Andrew Huse / Staff Photographer

As easy as it is to cruise into one of the many fast-food lines on campus to obtain one of those $5 meat, bun and cheese combos, the many neighborhoods of San Diego have so much more to offer for the burger enthusiast. You just have to know to look in the right places.

Bare Back Grill at 624 E St. and 4640 Mission Blvd.
Straight from “down unda” these two San Diego burger hubs found mere blocks from the sand in Pacific Beach and in the heart of Gaslamp, present patrons with nothing but 100 percent organic New Zealand beef delicacies.

While it may seem to simply be a derivative of your typical burger, the “Queenstown Fave” with lettuce, tomato, red onion, aioli, Edam cheese and the signature Bare Back Grill sauce is absolutely one to salivate over. But if you’re looking for something with a little more of a unique flavor, try the “Kiwilango” which includes bleu cheese crumbles, fresh jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, red onion, hot sauce, aioli and “BBG” sauce, topped with crushed tortilla chips to give your taste buds a kick. You can also add a seasoned basket of fries and an ice-cold beer to complement one of the mouth-watering burgers.

Tioli’s Crazee Burger at 4201 30th St.
While you are definitely not likely to find anything comparable to fine dining at this North Park burger joint, you are certain to find some crazy burger concoctions here. For the brave and daring, Tioli’s offers the Gator Burger from Florida with curry fruit tapenade. And yes, I’m talking real alligator.

The menu also boasts other options such as the Big Bird Burger 8212; ground ostrich with lemon chive cream sauce 8212; and the Venison Burger with poached red wine pears, mushrooms, bacon, cream and plum jelly. Don’t worry though, if these ensembles are too bold for you, Tioli’s also offers a Good Old Plain lean Angus Beef Hamburger.

Rocky’s Crown Pub at 3786 Ingraham St.
This small pub on the corner of Ingraham Street and La Playa Avenue may look like your run-of-the-mill Pacific Beach dive, but Rocky’s has one thing that sets it apart from the rest: the burgers.

The menu is far from the other outrageous burger joints you can find in San Diego, but don’t let that offset you. Patrons can choose from four simple, yet savory options: 1/3 or 1/2 pound cheeseburger or hamburger served with pickles, lettuce, onion and tomato.

And hey, how can you beat their Monday through Friday $9.75 lunch special which includes a 1/3 pound cheeseburger, fries, soda or one pint of domestic draft beer? Definitely a steal. Just make sure you have cash because credit cards are a no-go.

Hodad’s at 5010 Newport Ave.
It would be entirely inappropriate of me to leave out everyone’s favorite Ocean Beach burger haven, so here it is, last, but definitely not least.

For those unfamiliar with “the world’s best burger” shack 8212; as the sign proudly displays 8212; you’re always guaranteed to find Hodad’s filled with a lax beach crowd, anxiously awaiting the arrival of a juicy, meat patty underneath the dozens of colorful license plates splayed across the walls.

If you’re a hard-core carnivore, the double bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions, pickles, three thick slices of tomato and a mound of lettuce is unquestionably a mountain to conquer. But of course, do not dare eat one of these sizzling meat treats without an order of the golden brown onion rings or a basket of crispy fries.

Just be prepared to get well acquainted with the napkins; Hodad’s burgers are nothing less than messy.

8212;Ryan Eisenacher is a journalism junior.

8212;This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.