The San Juan Islands are full of incredible restaurants with menus overflowing with locally grown veggies and greens, craft beers, cocktails, seafood and island farmed meats. In the town of Friday Harbor, there are a number of fine dining restaurants ready to provide locals and visitors alike with an exceptional, first class meal. But sometimes you just need a good burger! Here is a quick list of San Juan Island’s best
burgers.
Photo courtesy of Cask and Schooner taken by Casey Sjogren.
1. Cask and Schooner’s Black Family Farms Island Burger
This burger is as fresh and local as they come. It features an organic, grass fed island grown beef patty on a Bakery San Juan bun. Chef Izzy’s jalapeno-cilantro burger sauce and fresh cut fries round out this yummy meal. And with ten beers on tap you can surely find a great pint to go with it!
2. Roche Harbor’s McMillan’s Dining Room “The Overseer Burger”
This one doesn’t come cheap, but it’s worth it! A full half-pound of American Kobe beef is topped with apple smoked bacon, Tillamook cheddar, and caramelized onions on a brioche bun. In the summer months reservations are suggested but in the winter just show up a bit early and enjoy a craft cocktail by the blazing fire in the bar and take in the views over the Roche Harbor Marina before digging into that burger.
3. Micasita’s Hamburguesa Gigante
I know it sounds strange to hit up a Mexican restaurant for a burger, but Chef Travis makes these patties himself and it shows. Service here is always small town friendly and there’s usually a game on in the bar. Don’t miss the blended margaritas here (the only place you can find a slushy margarita in all of Friday Harbor). But beware: they pack a punch!
4. Ernie’s Café at the Airport
This tiny, out of the way restaurant is owned and operated by a local couple and is a casual, friendly hidden gem. You’ll rarely find visitors here and the hours are short, especially in the winter months, typically from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and closed on the weekends. If you happen to be in town at the right time, head on over to the tiny Friday Harbor Airport and watch the planes take off while enjoying a great burger. Be sure to grab one of the fresh made popovers (or two!).
5. Coho Restaurant’s Painted Hills Beef Tenderloin
Skip the burger and enjoy one of the best steaks (if we do say so ourselves!) on all of San Juan Island here at Coho Restaurant. Our Painted Hills beef tenderloin is USDA Choice hormone free, antibiotic free and vegetarian fed from ranches in Oregon and is always cooked perfectly to order by Chef Bill. Coho’s small size means you’re always guaranteed a fresh made meal in an intimate and cozy setting. The experienced and knowledgeable servers here can also help you choose the perfect wine to compliment your steak dinner. Make sure to save room for one of our homemade desserts also!
Cheers!
Courtney ~ Local Blogger for the San Juan Island Inn Collection