Nation’s Giant Hamburgers

In 1952, Russ Harvey traded his car for a 10-foot wide roadside hotdog stand in San Pablo with just six stools. And loyal fans of the local chain Nation’s Giant Hamburgers are sure glad that he did.

First called Harvey’s, then Nation’s, as Harvey and partner Dale Power believed they served the best hamburgers in the nation, Nation’s today has 24 Bay Area locations and serves a whole lot more than hot dogs. Still, everything served has one thing in common: It’s giant. From hot dogs and hamburgers to pancakes and waffles to pies and cakes, the restaurant prides itself on never skimping, while still offering reasonable prices.

Nation’s has quite the following within the Bay Area. Over the years, Nation’s has won “Best Hamburger” multiple times from publications such as the Oakland Tribune, the Tri-Valley Herald, Diablo Magazine and the Contra Costa Times. Many Nation’s locations sell t-shirts and other company memorabilia, which proudly display Bay Area pride. Nation’s also has occasional television and radio commercials with former Oakland A’s manager Ken Macha.

For giant portions of food at truly miniature prices (and that awesome 1950s-diner atmosphere), don’t miss Nation’s, a true Bay Area original. All locations today proudly sport over six stools.

Dick’s

For more than 50 years, Dick’s Drive-In has served the greater Seattle area with some of the best food for a good old-fashioned coronary. Because of their prime locations, the chain has never expanded past its original five stores, preserving the look and feel of a 1950s burger joint and all that goes with it. I’ve been eating at Dick’s since I was five years old and in that time, they’ve only upped the prices a nickel’s worth and they’ve kept things just as delicious. For less than five bucks, you can get a Dick’s Deluxe (scrumptious), a thing of fries (tasty) and a milkshake (better than fornicatin’). Now, these aren’t the McCrap versions of these fast food mainstays — the Deluxe is made as you order it, the fries are freshly cut from Idaho potatoes before your very eyes and the milkshakes are made from real ice cream.

If you can get past the teenage urge to giggle at the name, Dick’s delivers more bang for your buck than any fast food chain. Be warned though: If you’re a picky eater, don’t bother with Dick’s because they don’t do the “have it your way” business — everything is made in bulk and the menu is fixed. It’s part of the place’s charm, but if you want a burger with just ketchup (gross) there’s plenty of other sub-par burger places out there. But if you want delicious, trust the golden wrapper of a Deluxe. Next time you’re in the Pacific Northwest, forget the smoked salmon or Starbucks and mosey on down to Dick’s and have yourself a true piece of Washington history.

Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries

Mmm. That is all that Brendan has to say about Five Guys. This chain which now stretches up and down the East Coast, originated outside of Washington, D.C. My local Five Guys, in Georgetown, stays open until 1 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. How can you not love getting a burger at 4 a.m. after catching the red-eye home?

You can either sit at the bar (yes, they serve wine) or chomp on some peanuts while you wait for your order. The food is make-as-you-want burgers — little, if you want one patty — the little bacon cheeseburgers are killer. Fries come Cajun or Five-Guys style (regular) in either large or regular. The large is a big soda cup filled with fries.

I know that I don’t have that much to say about Five Guys — it’s just that good. But next time you are in DC. It’s worth the trip...no matter what time of night it is.