Santa Ana’s food scene is vibrant and diverse, and its burger game reflects that—think everything from no‑frills griddle burgers to chef‑driven patties in Arts District hangouts. These five get a lot of local love.
1. Chapter One: The Modern Local
Right on Broadway in downtown Santa Ana, Chapter One feels like a gastropub that takes both cocktails and burgers seriously.
Their burgers tend to be thick, juicy, and stacked with chef‑y toppings like bacon jam, sharp cheddar, blue cheese, caramelized onions, and house aioli on brioche‑style buns. You’ll often find seasonal or special burgers on the menu too. Pair one with truffle fries or duck fat fries and a craft cocktail or local beer, and it feels very “downtown Santa Ana night out.”
2. Wursthaus
Technically a sausage and beer hall, but the burger here has a serious local following.
The patty is rich and well‑seasoned, cooked medium or medium‑rare, topped with cheese, house pickles, and creative sauces. The real draw is the German‑pub vibe: long communal tables, big beer list, and sides like fries with house dips. It’s where locals go when they want a burger with a proper pint and a lively atmosphere.
3. TK Burgers (Costa Mesa & nearby, but beloved by Santa Ana locals)
For many Santa Ana residents, TK is the classic coastal‑SoCal burger.
Expect a juicy, slightly charred patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and their signature sauce on a soft bun. Add bacon or avocado if you’re feeling extra. It’s unfussy, fast, and tastes like California in burger form. Many locals don’t mind the short drive because it just scratches that very specific burger itch.
4. Native Son (Santa Ana Rooftop)
Known for its craft beer and rooftop scene downtown, Native Son also makes a standout burger that regulars talk about.
It’s very much a beer‑bar burger: a thick patty, sharp cheese, house pickles, arugula or lettuce, and a tangy sauce on a brioche‑adjacent bun. Not overloaded, but everything dialed in. The fact that you can eat it on a rooftop with a local IPA or stout in hand doesn’t hurt.
5. Patty’s Burgers & Milkshakes
A more casual, diner‑ish spot where the name tells you exactly what you’re here for.
Burgers are classic American comfort: griddled patties, melted cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Mayo/ketchup‑style sauces. There are bigger builds with bacon, avocado, grilled mushrooms, and more, plus thick milkshakes that complete the experience. This is the kind of place families and regulars treat as a default burger stop.
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