S.C. Patch Readers Vote Buds Best Burger

won San Clemente Patch's two-week contest that allowed our readers to decide who serves the best burger in town.

Nestled in the kitchen at , Buds came out front when voting on closed Monday morning. Bud Hahn, who founded the restaurant two-and-a-half years ago with his wife, Esther Hahn, finished with 97 votes, or 38 percent of the vote, while Rider's Club came in second with 56 votes, or 22 percent.

Considering Buds has little street frontage, operating from inside Knuckleheads, Hahn's restaurant was a dark-horse candidate.

"If I am looking for the best burger and the best price, then Buds is the true secret in town," said one commenter on Patch who goes by . "Try the sliders and tell me they are not really the best burgers in town. Add the tater yots and you are in heaven with a beer, sliders and tots. Oh yeah."

The winner and runner ups' burgers -- aside from being fresh and delicious -- could not be more different. Riders Club offers chef-created, meticulously crafted fare, while Buds offers unapologetically guiltless pub food.

Both have their loyal customers who visited Patch to push them ahead.

Coming in third was with 34 vites, with 20 votes, with 11 and with 10. Other spots on our voting list received between 0 and 5 votes.

Thanks to all for voting, and thanks to all our burger joints for cooking up delicious fare.