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Community Corner

Patch Picks: Top 5 Burgers

Patch breaks down the Top 5 burgers made locally.

There is a certain kind of hunger that only a burger and milkshake can satisfy. Not the dry, carelessly tossed-together kind of burger served through a drive-through window, though. A real burger, with a substantial amount of patty and fixin's tailored to each individual's liking. Luckily, there are plenty of local burger joints catering to each individual's unique fix. Without further ado, below are the Top 5 burgers receiving rave reviews from locals.

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The trendy Betty Burger boasts "Juicy Patties and Hot Buns," and apparently delivers, with new locations popping up in downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola. Betty is all about the burger, and the innuendo-filled menu makes the whole experience a little more entertaining.

"I like the Point Grinder because it has sautéed mushrooms and blue cheese," said local Cordell Trumbo, who used to eat at Betty Burger once a week week.

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The burgers are big, doused with Betty's special lube, and all of the fixings. The sweet potato fries and milk shakes made with Polar Bear ice cream are also killer. 

Betty Burgers is located at 1000 41st Ave. 475-5901.

2.

The thousands of vegetarians in Santa Cruz County won't miss a burger-like experience with Dharma's healthy and organic mecca of creative culinary fusion. The restaurant's menu includes a few luxuriously vegetarian burgers. Burger patty choices include the Brahma burger, made from grain and protein, the tempeh patty or the tofu patty. For $9.50 you can get a huge whole-wheat bun with the healthiest burger around, and a choice from several cheeses and toppings. Dharma's even has a half-pounder on the menu, made with an extra large Brahma burger.

Dharma's is located at 4250 Capitola Rd. 462-1717.

3. Saturn Cafe

Yes, another vegetarian and vegan choice. It's Santa Cruz's favorite space-age and late-night eatery, and the food is so good that even carnivores enjoy themselves here. The menu boasts a tasty variety of burgers, with patties ranging from a portabello-mushroom patty, to chix and griller patties, both made from fake meat. Highly recommended is the Cowgirl Blues burger, which features a chix patty with crumbled blue cheese and buffalo sauce.

Saturn Cafe is located at 145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz. 429-8505.

4. 

Already a local favorite for its breakfast and lunch entrees, Heavenly Cafe's burgers are no exception. Their superlatively-crafted burgers include juicy, well seasoned and generously-portioned patties. When it comes to a healthier, leaner burger, though, Heavenly Cafe comes through with a Greek turkey burger. The turkey burger at Heavenly Cafe is exceptionally juicy, and comes with a delicious yogurt tzatziki sauce. Order the healthy option confidently, It's worth it.

Heavenly Cafe is located at 1210 Mount Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley. 335-7311. 

5. 

Malone's burgers definitely do have a reputation. Most of all, Malone's is known for not skimping on the meat. The patties are huge and juicy, and one great plus is that they can be ordered rare, while it often seems that other restaurants won't let anything too pink out of the kitchen. The Cobb Burger comes highly recommended, with blue cheese crumbles, crispy bacon and avocado.

Malone's is located at 4402 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley. 438-2244


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