Southern California is the birthplace of the fast-food burger, and Orange County shares in that historical legacy with the corporate headquarters of a storied regional chain. But Orange County's burger fame extends beyond simple fast-food fare. Newcomers have gained fame, too, for their gourmet treatment of this American classic.
In-N-Out
- In-N-Out was the world's first drive-through burger place, founded in 1948 by Harry Snyder. The chain's first outpost was in Baldwin Park at the intersection of Francisquito and Garvey; its current corporate headquarters are located in Irvine. In-N-Out is famous for its high standards of quality; it uses 100 percent beef in its patties, and the potatoes for its fries are fresh and hand-cut. Nothing is frozen or microwaved, and everything is cooked to order. It's also renowned for its "secret menu" of extra options.
Original Mike's
- Original Mike's in downtown Santa Ana derives its vintage feel from the fact that it's housed in Orange County's very first auto dealership, built back in 1919; the spacious interior still houses a collection of antique cars. A classic bar and grill -- make that three bars, actually -- Original Mike's offers a full menu of gourmet burgers made from Angus beef.
Slater's
- Slater's claim to fame is its 50/50 burger -- half beef, half bacon. The runner-up is the Peanut Butter and Jellousy, a burger topped with bacon and, yes, peanut butter and jelly. You can also design your own burger from an extensive list of ingredients. Located in Huntington Beach, this friendly sports bar also boasts a beer menu with over 50 brews available.
Haven
- Haven advertises itself as a "gastropub," that is, a British-style establishment dedicated to good food and good drink. Located in Orange, it offers not only great beer but a solid wine and cocktail list. As for the burgers, they're upscale in both taste and price, topped with arugula, pickled red onion and roasted red pepper and served with french fries dusted with herbs.
Umami Burger
- Umami Burger opened its first location in Los Angeles proper, but it wasn't long before other locations started appearing all over Southern California, including Burbank and Anaheim. The chain has received national buzz including a Burger of the Year award in 2012 from "GQ." Umami's flavorful burgers are ground from Wagyu beef and topped with a signature sauce. Otherwise, each location has a slightly different menu, which is part of the charm.
