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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. The Auburn area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, 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 11 o'clock in the morning, and it's opening time at Local Heroes, Thursday May 09, 2024, 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 is friendly for your furry friend. 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 simply did my duty and was discharged with full military honors.
Photo: As you enter the main dining room, you walk up to the counter, grab a menu, make your selection, and pay for your order. They will ask your name, and when you're order is ready, they'll call your name and you'll pick up your order. The main dining room is sparsely decorated, as it's mostly tile floor, pine waistcoating and white painted walls. The furniture is simple tables... hey... this is a restaurant that specializes in hamburgers, so there is nothing fancy!
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 at the bar, in the next room.
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: I ordered a Dust Bowl Brewing Company "Taco Truck Lager" beer, and was served at the beer bar by friendly Lisa, with a smile. Dust Bowl Brewing Company is located in Turlock, CA, and I have visited their brewery and enjoyed their fine cuisine. Click on the link to check it out... Great lager beer any way you look at it, and it complimented my delicious lunch.
Photo: In the bar dining room, you get a great view outside of High Street, and much of the action that is happening in downtown Auburn. Locals Heroes is located behind the State Theater, near the junction where High Street meets Lincoln Way. You can enter the restaurant through the main dining room, or from the bar, as you can see from the open door.
Photo: Meet Scott, the talented chef who displays an order of onion rings with a smile. There are two burgers he has just assembled waiting to be delivered to hungry diners. Scott is a friendly guy and a great chef.
Photo: Chef Scott grills burgers and brioche buns on the griddle. To his right, you can see the large dispenser that hold trays of veggies and condiments, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, sauces and more. The kitchen is open so you can watch the talented chef work his magic.
Photo: Chef Scott puts the final touches on my "Villian Triple," as Lisa deep fries my order of fries.
Photo: There is a blackboard in the bar side of the dining room that encourages graffiti and autographs. Auburn is know for outdoor activities, especially for runners, horseback riding and river rafting, and Local Heroes is a favorite restaurant for outdoor enthusiasts who visit the area.
Photo: Meet Lisa, the amazingly friendly owner of the restaurant, who delivered my "Villian Triple" and large order of fries after my name was called. Both she and chef Scott were super friendly and treated my like royalty. I actually picked up my order at the window and asked Lisa to pose for me, which she graciously accepted the invitation. Orders aren't brought to your table, as when your order is ready, your name is called and you pick up your order at the counter.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I toast my hostess Lisa and Local Heroes with a glass of beer, as I'm ready enjoy a delicious burger and fries in Auburn, CA. Just in case you're interested... the beer was brewed by Dust Bowl Brewing Company, located in Turlock, CA, and my choice was "Taco Truck Lager," which is full-flavored, delicious American lager beer. If you're in the mood for a great beer, "Taco Truck Lager" is highly recommended.
Photo: From the "Burgers" section of the menu, I went with a "Villian Triple," along with a large order of fries. 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 large side of fries. There were many options that I could have adorned my burger with - for extra cost - such as cheese, avocado, bacon and mushrooms. Today, I simply looked forward to a delicious, "old school" hamburger and fries, and that's what I enjoyed. 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 POUND of 100& lean Angus beef! Where's the beer? ... it's here! The beef is 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 hamburger 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. 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. I must add the bun, 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... simply were not needed, as this burger was standalone delicious. In my "burger opinion" you can enjoy a burger without a side, so I ordered a large side of "Fries," which complimented my "Villian Triple" in every way, including a small cup or two for dipping. The fries were cut thinly, and to my delight, the fries included potato skin! Yowza! The fries were deep fried to a medium golden brown on the outside, and were tender and juicy inside. What really made me smile is the fries were perfectly seasoned, and not salty, oily or mushy. Complete with the potato skins, the fries served at Local Heroes were perfect and made for an excellent side dish. "Villian Triple" along with a large side of fries, with a Dust Bowl Brewery "Taco Truck Lager" 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 mid-20's but... 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 I'm a "po boy" or something, 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 hamburger and fries 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.
Photo: Chef Scott cut my hamburger in half, so I could see all the goodness this amazing hamburger had to offer. Half of the fries, along with a small cup of ketchup for fry dipping completed my lunch. Between the toasted Brioche bun - each layered with "house sauce" - you get red onion, lettuce, three patties of 100% lean Angus beer, tomato, and more "house sauce." This made for a delicious, "old school" burger, that took many napkins to enjoy. Yes, I took half of the hamburger and fries home with me to enjoy for dinner. Check out the pickle slice on the side, which is a trademark of the goodness offered at Local Heroes, located in Auburn, CA. I have read several reviews stating that Local Heroes serves THE BEST burger in Auburn. 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 as are delicious as any burger can ever be.. The burgers are simply delicious, and when you combine the delicious burgers, the yummy fries and the super friendly service, it all adds up to an enjoyable and unforgettable dining experience in downtown Auburn. For an amazing burger, served by super friendly staff, look to Local Heroes, located in downtown Auburn, CA. Local Heroes Copyright(c) 2024 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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