You’re gonna need to stop in and Get the Burger (seriously) at this ’50s-style shack in Big Bear Lake, the kind of place that hits the spot whether you’re heading to the slopes or out on the trails. The Director burger is a favorite—two 1/4 lb patties sizzled on the griddle with American cheese, grilled onions, crispy lettuce, tomatoes, and their “special sauce” that keeps people coming back. But there’s way more going on than just the standard menu. They’ve got an all-business semi-secret menu where you can get that dude Raccoon-style with banana peppers and extra onions, FX-style grilled in mustard with extra spread and pickles, or Spicy-style with grilled spicy sauce and jalapeños. If you’re sharing with your dog, definitely order the tater tots smothered in cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits—they’re the kind of thing you’ll think about for days after you leave Big Bear.

The place has real character, the kind of casual vibe where you can roll up in your hiking clothes and nobody cares. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which is the perfect spot to settle in after a day outside. The patios gets decent sun exposure depending on what time you show up, so you might want to grab a spot in the shade if you’re going midday during summer. The counter service moves fairly quick, and honestly, the whole experience feels like an actual local spot rather than something trying too hard to be retro. It’s the kind of stop that makes sense whether you’re using Big Bear as a home base for outdoor stuff or just passing through.