A Divine Heart Attack -Zaynab Hararah
As a native San Franciscan, my mission growing up was to find the perfect burger. After sixteen years and three months, mission accomplished. I call it; well actually the founder and owner named it -- Burger Meister. Burger Meister serves as my occasional comfort food. Burger Meister is featured at the newly remodeled Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City, which is about five minutes from San Francisco State University. After this location opened, I realized that three Burger Meister restaurants lie in the Sunset District of San Francisco, five minutes away from my house.
Open since 1999, Burger Meister is a local San Francisco Bay Area burger joint with five locations: three in San Francisco, one in Alameda, and one in my favorite spot, Daly City. Paul Mogannam and his family at Burger Meister are proud to serve beef that is not tainted by chemicals and filler. This family owned business uses only the finest quality all natural beef in the Bay area provided by the famous Niman Ranch located in Marin County of Northern California. Just like anything you would find at Trader Joes, the Niman Ranch meat at Burger Meister is purely organic and you can taste it for yourself.
As a disclaimer, take note that Westlake is a shopping center; therefore, do not be distracted by all the other restaurants. If you must, check out the sale at DSW Shoes, and then make your way to Burger Meister. Burger Meister is located right in the middle of a nice long strip of stores and restaurants. You can find parking all around the center, for free, considering the fact that nowadays it takes two dollars to feed a thirty minute parking meter. If it is your lucky day, you might just find a parking spot right in front of Meister.
The moment you step near Burger Meister, in comes the aroma of garlic fries, juicy burger meat and warm buns. Your nose gets the first tickle, sends a signal to your brain, which immediately visualizes the burger. You begin licking your lips and imagine how good the burger will feel in your hand. You scrunch your neck towards your shoulders resisting a temptation I call “the Heart Attack.” Usually on Sundays restaurants close early, but Burger Meister is open until 11 pm every day of the week. As I walk into the restaurant about Sunday afternoon, I can already feel the bleu cheese slide off my lips and down to my chin. I usually order my burger for takeout. This may be a good idea for many who practice etiquette, but do not want to be seen feasting a half-pound burger with toppings dripping inside and out. The restaurant simply stretches into one room. The bar takes about a quarter of the room, while a vibrant mahogany wood fills the room. Clean modern decor with lots of chairs and tables. I know this burger joint gets busy during the weekends, weekday nights, and even lunch hours. Many “Best Burger of SF” awards are displayed across the walls. The vibe seems friendly and relaxed. Everyone is simply enjoying, or ready to enjoy, their ½ pound of meat. As I step forward, the hostess and cashier greet me at once.
I walk up to the cashier and he hands me a menu. I look through the menu for my usual burger. The “heart attack” consists of chili a la carne, smothered with bleu cheese and a side of curly fries. When someone has a heart attack, they basically shut down. Soon enough, hopefully, they are revitalized. The chili burger smothered with bleu cheese, not only puts you at risk for a heart attack in the future, but one bite out of this burger will tease all your senses, forcing you to shut down. You will not revive until the very last drip of chili.
After five minutes of browsing the menu I realized that it has changed. Concerned, I ask the cashier as to why the restaurant would take away my chili burger. He simply claims, “We can make any burger, any way you like,” which brings my attention to the first page of the menu “Customize your Burger.” Now, if you wish to customize your burger, you have many options. The burger itself costs $9.00 served with tomatoes, onions, pickles, on a sesame seed bun, or whole wheat bun and your choice of fries, coleslaw, or spring salad mix. Step one, you choose a pattie: ½ lb Niman Ranch Ground beef, 1/3 Turkey Burger, or Grilled Garlic Chicken Breast. For the Vegans, you may choose a Bocca Pattie. The vegetarians have the options of choosing a Garden pattie or a Grilled Portobello Mushroom pattie. Once you pick a pattie, add your toppings which vary from $.75-$1.50. Then pick your side selections. You may also have garlic fries, chili fries, or curly fries for an additional $1.75. Or you may upgrade to garlic curly fries or chili curly fries for an additional $2.50. I highly recommend trying out their curly fries (though do watch out for the garlic on a first date). You do not have to instantly customize since there is a wide variety of burgers to choose from. Though, if you desperately want to a pepper jack beef pattie, topped with avocados, pineapple and some onions straws, go for it. Burger Meister also serves hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, soups, and much more.
Instead of ordering my usual, I decided to order something new; my only rule is that it must contain bleu cheese. I have always wondered why bleu cheese is not spelled like the color blue. The “San Francisco,” which consists of bleu cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms and I customized my French fries to garlic curly fries. My bill came out to $13. Obviously, this amount paired with a burger is quite pricey. Though, I did order garlic curly fries which are an additional $2.50 upgrade. My mom always questions that for $13, I should have gotten a free brownie surprise along with the bill! But I didn’t. After only an eight minute wait, accommodated with a cup of coffee from neighboring Starbucks, I received much more.
I fell in love, gradually, not all at once. I savored every bit of that burger. The meat tasted freshly barbequed with a hint of sweet smokiness. The mix of grilled red onions and mushrooms was heavenly. The bleu cheese was a cherry on top of a creamy sundae. The experience had a sweetness all its own. And the garlic fries, worth every last penny. I have replaced my “heart attack” with the new and improved “San Francisco.” The “San Francisco” provides the lesser heart attack experience, but the same exceptional taste.
I have given you the option of the San Francisco or the chili burger, but the selection accommodating your taste preference is vast. Their ½ lb. ground beef burger with simple pepper jack is also a good one. Go beyond ½ lb. and you probably have to be a meat lover with a large stomach capacity. Though, if you cannot handle the ½ pound burger, go for the kids ¼ lb Niman Ranch Burger ($6.50) with natural cut fries; a great deal for a pretty massive burger. The hot dogs are also an exceptional experience. You cannot go wrong with a hot dog from there since the meat is not processed with growth hormones or antibiotics. The prices are reasonable. All the milkshakes are worth trying out. They use Mitchell’s award-winning ice cream for shakes, also located in San Francisco. Burger Meister provides something for everyone to appreciate, so I insist; do not just pass by.
Living in such a diverse city with restaurants streaming every block, it’s hard to pick a restaurant to eat at. As a student at San Francisco State University, five locations of Burger Meister surround you. The burgers at the Daly City location are cooked to perfection. Even though you might feel five pounds heavier after finishing the meal; I believe it provides the ultimate satisfaction no one shall miss out on.