Located near Yosemite National Park, adventurers and foodies alike can ]take a journey from bun to bun on the Craft Burger Trail in Tuolumne County, California, and divulge in diverse burgers from the Gold Country to the High Sierra. Vegetarian? Don’t worry, the trail has meatless options, too. First, sign up for the pass, and then visit any of the participating restaurants. Show the server your pass to redeem discounts and collect points.
Roughly 25 hearty burgers shine on the menu at Andy’s Mountain Grill, a go-to spot for over two decades. Andy’s keeps things simple, using fresh, not frozen, ingredients whenever possible, and hand-cutting their own fries. Opt for the Andy’s All-American for a classic cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and red relish, or for something for the tougher travelers, try the Biker Burger, a spicy option with bourbon sauce, topped with onion, fresh jalapeño, ghost-pepper cheese, two slices of bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun. With your pass, get $1 off any burger.
Each half-pound burger at The Standard Pour comes topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and pickle, and is served between a sesame-seed bun. The signature Standard burger comes with bacon and Modesto-based Fiscalini Farmstead cheddar. Vegetarians have options here, too, the mushroom and black-bean burger is topped with cheese and avocado. Don’t forget a side order of shoestring, garlic, sweet potato and a variety of specialty fries with your order. Here, the pass gets you 20 percent of all burgers.
Tuolumne County natives and husband-wife duo Kathleen and Brett Boone opened The Service Station to capture the nostalgia of the great transportation revolution and car culture with a focus on down-home service. Order the namesake Station Burger or opt for a veggie burger and get “all the fixin’s” free with your pass.
At The Grill at Pine Mountain, opt for the half-pound Angus chuck burger or kick it up a notch with a Kobe beef option from Snake River Farms—it comes topped with smoked gouda, bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, arugula, and pepper-bacon jam on a Bavarian pretzel bun. Veggie options include a black-bean burger or plant-based patty. Each burger comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion, plus a side of fries or a salad. Get two burgers for the price of one with the pass.
Located in historic downtown Sonora, The Armory is a beer garden and restaurant known for its “smashburgers,” made with Snake River Farms Kobe beef and served with a side of waffle or shoestring fries. The Habanero Bacon Jam Smash comes stacked with two patties, arugula, pickled red onion, gorgonzola, garlic aioli, and the jam on top—all between a grilled brioche bun. The Garden Smash, topped with Havarti, slaw, pickled red onion, and garlic aioli, is the route for vegetarians. With your pass, get a free drink when you buy any smashburger.
This popular coffee shop and restaurant offers a variety of burgers, from simple to inventive. Opt for the Smooth Criminal for a patty topped with gruyere, bacon, pickles, warm peanut butter, and pepper jelly on a toasted potato bun. Don’t forget your free side and soda with your pass.
Get $3 off any burger order with your pass at Emberz Wood-Fired Foodz. Applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese, and portobello mushroom burgers are all options here, but the Fondue Burger gets points for inventiveness—it comes topped with bacon, grilled mushrooms and onions, with cheese poured over top, right at the table.
Originally a mid-19th century miner’s supply store, Priest Station Cafe is a longstanding choice for breakfast and brunch near Yosemite. Order the Hangover Hamburger for an Angus beef patty, topped with cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, and a fried egg. Black-bean and vegan patties are also available. Get 10 percent off any burger with your pass.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel.