Bodacious Burger Battles for Title 'Best in San Diego'
By Tracy Rolling

One of the best in Ramona? How about one of the best in San Diego!

Local business owner Sean Leahy of "Cheers" says he got a call from the Scott and BR show broadcast on XX Sports Radio 1090AM. They had heard about his famous hamburger and were interested in adding it to the line up for a competition that the station is sponsoring to determine San Diego's best burger.

Cheers is one of eight restaurants selected for the competition and Leahy admits the burger is up against a pretty tough roster. Competitors include Hodad's in Ocean Beach, Chief's in Solana Beach, The Grill at Torrey Pines, Johnny B's of La Mesa, Milton's of Del Mar and Hennessey's downtown.

Last month, Leahy along with his kitchen crew brought their grill, meat and toppings to the radio station's headquarters off Nobel Drive in San Diego. They prepared 20 hamburgers in the parking lot and the event made the local news on KUSI.

Leahy says they scored a 4.3 out of a possible 5 and that they were judged on appearance, taste and overall burger quality.

Scott Kaplan of XX Sports Radio says, "Cheers did quite well, but they were in week one so all other burgers are judged against theirs. Truth is, these early rounds are nothing more than glorified taste tests to feed us great burgers every Friday!"

Leahy acknowledges that it's no secret his burgers are top-notch. He says they are made with the finest ingredients: meat from Bishers Quality Meat Shop in Ramona, pickles from Chicago and fresh produce. The one-half pound burger and toppings are placed between a fresh sesame seed bun.

In addition to its burger, Cheers serves a full food and beverage menu for both lunch and dinner, but you must be over 21 years of age to enter the facility at 2475 Main St.

Cheers also hosts a variety of events such as Ramona Chamber of Commerce Mixers, local wine tasting, karaoke and live bands.

The winner for the Best Burger competition will be determined on Friday, July 27 at the Del Mar Race Track. The Scott and BR show will co-host a party where all eight competitors will participate in a cook off. Each burger will be cut into quarters and the final decision rests on the audience's taste buds.