This One Smoky California BBQ Burger Wins Every Order Count

The Stand has built its reputation by showing that California doesn’t just serve burgers, it reimagines them.

From the first sizzle on the grill to the last bite, details shine: buns chosen for texture, cheese melted to perfection, onions charred until sweet, even onion rings stacked with purpose. Each burger carries its own mood, sometimes bold with spice, other times playful with toppings, but always balanced.

I’ve made my way through the menu, tasting how local flavors meet classic technique. Here are eleven burgers from The Stand that prove why it’s become a true California favorite.

Onion Stack Burger

You catch the crunch first, towering onion rings stacked high, golden and brittle, almost comically tall.

This burger leans on fried onions as both topping and texture, paired with a smoky beef patty, melted cheddar, and barbecue sauce that ties everything together.

I bit down and laughed. The stack didn’t collapse; it crunched with confidence. It’s a burger that delivers drama and satisfaction in equal measure.

Stand Burger

The setting feels casual, almost understated, paper wrappers, open grill, the hum of steady service.

The Stand Burger is their flagship: beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and house sauce. No gimmicks, just faithful balance. It anchors the rest of the menu.

Add grilled jalapeños. The kitchen’s pepper prep adds a charred bite without hijacking the burger’s classic spirit.

Big Blue Burger

Sharp cheese aroma cuts through the smoke before the plate hits the counter. The burger feels bigger than its bun.

This one piles on blue cheese crumbles, bacon, and caramelized onions over a thick beef patty. The mix of funk, salt, and sweetness is deliberate.

I’m usually cautious with blue cheese, but here it worked. The creaminess tempered the smoke, and I found myself nodding mid-bite, already planning the next order.

ABC Burger

Avocado slices glisten bright green against crisp bacon and melted cheddar, the trio that gives this burger its name.

The ABC (Avocado, Bacon, Cheddar) is a West Coast staple, blending richness, crunch, and mellow creaminess. Here, it’s layered neatly so every bite hits all three.

Best move: ask for extra avocado if it’s peak season. California fruit makes this burger sing differently depending on the time of year.

Ultimate Egg Burger

The sizzle of a fried egg announces itself before you even unwrap it. Golden yolk runs, binding every layer below.

This burger features a sunny egg on top of beef, cheese, and bacon, a hearty, indulgent build that doubles as breakfast-for-dinner.

The yolk broke on my first bite, and I didn’t care. The mess was worth it. It turned into a sauce of its own, soaking into the bun.

French Onion Soup Burger

Caramelized onions heap on thick, gooey Swiss melting over them, the aroma echoing a Paris bistro.

This burger riffs on the classic soup, adding beef broth reduction into the mix. It’s a nod to comfort food folded neatly into handheld form.

Pair it with fries. Dipping them into stray onion and cheese strands completes the illusion of soup in burger clothes.

Havarti Shroom Burger

Browned mushrooms tumble out as you bite, earthy scent rising from under melted Havarti.

The patty comes topped with sautéed mushrooms, their juices marrying with creamy cheese. Havarti’s mild tang allows the mushrooms’ flavor to dominate.

I lingered over this one. The mushroom’s savoriness mixed with beef’s char created layers that made me slow down, savoring each mouthful.

Jalapeño Bacon Burger

A sharp, peppery aroma hits before the plate lands, warning you of what’s coming.

This burger stacks crispy bacon and fresh jalapeño slices onto melted cheese, daring you to bite. Heat, crunch, and smoke all collide.

Tip: add the house ranch on the side. Dipping between bites cools things down just enough to keep you chasing the burn.

Veggie Bliss Burger

Grilled vegetables peek out brightly, red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, all framed by a toasted bun.

This vegetarian option swaps beef for a plant-forward patty layered with roasted vegetables and light cheese. It feels abundant, not spare.

I tried it after a streak of heavy meals, and it lifted me. The charred vegetables and crisp bun proved meatless doesn’t mean joyless.

Epic Pastrami Burger

Dark, smoky pastrami spills out from under melted Swiss, mingling with the beef patty beneath.

This burger doubles down on meat, pairing pastrami’s spice with the beef’s heft. It feels indulgent but intentional.

Best strategy: share it. Half feels like plenty, but each bite is too flavorful to skip, peppercorn and beef together feel almost decadent.

BBQ Brisket on a Pretzel Roll

Shiny, knot-topped pretzel bun holds a smoky pile of brisket, sauce seeping slightly at the edges.

This sandwich-burger hybrid replaces the usual patty with slices of brisket, leaning heavily into barbecue roots. The pretzel roll provides chew and sweetness.

I couldn’t put it down. The bun locked in brisket juices, each bite balancing smoke, salt, and softness. It was messy, sure, but unforgettable.