Some of Eugene’s best burgers are found in food trucks, stands and breweries. Burgers are a simple dish, but they can be made special. Signature sauces, vegetables and seasonings add flair to a traditional burger.
Whether you’re at a dinner with friends and family or just looking to grab a bite on the go, all these spots have one thing in common: a good burger.
Best food cart burger: Once Famous Grill
Once Famous Grill is a classic food cart with ties to Eugene and UO. Situated conveniently in the middle of the outdoor space at Beergarden, Once Famous Grill was founded by former UOfootball player Keith Lewis. On a weekend visit to Beergarden, Once Famous Grill is a great place to grab some food while catching up with friends over a nice cold beer.
The man behind the soul food of Once Famous Grill, Vinnie Gamboa, greets you with the care that feels authentic. Gamboa, who says people refer to him as “Cousin Vinnie,” really does serve customers in a way that feels like an older cousin manning the grill at a family barbecue. Gamboa says that keeping it simple is what keeps foot traffic going and returning customers fulfilled.
“We keep it classy,” Gamboa said. “We don’t offer a crazy thousand island sauce. When you look at a burger, you know what you’re getting, whether you add bacon or mushroom and Swiss.”
Once Famous Grill does have a sriracha mayo and Cajun aioli if you’re in the mood for a little spice. If you want to enhance your lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles, try indulging in the bright orange dipping sauce.
Gamboa says that to get a burger to the right level of juice, you have to sear it right. Without searing, the meat will get overworked, and the juices can drain.
If you know what you’re doing, like “Cousin Vinnie,” only one flip is necessary.
The name Once Famous references Lewis’ career in the NFL, but now Lewis focuses on giving back to Eugene, and the food cart is just one of his many contributions to the community. Visit this cart next time you’re at Friday happy hour for some good old-fashioned juicy burgers.
Best restaurant burger: Bo and Vine Burger
If Once Famous is the go-to for classic burgers, Bo and Vine smash your expectations out of the park by adding seemingly anything to a burger.
Bo and Vine’s burgers are topped with as many as eight toppings. The burger known as the Mad Hawaiian comes loaded with pineapple, spam, sriracha, onions, teriyaki glaze and mayonnaise. Bo and Vine’s manager Sean Lally says that the char on the smash burgers separates them from other burger restaurants.
Bo and Vine has a house pepperjack beer cheese on the best-selling Hulk smash burger.
“Our burgers have a lot of flavor, and we make our own sauce, so something classic just with sauce is gonna make your burger really taste good,” Lally said.
The awesome thing about smash burgers is that the patty takes up less space, allowing you to load up on toppings that will enhance the entire sandwich. Whether it’s bacon, pickled onions or corn salsa, Bo and Vine has a topping you’ll surely enjoy.
Best affordable burger: Gotcha Burger
Not wanting to spend upwards of $15 on a single meal is understandable and probably the reality of most college students. Gotcha Burger’s iconic food cart makes it fast, easy and affordable to get a quick meal on the go.
Gotcha Burger’s success comes with the volume they see with the low prices. The classic cheeseburger is $3.95, and the classic double cheeseburger, the deuce-deuce, is $4.95. Yes, you are reading that right — with the prices of seemingly everything skyrocketing, Gotcha Burger truly does “Gotcha”.
UO student Daniel Schneider is a regular customer of Gotcha Burger.
“The deuce deuce is cheap, it’s good, quick and I can get multiple of them,” Schneider said.
Wherever it is in Eugene, you will surely discover immense flavor in these establishments’ patties.
