Seaside is, of course, known for its fresh seafood. Dozens of restaurants have clam chowders and local razor clams on the menu. But it’s also a hot spot for another favorite beach eat: two-hands-needed burgers loaded with fresh melty cheese. Plenty of eateries around town grill juicy beef patties and serve up each sandwich with a side of crispy fries and a creamy milkshake. Want a taste? Below are three local favorites as well as a few spots for a sweet treat to finish off your meal. You’ll find complete dining listings here.
Sam’s Seaside Cafe
(104 Broadway St.): If you’re looking for a tasty burger within steps of the beach, go no farther than Sam’s Seaside Cafe, located just a block from the oceanfront Turnaround. This family owned restaurant has been serving visitors and locals alike for nearly 20 years. Here the specialty burgers come with your choice of hand-cut French fries, sweet potato fries or tater tots. If you feel like tempting fate, order the Heart Attack Stack burger with ham, bacon, fried egg and cheese followed by the Chocolate Suicide Cake with chocolate truffle frosting. If you live to tell about it, let us know!
Ruby’s Roadside Grill
(2323 S. Roosevelt Dr., aka Highway 101): This former gas station-turned-hip burger, hot dog and breakfast burrito joint is located on Highway 101 as you roll into Seaside from the south. The décor at Ruby’s Roadside Grill is a combination of reclaimed wood and corrugated metal with long communal picnic tables. On a nice day, the staff will roll up the garage doors, letting sea breeze blow through. In the evening, you can gather around the long, outdoor fire pits. And then there’s the good old-fashioned, diner-style burgers served with crinkle-cut house fries. If you wanna get fancy, try the flash-fried Brussel sprouts with Dijon mustard, parmesan, bacon bits and sunflower seeds. The burger’s secret ingredient? A special smoky sauce! Ruby’s also has a selection of craft beers on tap and wines by the glass. Top off your meal with a root beer float, classic shake or ice cream sandwich.
Relief Pitcher Tavern
(2795 Roosevelt Dr., aka Highway 101): If you’re the kind of traveling diner who likes to eat where the locals do, look no further than the Relief Pitcher Tavern. Ignore the restaurant’s divey exterior and not-so-fancy interior, and you’ll find a friendly, local watering hole, the kind where everyone would know your name if you hadn’t just pulled into town. The big, mouth-watering burgers are served with house-made coleslaw and hand-cut fries. The tuna reuben and tuna tacos are also pretty darn popular. Add in some live music and plenty of brews — all poured for very reasonable prices —- and you’ll understand why this roadhouse is worth a stop.
Even More Burgers
Other can’t-miss spots for a tasty burger include U Street Pub & Eatery, Seaside Brewing Company, Twisted Fish Steakhouse and Osprey Café, which now serves dinner on Friday and Saturday.
Now for Dessert
If you still have room (and even if you don’t — no judgment here), Seaside has plenty of sweet spots for a cool treat. Just to name a few, try Schwietert’s Cones & Candy (406 Broadway St.), Tuckered Bear Ice Cream (111 Broadway St.), Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream (210 Broadway St.) and Sea Star Gelato (8 N. Columbia St.).
