True North Tavern in North Park, San Diego

North’s Park’s pre-eminent sports bar recently updated its burger menu, creating easily noshable 5-ounce patties grilled on a flat-top til the edges crisp, then slapped on a locally baked, Bread & Cie brioche bun. If you find the fresh ground, grass fed all-natural chuck reminds you of the frequently acclaimed burgers of popular comfort food restaurant Urban Solace next door, it’s with good reason. The two spots share a kitchen, and offer many of the same ingredients between their buns.

The True Classic Gets Served With Cheddar and a House Made Thousand Island

The Solace burgers are larger, more expensive, and only served at lunch, but there’s more difference to True North’s burger game than size and all-day availability. The True Classic gets served with cheddar and a house made thousand island, while a Jalapeño Burger is dressed with pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, and chipotle mayo, in addition to slices of the namesake chili pepper. Most memorable may be the BBQ, featuring cajun fried onions, cheddar, and BBQ sauce. A la carte sides mean you may pair your burger with a salad or seasonal vegetables, but let’s get real: everybody’s going to go for True North’s famous tater tots, with or without white truffle oil!