The Best Burgers

[Erbium:YAG]

I always love a good hamburger; but I grown to despise your typical mega fast food variety. Recently while visiting my parents in Lewes, DE, I had the best burgers ever. It was a place called Five Guys. It's actually a small franchise in various areas along the East Coast. What I really appreciated was that it was not fast food. They actually make the burger fresh, on the spot and serve it with exactly the toppings of your choice. You might have to wait 5 or 10 minutes for your food; so what! I'm a traditionalist with burgers...some mayo, ketchup, relish, cheese, bacon and onion. These were definitely damn good burgers. The only places I've found them to be comperable are Nifty Fifty's in Philly and Johnny Rockets. Where can you find the best burgers?

 

[magno]

Burger House in League City, TX. Also Millers Cafe which has started to get pretty big in Houston. I havent eaten out enough in Austin to know anywhere yet, suggestions appreciated.

Fuddruckers is a pretty good burger chain. Anywhere its offered, get the buffalo.

- magno

 

[Bernie Brewer]

As far as chains go, you can't beat Culver's. There are some local places that may be better (Kopp''s Frozen Custard comes to mind) But Culver's is by far the best chain. Dunno if you have them out in Jersey yet though.....

 

[Cheesefood]

Illinois sucks for burgers. We're so dominated by McDonald's that it's hard for other burger chains to enter. We have McD's, BK, Wendy's, Steak 'n Shake, Culvers and Portillos. No Jack IN The Box, very few Hardee's, no In 'N Out or anything else. Oh yeah, to occasional White Castle. Mmmm...White Castle...

 

[Flyin' Lion]

Five Guys are good burgers to be sure, but they taste like something I can make in my backyard. Oh and order the small fries, that's plenty for two people. They are popping up like weeds here in VA.

 

[david_42]

Chains: In 'n Out Burger. Non-chain locals: Golden Valley Brewery and the Monkey House (I don't know the real name, but they keep a monkey in the room next to the dining area) on 99W.

 

[DeadYetiBrew]

http://www.bigfootlodge.net/sasquatchchallenge.htm

4lbs of meat
1lb bun
1lb of fries


(record stands at 11 minutes)

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

We have a pretty good place around Raleigh called Char Grill...they have kind of that 50's thing going on. Order at a window, pick up a window, eat outside. I believe one of their locations has indoor seating now, but I haven't been. Everything is made to order.

Oddly enough, one of the best burgers I've had in the last year or so was in Lund, Sweden. Basically a hamburger steak on a bun with plenty of cheese, toppings, bacon, etc. Couldn't finish it.

 

[eriktlupus]

brady's pub on 20th north
b.c. mi

 

[Dude]

I've not heard of 5 Guys...I'll have to look around.

Bernie, Culvers can't be beat, for sure. I love the Swiss Melt and the Cheddar Melt. Oh man.....drooling.

We have a little hole in the wall joint here called Smitty's. It is a drive-in type place with car hops. They win the Hampton Roads "Best of" category for burgers every year. Great burger. I always drive over there in the summer with the top down on the Jeep....good times.

 

[Dude]

After further review....five guys has restaurants in Chesapeake and VA Beach. No Hampton or Newport News yet. I'll have to head down there one of these days....

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

What about bison burgers? I mentioned this in orfy's thread on animals. I've really taken a liking to bison burgers. Ted's Montana Grill has a good one. Also, since childbirth, we've not only discovered Ruby Tuesday's restaurants (it's not mid-level restaurant snobbery, we just always try to go to local or smaller chain type places), but the Ruby Tuesday's pull-up service. For that type of restaurant, they have a pretty good bison burger, as well.

The trick is that it cooks a little faster than regular beef, so unless the cook is bison-literate they'll frequently overcook them.

 

[Shimms]

There was a place in SD called The Longhorn. We'd go there after Padres games. Tiny, hole in the wall bar with some tables and a John Wayne Room.

Here in IL, I don't know yet. Well, mine are the best, really.

Chain: In-n-Out absolutely.

SE Michigan: Wheat-n-Rye - a bar with a couple of locations and HUGE burgers.

IMO you can't beat a good bar burger, basket of fries and a beer

 

[Big Al]

Illinois sucks for burgers. We're so dominated by McDonald's that it's hard for other burger chains to enter. We have McD's, BK, Wendy's, Steak 'n Shake, Culvers and Portillos. No Jack IN The Box, very few Hardee's, no In 'N Out or anything else. Oh yeah, to occasional White Castle. Mmmm...White Castle...

Illinois Bar and Grill makes a great burger. It's on Taylor street over by UIC and Little Italy.

Of course you do have the Billy Goat as well for a grease fest! We don't have squat here in Jersey for Burger joints.

 

[Erbium:YAG]

Mmmm...White Castle...

I do enjoy a few good "slyders" once and a while; but you definitely have to crave them to eat them. A sack of 'em always goes great with a few brews and a good football game on tv.

 

[Erbium:YAG]

We don't have squat here in Jersey for Burger joints.

I think the overall best in Jersey, at least from what I know of, would be Johnny Rockets in the Freehold Raceway Mall; and then Checkers (they're called Rally in other parts of the country) would be a close second. Of course with Jersey being the diner capital of the world, I'm sure there are a few out there that make a pretty good burger. With all the options though, to date I'm standing by Five Guys.

 

[Dude]

What about bison burgers? I mentioned this in orfy's thread on animals. I've really taken a liking to bison burgers. Ted's Montana Grill has a good one. Also, since childbirth, we've not only discovered Ruby Tuesday's restaurants (it's not mid-level restaurant snobbery, we just always try to go to local or smaller chain type places), but the Ruby Tuesday's pull-up service. For that type of restaurant, they have a pretty good bison burger, as well.

The trick is that it cooks a little faster than regular beef, so unless the cook is bison-literate they'll frequently overcook them.

Never had one...I might have to run by Ruby's for lunch.....

 

[Ivan Lendl]

In-and-Out burger on the west coast is pretty good. Think fast food how it was back in the 50's.

Here in VA weve got quite a good selection: Red Robin (expensive gourmet burgers), Sonic (fast food, girls on rollerblade throwback style), Ruby Teusday (TGIF-esque) has a mean bacon and blue cheese burger, Fuddruckers (I never cared for them in Jersey but some people like them)

 

[Dude]

In-and-Out burger on the west coast is pretty good. Think fast food how it was back in the 50's.

Here in VA weve got quite a good selection: Red Robin (expensive gourmet burgers), Sonic (fast food, girls on rollerblade throwback style), Ruby Teusday (TGIF-esque) has a mean bacon and blue cheese burger, Fuddruckers (I never cared for them in Jersey but some people like them)

Red Robin's pot roast burger is to die for. MMMMMM.

 

[Ivan Lendl]

Red Robin's pot roast burger is to die for. MMMMMM.

Yeah they are pretty good, and theyve got Sierra Nevada on tap!

 

[user 574]

Oh man, I gotta a hangover from hell, hungry and need some grease. Chains I like me some Culvers Bacon Butterburger deluxe (they're not here ) and In n Out (they're not here either! ), but they're building one soon. Or so they've been saying for like 3 years. Other than that, my burgers.

 

[c.n.budz]

One thing we have in CT is good burgers. In downtown new haven there is Louis' Lunch, the birthplace of the burger. They grill 'em up on the spot in these really cool grill racks that are about 100 yrs old. They serve them with onion, cheese and mustard on toast, if you ask for ketchup they throw onion slices at you. And, they stay open until 3 or 4 am on the weekends for the bar crowd. Then there's Uncle Willie's, it's a BBQ joint but they serve 3/4 pound steamed cheeseburgers with just about anything you want on it for around $5. Damn, I'm getting hungry...

 

[Big Al]

I think the overall best in Jersey, at least from what I know of, would be Johnny Rockets in the Freehold Raceway Mall; and then Checkers (they're called Rally in other parts of the country) would be a close second. Of course with Jersey being the diner capital of the world, I'm sure there are a few out there that make a pretty good burger. With all the options though, to date I'm standing by Five Guys.

I'll check out Johnny Rockets next time I'm in Freehold at BA. I'm not much of a Diner guy myself but I suppose I could do some cheesburger research!

Five Guys is awesome. There is one in Virginia near my parents house that I frequent when I'm visiting.

 

[Big Al]

One thing we have in CT is good burgers. In downtown new haven there is Louis' Lunch, the birthplace of the burger. They grill 'em up on the spot in these really cool grill racks that are about 100 yrs old. They serve them with onion, cheese and mustard on toast, if you ask for ketchup they throw onion slices at you. And, they stay open until 3 or 4 am on the weekends for the bar crowd. Then there's Uncle Willie's, it's a BBQ joint but they serve 3/4 pound steamed cheeseburgers with just about anything you want on it for around $5. Damn, I'm getting hungry...

Boy Pepe's, Modern Pizza and now Louis'. I think New Haven is my favorite food city to visit just because of the Brick oven pizza you all have there. I'll check out the burger joint next time I'm passing on my way home from Boston.

 

[c.n.budz]

Boy Pepe's, Modern Pizza and now Louis'. I think New Haven is my favorite food city to visit just because of the Brick oven pizza you all have there. I'll check out the burger joint next time I'm passing on my way home from Boston.

I'm headed to Pepe's right now. Hopefully my friends are already in line so I don't have to wait long. Their white clam pizza is the best

 

[Copperhed]

I never use lean meat, the fat lines me tummy. Add brown sugar to ground chuck, form paties and put your finger into the patty. It causes the burger to cook equally.

Copper

 

[Flyin' Lion]

if you ask for ketchup they throw onion slices at you.

I noticed this in the Hot Dog thread, why the hate for ketchup? It certainly has it's place and I think a burger or 'dog is one of them.

 

[Copperhed]

I noticed this in the Hot Dog thread, why the hate for ketchup? It certainly has it's place and I think a burger or 'dog is one of them.

Ketchup is considered a No-No in many circles, mainly hotdog/frankfurter/weiner ones. Not sure why the "looking down nose" attitude with you Ketchuppers. Maybe cos it is just WRONG.

Copper

 

[Erbium:YAG]

One thing we have in CT is good burgers. In downtown new haven there is Louis' Lunch, the birthplace of the burger. They grill 'em up on the spot in these really cool grill racks that are about 100 yrs old. They serve them with onion, cheese and mustard on toast, if you ask for ketchup they throw onion slices at you. And, they stay open until 3 or 4 am on the weekends for the bar crowd. Then there's Uncle Willie's, it's a BBQ joint but they serve 3/4 pound steamed cheeseburgers with just about anything you want on it for around $5. Damn, I'm getting hungry...

I used to live in Boston for a couple of years...my favorite place in the world...GO RED SOX!!! Every so often, my wife and I make a trip up there and we've always been meaning to swing by in New Haven and try the burgers at Louis' Lunch. My wife really loves the idea that they don't offer ketchup; because she absolutely HATES ALL condiments. I also find it interesting how they actually cook the burgers. It's definitely a place to go on my list.

 

[feedthebear]

There used to be a place here called The Hungry Guy, just of the U of U campus. Great burgers. You just had to eat them before the bun dissolved.

Next best, B&D burgers. Also just off campus.

Ketchup is just evil and salty. Give me BBQ sauce, curry sauce, salsa, or mustard.

BTW, how many people remember congress trying to legislate ketchup as a school lunch vegetable?

 

[Alamo_Beer]

Dude Mango check out Dans and Frans (two seperate places...used to be 1 but Dan and Fran divorced...) Personaly I like Frans better on South Congress..50's kinda place with really good burgers and shakes.

As far as here in Corpus we had a really good place called Rusty's.....they closed down like every other good place in Corpus though (don't know whats with that) There's another place called Wallbangers but it's pretty expensive and not as good or as cheap as Fudruckers

take it easy

 

[Big Al]

I used to live in Boston for a couple of years...my favorite place in the world...GO RED SOX!!! Every so often, my wife and I make a trip up there and we've always been meaning to swing by in New Haven and try the burgers at Louis' Lunch. My wife really loves the idea that they don't offer ketchup; because she absolutely HATES ALL condiments. I also find it interesting how they actually cook the burgers. It's definitely a place to go on my list.

Will be there tomorrow. Staying right down the street from Fenway and Boston Beer Works. I love Boston. I cover Boston and NY as part of my territory for work and go to Boston for a few days every month. Any joints you can recommend besides Boston Beer Works?

 

[Erbium:YAG]

Any joints you can recommend besides Boston Beer Works?

Hell yeah! The Sevens on Charles St. is a great place to go; just head up Charles St. north of Beacon. It'll be on the right side of the street near the end of Charles. The Marshall House or the Bell in Hand on Union St. That's right next to Quincy Market. There's also the Black Rose, a traditional Irish pub, one of many in Boston, also off the back end of Quincy Market. I would also recommend Bonfire, it's an Argentinian/American restaurant by Todd English. It's located in the Park Plaza Hotel off of Arlington St. Try to get there during happy hour. They serve the best steak tacos you'll ever have at the bar. If you head over into Cambridge, Grendel's Den is awesome. It's right off of Harvard Square. If you want to take a trip back into the 1920's, then check out the Oak Bar in the Fairmont Hotel in Copely Square. I've had quite a few there on many an occassion, after catching a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. There are also plenty of places to stumble into on Boylston and Newbury Streets. Yeah there are plenty of places besides Boston Beer Works my friend. Oh, and I have to mention this. If you like pizza. Head over to Pizzeria Regina on 11 1/2 Thatcher St. in the North End. They've been a family owned business since 1926 and their pizza is made with nothing but fresh ingedients. There are garlic and hot pepper infused olive oils on the tables. Just pour some on the plate and start dipping. I have never had better pizza anywhere!

 

[SwAMi75]

There's a chain in this part of the country called Braums. They specialize in ice cream and dairy products, but they make a badass burger.

 

[Alamo_Beer]

There's a chain in this part of the country called Braums. They specialize in ice cream and dairy products, but they make a badass burger.

DUDE Braums is badass....my grandma used to bring braum burgers to us all the time....

they've got really good breakfast as well

The only place I've seen them is in Fort Worth

 

[Big Al]

Hell yeah! The Sevens on Charles St. is a great place to go; just head up Charles St. north of Beacon. It'll be on the right side of the street near the end of Charles. The Marshall House or the Bell in Hand on Union St. That's right next to Quincy Market. There's also the Black Rose, a traditional Irish pub, one of many in Boston, also off the back end of Quincy Market. I would also recommend Bonfire, it's an Argentinian/American restaurant by Todd English. It's located in the Park Plaza Hotel off of Arlington St. Try to get there during happy hour. They serve the best steak tacos you'll ever have at the bar. If you head over into Cambridge, Grendel's Den is awesome. It's right off of Harvard Square. If you want to take a trip back into the 1920's, then check out the Oak Bar in the Fairmont Hotel in Copely Square. I've had quite a few there on many an occassion, after catching a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. There are also plenty of places to stumble into on Boylston and Newbury Streets. Yeah there are plenty of places besides Boston Beer Works my friend. Oh, and I have to mention this. If you like pizza. Head over to Pizzeria Regina on 11 1/2 Thatcher St. in the North End. They've been a family owned business since 1926 and their pizza is made with nothing but fresh ingedients. There are garlic and hot pepper infused olive oils on the tables. Just pour some on the plate and start dipping. I have never had better pizza anywhere!

This post rocks! I will be busy all through the summer with this list! Thanks so much! I've been to Grendels before. I stayed over at the Sheraton Commander there right down the street. Thanks so much! :rockin:

 

[c.n.budz]

I used to live in Boston for a couple of years...my favorite place in the world...GO RED SOX!!! Every so often, my wife and I make a trip up there and we've always been meaning to swing by in New Haven and try the burgers at Louis' Lunch. My wife really loves the idea that they don't offer ketchup; because she absolutely HATES ALL condiments. I also find it interesting how they actually cook the burgers. It's definitely a place to go on my list.

If you stop at Louis' go across the street to Bar afterwords, they brew some really good beer there.

And I agree, GO RED SOX!!!

 

[rOland]

Judice Inn in Lafayette, LA makes an amazong burger.

My friend and I were building a deck in Algiers (right across the river from New Orleans) and we found this little hole in the wall po'boy shop; no sign, connected to an auto-shop, that will make you the best sandwich ever. I ordered a catfish po'boy and my pal, an oyster, and that little cajun fried that seafood fresh. It was amazing. We became regulars for the short time we were working there.

 

[zoebisch01]

I always love a good hamburger; but I grown to despise your typical mega fast food variety. Recently while visiting my parents in Lewes, DE, I had the best burgers ever. It was a place called Five Guys. It's actually a small franchise in various areas along the East Coast. What I really appreciated was that it was not fast food. They actually make the burger fresh, on the spot and serve it with exactly the toppings of your choice. You might have to wait 5 or 10 minutes for your food; so what! I'm a traditionalist with burgers...some mayo, ketchup, relish, cheese, bacon and onion. These were definitely damn good burgers. The only places I've found them to be comperable are Nifty Fifty's in Philly and Johnny Rockets. Where can you find the best burgers?

We got a five guys recently here. Yeah they are pretty durned tasty for a chain. For those that have never been, if you go there, be sure to order a SMALL fries and share it. Plus the LITTLE burger busts my gut it is so big.

I make the best burgers hehe. I like mine medium rare and nobody does that anymore.

 

[Fiery Sword]

... or the Bell in Hand on Union St. That's right next to Quincy Market.

I usually start out Friday nights at the Bell In Hand - great bar. In the summer, Zuma's in Quincy Market is great for 40+ types of tequila and margies. Also, David. P Ehrlich smoke shop opened up a cigar bar (i think it's called Churchill's Lounge or something) just outside of Quincy Market. They have Anchor Steam on tap and the place has NASA-like ventilation. There could be 20 people puffing away and it is reasonably tolerable to non-smokers.

If you head over into Cambridge, Grendel's Den is awesome. It's right off of Harvard Square.

Hells yea. Grendels Den is excellent - if you like Indian the Bombay Club is literally right next door. Best indian food in town.

Oh, and I have to mention this. If you like pizza. Head over to Pizzeria Regina on 11 1/2 Thatcher St. in the North End. They've been a family owned business since 1926 and their pizza is made with nothing but fresh ingedients. There are garlic and hot pepper infused olive oils on the tables. Just pour some on the plate and start dipping. I have never had better pizza anywhere!

Regina's in the North End is classic pizza. You'll probably have to wait in a line, and they only take cash, but it is the second best pizza available in Boston. The best, IMHO, is Santarpios in East Boston near Logan Airport. It's dirty, all the silverware was stolen from the airport, they take no crap, and you can find Mod Hits Volume 1-8 on the jukebox. Best pizza I've ever had, Italy included.

As far as beer goes, a trip to the Cambridge Brewing Company in old Kenmore Square (Cambridge) is highly recommended. They make great beers and do a lot of growler fill-ups. I think their stuff is better than BeerWorks.

The Sunset Grill & Tap is also a must, last time I was there they had about 80 beers on tap. Beer heaven.