Santa Ana’s food culture is steeped in tradition, so it should come as no surprise that the city has perfected the ultimate American culinary tradition: the burger. From unpretentious old-school joints to new cult-favorite smashburger spots, Santa Ana knows how to make a good burger. With the extensive taco scene and the litany of breweries, you might not come to Santa Ana looking for a burger. But Santa Ana’s riffs on the classic beef and bun combo might make you reconsider your obsession with corporate, fast-food burgers. Explore these Santa Ana favorites and find your newest burger fixation.
Hammer Burger: The Hyped Burger
I’ll start here— the Hammer Burger hype is deserved. What started as a backyard burger in 2020 and eventually led to a brick-and-mortar in 2021 is now one of Santa Ana’s most talked about burgers (nearly every person I met in Santa Ana sent me here). From the patty’s perfectly crisp edges to the play between the crunch of the pickles and the creaminess of the sauce, the Classic Hammer is satisfyingly messy and straightforwardly delicious. Combined with the soft potato bun and gooey American cheese, this burger is both a handful and a mouthful. Plus, don’t miss the self-serve sauce station— the Chipotle Mayo and the Garlic sauce are the perfect accompaniments to their shoestring fries. (Pictured above credit Emric K. @Yelp)
If you're into spicy micheladas, Hammer Burger has you covered. Hammer Burger and Infinity Sauces have teamed up to create this delicious display of habanero peppers in a balanced sauce. Another fun aspect of Hammer Burger's Michelada is that the beer used is Native Son's "El Dojo" Mexican Lager. Their michelada is featured in the Santa Ana Michelada Guide.
Chapter One: the modern local: Royale with Cheese
Nestled in Downtown Santa Ana, Chapter One: the modern local presents the Royale with Cheese. The quarter-pound prime beef patty is served with secret sauce, American cheese, grilled onions, tomato, lettuce, and pickles on a brioche bun, along with duck-fat fries. You can make this burger even more delicious by adding bacon and avocado.
Native Son: The Bar Burger
The elixir for a bad day and the icing on top for a good one: a tasty burger and a cold beer. Native Son supplies both. A rooftop bar with 23 rotating taps of beers, including their own brews, seltzers, and ciders, plus a playful cocktail list, Native Son also offers a solid selection of burgers. For a simple, straight-up bar burger (minimal frills and good bite-to-mouth ratio), go for the Santa Ana burger. A beef patty topped with American cheese, house sauce, caramelized onion, and the standard lettuce/tomato fixings, this burger strikes the balance between savory and jammy without getting soggy. Plus, it’s just as good before 2 pints of beer and 3 specialty cocktails as it is after.
Another michelada featured in the Santa Ana Michelada Guide is Native Son's. This Michelada uses Native Son's "El Dojo" Mexican Lager and Sangre De Tigre Savage Red Blend--an authentic Mexican Michelada and Bloody Mary Blend, made traditionally.
TK Burgers: The Old-School Burger
A beachy burger shack that’s actually tucked away in an industrial park, the Santa Ana TK Burgers exudes an old-school burger joint energy. With its unpretentious menu and killer prices, it’s fast food that actually feels authentic and tastes really good. The charbroiled cheeseburger here is stacked with the classic lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and sauce outfit for a burger experience that is equal parts delicious and nostalgic. Plus, add on their perfectly crispy fries for the OG Big Bargain Special. Simply put: there’s nothing over the top about TK Burgers and that’s the best part about it.
Santa Ana’s burger scene might be overshadowed by its vibrant taco culture, but it's a culinary treasure trove worth every bite. Each of these spots brings its own unique flair to the classic beef-and-bun combo, proving that Santa Ana’s food culture isn’t just about tacos—it's also home to some of the most memorable burgers you’ll find anywhere.
