San Diego’s Tastiest National Burger Day Celebration Destinations

National Burger Day on May 28th is just around the corner and San Diego restaurants are heating up the grill and gearing up to celebrate accordingly! Below you can find a selection of burger events and specials local favorites are cooking up for a great excuse to chow down on a tasty burger.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakehouse Hotel & Resort 

Lakehouse Hotel & Resort

Nothing screams summer more than lake days, burgers and beers. Celebrate National Burger Day lakeside at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort, on Saturday, May 28. Spend the day on the lake by renting a pontoon boat from the hotel’s full service marina and head over to The Grill, Lakehouse’s main dining outpost just footsteps from the green of St. Mark Golf, to enjoy two mouthwatering specials to celebrate National Burger Day. Enjoy the Southwest Burger served on a brioche bun, made with two 4oz Brant Beef burger patties, swiss cheese, applewood smoked bacon, garlic cilantro aioli, jalapeno jam, crispy onion strings or the SMG Double Burger served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and remoulade sauce. Choose from a selection of local draft beer or order a signature cocktail like The Bogey Man made with House Margarita Mix, Tequila Blanco, and Red Topper and sit by the golf course to enjoy! 

Photo Credit: Haley Hill

Ranch 45

If you can’t take the heat, stay out of Ranch 45’s kitchen because this year’s Hamburger Cook Off Competition is going to be hot. With festivities kicking off on May 18 and lasting through National Burger Day on May 28, Ranch 45’s chefs will endure four rounds of being pitted against each other to create the best burger. After each round, the chefs and their creations will be highlighted on Ranch 45’s Instagram, where hungry fans will have the opportunity to cast votes for their favorite by purchasing the burger of their choosing. The winner of each round will be recognized based on the number of burgers sold, until the top three burgers remain. On Friday May 27, patrons can buy one of the podium burgers before the burger king is crowned on National Burger Day, Saturday May 28, with their creation featured as the daily special. Follow along on Ranch 45’s Instagram to find out which patty takes the prize!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Draft 

Belmont Park 

Belmont Park’s signature sports bar, Draft, is adding a special burger to the menu only available on National Burger Day, May 28th. Grab a seat at the bar or on the open-air patio and watch the Padres on the big screen while indulging in the burger special made with a Brandt beef patty topped with bacon jam, egg, spinach, blue cheese crumbles, pickles and tomato. Pair the burger with a San Diego-based draft beer like the Coronado IPA and additional bites like the Spicy Brussels made with sriracha honey, smoked almonds, goat cheese and golden raisins to kick start Memorial Day weekend with brews, views and burgers! If one is looking for a quick bite to eat and still wants to celebrate National Burger Day, Belmonty’s located in the park, is offering a promotion on their combo meal which includes a single patty burger, fries and a drink for $10, originally $16.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Vistal 

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend by celebrating National Burger Day on Saturday, May 28 at Vistal, the InterContinental Hotel San Diego’s signature restaurant. Nothing screams summer more than enjoying a burger in the San Diego sun with friends and family. Take in Vistal’s bay front views and elevated Southern California vibes while enjoying their Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger made with aged cheddar, butter lettuce, tomato, house pickles, roasted garlic aioli, on a brioche bun served with french fries, masa fries or garden salad with the option to add avocado, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or bacon for a small additional fee. Pair it with a local San Diego draft beer or one of Vistal’s Cali style concoctions like the Chipotle Smoked Old Fashion made with Tanteo Chipotle Tequila, Corbin Cash Rye, and bitters. National Burger Day at Vistal serves as the perfect excuse to celebrate the start of summer!

Photo Credit: Brandon James-Keeper

Hayes x Wavy Burgers Pop-up in Barrio Logan

Created by local award-winning chef Phillip Esteban, in anticipation for the opening of Wavy Burgers this summer in National City, guests can stop by Hayes Burger in Barrio Logan for a Wavy Burgers pop-up on Tuesday, May 10 from 4-9pm. The one-day collab takeover will feature local DJs with a special event menu from Esteban alongside chef Brandon James-Keeper that will include a Bistek Burger, toyomansi marinated double patty flap top burger with umami mayo, cheese and charred onions, Toyomansi Portobello "Burg", confit and grilled portobello with white american cheese, sriracha aioli and charred onions, Chicken Joy Sando, fried katsu, gravy, queso de bola, deli bun and their take on Hayes beloved Jimi Fries, Tito Fries, fries, filipino cheese, onion, longanisa fondue. Drinks will include Ube Milk Tea, Calamansi Ice Tea and Ube Crinkle Cookies and Buko Pandan for desserts.