Campus Burgers — Restaurant in San Jose

I've had smash burgers up and down the state from the LA heavy hitters like FTW and Goldburger, Swagyu San Diego, to monthly pop ups in people's NorCal backyards and Oakland's finest spots. Needless to say, I love burgers, so hearing about a new contender opening in my city was incredibly exciting for me.

I'll be honest, those places are still in a different league, as one would hope for and expect while paying $15 a burger. HOWEVER, Campus Burger is an absolute GEM and deserves incredible praise for their quality of burger and price point. These punch WELL far and high above their class.

I tried the double cheeseburger ($4.99) and fries ($3.99).

I'll just get the most obvious part out that you'll notice after your first bite.. THE FLAVOR PROFILE IS A DEAD RINGER FOR IN N OUT.

The burger tastes almost identical to an in n out burger, even down to the cheese and meat flavor and overall quality. I'm not going to lie and say that this is some phenomenal burger in a smashburger context, because a smashburger should have by definition a very characteristic thin crispy lacey edge and inherently heavy amounts of caramelization on the meat (real food nerds know this as the Maillard reaction). This doesn't quite have that, so I feel like it's somewhat misleading to call this a smashburger as the most distinguishing and defining smash characteristics aren't quite there, other than the onions smashed into the patty. However, as a burger? This is absolutely amazing. It's completely up to par with what you would expect from in and out, and I would go as far as to say it's perhaps even just a marginal hair more flavorful and softer in the meat.

The meat was juicy and tender, the bun was toasted well (though not expertly like in n out), the cheese melted and prominent, and delicious onions. I didn't find the pickles to be particularly interesting in texture (very soggy and limp) or flavor, but that's a minor detail. This is a truly excellent burger and when you factor in the price, absolutely incredible.

Also the fries are completely and entirely indistinguishable from in n out, which in my opinion is an excellent testament to their freshness and claims of fresh cut. They're very simple and nothing more or less than what fries should be. People talk badly about in n out fries but the fact is they're cut fresh, fried, and salted, and Campus Burger has replicated that freshness. This is what natural unprocessed potatoes taste like, unlike other places that process the crap out of your fries. If you love in n out fries you'll love these, if you don't like in n out fries, you won't. End of story.

What a cool spot though! They took over the old Circle A skate shop location. And what's really interesting is that in n out is considered to be very transparent, literally, about how their food is made. You can see into the back and you can see the process through windows in the drive thru. Somehow this place manages to be even more transparent, you can literally see 360° inside from outside, and absolutely no steps of the cooking and assembly process or even some aspects of where the food like the buns are stored or supplier's names are hidden from you. Pretty cool concept, and massive kudos to the owners for essentially matching and arguably beating in n out in value and perhaps even flavor - no easy feat.

Heads up, there are no modifications allowed on the menu, which is clearly a result of keeping the process streamlined and cost effective, however there aren't many things that you could change anyway given how simple the burger is. They also don't accept cash. My only suggestion would be to offer milkshakes, but otherwise, this place is a shooting star and I wish it were around when I was going to SJSU 10 years ago. Instead we had crappy mojo burger (iykyk), which were sad times indeed. This, however, will undoubtedly be a beacon of burgers for downtown and the SJSU crowd, and deservedly so. In fact, I'd say for all of San Jose. It's easily in the uppermost echelon of San Jose burger.

5 very well...

updated review (actually physically been there): Went there after the Shane Gillis show, was definietley a walk thou... loved the feeling .. people working hard to get us what we been wanting for a long time... a great classic burger!!!

now u wonder what to order... how's your appetite, America???? well... dont get me wrongz, am always hungry for good food even when am full... America for you huh?? what to try when ur there: double jalapeno smash!!! with campus fries all day!!! n compared to not spending a sh!t load like ur classic n n out (& time ur 🕐)

highly recommend to check out in person then doing the door dash thing which isnt too bad either.

they have benches to sit outside and enjoy some good burgers

If..... In N out & 5 guys had a baby ---- it would be Campus Burgers!!

I love the 🫸smash🫷 burgers🙏 🍔. Get a 🧀 cheese burger and make it a triple stack to a 4x4. Burger are thin but amazing...

Check the menu and when you see a small menu... That's a good sign👍. (Careful with places with HUGE menus)

The🍟Fries were pretty good, think of in n out fries..... Now salt them a little more but not as crunchy. Even if the fries are not as crunchy.... Still delicious but even better when you upgrade to The Campus Fries, =melted 🫠 cheese layered on top of a patty... Fantastico*🤌!!

Simple menu means they specialize in what they do.... I can't get enough and it's definitely a treat when I get this place.... Worth it!

Highly highly...

so me and my buddy went in and ordwred separately and it turns out his card didnt work but this next part restored my faith in humanity to a degree. (because i dont know her name i must use a description to the best of my guessing ability) When my buddy's card wouldnt work this younger what appeared to be indian (asia not native america) girl who was ringing him up did the sweetest thing and pulled her phone out and paid for his food. even when we pleaded ro pay her cash or offered her cash app she humbly declined and for this my buddy is eternally grateful for. whatever your name is we appreciate you and that you would go out of your way to help someone so selflessly just goes to show that you are amazing. To the managers: keep this girl on your staff shes not only well spoken and well mannered but shes magnificent and an excellent example of what we need more of in this world especially in a workforce. shes a keeper and will for certain be a major reason why we will come back time and again. i wanted to pay for it myself because times arw hard i know it so do we all and her willingness to go above and beyond for somrone who is just having a bad.moment is truly the markings of a bright future with a morally sound and strong sense of right and wrong. you will go far and we appreciate you more than you realize. 10...