Hey there, Sac Nation. City Editor Jordan here, and I am many things: a father, a writer, and a #BachelorBoyfriend — but most of all I’m hungry for love, the love of the perfect burger.
That’s why, using our reader-curated list of local burger spots , I’ll be awarding roses to the places you recommended as I embark on this journey to find my forever burger over the next few weeks.
Welcome to The Hungry Sac-helor.
The End
City Editor Jordan here — and here it is, y’all. I’ve trusted this process and we’ve finally reached the end of the road. I want to take a moment to thank my girlfriend, Leah, for asking me to watch “Bachelor in Paradise” and kicking off this crazy idea, my friends and family who have supported me as I gained the clarity I needed, and all of you who have read along.
Without further ado, our final rose goes to:
Whitey’s Jolly Kone 🌹
The Whitey’s Special includes everything that I think is great about In-N-Out’s Double-Double (which I’ve long held as the gold standard for my burgers), but goes a step further by adding pickles and bacon. Combine that with the fact that it costs less than $6 (making it cheaper than In-N-Out as well), and you’ve got the perfect blend of taste and price to keep me coming back for the rest of my life.
Week 4
Wow, I can’t believe we’re almost at the end. It’s a little crazy isn’t it? I spent the holidays reflecting and I’ve learned so much on this journey. Like what I want from a relationship (with food) and that I should eat less salt (sorry, doc).
One other thing I’ve come to realize is the importance of a burger’s fiscal responsibility. I don’t want a burger that’s going to break the bank every time I order it to the point that it demands all of my attention when it comes to spending an evening out.
With that in mind — here are our final four burger spots.
Week 4 Rose Ceremony 🌹
Week 4 Eliminations 🥀
Week 3
This week, I had a fantasy suite date with Broderick Roadhouse — specifically the Gold Rush Burger. Now, I know what you’re thinking; “What does a fantasy suite with a burger look like?”
The answer: Me eating in bed while wearing my comfiest sweatpants and watching this incredible YouTube documentary on Disney’s FastPass system.
Gold Rush earned its fantasy suite rose on the strength of its use of bacon mac and cheese as a topping — which was the comfort combo I didn’t know I needed on a day that was rainy AF.
There was also a stunning upset in the elimination of Suzie Burger from contention. Although they were an early frontrunner, it soon gained the clarity that I was more interested in their cheesesteaks than their burgers, and I didn’t feel like it was fair to waste any more of their time.
Week 3 Rose Ceremony 🌹
- Willie’s Burgers
- Whitey’s Jolly Kone
- Broderick Roadhouse
- Burgers and Brew
- Dad’s Kitchen
- Scott’s Burger Shack
- Squeeze Burger
- Pangaea Bier Cafe
Week 3 Eliminations 🥀
Week 2
This week, I had a hometown date with Willie’s (meaning I had some DoorDashed to myself), and I have to be honest… it went really well.
I’ll admit, I was definitely testing them this week by bringing the burger home — specifically with how well the burger held up under close scrutiny from my 7-year-old (the kind of kid who only wants chicken tenders when we go out to eat). After seeing how much my son enjoyed the burger, I knew Willie’s would finish the date by getting a rose.
As for me — it was all about the buns, hun. I got a Slammer DCC (two patties, double cheese, and topped with chili) and, even after a ~15 minute drive, the deliciously spongy buns still held firm instead of getting all soggy. You love to see it.
Week 2 Rose Ceremony 🌹
- Willie’s Burgers
- Suzie Burger
- Whitey’s Jolly Kone
- Broderick Roadhouse
- Burgers and Brew
- Dad’s Kitchen
- Flaming Grill Cafe
- Scott’s Burger Shack
- Squeeze Burger
- Pangaea Bier Cafe
- Bones Craft Kitchen
- Lou’s Drive-In No. 2
Week 2 Eliminations 🥀
First Impression Rose 🌹
- Suzie Burger | As soon as I moved to Sacramento, I instantly felt a connection with Suzie Burger. Their burgers are thick, packed with flavor, and cheesy in all the right ways.
Week 1 Rose Ceremony 🌹
- Whitey’s Jolly Kone | Affordable and easygoing, I can’t wait to explore the connection Whitey’s and I have.
- Broderick Roadhouse | I noticed Broderick as soon as it stepped out of the limo, and I’m hoping the Johnny Cash burger doesn’t leave me “Hurt” (I have a sensitive tummy).
- Willie’s Burgers | A great burger for going out on weekends, I’m really hoping the connection we’ve made holds strong during the weekdays as well.
- Burgers and Brew | This burger brings a lot to the table — specifically a variety of fries — but will that be enough?
- Dad’s Kitchen | These burgers are not allowed to be cooked well done. High standards like that deserve to be explored.
- Flaming Grill Cafe | These worldly burgers are very intriguing. I’m hoping we can spend some more time together so I can gain some clarity.
- Crepes & Burgers | These burgers seem very intentional, but with such a big focus on breakfast, I need to know they’re here for the right reason.
- Scott’s Burger Shack | An old flame from when I lived in South Sac, the producers are wondering if there’s still enough of a connection to rekindle that spark.
- Krush Burger | I have small hands and these tiny burgers make me feel like a giant... but do I have a connection with these burgers, or just the idea of them?
- Squeeze Burger | My toxic trait is eating more cheese than my body can handle. For that, this burger gets a rose.
- Pangaea Bier Cafe | The looks, the taste, the resume — this season’s arguable frontrunner has it all.
- Bones Craft Kitchen | The El Diablo burger is so hot, but so good I don’t even care about how sweaty I get in public (it’s somewhere between “pretty sweaty” and “very sweaty”).
- Jointed Cue Billiards | With a menu that includes lumpia and carne asada fries, I’m wary about this burger’s ability to commit, but ready to give it a chance.
- Lou’s Drive-In No. 2 | When a burger feels like home, you give it a rose — and that’s how the burgers from Lou’s feel to me.
- Village Drive-In | I haven’t had a ton of time with this burger, but I was really struck by our initial interaction and would love to see if we have a connection.
Week 1 Eliminations 🥀
- Burger Patch | This is my journey and I want my burger to be made of meat, not plant-based. I know they will find their person though.
- LowBrau | I just feel like LowBrau does sausages better than burgers, and because of that, they will not be getting a rose this week.
- BBQ & Burgers | To be honest, I’m just not crazy about BBQ sauce, and it doesn’t feel fair to lead them on.
- Burger Junction | Good burger, but I just didn’t feel that spark I’m looking for.
- Ettore’s Dessert and Cakes | Ettore’s is so sweet, but they really are more of a dessert destination than a burger place for me.
- Skip’s Kitchen | This was such a hard decision — *wipes away tear* — but I just didn’t feel a connection with Skip’s.
- Sunflower Drive In | These burgers are a little too nutty for me — kind of like Shanae and Lace (if you’re currently watching “Bachelor In Paradise” season eight, you know).
- pure soul plant-based eats | These burgers are so deserving of love, but I just don’t think plant-based burgers are for me.