San Francisco and Marin are home to some of the most legendary burger spots. I set out to taste-test top contenders across the two counties. However, there’s a twist: flavor isn’t everything. Each place is also judged by its atmosphere, service, value per buck as well as their bathrooms.

A Smish Smash burger is one of the messiest yet flavorful burgers you can get. It perfectly reflects the definition of a Smashburger, with crispy edges and a soft, juicy center. The shop is located inside the IKEA food hall at 945 Market St. in San Francisco. While the food hall itself is worth a visit, it’s clear many people come specifically for Smish Smash. The line, especially on weekends, can be long. With limited staff, this led to wait times of around 15 minutes. Though it’s pricier at $12 per burger, every bite is worth it. Additionally, the bathrooms are nicer than average, but not located near the shop.

Flavor: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★☆☆
Value per buck: ★★★★☆
Bathrooms: ★★★★☆

Fish, located in Sausalito, is known for organically and locally sourced seafood from the Bay Area. Uniquely, it has its own smash burger but made of fish (obviously). Nestled in an Acme bread bun using McFarland Springs trout, with pickled onions and American cheese, it provides an inte

resting twist on the conventional burger. It can be served with wedge-style fries and scoops of ice cream in a glass cup as a substitute for a milkshake. While it’s the most unique option, it falls behind in value. At $28, it’s pricey. The bathrooms are the worst on this list, located behind the building and outside the dining area, and definitely not cleaned on a regular basis.
Flavor: ★★★☆☆
Atmosphere: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Value per buck: ★★★☆☆Bathrooms: ★★☆☆☆

One of the most popular Bay Area spots is Super Duper Burgers. They excel across the board. This burger is packed with flavor from bun to bun. Each location has its own vibe, and service is consistently quick and easy. At $10.50, it’s fairly priced. The combination of the Super Burger, fries and the Super Shake creates a perfect trifecta. Their bathrooms are relatively clean, making for a decent experience on the can.

Flavor: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Value per buck: ★★★★☆
Bathrooms: ★★★★☆