5 Best Burger Spots in Sacramento that Locals Love

Sacramento has quietly become a great burger city—farm‑to‑fork ingredients, creative chefs, and a serious love of beef. These are the spots locals constantly recommend.

1. Squeeze Inn

Sacramento burger royalty.

The signature here is the famous “cheese skirt”: they pile shredded cheese on the burger, let it melt and crisp on the flat top until it forms a crunchy halo around the patty. The burger itself is flat‑griddled, juicy, and straightforward—lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and sauce on a soft bun. It’s messy, indulgent, and absolutely a must‑try.

2. Nationwide Freezer Meats

A classic, old‑school burger stand with a big cult following.

Burgers are simple and excellent: hand‑formed patties cooked on a well‑seasoned grill, with melty cheese and basic toppings. No frills, just proper flavor. The “French Ground Steakburger” gets a ton of love, and locals swear by pairing it with a shake and fries. It feels like stepping back in time in the best possible way.

3. Broderick Roadhouse

Broderick started as a food truck and turned into one of Sac’s go‑to spots for over‑the‑top comfort food.

Their burgers are big, messy, and creative—bacon jam, blue cheese, fried eggs, crispy onions, and even mac and cheese as a topping. Patties are juicy, buns are sturdy, and sides like garlic fries, poutine, and crispy Brussels sprouts make it feel like a full event, not just a quick bite.

4. Willie’s Burgers

Willie’s is a late‑night institution and a favorite with people who want that classic “greasy spoon” burger.

Think thin patties, flat‑top grilled, with American cheese, onions, pickles, and special sauce on a squishy bun. The fries and chili cheese fries are legendary. It’s not fancy, and that’s exactly why people love it—especially after a long night out.

5. Burgers and Brew

With locations in Sacramento and Davis, Burgers and Brew is a craft‑beer joint that takes its burgers seriously.

You’ll find creative builds with pepper jack, blue cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, bacon, and more. The patties are thick and juicy, cooked to order, and the buns are sturdy enough to handle heavy toppings. Add in garlic fries and one of their many local beers on tap, and it’s easy to see why locals keep this on heavy rotation.