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The glorious days of summer and a juicy cheeseburger seem to go hand in hand. Whether it's locally grazed, grass-fed beef, scrumptious turkey or a delicious plant-based version, burgers are a favorite meal for any age. In Lake Tahoe, a plethora of restaurants offer this quintessential favorite. Keep reading to learn about 10 great options for enjoying this treasured American meal.
Photo: CB's Infamous Goddess Burger. Originally a weekly special, the Goddess Burger became so popular they added it to their main menu. It's a ½lb. hand-formed beef patty with prosciutto, mixed greens, grilled onions, feta and goddess dressing on homemade focaccia bread or a standard onion bun, as pictured.
CB's Bistro
Carnelian Bay
CB's has been a longtime favorite for many locals who call the North Shore home. With its fantastic location, welcoming environment and huge menu, it isn't much of a surprise that many call CB's their second home. Beyond their delicious burgers like the now-famous Goddess Burger, they are also known for their huge sandwiches, incredible calzones and finger-licking-good pizza. They offer a kids' menu as well as daily specials, with new items coming to the forefront every week. Be sure to check out their free live music on Wednesdays.
Incline Village
With their 30 HD televisions, it's no wonder that Rookie's is known for being the place to go to watch sporting events. But they are also known for their delectable gourmet burgers. Their menu also serves up salads, sandwiches, grinders as well as pizza coming from its own specialty kitchen. The full bar is ample with 15 taps featuring local craft beers, domestics and imports in addition to cocktails. After food and drinks, enjoy the black jack, poker, keno or slots or their enjoyable patio that showcases Lake Tahoe's starry night sky. For the kids, they offer a video and arcade room that is open until 10 p.m. Stop by on Saturdays for great DJ music.
Rosie's Cafe
Tahoe City
With a motto for being the place to go for filling the void between fine dining and fast food, Rosie's Cafe is a good bet for a fantastic all-American burger. If you go off ambiance, it is simple to see that Rosie's is a place that cares about nostalgia and that includes serving up tasty fare that reminds you of days gone by. Their prices match this mentality. A happening and favorite place on the weekends, the patio is always open and is dog-friendly, too.
Tahoe Tap Haus serves up Wild Sliders, making little burgers look delicious. Photo courtesy of Tahoe Tap Haus
Tahoe Tap Haus
Tahoe City
If you enjoy being across the street from Lake Tahoe, surrounded by a great energy and sinking your teeth into delicious burgers, then Tahoe Tap Haus is a fantastic option. Known for their juicy burgers and lovely views of Big Blue, they also offer a huge selection of beers on tap, an extensive wine list and an outdoor beer garden and patio that welcomes your furry family members as well.
Za's Lakefront
Tahoe City
With a superb location literally footsteps from the water's edge, Za's is one of those places that makes you come back for the views alone. But this little eclectic American-Italian bistro will also impress you with their incredible food that is paired with impressive prices. Their menu goes way beyond the burger, with salads, fun appetizers, pizzas, calzones, pasta and vegetarian fare. They also offer a kids' menu. Check out their Lakefront SideBar that features a unique opportunity to be out over the water while enjoying drinks and food.
Bridgetender
Tahoe City
Bridgetender always ranks up there for me as a great place for a burger since it set the stage for the Turkey Burger Club that was a weekly affair for me and many other locals back in the 90s. Their fun, casual atmosphere is still as strong today as it was decades ago, maybe even stronger now. This love of burgers is evident by their menu that pays homage to the beef and bun combination, including their must-try turkey burger and the super-tasty elk burger. Be sure to pair it with their absolutely amazing waffle fries. They also offer a well-stocked bar with homemade Bloody Marys and 15 beers on tap.
The Train Wreck by Burger Me! made with housemade chili, cheddar cheese, 1/3 lb. all-natural beef, a hand-tossed onion ring, egg, lettuce, tomato, pickle and housemade thousand island dressing. This has been known to end a person's day in a GOOD way! Photo courtesy of Burger Me!
Burger Me!
Truckee
As is obvious by their name, Burger Me! is dedicated to the art of a great burger. Their menu is filled with every style of burger you can think of. Want a bison burger that is smothered in sauerkraut and blue cheese, served with a side of garlic fries? No worries, Burger Me! has you covered. In fact, you can let your imagination go wild and make up your own burger. If beef isn't your thing, they also offer other burger options, like their ahi burger, veggie burger and Southwest turkey burger.
RoJo's Tavern
South Lake Tahoe
Closing in on 30 years of serving incredibly yummy burgers, along with a diverse selection of other satisfying meals like steak, seafood, chicken, Italian cuisine and their incredible selection of ribs, Rojo's Tavern is a must hit for a great meal. The ambiance is special to the old Tahoe mystique, with the building dating back to the 1920s and the vibe offering an inviting feel for the entire family. Beyond food, Rojo's is a place for great entertainment, with karaoke, open mic nights, DJs and live bands playing weekly.
Cold Water Brewery & Grill
South Lake Tahoe
Cold Water Brewery & Grill is one of those restaurants that becomes a quick favorite for a few reasons. First, their beer is made on the property and created using the all-grain methodology, the first of its kind in the area. Second, they believe in making everything from scratch using only top-quality ingredients for their menu that is filled with California comfort food. And third, the atmosphere is one where longtime friends are created. Beyond their tasty burgers, try their fish and chips or the grilled Scottish salmon. Keep an eye out for their weekly specials and events.
Izzy's Burger Spa
South Lake Tahoe
Usually the words spa and burger are not put in the same sentence, but with this special little burger joint, the meaning is all in the name. Built upon a burger experience like no other, Izzy's Burger Spa takes delicious burgers seriously. But they don't stop there. They also offer hot dogs, chili, chicken sandwiches, delicious fries and outstanding onion rings. Their shakes are pretty fantastic, too. Tip: You are allowed to bring your own beer and wine coolers.
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
