It's the second full day of my visit to California. Heading up to Malibu from Anaheim. Through L.A. and up the CPH1!
I'm meeting my niece, who now lives in California, for lunch a Duke's. Duke's has come a long way from back in the days when the surfing crowd were the only inhabitants of the waterfront.
Valet only parking. I think that's because the parking along the highway is premium, limited.
The building is beautiful. There are three sections. Outdoor casual, indoor casual and indoor upscale. Upscale is the dinner level of visit. We opted for outdoor casual. The view of the homes along the shore and the ocean itself, beautiful.
She a selected Pulled Pork sandwich and I got the Charbroiled Cheeseburger.
When the food finally arrived it looked really great. Although her Pulled Pork looked more like a piece of Tuna.
Turns out, the Pulled Pork was tasty.
My burger was tasty enough. My buds were really on high alert. Duke's is supposed to have great meat and fish.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Staff messed up order and didn't really seem to feel bad about it. Burger was tasty but, not flavorful. Maybe order some fish stuff. The view is awesome. If I lived near by or was staying down the road, I would hang out in the Barefoot Bar and enjoy a couple of drinks. The indoor lounge area has a spectacular view also.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Slater's 50/50 Burger 11.2014
They say the third time is a charm. This was the fourth.
My fourth burger during my four day visit in California was at Slater's 50/50 Restaurant.
Burgers by design.
Up front, not a fan of "build your own". Does that mean, if you don't like it too bad, your idea? The group I was with convinced me it will be fine. Also, you can get just the standard sandwich. The check list is crazy! My favorite name, "Peanut Butter and Jellousy". I chose the Oldtimey off the basic burger listing. Others got the 50/50 with their personal modifications. It was fun to hear what was going to be on their burgers.
My burger came cooked just right. Flavor, it was there. Finally! Is this because all the other burgers I've had while on this visit just didn't make it? The company I keep?
Nope, a good burger.
I did try a nibble of the 50/50 versions. 50% bacon, 50% beef. Tasty also.
Price was in the normal range for this kind of place. The scene was definitely happening. Decor is upscale sports bar, lounge restaurant. 1/3 lb for me. 2/3 lb for the others.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Not a mind blower. Very good. Quick service. Accurate. Staff was fun.
My fourth burger during my four day visit in California was at Slater's 50/50 Restaurant.
Burgers by design.
Up front, not a fan of "build your own". Does that mean, if you don't like it too bad, your idea? The group I was with convinced me it will be fine. Also, you can get just the standard sandwich. The check list is crazy! My favorite name, "Peanut Butter and Jellousy". I chose the Oldtimey off the basic burger listing. Others got the 50/50 with their personal modifications. It was fun to hear what was going to be on their burgers.
My burger came cooked just right. Flavor, it was there. Finally! Is this because all the other burgers I've had while on this visit just didn't make it? The company I keep?
Nope, a good burger.
I did try a nibble of the 50/50 versions. 50% bacon, 50% beef. Tasty also.
Price was in the normal range for this kind of place. The scene was definitely happening. Decor is upscale sports bar, lounge restaurant. 1/3 lb for me. 2/3 lb for the others.
Rated:
3.5 of 5
Not a mind blower. Very good. Quick service. Accurate. Staff was fun.
Mad at Mad Madeline's (Temecula, CA) 11.2014
It was a return visit to one of the best burgers since I started this whole writing about burgers thing. Five years ago as I drove in to Temecula, CA a sign on the side of a building boasted Best Burger. It was Mad Madeline's. We saw Madeline's on Triple D. Cool. Looking back in my Burger Manual (hand written entry), it was April 2009. I didn't write much more than, the burger was big enough for two. All present recall it being tasty.
Fast forward to November 19th, 2014.
On a quest to score some of the best Asiago infused Olive Oil I headed back to Temecula, know full well that Madeline's was still there. Olive Oil shopping complete, we headed over for the burger. Still sporting the signage and newer smaller statements of grand burgers. (2014 Inland Empire Best of)
Just a cheeseburger and fries for me.
Wow, this is not what I remembered. Great story, my dad was along and had the bacon cheese burger. I didn't have the heart to say it but, dad did... he told the waitress that the burger was not even good. No flavor, dry and the bun was sort of dry. The waitress suggested that maybe it was the person cooking that day. No excuse! I wish I had that out when I need it.
Maybe it was an off day. Maybe our memory of that wonderful day back in 2009 was messing with our ability to truly judge this round.
Trust me when I say that each time I enter in to one of these taste n tell situations, I clear my mind and just try to let it happen.
California visit: 2 of 2 burgers not able to rate.
Fast forward to November 19th, 2014.
On a quest to score some of the best Asiago infused Olive Oil I headed back to Temecula, know full well that Madeline's was still there. Olive Oil shopping complete, we headed over for the burger. Still sporting the signage and newer smaller statements of grand burgers. (2014 Inland Empire Best of)
Just a cheeseburger and fries for me.
Wow, this is not what I remembered. Great story, my dad was along and had the bacon cheese burger. I didn't have the heart to say it but, dad did... he told the waitress that the burger was not even good. No flavor, dry and the bun was sort of dry. The waitress suggested that maybe it was the person cooking that day. No excuse! I wish I had that out when I need it.
Maybe it was an off day. Maybe our memory of that wonderful day back in 2009 was messing with our ability to truly judge this round.
Trust me when I say that each time I enter in to one of these taste n tell situations, I clear my mind and just try to let it happen.
California visit: 2 of 2 burgers not able to rate.
In/Out that's all. 11.2014
This is going to be one of those disclaimer kind of posts, I can feel it.
For years I've seen guys at car shows walking around with In/Out Burger T-shirts. I get the nostalgia. In/Out has been around since the golden day of the drive-in burger joint. It's a great story also.
So, here is my take.
I flew in to LAX where I was picked up by a friend. I mentioned that I have never been to an In/Out and asked how close one might be. He quickly came up with seven different exits that might get us to one on our way to Anaheim Hills. "You wanna go?" Of course I wanna go!
The line in the drive-thru was super long. I'm not a fan of drive-thru. Maybe it's old school to make eye contact with the person taking my order and then getting your order handed to you, hot and ready to munch down. The first fry that's too hot still, the smell of the burger cooling down in it's little paper wrap.
Where was I? Drive thru. Our order was taken by a person standing outside with a laptop. Slick. I'm still not sure if that was a time saver. Five maybe six minutes later we arrive at the window. Get our stuff and start driving to where I'm staying. It's only a couple of minutes away so, I hold off on munching.
Long story short, not what I expected.
Did the order go through faster than it should have making it somewhat stale before we were to the window? Was it a mistake to wait?Even cold, a burger should have some flavor. The fries should also do well on the first microwave warm up.
I haven't given up on I & O. Next time, inside ordering and eat straight from the bag. I know it will be good.
Right now, I can't rate it.
For years I've seen guys at car shows walking around with In/Out Burger T-shirts. I get the nostalgia. In/Out has been around since the golden day of the drive-in burger joint. It's a great story also.
So, here is my take.
I flew in to LAX where I was picked up by a friend. I mentioned that I have never been to an In/Out and asked how close one might be. He quickly came up with seven different exits that might get us to one on our way to Anaheim Hills. "You wanna go?" Of course I wanna go!
The line in the drive-thru was super long. I'm not a fan of drive-thru. Maybe it's old school to make eye contact with the person taking my order and then getting your order handed to you, hot and ready to munch down. The first fry that's too hot still, the smell of the burger cooling down in it's little paper wrap.
Where was I? Drive thru. Our order was taken by a person standing outside with a laptop. Slick. I'm still not sure if that was a time saver. Five maybe six minutes later we arrive at the window. Get our stuff and start driving to where I'm staying. It's only a couple of minutes away so, I hold off on munching.
Long story short, not what I expected.
Did the order go through faster than it should have making it somewhat stale before we were to the window? Was it a mistake to wait?Even cold, a burger should have some flavor. The fries should also do well on the first microwave warm up.
I haven't given up on I & O. Next time, inside ordering and eat straight from the bag. I know it will be good.
Right now, I can't rate it.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Red Dot (Tosa) Hits the Spot!
11.06.2014
The plan for the night was to hit a couple of art exhibits and then head home for some grill time. Specifically, burgers on the grill. As you might guess, because of this entry, we never made it to our home grill.
Turns out, that's okay because we decided to check out the Red Dot in Wauwatosa. It's been on the list of places to go for some time. The big draw was the idea that they serve French-Canadian cuisine. Poutine, a crazy mix of fries, cheese and gravy. I don't blog about Poutine. I blog about burgers...
Using our fancy phone and the internet, we research the menu as we headed West from Riverwest. They list quite a few burgers. Now I'm interested! The Classic seems like the correct one to select. A burger, bun and some veggies on top of the patty. Or should I go for the Bacon Cheese Burger?
When we got there the place was hopping. While waiting we noticed chalkboards with specials listed. The one board listed something called the Gordo Burger. Time to go big or go home! This puppy has a burger topped with pulled pork, caramelized red onion, roasted garlic and lettuce.
Gordo it was. The smokey flavor of the pork really bumped the taste buds to a different place than I expected. The patty itself, pretty good. I always snitch a piece without any stuff on it to get the true taste of the burger. From there, game on. Everything together. The combinations of garlic, caramelized onion and buttered bun just melded with the pork and beef. Hold on, was this a pulled pork sandwich with a burger or a burger with pulled pork? The pork was on top so, it's a burger. Really yummy.
Rate It:
3.5++ of 5
$11 was fine. Burger proper was fairly tasty. Maybe a little seasoning to the patty. All the items on it were done perfectly. The bun had great flavor and seemed to be very fresh. Atmosphere was pretty decent. The bar was cramped. The dining area, although we were in the middle of the room, had a cozy feel. I plan to return when the patio is open again.
The plan for the night was to hit a couple of art exhibits and then head home for some grill time. Specifically, burgers on the grill. As you might guess, because of this entry, we never made it to our home grill.
Turns out, that's okay because we decided to check out the Red Dot in Wauwatosa. It's been on the list of places to go for some time. The big draw was the idea that they serve French-Canadian cuisine. Poutine, a crazy mix of fries, cheese and gravy. I don't blog about Poutine. I blog about burgers...
Using our fancy phone and the internet, we research the menu as we headed West from Riverwest. They list quite a few burgers. Now I'm interested! The Classic seems like the correct one to select. A burger, bun and some veggies on top of the patty. Or should I go for the Bacon Cheese Burger?
When we got there the place was hopping. While waiting we noticed chalkboards with specials listed. The one board listed something called the Gordo Burger. Time to go big or go home! This puppy has a burger topped with pulled pork, caramelized red onion, roasted garlic and lettuce.
Gordo it was. The smokey flavor of the pork really bumped the taste buds to a different place than I expected. The patty itself, pretty good. I always snitch a piece without any stuff on it to get the true taste of the burger. From there, game on. Everything together. The combinations of garlic, caramelized onion and buttered bun just melded with the pork and beef. Hold on, was this a pulled pork sandwich with a burger or a burger with pulled pork? The pork was on top so, it's a burger. Really yummy.
Rate It:
3.5++ of 5
$11 was fine. Burger proper was fairly tasty. Maybe a little seasoning to the patty. All the items on it were done perfectly. The bun had great flavor and seemed to be very fresh. Atmosphere was pretty decent. The bar was cramped. The dining area, although we were in the middle of the room, had a cozy feel. I plan to return when the patio is open again.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
A Lofty Claim-MKE Sail Loft
It's a birthday dinner. She wants their Meatloaf and says, "hunny, they are known for their burgers" Did you see the hook just get set?
Located on the river front (Milwaukee River) with a view of the Hoan Bridge it definitely seems like a great place to grab lunch on a warm Summer day. This wasn't one of those days. Raining and windy it became our refuge.
Appetizer: Rustic Bruschetta She: Karl's Meatloaf Me: Paradise (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, American, Brioche)
Pow! Did not expect that. Tasty and the Brioche thing, great touch.
I can't talk much about the visuals on cooking the patty but, smells were good. The place wasn't so over ventilated that I couldn't smell something cooking.
Rate it!
3.5++ of 5
$10 is not crazy these days. Location, cool. 3rd Ward Milwaukee is always fun. Everything else we had was done right. Washed down with Sanpellegrino Limonata.
Located on the river front (Milwaukee River) with a view of the Hoan Bridge it definitely seems like a great place to grab lunch on a warm Summer day. This wasn't one of those days. Raining and windy it became our refuge.
Appetizer: Rustic Bruschetta She: Karl's Meatloaf Me: Paradise (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, American, Brioche)
Pow! Did not expect that. Tasty and the Brioche thing, great touch.
I can't talk much about the visuals on cooking the patty but, smells were good. The place wasn't so over ventilated that I couldn't smell something cooking.
Rate it!
3.5++ of 5
$10 is not crazy these days. Location, cool. 3rd Ward Milwaukee is always fun. Everything else we had was done right. Washed down with Sanpellegrino Limonata.
Strip Mall Food-Damn Right! A trip to Tom & Eddies
I'm pretty sure it was a mall. Strip variety, I guess. No matter. Modern food experience for sure.
Captive in Lincolnshire, Il for a car show and wondering what to eat? Hmmm.
The first night was Real Urban BBQ, same strip mall. That's how I found Tom & Eddie's. Well, it found me. Again, a sign in the window that said something about awesome burgers. Good taste in everything they make.
Lunch it is! I got the Classic with just the simple stuff. American Cheese, Onions, Pickles. A little ketchup and brown mustard (the stone ground stuff).
The kitchen is open for viewing. The staff has such a rhythm. Great entertainment while you wait. Grabbed the burger when it came and headed over to the Beer Market to eat with some friends. The Beer Market doesn't make food so, bring your own! Forgot the fries so I had to run back and get 'em.
The burger was pretty darn good. No, very darn good. Not excellent but it really had good seasoning and was moist. Cooked almost exactly the way I wanted it.
Being honest, I'm not a fan of the build your own burger. It feels like I'm ordering a latte' or something. It's hard to recall when a burger just showed up ready to eat. Throw back stuff I guess.
Let's rate it.
3.5+ of 5.0
The restaurant itself wasn't much to talk about. Clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. Burger and fries were a decent value.
Captive in Lincolnshire, Il for a car show and wondering what to eat? Hmmm.
The first night was Real Urban BBQ, same strip mall. That's how I found Tom & Eddie's. Well, it found me. Again, a sign in the window that said something about awesome burgers. Good taste in everything they make.
Lunch it is! I got the Classic with just the simple stuff. American Cheese, Onions, Pickles. A little ketchup and brown mustard (the stone ground stuff).
The kitchen is open for viewing. The staff has such a rhythm. Great entertainment while you wait. Grabbed the burger when it came and headed over to the Beer Market to eat with some friends. The Beer Market doesn't make food so, bring your own! Forgot the fries so I had to run back and get 'em.
The burger was pretty darn good. No, very darn good. Not excellent but it really had good seasoning and was moist. Cooked almost exactly the way I wanted it.
Being honest, I'm not a fan of the build your own burger. It feels like I'm ordering a latte' or something. It's hard to recall when a burger just showed up ready to eat. Throw back stuff I guess.
Let's rate it.
3.5+ of 5.0
The restaurant itself wasn't much to talk about. Clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. Burger and fries were a decent value.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Return to Fred's in Burlington WI
I can't imagine that I didn't already post about Fred's in Burlington WI. But, alas I did not.
The first time I went to Fred's was at least two years ago. Friends that live in the area were adamant about getting me to go there. As I recall, it was worth it.
Fast forward to just a couple of weeks ago. As part of helping our friends move a computer desk to their place in Lake Geneva it was suggested that we stop at Fred's. Scott & Pat both know I blog about burgers and thought it was time to blog about Fred's. To assure the best blog post, I agreed to stop. (you know they didn't have to twist my arm)
The place was hopping. Families, couples and a few stray Packer fans that decided a burger & fries my complement a game on the big screen.
I snooped around to get a better feel of things. I got a glimpse of the staff working in the kitchen area. Big patties of beef on the griddle top. Baskets of fries, onion rings etc. I was impressed that the patty looked rather fresh packed.
Cheddar Cheese Burger, raw onion and fries with a root beer for me. The wife got the Garlic Burger. Both were delicious. The Garlic Burger was a bit much once your buds adjust to it. My cheese burger was cooked just a tad too much but, flavor was still there. A wonderful and tasty bakery bun brought the flavor all together.
The staff was attentive and cheerful.
Overall, if I'm near by and had a moment, I would stop in again. And now that I know it's sort of on the way to a friend's place, I might visit Fred's more frequently.
4 of 5
Price is reasonable. Great little shop. Cheerful staff. Tasty food.
The first time I went to Fred's was at least two years ago. Friends that live in the area were adamant about getting me to go there. As I recall, it was worth it.
Fast forward to just a couple of weeks ago. As part of helping our friends move a computer desk to their place in Lake Geneva it was suggested that we stop at Fred's. Scott & Pat both know I blog about burgers and thought it was time to blog about Fred's. To assure the best blog post, I agreed to stop. (you know they didn't have to twist my arm)
The place was hopping. Families, couples and a few stray Packer fans that decided a burger & fries my complement a game on the big screen.
I snooped around to get a better feel of things. I got a glimpse of the staff working in the kitchen area. Big patties of beef on the griddle top. Baskets of fries, onion rings etc. I was impressed that the patty looked rather fresh packed.
Cheddar Cheese Burger, raw onion and fries with a root beer for me. The wife got the Garlic Burger. Both were delicious. The Garlic Burger was a bit much once your buds adjust to it. My cheese burger was cooked just a tad too much but, flavor was still there. A wonderful and tasty bakery bun brought the flavor all together.
The staff was attentive and cheerful.
Overall, if I'm near by and had a moment, I would stop in again. And now that I know it's sort of on the way to a friend's place, I might visit Fred's more frequently.
4 of 5
Price is reasonable. Great little shop. Cheerful staff. Tasty food.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Frank about Syl's Midtown, Sheboygan WI
I'm not all too familiar with Sheboygan Wisconsin so I was lucky to be hanging out with a local. Frank Juarez knows his eats in town. After attending an opening at the UW Sheboygan campus a small group of us were going to head out for some food. Fine dining wasn't on the radar. Everybody was up for some classic pub grub. Frank offered a long list of potential establishments. Syl's rose to the top of the list.
Nothing fancy, just a clean brightly lit bar in downtown Sheboygan. The menu is pretty simple. Burgers, sandwiches and a decent list of appetizers. You know I'm checking the burgers. The price for a burger, $2.90! It doesn't come with fries. Those are $2.50. I decided to have onion rings, $3.25.
The burger came on a delicious bun that reminded me of a potato bun. Lighter, not so dense. Good. The burger, hand packed and cooked almost perfect. The one thing that got me was that they weren't afraid to season it. There was a lot of flavor without adding condiments. Speaking of condiments, Syl's has the stone ground brown mustard at the table. Not Pupon or Honey mustard.
All of us enjoyed the meal.
Overall, a decent value. I probably won't return only because there are so many other places to go in Sheboygan for food.
3.5 of 5
Tasty, great bun/roll, onion rings were tasty too! The bright lights sort of took away from the atmosphere.
Nothing fancy, just a clean brightly lit bar in downtown Sheboygan. The menu is pretty simple. Burgers, sandwiches and a decent list of appetizers. You know I'm checking the burgers. The price for a burger, $2.90! It doesn't come with fries. Those are $2.50. I decided to have onion rings, $3.25.
The burger came on a delicious bun that reminded me of a potato bun. Lighter, not so dense. Good. The burger, hand packed and cooked almost perfect. The one thing that got me was that they weren't afraid to season it. There was a lot of flavor without adding condiments. Speaking of condiments, Syl's has the stone ground brown mustard at the table. Not Pupon or Honey mustard.
All of us enjoyed the meal.
Overall, a decent value. I probably won't return only because there are so many other places to go in Sheboygan for food.
3.5 of 5
Tasty, great bun/roll, onion rings were tasty too! The bright lights sort of took away from the atmosphere.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Taking stock at the Stockman, White Sulphur Springs MT
120 some miles outside of Great Falls on our way to the Smith River for a three day float on a raft...
The road trip was breathtaking. Elk, deer and waving grasses. Big Sky country. The GMC Pickup was loaded with gear to float the Smith River but, two plus hours away from Great Falls and half an hour until we get to the campground it was necessary to make a stop for some food. This far away from the big city there isn't many choices. We passed a place called Bob's in hope to catch what was referred to as one of the best if not the best burgers our hosts had ever had. My taste buds jump to attention. As we pull in to the small town of White Sulphur Springs you can't but notice that there aren't really any other chances to grab a bite. Stockman Bar & Grill really doesn't look like anything super special. It's got a feel more like, last chance before camp to grab food and use a flushing toilet.
The burger came cooked almost exactly the way I would like to have it cooked. Flavor wasn't over seasoned. Fresh buns. I think the burger started bigger than 1/2 lb because when it arrived, it was still one half pound! Whew. Lettuce, tomato, red onion and a pickle. Simple. I got the Pepper Jack cheese version. Glad I did. Juicy, flavorful. The folks at the Stockman aren't taking advantage of being nearly the only game in town. They are earning return visits.
Damn good burger folks.
Price was the usual $9. Fries covered more than half of the large plate. A steak knife made sure I could reduce the size of the burger to fit in to my mouth.
Rated:
4.5 of 5.0
If I didn't live so far away, I'd be in trouble because I would find reasons to be in this area just so I can snag a burger to go!
The road trip was breathtaking. Elk, deer and waving grasses. Big Sky country. The GMC Pickup was loaded with gear to float the Smith River but, two plus hours away from Great Falls and half an hour until we get to the campground it was necessary to make a stop for some food. This far away from the big city there isn't many choices. We passed a place called Bob's in hope to catch what was referred to as one of the best if not the best burgers our hosts had ever had. My taste buds jump to attention. As we pull in to the small town of White Sulphur Springs you can't but notice that there aren't really any other chances to grab a bite. Stockman Bar & Grill really doesn't look like anything super special. It's got a feel more like, last chance before camp to grab food and use a flushing toilet.
The burger came cooked almost exactly the way I would like to have it cooked. Flavor wasn't over seasoned. Fresh buns. I think the burger started bigger than 1/2 lb because when it arrived, it was still one half pound! Whew. Lettuce, tomato, red onion and a pickle. Simple. I got the Pepper Jack cheese version. Glad I did. Juicy, flavorful. The folks at the Stockman aren't taking advantage of being nearly the only game in town. They are earning return visits.
Damn good burger folks.
Price was the usual $9. Fries covered more than half of the large plate. A steak knife made sure I could reduce the size of the burger to fit in to my mouth.
Rated:
4.5 of 5.0
If I didn't live so far away, I'd be in trouble because I would find reasons to be in this area just so I can snag a burger to go!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Salad? or Burger? @ The Public Kitchen, Savannah GA
It's been a week of eating while in Savannah. We had lunch at Paula Dean's place for lunch and still felt a bit full so we thought, maybe we should find a place that has a decent salad to balance things. As usual, we go online to see where the best place for salad in Savannah might be. The largest list of salads available went to the Mellow Mushroom Pizza. The Mellow Mushroom turned out to be more a place for students from the SCAD to meet and have beers. Next door was a cool looking place. We'd seen it earlier in the week while on a guided tour. Checked the menu, great looking salads. The upper seating area was closed so we grabbed a seat outside on the sidewalk. Back to the menu. Did I mention that right at the top of the right side was the Danny's burger. (secret, my name is Dan) All bets were off. I got the Danny's burger. I didn't regret it, too much.
The burger arrived slightly more raw than I like but the outside was a wonderful crust of charred meat. Another thing that sort of threw me off, pretzel bun. Not a big fan of pretzel buns. Here's my thought on this one... that's how they make, it's worth a try. The bun gave an additional flavor texture that really made me like this one. Just a slight more salty. The menu says, mustard, tomato and onion. Simple. It works.
The rating. $12 for a 1/2lb burger isn't crazy. It really could have been $10. Location might have something to do with the price. I'm not sure. Pretzel bun didn't have as much salt as what I'm used to, glad.
4.5 of 5 Pricey, staff was confused easily. (received diet soda instead of regular. brought more bread for hummus that was already gone.)
The Public Kitchen
The burger arrived slightly more raw than I like but the outside was a wonderful crust of charred meat. Another thing that sort of threw me off, pretzel bun. Not a big fan of pretzel buns. Here's my thought on this one... that's how they make, it's worth a try. The bun gave an additional flavor texture that really made me like this one. Just a slight more salty. The menu says, mustard, tomato and onion. Simple. It works.
The rating. $12 for a 1/2lb burger isn't crazy. It really could have been $10. Location might have something to do with the price. I'm not sure. Pretzel bun didn't have as much salt as what I'm used to, glad.
4.5 of 5 Pricey, staff was confused easily. (received diet soda instead of regular. brought more bread for hummus that was already gone.)
The Public Kitchen
Burger Royalty? Crystal Beer Palace, Savannah GA
05/20/2014
The Crystal Beer Palace was already on the list of places to go while in Savannah GA. Seal the deal because the guy at the packaged goods store suggested it also. (local insight, always good) Rumor has it, the Palace is the place to get a great beer and tasty burger. Their menu is quite extensive. Southern dishes, meat and salads. The beer selection matches. The scene is cool. Large booths on one side and a beautiful old bar on the other. Sports on the television and spirits stacked on the shelves. Time to order.
I chose the Classic Crystal Burger. Half a pound of griddled ground chuck with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo & pickle. Swiss cheese. Good looking burger. Cooked almost exactly the way I hoped. A little too much mayo. Note to self, no mayo on my burger. Flavor was there. They aren't afraid to use seasoning. Not over done though. Decent roll. I had the sweet potato fries. At first, yummy. Again forgetting that some things are better in smaller amounts, I was pretty done with sweet tatoe fries at the end.
Rating. Good flavor. Cooked very much how I like it. The mayo thing is my fault. Same for the fries. Over all, it was good food for my buds.
4.5 of 5.0 Price was fine, atmosphere was cool, service was better than average. All the other food we ordered was good quality and taste. I probably wouldn't go back but, if you go to Savannah, it's worth the while. Your friends that don't eat burgers will have some great choices for alternatives.
Crystal Beer Palace, Savannah GA
The Crystal Beer Palace was already on the list of places to go while in Savannah GA. Seal the deal because the guy at the packaged goods store suggested it also. (local insight, always good) Rumor has it, the Palace is the place to get a great beer and tasty burger. Their menu is quite extensive. Southern dishes, meat and salads. The beer selection matches. The scene is cool. Large booths on one side and a beautiful old bar on the other. Sports on the television and spirits stacked on the shelves. Time to order.
I chose the Classic Crystal Burger. Half a pound of griddled ground chuck with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo & pickle. Swiss cheese. Good looking burger. Cooked almost exactly the way I hoped. A little too much mayo. Note to self, no mayo on my burger. Flavor was there. They aren't afraid to use seasoning. Not over done though. Decent roll. I had the sweet potato fries. At first, yummy. Again forgetting that some things are better in smaller amounts, I was pretty done with sweet tatoe fries at the end.
Rating. Good flavor. Cooked very much how I like it. The mayo thing is my fault. Same for the fries. Over all, it was good food for my buds.
4.5 of 5.0 Price was fine, atmosphere was cool, service was better than average. All the other food we ordered was good quality and taste. I probably wouldn't go back but, if you go to Savannah, it's worth the while. Your friends that don't eat burgers will have some great choices for alternatives.
Crystal Beer Palace, Savannah GA
Tuesday's on Sunday
05/17/2014
On the road to Savannah, looking for food that's palatable. Huddle House? Subway? Having four adults in the car can sometimes complicates the selection process. Especially when you are cruising along at 80 MPH. Our next exit had the familiar logo of Ruby Tuesday. My brain automatically thinks "burger!" The crowd agrees that RT might work for all of us. Exit right, turn right at stop sign.
Hanging at a chain restaurant isn't exactly searching out the tastiest burger but, it has it's own challenges.
The burger. Most places these days shy away from bringing you a burger that has pink meat inside so, I'm not given the option to get a medium rare. Onion rings as the side for sure. The burger stood up the reputation as did the bun. I've been to Ruby Tuesday before. Sorry Red Robin, I sometimes confuse the two places. Go figure.
Rating. Consider this a chain vs. chain kind of rating. If it went against a fresh packed cooked in front of me burger, I'm not sure how it would fair.
3.5 - 4.0 out of 5
Price is the usual $9 these days. Onion rings were tasty.
On the road to Savannah, looking for food that's palatable. Huddle House? Subway? Having four adults in the car can sometimes complicates the selection process. Especially when you are cruising along at 80 MPH. Our next exit had the familiar logo of Ruby Tuesday. My brain automatically thinks "burger!" The crowd agrees that RT might work for all of us. Exit right, turn right at stop sign.
Hanging at a chain restaurant isn't exactly searching out the tastiest burger but, it has it's own challenges.
The burger. Most places these days shy away from bringing you a burger that has pink meat inside so, I'm not given the option to get a medium rare. Onion rings as the side for sure. The burger stood up the reputation as did the bun. I've been to Ruby Tuesday before. Sorry Red Robin, I sometimes confuse the two places. Go figure.
Rating. Consider this a chain vs. chain kind of rating. If it went against a fresh packed cooked in front of me burger, I'm not sure how it would fair.
3.5 - 4.0 out of 5
Price is the usual $9 these days. Onion rings were tasty.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
North Avenue Grill lives up to reputation
The North Avenue grill has been around for a while now. The word on the street, great burgers. Really? I must stop in some day. That day came. No regrets. It's good stuff.
The grill setting is fun. Sit in a booth or hang at the counter. The staff greets you as you walk in and thanks you on the way out. Nice.
It's "build your own" so, I get thrown off a little bit. Toppings are extra at some point. I didn't make it there. Simple food for a simple guy, I guess.
The burger was cooked exactly the way I like it. Just enough pink. Juicy, flavorful. The fries were way delicious. Peel on, cooked just right and quite a large order.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Seasoned right, tasty bun and fresh toppings. Neat place, sort of the throw-back stuff I like. The leftovers fared well.
North Avenue Grill
The grill setting is fun. Sit in a booth or hang at the counter. The staff greets you as you walk in and thanks you on the way out. Nice.
It's "build your own" so, I get thrown off a little bit. Toppings are extra at some point. I didn't make it there. Simple food for a simple guy, I guess.
The burger was cooked exactly the way I like it. Just enough pink. Juicy, flavorful. The fries were way delicious. Peel on, cooked just right and quite a large order.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Seasoned right, tasty bun and fresh toppings. Neat place, sort of the throw-back stuff I like. The leftovers fared well.
North Avenue Grill
Made the call @ Port of Call (NOLA)
There was all kinds of information on the internet about best burgers around New Orleans. One place that stood out from the crowd was Port of Call. A short walk from where I was staying. I passed it a couple times while out on a run. Smells are always free! There was always a crowd waiting outside. I finally found an opportunity to go for it.
It didn't feel like a burger place inside. You walk through a bar to get in to the back room where there is a combination of booths and tables. The kitchen is right off the dining area so wait traffic runs back and forth past you the whole time. Not that it bothered me, just saying. There's no fries on the menu. Just potatoes. Big baked potatoes with crazy piles of toppings if you so wish.
I ordered my burger medium rare, cheddar cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce. It was a substantial burger. The 1/2 might be after cooking, it was thick. Medium rare to me is a fair amount of pink maybe a splash of red. This was pretty much red. I think that's where the flavor dropped off. Not bad but, I think with just a little more heat and the rest time before serving this could have been a good one to right about. It also seemed a bit void of seasoning. The roll was tasty and the toppings were fresh.
Rating: 4 of 5
Overall price and atmosphere were okay. Again, maybe my expectations were too high and mal-adjusted my buds. I was glad to see a place that wasn't afraid to serve their meat cooked fairly rare.
Port of Call, NOLA
It didn't feel like a burger place inside. You walk through a bar to get in to the back room where there is a combination of booths and tables. The kitchen is right off the dining area so wait traffic runs back and forth past you the whole time. Not that it bothered me, just saying. There's no fries on the menu. Just potatoes. Big baked potatoes with crazy piles of toppings if you so wish.
I ordered my burger medium rare, cheddar cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce. It was a substantial burger. The 1/2 might be after cooking, it was thick. Medium rare to me is a fair amount of pink maybe a splash of red. This was pretty much red. I think that's where the flavor dropped off. Not bad but, I think with just a little more heat and the rest time before serving this could have been a good one to right about. It also seemed a bit void of seasoning. The roll was tasty and the toppings were fresh.
Rating: 4 of 5
Overall price and atmosphere were okay. Again, maybe my expectations were too high and mal-adjusted my buds. I was glad to see a place that wasn't afraid to serve their meat cooked fairly rare.
Port of Call, NOLA
Monday, March 17, 2014
Local Patty on St. Pat's-The Burger Co. LA
The name made me do it. The Burger Company. I wonder what they make? Ground fresh daily from all natural, hormone and antibiotic-free meat.
The store/restaurant was a bit nondescript. Clean and sort industrial inside. The order counter and grill area were stainless steel. You could watch the guys cook your food if you wanted to. Otherwise, Rocky V was showing on the monster HD television. When the movie finished, it was 80's music over the sound system. Something else I thought was sort of cool/home spun, the signs were all written on craft paper flip charts.
If you wanted seconds on a beverage (they serve beer and liquor) there was a separate window so you don't mess with the people ordering their first round. Nice. The building must be well ventilated because you really couldn't smell the grill much. A little bummed.
Food came fast. The beer was super tasty. Onion rings are Red Onions, nice twist. The fries were decent but, I think I was expecting something really spectacular. That wasn't the case. Still obviously fresh cut, cooked and tasty.
The Turkey Burger had a sauce that sort of finished strong. The patty was cooked nicely and the rest of the ingredients were fresh. Overall, tasty.
What about that burger? On it's own, the meat was tender and juicy. Taste was lacking. Maybe the patties are meant to compliment the tasty cheese, pickles and onions. I applied the housemade mustard, fantastic.
4 of 5 I'd send someone on the journey. The food was fast, tasty and the store was clean. A bit pricey. But, maybe because we had a beer.
What we had...
Company Burger: The classic American cheeseburger - two patties, housemade b&b pickles, American cheese, and red onions. Onion Rings: Thick cut red onions, buttermilk hand-battered Hand cut and twice cooked. Turkey Burger: Tomato jam, green goddess dressing and arugula. Beer: NOLA-New Belgium Chicory-molasses Milk Stout
Our bill: $34 with a tip.
The store/restaurant was a bit nondescript. Clean and sort industrial inside. The order counter and grill area were stainless steel. You could watch the guys cook your food if you wanted to. Otherwise, Rocky V was showing on the monster HD television. When the movie finished, it was 80's music over the sound system. Something else I thought was sort of cool/home spun, the signs were all written on craft paper flip charts.
If you wanted seconds on a beverage (they serve beer and liquor) there was a separate window so you don't mess with the people ordering their first round. Nice. The building must be well ventilated because you really couldn't smell the grill much. A little bummed.
Food came fast. The beer was super tasty. Onion rings are Red Onions, nice twist. The fries were decent but, I think I was expecting something really spectacular. That wasn't the case. Still obviously fresh cut, cooked and tasty.
The Turkey Burger had a sauce that sort of finished strong. The patty was cooked nicely and the rest of the ingredients were fresh. Overall, tasty.
What about that burger? On it's own, the meat was tender and juicy. Taste was lacking. Maybe the patties are meant to compliment the tasty cheese, pickles and onions. I applied the housemade mustard, fantastic.
4 of 5 I'd send someone on the journey. The food was fast, tasty and the store was clean. A bit pricey. But, maybe because we had a beer.
What we had...
Company Burger: The classic American cheeseburger - two patties, housemade b&b pickles, American cheese, and red onions. Onion Rings: Thick cut red onions, buttermilk hand-battered Hand cut and twice cooked. Turkey Burger: Tomato jam, green goddess dressing and arugula. Beer: NOLA-New Belgium Chicory-molasses Milk Stout
Our bill: $34 with a tip.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
The Clover Grill, NOLA covers it, with a hubcap! (03/16/14)
Really, a hubcap from a truck is used to steam and cook your burger.
The Clover Grill is snuggled in the middle of the French Quarter, New Orleans LA. Recommended by one of those online review sites it meant that I would need to challenge the reviews.
It's a frozen patty so, don't get too excited. No matter. The grill top is never cleared completely from the previous items cooked on it. So, flavor is naturally built in. Liquid butter, food service cheese and buns. Still, not afraid. The cook is working super hard cooking everything from gravy and biscuits to burgers. Technique is art as he cooks omelet after omelet, rarely using a spatula. A waffle cooks while our burgers simmer on the griddle top. The smells combine and the cook continues his movements like a routine in the gym. Drop the fry basket, start toast, blend more eggs, grab a couple of slices of cheese. More smells. I got a Barg's Root Beer to wash my Cheddar burger down. Sparing no mayo, lettuce onion or tomato the cook builds my burger. I am so ready. The bun is cooked on the same surface as all the other food so, flavor pops. A sweet finish after all the onions and meat flavors.
Price with onions and cheddar cheese as my options was around $8.50. Pretty normal.
If you go, sit at the bar. I don't think we would have enjoyed the wait time without the cook show.
I can't complain about the frozen patty nor the food service products. The taste was there.
Rated: 4 of 5. Price was a bit high for frozen patty and counter/grill venue. Fries were only okay. Loved the show. Could have done without the music cranking. I'd go back for breakfast.
http://www.clovergrill.com/
The Clover Grill is snuggled in the middle of the French Quarter, New Orleans LA. Recommended by one of those online review sites it meant that I would need to challenge the reviews.
It's a frozen patty so, don't get too excited. No matter. The grill top is never cleared completely from the previous items cooked on it. So, flavor is naturally built in. Liquid butter, food service cheese and buns. Still, not afraid. The cook is working super hard cooking everything from gravy and biscuits to burgers. Technique is art as he cooks omelet after omelet, rarely using a spatula. A waffle cooks while our burgers simmer on the griddle top. The smells combine and the cook continues his movements like a routine in the gym. Drop the fry basket, start toast, blend more eggs, grab a couple of slices of cheese. More smells. I got a Barg's Root Beer to wash my Cheddar burger down. Sparing no mayo, lettuce onion or tomato the cook builds my burger. I am so ready. The bun is cooked on the same surface as all the other food so, flavor pops. A sweet finish after all the onions and meat flavors.
Price with onions and cheddar cheese as my options was around $8.50. Pretty normal.
If you go, sit at the bar. I don't think we would have enjoyed the wait time without the cook show.
I can't complain about the frozen patty nor the food service products. The taste was there.
Rated: 4 of 5. Price was a bit high for frozen patty and counter/grill venue. Fries were only okay. Loved the show. Could have done without the music cranking. I'd go back for breakfast.
http://www.clovergrill.com/
The pleasure was all mine, Roosevelt NOLA (03.15.14)
I don't know why but, I go to a fancy restaurant and order the burger. This time wasn't any different. I guess it has to do with standards they hold for steak/meat. We ate at the Lounge rather than the full restaurant. A little more casual. We had a booth which made it cozy. The menu offers small plates and entrees. The burger falls into the entree category.
The burger: I didn't understand dry aged meat, before I had this one, sorry. I now know that the process helps to tenderize the meat and concentrate/increase flavor. I can tell you, it worked. The burger cooked perfect medium rare, had flavor on it's own. If that wasn't enough, the braised onions had such a sweet edge that, combined with the roll/bun really made it work. The egg thing made me a bit apprehensive. I can now say I've had an egg on my burger and liked it. Maybe it's a one time thing? I'm not sure yet.
The fries, delicious. No need to dip in anything.
The menu describes what I enjoyed as the Lounge Burger. Priced $21
dry aged cox farm’s beef/ nola blonde braised onions / aged white cheddar / sunny egg / bacon / arugula / hand cut fries
The price was/is shocking but, I have to say that I'm not feeling stupid or sucker punched. Most steaks don't taste that good. The scene really did add to the experience. Live music began shortly after we finish.
Rated: 4.5-ish. Overall, great stuff. Pricey for a dressy-casual setting (I do have to remind myself, it's also NOLA not MKE). The server was very attentive. I won't go back for another but, you should if you can.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Ate it at 8th Avenue Ale House
I was going to use some cool reference about eighths. Henry, amendments etc. No such luck.
The 8th Avenue Ale House is a friendly spot on a corner along 8th Ave. in downtown Sheboygan WI. Sheboygan's downtown is really a wonderful little stretch of businesses. Places to get food a rather abundant. Pizza, Subs and several bars. Ale houses tend to have decent grub and beer. So, we dropped in. Sure, they have burgers. I had the Classic. As far as I could tell, the patty was not hand formed from fresh ground meat. No matter, decent stuff. The roll was tasty and had a great texture to it. Washed down with a cola. The fries were tasty. Seasoned potato.
I'm not going to say this was one of the best burgers I've had. Served the way it is and all, pretty tasty.
3.5 of 5
Price and overall flavor were good. Not outstanding. Staff was friendly and the bar in general seemed very inviting. I'm not going to drive from Milwaukee for this burger but, if I find myself in Sheboygan craving a burger, that's where I'll be going.
The 8th Avenue Ale House is a friendly spot on a corner along 8th Ave. in downtown Sheboygan WI. Sheboygan's downtown is really a wonderful little stretch of businesses. Places to get food a rather abundant. Pizza, Subs and several bars. Ale houses tend to have decent grub and beer. So, we dropped in. Sure, they have burgers. I had the Classic. As far as I could tell, the patty was not hand formed from fresh ground meat. No matter, decent stuff. The roll was tasty and had a great texture to it. Washed down with a cola. The fries were tasty. Seasoned potato.
I'm not going to say this was one of the best burgers I've had. Served the way it is and all, pretty tasty.
3.5 of 5
Price and overall flavor were good. Not outstanding. Staff was friendly and the bar in general seemed very inviting. I'm not going to drive from Milwaukee for this burger but, if I find myself in Sheboygan craving a burger, that's where I'll be going.
Return to the the Rumpus
My burger consumption is possibly cyclic. I found myself back at the Rumpus Room, downtown Milwaukee having a burger. Go figure. It was Gallery Night in Milwaukee's 3rd Ward. Part of the evening would be visiting Gallerie M at the Intercontinental Hotel just a couple blocks from the RR. I should also mention, we had some gift cards to burn up before the end of the month.
My choice, the Rumpus Burger. As described: Half-pound Angus patty on a Sciortino's bun with your choice of cheese, lettuce, red onion, pickles and house-made Russian dressing 12.50
Being a more pure burger kind of fella, I removed most of the extra stuff. Especially, the Russian dressing & lettuce. The lettuce was shredded and a little wilted from the dressing and warmth of the patty. That left me with what I came for... a burger on a bun with a little cheese and onion.
I didn't look at my previous experience at the Rumpus Room. I remember it being rather good. I'm not sure if I can say the same for this time. Tasty, yep. Top notch, I wouldn't say so. It also seemed like they may have changed up the fries. Sort of skinny and lacking the french fried potato flavor.
3.5 of 5
For the money, I start expecting something that has almost a sirloin edge to it. The burger was just a burger. Truthfully, not one of the best. Things always go down a little easier when you are using gift money to buy stuff. I'm not sure if it was help enough. Nor do I think charging less would make it better. Overall, it's a delightful place to go. Great drinks and good eats. Just not this one time.
My choice, the Rumpus Burger. As described: Half-pound Angus patty on a Sciortino's bun with your choice of cheese, lettuce, red onion, pickles and house-made Russian dressing 12.50
Being a more pure burger kind of fella, I removed most of the extra stuff. Especially, the Russian dressing & lettuce. The lettuce was shredded and a little wilted from the dressing and warmth of the patty. That left me with what I came for... a burger on a bun with a little cheese and onion.
I didn't look at my previous experience at the Rumpus Room. I remember it being rather good. I'm not sure if I can say the same for this time. Tasty, yep. Top notch, I wouldn't say so. It also seemed like they may have changed up the fries. Sort of skinny and lacking the french fried potato flavor.
3.5 of 5
For the money, I start expecting something that has almost a sirloin edge to it. The burger was just a burger. Truthfully, not one of the best. Things always go down a little easier when you are using gift money to buy stuff. I'm not sure if it was help enough. Nor do I think charging less would make it better. Overall, it's a delightful place to go. Great drinks and good eats. Just not this one time.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Mazo's (I'm on a roll, buttered & toasted)
Started back in 1934, Mazo's has got the history, for sure. The restaurant is a neat place. Smaller and not too chic, it's one of the hidden gems of Milwaukee. Unless you are looking for it as you are driving North on 27th near Oklahoma Avenue, you might not see it.
Going to Mazo's has been on my list for a couple of years. Check it off. Was it worth the wait? I would say, yep! When we got there it was around 11:45AM. There were people at a couple of tables and a some folks at the counter. By noon, it was packed.
I have to say, it was what I had hoped for. The bun was buttered and toasted. I had the double cheeseburger. That's two 1/3 pound patties, fresh packed with American cheese and raw onions. The burgers could have been cooked a little less but, flavor was still there. The combo includes two sides. I chose fries and baked beans. Both were excellent. The beans made me think they were scratch created. Sort of a smoky/bacon edge to them.
The rest of the group all agreed that the food was tasty. Patty Melt and Strawberry Shake both made it on the "glad we ordered it" list.
Five of us ate and the total bill was around $45. I'd say we got a decent value for the investment.
4.5 of 5
Tasty food. Decent value for the $$. I'd go back/tell others about it.
Going to Mazo's has been on my list for a couple of years. Check it off. Was it worth the wait? I would say, yep! When we got there it was around 11:45AM. There were people at a couple of tables and a some folks at the counter. By noon, it was packed.
I have to say, it was what I had hoped for. The bun was buttered and toasted. I had the double cheeseburger. That's two 1/3 pound patties, fresh packed with American cheese and raw onions. The burgers could have been cooked a little less but, flavor was still there. The combo includes two sides. I chose fries and baked beans. Both were excellent. The beans made me think they were scratch created. Sort of a smoky/bacon edge to them.
The rest of the group all agreed that the food was tasty. Patty Melt and Strawberry Shake both made it on the "glad we ordered it" list.
Five of us ate and the total bill was around $45. I'd say we got a decent value for the investment.
4.5 of 5
Tasty food. Decent value for the $$. I'd go back/tell others about it.
Surfing the Webb's - New Year's Day lunch!
Hey, I just have to post that on New Year's Day (2014) while on my way back from dodging the Polar Bear Plunge, I stopped at the George Webb's on West State Street, Wauwatosa. My friends enjoyed breakfast while I, the burgereater, enjoyed a classic Webb cheeseburger. Guess what? Delicious! How do they do that for so many years? What intrigued me most, the bag of burgers! Whoa!
Price is still decent. Burgers and fries are wonderful.
4 out of 5. Darn good stuff. ;)
Price is still decent. Burgers and fries are wonderful.
4 out of 5. Darn good stuff. ;)
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