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Barbecue and Hamburger Spots in California

The craving for a smoky barbecue platter or a simple hamburger is hard to ignore when hunger hits.

Based on 715 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Urban Skillet Northridge image 1
Urban Skillet Northridge image 2
Urban Skillet Northridge image 3
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Hamburger restaurant

Small cafe-style space offers a welcoming, family-friendly vibe with loud music and a live DJ outside. Halal and vegan-friendly options attract diverse diners, while TV screens show college basketball for added entertainment.

Southern BBQ cheeseburger stands out with its rich flavor and pairs well with Buffalo Fries. Wings come with a sweet BBQ sauce that complements their perfect cooking.

Juicy and cooked to medium to medium well, the hamburger costs $13.50 and features a unique approach with a house sauce that complements the brisket fries and brisket hamburger well.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and truly exceptional."

"This hamburger is juicy and cooked perfectly."

"I loved the smash burger; it was one of the best I've had."

Good to know

1

Urban Skillet Northridge is open until 2am on weekends.

2

They serve 100% halal food, including all menu items.

3

CSUN students receive a 15% discount with a school ID.

02
StormBurger image 1
American restaurant

Bright, modern building with outdoor standing tables and walk-up windows creates a casual, lively vibe. Atmosphere feels inviting and neat, encouraging quick, social dining. Drive-thru and takeout options support a fast-paced, convenient experience.

Burgers come with crispy toasted bread and great barbecue and special sauces for dipping. The bacon BBQ burger and Storm burger arrive fresh and hot with a good barbecue sauce.

Hamburgers come with crispy edges and stay juicy inside. The meat tastes rich and fresh, often served with apricot sauce on the side.

People are saying

"I thought the burgers here were amazing and really delicious."

"I thought the hamburger was amazing and delicious."

"I thought the BBQ burger was very good and fresh."

Good to know

1

StormBurger is takeout only with no seating available.

2

The wait time can be a bit long due to its growing popularity.

3

The drive-thru line can be lengthy, especially during peak hours.

03
Hammer Burger image 1
Restaurant

Small restaurant with colorful murals and a lively atmosphere filled with fun music and a self-serve sauce bar. Indoor space includes a bar area with multiple TVs and offers a variety of local beers and wines. The place draws a crowd quickly, creating a bustling vibe especially on weekends.

Sauce options include white BBQ sauce, jalapeno ranch, garlic aioli, and a house Hammer sauce. The white BBQ sauce stands out as really good and pairs well with shoestring fries.

Smashburgers come with an excellent potato bun that is fresh and perfectly cooked. Fries accompany the tasty hamburgers that stand out for their flavor and quality.

People are saying

"I found the smash burgers here to be the best I've had."

"I thought the smash burger was the highlight of the menu."

"I thought the burger was very good and full of flavor."

Good to know

1

Hammer Burger has a happy hour with 20% off food from 2-5 PM.

2

Expect long wait times on weekends; arrive early to secure a table.

3

Parking is available in a nearby paid city lot.

04
Hammy’s Smash Burgers (Clovis) image 1

Spacious restaurant with minimalist decor and classic diner vibe featuring funny wall sayings. Atmosphere stays clean, quiet, and casual, offering plenty of room to spread out. Burgers stand out as well seasoned and delicious, served with crunchy fries and fresh toppings on request.

Smash burgers feature BBQ sauce, bacon, and high-quality beef. The BBQ Bacon Smash and Double Smash highlight these flavors clearly.

Hamburgers come with jalapeños and grilled onions for a spicy, savory kick. Fries and onion rings serve as classic, crispy sides that complement the meal well.

People are saying

"I thought the burgers here were amazing."

"The BBQ smash burger has really good beef and bacon."

"I loved the hamburger with jalapeños and grilled onions."

Good to know

1

The pricing for the burger is reasonable compared to other burger joints.

2

The menu does not specify that all burgers come with cheese.

3

The dining area can get very hot, especially during summer.

05
Urban Skillet image 1
Halal restaurant

Halal restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with industrial/hipster decor and limited indoor seating complemented by outdoor tables along the sidewalk. The vibe stays friendly and upbeat, creating a welcoming space for casual dining or working on a laptop.

BBQ sauce stands out with its rich flavor and pairs well with the onion rings. The Southern BBQ burger features crispy halal bacon and a well-balanced sauce that complements the meat.

Brisket on the hamburger tastes like Indian nihari served on a bun. The hamburger offers a wonderful flavor that stands out for dinner.

People are saying

"These burgers are juicy, flavorful, and made with high-quality halal meat."

"The Southern Barbecue burger had really good BBQ sauce."

"I thought the BBQ Hamburger was the best I had."

Good to know

1

Urban Skillet is 100% Halal.

2

The restaurant served halal beef and chicken.

3

Urban Skillet is open later than other local burger places.

06
DH Noodles & Grill 敦煌兰州牛肉拉面 image 1

Chinese restaurant offers authentic Lanzhou beef noodles with flavorful broths and grills for cooking. The space feels clean and bright but tables are small and seating can be cramped. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with quick service and a steady flow of diners.

Side dishes include Chinese BBQ skewers and goat ribs that pair well with noodles. The BBQ lamb is lean, with options for fattier cuts not currently offered.

Lamb hamburger stands out with its rich flavor and solid preparation. Roujiamo, the Chinese hamburger, varies from average to recommended depending on the visit.

People are saying

"I found the hand-pulled noodles to be incredibly authentic and flavorful."

"The barbecue here is so flavorful and authentic."

"I highly recommend their Chinese hamburger, the roujiamo."

Good to know

1

A big bowl noodle competition happens before 9:30, cheering for participants.

2

Expect smaller portion sizes compared to other Lanzhou noodle restaurants.

3

The restaurant does not accept cash payments.

07
Rally's image 1
Fast food restaurant

Fast food spot with a clean dining area and a very fast drive-thru. Atmosphere inside is pleasant but outside can feel uneasy due to nearby loitering. Known for amazingly crispy fries and affordable combo meals including sandwich, fries, drink, and pie.

BBQ Mother Cruncher features perfectly cooked chicken with soft bread. Barbecue sauce comes in a single serving, with extra sauce charged separately.

Hamburgers come from a basic limited menu with options like hot dogs and chicken tenders. Buns sometimes arrive a bit cold, but the simple flavors appeal to kids.

People are saying

"The American Food here, especially the fries, is delicious and fresh."

"I found the Hamburger here to be hot and tasty."

"The Barbecue Mother Cruncher was flavorful with perfectly cooked chicken."

Good to know

1

The combo meal includes a sandwich, fries, a drink, and a pie for $4.

2

Rally's accepts EBT and Apple Pay.

3

They changed their hours from open until 2 am to only until midnight.

08
Habit Burger & Grill image 1
Hamburger restaurant

Modern hamburger restaurant offers digital menus and limited indoor seating with a pleasant patio area. Atmosphere feels rushed and unwelcoming inside, but the drive-through service is efficient and highly regarded. Burgers are juicy and well-cooked, with some standout items like BBQ burger and tempura green beans.

BBQ burger stands out with rich smoky flavor. Sandwiches like the BBQ chicken and steak burger come with sides such as fries, onion rings, and fried green beans. Fries pair well with ranch, spicy boom sauce, and BBQ sauce.

Decently sized hamburgers come well-prepared and taste good. The patties have a solid flavor and satisfying texture.

People are saying

"I thought the burgers here were the best I ever tasted."

"I found the hamburgers here to be delicious and well-prepared."

"I thought the Barbecue burger was the best I had."

Good to know

1

The family meal deal is reasonably priced and offers good value.

2

Expect to pay around $33 for two chicken club sandwich combos.

3

The drive-thru is usually fast and efficient, especially during off-peak hours.

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