Hodad's Among Best Burger Joints in America: Foursquare

A list of top burger joints in the U.S. compiled by Foursquare includes Hodad's of Ocean Beach among lots of burger spots from New York and Atlanta

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

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

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