available for dinner. 512 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.2425.
Skyloft | Laguna Beach
Burgers:
Smoked Pulled Pork Burger with beef, pulled pork, bacon, beer-battered onion ring, pickles and beer cheese on a brioche bun.
Mushroom Demi Burger with two 4-ounce beef patties, white American cheese, tomato, bacon, crispy-fried shallots, fried egg, mushroom demi-glace and black peppercorn aioli on a brioche bun topped with fried jalapeno.
Beyond Sky Burger with Beyond Meat plant-based patty, roasted garlic aioli, tomato, grilled onion, greens, Swiss cheese and grilled portobello mushroom on a brioche bun. (Substitute Beyond Burger at no additional charge). Sides: french fries or sweet potato fries with creole aioli or maple-dijon aioli; Cajun tater tots; or charred Brussels sprouts topped with Parmesan and a balsamic glaze.
Cocktail: Bourbon Mudslide with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Baileys Irish Cream, amaretto, vanilla ice cream, caramel and candied walnuts ($13).
Available for lunch and dinner. 422 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.1550.
$25 LUXE MENUS
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse | Irvine
Burger: Surf & Turf Burger with Kobe beef, lump crab meat, truffle bearnaise and hand-cut Parmigiano french fries. Available for lunch and dinner. Irvine Towers, 18420 Von Karman Ave. #100, Irvine, 949.477.4810.
Olea | Newport Beach
Burger: The American Wagyu Burger with Hooks two-year-aged cheddar, caramelized shallots, organic butter lettuce, heirloom tomato and secret sauce on a soft potato bun, served with house-made herb fries; paired with Martin Ray Synthesis Cabernet Sauvignon.
Available for dinner starting at 5 p.m. 2001 Westcliff Drive, Suite 100, Newport Beach, 949.287.6807.
View the full list of O.C. Burger Week participating restaurants at burgerweek.com
Photos: Habana, Jenelle Moreno. SideDoor, Anne Watson.
