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Local Hereos, located in downtown Auburn, CA has achieved quite a reputation among the area locals for serving some of the best burgers in Placer County. News of a top shelf travels fast, and Auburn enjoys many visitors, so the word of the delicious burgers has spread to the Bay Area, Sacramento and beyond... As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's a little past three in the afternoon, Thursday April 16, 2026, and I'm in the mood to enjoy what many post is the best burger in Auburn. This fine restaurant is located in downtown Auburn, CA, nearly across the street from the California Welcome Center and the Placer County Visitors Center. The restaurant offers an interesting mix of indoor dining, and a small, shaded patio that, along with the dining room, is friendly to well-behaved fur babies. Local Heroes has derived the name from local heroes, including first responders and military personnel. As I served in the U.S. Navy, I received a 10% discount on my order, as it happens with all military and first responders. I didn't even have to show my V.A. card as I was granted the discount without question. No, I'm not a "local hero," as I'm a simple enlisted sailor that did my duty to my Uncle Sam and was discharged with full military honors.
Photo: The layout of the restaurant is interesting, as it's divided into two sections, with the open kitchen and the order counter in the middle. You enter the restaurant through the main dining room, which is spartan and pretty much like any other diner that specializes in burger, but past the order counter, you enter another room that features a small beer bar, with beer on tap, high tables, and a sports bar-like atmosphere. There is also an extra order pick-up window, along with a giant container of ketchup with a pump, so you can fill little cups full of ketchup for your burger - if that's your interest - or to dip your fries into.
Photo: The menu is short and simple and features diner standard burgers, "Specialty Burgers," sides, drinks and more.
Photo: The menu of beers on tap at the bar is listed at the order counter. The menu is listed on an old-school blackboard, as the cycle of beer is dynamic. You'll be poured your beer from the tap, at the bar, which is located at the far end of the main dining room.
Photo: Bartender Cynthia pours my Crooked Lane "Reign Cloud's Hazy Hale" from the tap at the bar. Several, mostly local craft beers are on tap, and the beer selection is constantly changing.
Photo: Chef Scott grills the three patties for my "Villian Triple" cheeseburger, as Cynthia brings an order to another diner. The kitchen is open and is located just beyond the order counter.
Photo: Back on Thursday, May 09, 2024 I visited Local Heros for the first time, and I treated myself to a "Villian Triple" and an order of fries. I was served by the friendly owner of the restaurant, Lisa, who treated me like family.
Photo: Meet Scott, the talented burger chef, who brought my order to me with a smile.
Photo: I'm all smiles as I toast Chef Scott and Cynthia with a "Reign Cloud's Hazy IPA" beer, brewed locally in Auburn, just a couple miles away. I smile, as I know my lunch will be DELICIOUS!
Photo: From the "Burgers" section of the menu, I went with a "Villian Triple," along with an optional order of chili cheesef ries. Triple beef patties? Of course! The menu describes the delicious "Villian Triple" as, "100% lean Angus beef patty, crisp lettuce, tomato, red onion and our house sauce served on a fresh Brioche bun with a pickle wedge on the side." Along with the burger, I ordered a side of chili cheese fries, which I hadn't enjoyed for quite some time, and that delicious genre of fries sounded like a great side to accompany my cheeseburger. There were many options that I could have adorned my burger with - for extra cost - such as cheese, avocado, bacon and mushrooms, but I didn't feel the need, as I was simply looked forward to a delicious, "old school" triple cheeseburger and fries. What more could you desire for a superior late lunch? The "Villian Triple" will satisfy the appetite of a lumberjack or a NFL linebacker as it has THREE one-third pound beef patties, so do the math, and it adds up to THREE QUARTER POUNDs of 100& lean Angus beef! The beef is seasoned and grilled to medium, but if that's not in your interest, just ask and the accommodating staff will grill the beef to your specification. Burgers cooked medium works in my direction, and my three beef patties were seasoned, juicy, and were perfectly grilled to medium perfection. Did I mention three?... Yes, I enjoyed a whopping triple cheeseburger on this late Thursday morning. A hamburger is all about the meat, but to be complete, the burger must have a good bun that tastes great, you can hold in your hand, and supports and enhances the burger. No surprise, as my burger was wrapped around a fresh, slightly toasted Brioche bun, which held things together and made the burger experience supremely delicious. Three pieces of melted cheese topped the meat, with a slice between each meat patty. I went with pepperjack cheese, which is one of my favorites, and I wasn't disappointed. Fresh lettuce, tomato and red onion added to the deliciousness of this burger. I noted the meat and bun were hot and the lettuce, tomato and onion were chilled, which adds an extra taste dimension to an outstanding hamburger. The fresh, chilled slice of dill pickle on the side added a bonus and a taste sensation. The bun was lightly buttered and toasted, and along with the meat, was basted in "house sauce," which was simply a variation of "Thousand Island Dressing." Actually, that is a compliment, as the sauce made this for a juicy, all-you-can-napkin "old school" burger experience, which is what I love. ketchup... mustard... dill pickle relish... were simply not needed, as this burger was standalone delicious as served. However if additional condiments are desired, just ask the staff or fill up at the condiment bar in the main dining room. In my "burger opinion" you can't enjoy a burger without a side, so I ordered a large side of "Chili Cheese Fries," which complimented my "Villian Triple" in every way, including a small cup or two for dipping. The fries were cut to medium thickness, and to my delight, the fries included small pieces of potato skin! Yowza! The fries were deep fried to a medium golden brown on the outside, and were tender and juicy inside. The fries were covered with chili, along with shredded, gooey melted cheese. Such a decadent but delicious side to one of the best cheeseburgers in Auburn! "Villian Triple" along with a side of chili cheese fries, with a Auburn locally-brewed Crooked Lane Brewing Company "Reign Cloud's Hazy IPA" beer for dessert... does life get any better? The triple burger was simply delicious and overwhelming for my appetite, and the fries made for a seriously delicious side dish. Ask me... where could you find a better meal? The price of admission wasn't cheap, as the tab came out in the upper-20's but... the quality of the food, the presentation, the friendly staff and... shall I say lunch was delicious? It was worth every penny! I suppose my taste in fine food runs simple, as I read of meals enjoyed in San Francisco or New York City where the tab runs into the hundreds of dollars. That's crazy! I don't care about fancy dining or fancy restaurants as my dining tastes are genuine and pretty basic. Give me a $50 bill and I'd prefer to enjoy a cheeseburger and an order of fries or onion rings at Local Heroes any day of the week over some fancy suit-required restaurant in a big city. Hey... with a $50 bill, I could order an extra beer or three to make my afternoon even better!
Photo: For the side to my cheeseburger, I went with "Chili Cheese Fries," as it had been a long time since I'd enjoyed this amazing side, and today seemed like the perfect afternoon to take the plunge. I enjoyed a bed of perfectly deep fried medium cup fries, complete with bits of skin, deep fried to a beautiful golden brown, and topped with chili and melted, gooey cheese. Simply the perfect side dish to the perfect cheeseburger!
Photo: I hold my "Villian Triple" and admire the beauty of this amazing cheeseburger. It's almost too pretty to eat... well... almost. Look at the juicy meat, the melted cheese and the crisp, fresh lettuce! Such a beautiful presentation! I have read many reviews from local "foodies" stating that Local Heroes serves THE BEST burger in Auburn. Perhaps? Everyone has their own opinion, and I simply can't state which burger is THE BEST, but I CAN say that the burgers served at Local Heroes are "top shelf" in every way and they are as delicious as any burger can ever be. I can also truthfully state that I CRAVE their burgers and I can't wait until my next trip! The burgers created by Chef Scott are simply fabulous, and when you combine the delicious burgers, the yummy chili cheese fries and the super friendly service, it all adds up to an enjoyable and unforgettable dining experience in downtown Auburn. Thanks to the burger vision of owner Lisa, and the talent of Chef Scott in the kitchen, along with Cynthia and other staff members, Local Heroes is a destination for all "foodies" who appreciate a hand crafted, quality burger, served by some of the friendliest folks in Placer County. For an amazing burger, served by super friendly staff, do what the Auburn locals do... enjoy an amazing burger at Local Heroes, located on High St. in downtown Auburn, CA. Local Heroes Copyright(c) 2026 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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