"For how good and straightforward the burgers are — griddle-pressed and dressed only with garlic mayo, lettuce, and tomato — it’s surprising that not everyone knows this place. Started by two fine-dining sous chefs who reportedly just wanted to make a great burger for the people, TrueBurger has achieved its goal. A concise menu of burgers, fries, a chicken sandwich, and shakes makes ordering easy; kids generally go for a plain Cheesy TrueBurger or a Naked Hot Dog. For the ultimate experience, grownups with a real appetite should dive into the True Deluxe, a cheeseburger topped with a crispy portobello mushroom that’s stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese. If there’s inexplicably more room, customize a shake from more than a dozen mix-ins (including Twinkies) to round out the meal. Expanded only once in 13 years, the original location is near Lake Merritt, with a second, larger location up the road on Broadway." - Justine Jones, Laura Smith Borrman
