Coming up strong as a leading contender for local burger fame is Carmen’s Burger Bar (1612 Terrace, Santa Rosa. 707-579-3663). Located near Pacific Market, neighbors caught onto Carmen’s charm quickly, packing the shoe-box-sized restaurant with kids and families and ensuring a 10 to 20 minute wait most evenings.
Top honors at Carmen’s goes to the Triplets ($10.50): Three small burgers, each with a different flavor–cheddar with bacon, nothin’ at all, and blue-cheese. Though the small patties can sometimes suffer from overcooking on really busy nights, in general the mini burgs are cute as a bug, and quite a bit tastier. Homemade milkshakes (which I think top the ones at Gayle’s) are a required add-on, along with shoe-string fries.
Going red-meatless? The Turkey Melt is divine — a moist turkey burger with grilled onions, Thousand island dressing on rye bread.
An added bonus is the full bar. Because sometimes mommy and daddy need to take the edge off. Responsibly, of course.
1612 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa, (707) 579-3663 and also in Larkfield, 90 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, 526-1575
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