After visiting various shops around the county and tasting a variety of desserts, the Taste Buds decided to opt for a more savory option: burgers and fries. We visited Bronco Burger, Sylvester’s Burgers, J’s Burgers, and Good Times Cafe. After all was said and done, we deemed that Sylvester’s offered the overall best burgers and fries, with Bronco Burger following close behind, and J’s and Good Times tied for third.

Bronco Burger is a family-run business located on Golden Hill Rd that sells an array of burgers, fries, sandwiches, salads, and more. The line is often short, and the two waitresses at the counter are polite and patient. The restaurant offers an abundance of outdoor and indoor seating,and the food is delivered in as little as three to five minutes. The burgers remained top-tier, although they were relatively cheap ($5.25 for a cheeseburger). With fresh vegetables, a juicy patty, and a savory sauce, food lovers can be sure that they are tasting fresh and high quality ingredients.

While the burgers proved to be first-rate, the fries were mediocre. They were not too greasy,  but they became cold shortly after they arrived. They still manage to rise above other fries available in the town, despite this fact.

Sylvester’s is a well known burger joint in Atascadero with two more locations along the 
Central Coast (Oceano and Los Osos). The bright yellow buildings captivate those passing by and seem to draw in burger lovers from all over the county. They offer 25 different burgers, along with a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken strips, and, of course, fries. The line is occasionally long, but the food is served quickly after the order is placed.

The burgers we tested were stuffed with toppings, from avocado, mushrooms and bacon.  While this added flavor, it also made it a bit more difficult to eat with so many extra ingredients. One definite pro, however, was their multiple vegan/vegetarian options, such as the Black Bean Burger, Garden Burger, Hippie Burger, and an assortment of salads.  For such a wide assortment of burgers, most were very affordable, with the cheapest at $5.95 and the most expensive at $9.25 (both ⅓ lb). Their fries are decidedly the best we have tasted, as they are not too thick or thin, had a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, and remained hot the entire time.

The restaurant has ample seating both inside and outside. The outdoor seating was definitely more scenic, with the park just across the street and flowers and lights surrounding the patio. However, the tables were sticky, which was not pleasant, but bearable.

J’s Burgers is located on Spring St and offers some of the cheapest burgers in Paso, with prices as low was $3.60. The service is quick, but the waiters can be impolite. They offer only five types of burgers, a build-your-own salad, fries, and onion rings. The interior is small, yet cozy, and a few tables outside.

We ordered two hamburgers, which were surprisingly good for their low price. The burger came with just a patty, sauce, and lettuce, and although more ingredients would have been preferred, it tasted nearly as high-quality as the burgers as Sylvesters. The fries, however, didn’t quite live up to our expectations. They nearly resembled shoe-string fries, as they were so thin, and they did not contain much flavor.

J’s proved to be a satisfactory establishment with just a few downfalls. We would highly recommend these burgers to anyone looking for good burgers on a low budget.

Good Times is a town gem in Paso, drawing in teens, families, and everything in 
between. Located downtown, Good Times is perfect for anyone coming out of the library or movie theater with an appetite. Their burgers are by far the most expensive; the cheapest one costs $9.95. On the upside, this 50s themed restaurant offers the most options, and not just in terms of burgers. There, you can choose from 12 different burgers, seven salads, 13 sandwiches, and over ten various sides.

This establishment is definitely the most fun one we visited, filled with 50’s memorabilia such as a jukebox, records, and posters and pictures from movies of the decade. Sadly, the service is often slow, and the food varies from top tier to tasteless.

We ordered the cheapest burger (the “Fonz”), mozzarella sticks, and fries. Ironically, the burgers were the only thing we did not like at this point in our burger taste test. The patties were dry, and the toppings added little flavor. On the bright side, the fries were some of the best we tasted, with ample seasoning and perfect thickness, and the mozzarella sticks were a welcome addition.

This restaurant may not be the best place to get a burger, but it’s the perfect place to grab a side of fries and a taste of the 50’s.

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