Rocky's Burgers Understands Medium-Rare

Rocky's Burgers understands medium-rare.

Conditions called for a cheeseburger so I headed to Rocky's, tucked behind the State Bldg. on 15th. They have a San Francisco magazine cover in which they were once named "one of the tastiest spots for meals under $10" framed on the wall. Where they score major points with me is that you can call your doneness here and actually get what you ask for; in my case, medium rare.

Rocky's cheeseburger is a 1/3 lb. "fresh, never frozen" patty with a mayo-based dressing (like 1000 island but less so, say, 98-3/4 islands) dabbed onto both top and bottom sesame-seeded white buns (wheat available if that's your bag), which get a light toasting. Lettuce, tomato and a dill pickle chip repose under the patty; sautéed onions and a thick slice of Tillamook cheddar ride on top. While as with most places you will occasionally get the whitish iceberg core or two, today's burger had fresh, crispy green leaves. The slight char on the outside attests to the advertised flame-broiledness with broad grill marks, and the burger blushes pink inside- good textbook medium-rare. That alone would atone for a multitude of sins if Rocky's needed to. $4.77 all in (I eschew fries, shakes etc.).

Even with a bit of a crowd I had a brief wait- I didn't finish the East Bay Express restaurant review. I never bother phoning in my orders here.

Rocky's, "An Old-Fashioned Hamburger and Cheese Steak Stand."

597 15th

891.3990