Phila Burger, located on 23rd Street in San Pablo, is a small, quaint, old school diner that serves up some of the best burgers you’ll ever have.

Owners Paul and Jane Lee, along with their sons Sam and Eddy, have been in the burger business since 1996 and they bring a welcoming, family-oriented environment for regulars and new customers alike.

The Lee’s are very personalable—they will remember you after a few visits, and trust me, once you eat here, you will have return visits.

Their attention to detail on your order—and the fact that you can make so many variations of the menu items they provide—keep people happy.

Sam said they have constant requests to put a fried egg on top of one of their burgers.

“People like that they can special order their food the way they like it,” he said.

The thing that is amazing is the employees never change. Not even the cook, Javier, who doesn’t speak much, probably because he is too busy making magic over the grill.

The Lee’s care about their community, which is why they help a program called 21st Century Mentors Foundation, that works with the school.

They offer vouchers for the students who are deserving of them to come down and have a meal on them—just to say keep up the good work.

Their menu consists of all kinds of things: burgers, hoagie steak sandwiches, hot dogs, sandwiches, teriyaki bowls (which include homemade teriyaki sauce) and milkshakes.

A perennial favorite is the Phila Burger, which is a juicy 1/3 lb. cheeseburger with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions, always-crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayo—and the best part is it’s topped with pastrami.

Add this to their old-fashioned French fries and ice cream milkshakes and you will have a great meal waiting to be devoured.

The menu prices are all very reasonable. You can get a meal, for fewer than $10, which is a steal, given the quality of the food.

The decor inside is very quaint and always clean.

Most people get their food to go, but if you do decide stay and enjoy your food, it is a nice place to have a date.

The crimson-cushioned stools give it that old-school 1950s diner look.

The large windows allow the patrons to see out and potential customers to look in at what they could be enjoying.

“People always come in and say, ‘I saw so many people in here I figure it must be good,’” said Sam.

They do have lunch and dinner rushes, so it’s a good idea to call ahead and place your order.

Phila Burger is open from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday thru Saturday.

The Lee’s are even kind enough not to turn away a late straggler if the grill is still on, so if you show up hungry at 8:01 p.m., you might get lucky.