Meat!

I dont know what it is, but lately all I want to eat is burgers. juicy yummy burgers......
so here is a short list of where to eat burgers and where they are goood.

Zeitgeist
http://www.sonic.net/~wwpints/zeitgeist
199 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94103

The good: Price for burgers + potatoes = $5 (no tax!!!)
The burgers here are quite good. The patties are not frozen and are molded by hand from huge mounds of meat. They are grilled outside and have that great char taste. They are reasonably thick. The plate comes with yummy potatoes.
The bad: this is hipster paradise. I really really hate crowds. This place has more of a cookout feel then a sit down place, so you might not even find a chair or table to sit at. Sooo many drunk people. There are also tons of people waiting in line for food, and it is really confusing because you order at one spot and then have to go wait outside until they call you.

Burgermeister
http://burgermeistersf.com/
86 Carl Street
San Francisco, CA 94117 (plus two other locations)

The good: These burgers are FAT and sooo fine. They come in so many delicious combinations. They feature a hand-formed 8-ounce Niman Ranch beef patty flame-grilled and served on a soft sesame
seed bun.
The bad: a burger and fries can run you about $10.00, plus beer on tap is $3.75, bar prices!
The burgermeisters are small, so they can be crowded for lunch and dinner. I also am not too hot about their fries... they are the wide cut yellow kind (I think.. i cant really remember).

Flippers Gourmet Burgers
482 Hayes
San Francisco, CA 94102

The good: very fat and juicy. the bread seems to be freshly made. These are real california style burgers with tons of toppings and veggies and things. I think I got the one with a huge scoop of bean sprouts on it.
The bad: $10 + for burger and fries.. though you do get a whole lot of burger. I cant remember what their fries are like. I should go back

Hukilau
5 Masonic Ave.
(SW Corner of Masonic and Geary)
San Francisco, CA 94118
http://www.dahukilau.com/

The good: Decent burger, and a bunch of other "interesting" food involving spam and mac and cheese. Burger and fries = about $7.00. There aren't very many choices, but it is a good solid burger.
The bad: Its good, but not anything to get excited about. The burgers are pretty standard and are tasty, but they dont use fresh bread, and I remember not thinking the fries were so great-- but dont get me wrong, it isnt gross or unacceptable.

In-N-Out Burger
333 Jefferson St
San Francisco, CA 94113

The good: Its sooo freaking cheap! You can get one of those meals with fries and drink for $4.00. I actually really love their fries too - I think they are my favorite fries (I love the thin ones). The bread is soft and freshly made, nothing is frozen.
The bad: So crowded. You always have to wait so long. The meat isn't very big, and on the whole, they are tiny burgers. I always want another. You still cant beat the value. The only one in the city is in the worst commercial, tourist HELLLL.

Metro Burgers
247 Fillmore St. @ Haight
San Francisco, CA 94117
http://www.metrocaffe.com/

The good: very reasonably priced, burgers and fries are $6.00. The burgers are large and use niman ranch meat and is flame grilled. The cheesesteaks are good too. Very nice environment, its cozy but not too crowded, and very close to my house...
The bad: This, like hukilau burger, is pretty standard. While the patty itself is delicious, the other stuff isn't so great. The buns are store bought (though they do toast them a bit to make them taste better). The fries are really not good at all. They remind me of cafeteria fries, they are those frozen crinkle-cut kind. Some one else ordered the garlic ones, and those looked a lot yummier, Ill try them next time I go. They are tasty though, way way better than your other lower haight burger option (burger joint, which I think is so so so gross).

Favorite burger so far:
It's Tops Coffee Shop
1801 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103

The good: These I think are my favorite burgers so far. They are large (huge, actually) and juicy, with a good amount of toppings, flame broiled patties, fresh-tasting bread (though I dont know if they are). I think what makes them so good is how good the other food is too. When I go I always sample everyone elses food, so I dont know if I am so happy after the meal because of just the burger, or because of the other food too. The pancakes are amazing, the shakes are so good, and everything else I have tried there has been so delicious. The atmosphere is great, it seems like the last real diner in the city. Comfort food all the way.
The bad: It is often very crowded, especially on the weekends. You will often have to wait for hours to get a seat. Its very small.. The prices arent so bad, but can be pricey.

I know this isn't in the city, but I think close second for favorite burger:

Peninsula Fountain and Grille
566 Emerson St. at Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, California 94301

The good: I am salivating just thinking of these burgers. They are HUGE for one, and with soft sweet fresh bread-- so juicy and delicious. Everything there is american comfort food... you can switch in mashed potatoes for fries, even. They supply a good array of greens, flame grill their patties, and have yummy milkshakes to compliment your meal,
The bad: Its a but pricey. I work across the street and i cant eat there very often because of the price. it pains me so. Its in Palo Alto. That is the worst part about it, by far.

oh geez.. im so hungry for a burger now, I think im going to die!! Please let me know of other burger places to try! please please!