Hodad’s – the iconic burger joint in San Diego’s Ocean Beach community – has been named one of the best burger places in the nation, according to a new list ranked by Foursquare.
The social media check-in network has compiled a list of the top 50 burger joints in America and Hodad’s on Newport Avenue made the cut at No. 25, sandwiched between other beloved burger businesses across the nation.
It’s the only San Diego-based burger spot to make the list.
The rankings are dominated by New York-based restaurants including the No. 1 joint, Minetta Tavern, New York’s Burger Joint (No. 2) and the Shake Shack (No. 3). Atlanta-based burger places also fared well on the list, as did a few Chicago joints.
It’s no secret that Hodad’s is revered by San Diegans. The Ocean Beach location is typically packed day and night with customers lining up for a juicy burger.
Though originally an Ocean Beach staple, Hodad’s has expanded over the years to include a location in downtown San Diego and in downtown’s Petco Park.
The burger joint had been under the leadership of owner Mike “Bossman” Hardin until February of this year, when Hardin died from a heart attack while at a hotel in central California.
Hardin – also known as the “unofficial mayor of Ocean Beach” – lived in San Diego from 1960 until his passing. He took over Hodad’s in the 1980s from his parents.
Both Hardin and Hodad’s were featured on the popular TV show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” hosted by Guy Fieri.
San Diegans mourned Hardin after his death, turning Hodad’s in OB into a makeshift memorial, leaving flowers and notes outside the beach business. Hundreds of Hodad’s fans attended a tribute to Hardin at Petco Park in late March, paying their respects to the burger king who left a mouthwatering mark on the San Diego food scene.
Do you agree with Hodad's ranking among the best of the best burger joints in America? What other local burger places do you love? Share your choices in the comments section below.
Check out Foursquare's full list of best burger joints here:
Rank Burger Joint Location
1 Minetta Tavern NY, NY
2 Burger Joint NY, NY
Local
3 Shake Shack NY, NY
4 Gordon Ramsay BurGR Las Vegas, NV
5 J.G.Melon NY, NY
6 Kuma's Corner Chicago, IL
7 AJ Bombers Milwaukee, WI
8 5 Napkin Burger NY, NY
9 The Spotted Pig NY, NY
10 Hopdoddy Burger Bar Austin, TX
11 Corner Bistro NY, NY
12 Umami Burger NY, NY
13 The Breslin Bar & Dining Room NY, NY
14 Father's Office Los Angeles, CA
15 Super Duper Burger San Francisco, CA
16 Au Cheval Chicago, IL
17 The Vortex Bar & Grill Atlanta, GA
18 DMK Burger Bar Chicago, IL
19 Holstein's Las Vegas, NV
20 The Cherry Cricket Denver, CO
21 The Pharmacy Nashville, TN
22 Good Stuff Eatery Washington D.C.
23 Burger Bar Las Vegas, NV
24 B&B Winepub (Burger & Barrel) NY, NY
25 Casino El Camino Austin, TX
26 Hodad's San Diego, CA
27 Port of Call New Orleans, LA
28 Tasty Burger Boston, MA
29 PYT Philadelphia, PA
30 Yo Mama's Bar & Grill New Orleans, LA
31 P.J. Clarke's NY, NY
32 Bill's Bar & Burger NY, NY
33 FLiP Burger Boutique Atlanta, GA
34 YEAH! Burger Atlanta, GA
35 In-n-Out Burger Hollywood, CA
36 Gott's Roadside San Francisco, CA
37 The Apple Pan Los Angeles, CA
38 Burger & Beer Joint (B&B) Miami Beach, FL
39 Bareburger Astoria, NY
40 Ruby's Cafe NY, NY
41 DuMont Burger Brooklyn, NY
42 Village Whiskey Philadelphia, PA
43 Abbey Burger Bistro Baltimore, MD
44 Roam Artisan Burgers San Francisco, CA
45 The Counter NY, NY
46 Sobelman's Pub & Grill Milwaukee, WI
47 Grindhouse Killer Burgers Atlanta, GA
48 Casper & Runyon's Nook Saint Paul, MN
49 Burger Bar Chicago, IL
50 Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage Cambridge, MA
