HopCat Kalamazoo 07/07/2025

 We were in Kalamazoo Michigan for the Wallflowers concert at the Bells Brewery back in July. Like usual, I'm looking for local burger action. Our journey landed up in the historical Stuart Area neighborhood. Beautiful homes from the turn of the century. Downtown was a short walk from our place. On our quest to find a decent meal from a local eatery we stumbled into the HopCat. They showed up on an internet search. It was suggested that they have great beer and great burgers.

The place was pretty packed considering how large the building is. The inside is decorated with cool painting (prints) of famous musicians. The vibe is rustic meets hipster. We grabbed a window seat. My wife ordered a Big Lake MI Amber and BBQ Chicken Cobb salad. Me, a  Starry with a BYO Double Smash Burger. I'm writing this on a bit of a delay but the burger was definitely worth blogging about. Service was decent considering how busy they were. The food was very good. (salad, beer etc) I've attache d a picture of the burger. You can be the judge based on the image. It's dang good looking.

Rate It:

I won't rate it but I will say I enjoyed it and thought the price ($12.75) was pretty reasonable for what I got. I'd say it's worth a try.

 

HopCat Kalamazoo
 

Barrio Brewing Tucson, AZ 02.24.2025

 We're back in Tucson, AZ! Tucson is one of those ever changing cities. It's been some time since I last visited Tucson and there are definitely more choices for dining in the area. What's even better, there's a brewery that serves some good grub. A friend of ours now lives in the Tucson area and suggested we meet at Barrio Brewery for dinner and a beer. He said that he's heard good things about the burgers. Whoa! If that isn't a challenge, I'm not sure what it is. Barrio is a cool scene. It's situated across a parking lot next to a railroad track. When a train goes by, beer is a $1 off! Well, I'm here for the burger. Let's get started. I got the Cheese Burger. Pretty straight forward. No frills. Cheddar was the choice. I'm going to cut to the chase, it was okay. Overall decent flavor. I was a little concerned that the bun may have been on the edge of being stale. Tasty fries.

Rate It: 4 of 5, maybe. Like I said, I think the bun could have been fresher and just a bit more flavor. Never be afraid to season your patty.

Barrio Brewing 

 

They Did Not Butcher the Burger (Portland, ME) 10/17/2024

 I'm on the East coast of America. I should have seafood every time I go out for food, right? Well, maybe not. I had a Lobster Roll the night before that might cover me for a couple of days.

 I was in Portland Maine for a couple of days. There is seafood everywhere. Lobster rolls are sold at food trucks like tacos. Chowder a dominant word on most menus. I'm glad to try those things. I did but there's a place called Butcher Burger in the port area that has some high ratings. I had to.

The first thing you will notice about the Butcher Burger, it smells like burgers are being cooked. Go figure. So many places don't have that. I'm not sure why. I think even Burger King makes sure that you can smell burgers being cooked from blocks away. It was sort of cool because the sun shined through the window and cut the smoke into strands. There's a cool outdoor patio space but we opted for the inside seating. The seating area is small giving it the appearance of always being busy.

We had the Cheeseburger. Pretty straight forward. House patty, tomato, lettuce, onion, cheddar and block sauce. They did not ask how I wanted it cooked. I'm not sure if that would have made a difference. It arrived after quite the wait. That's okay, I was watching the crowd and what they were eating. 

My first impression, it looked like a burger. Not quite as big as I was expecting a 1/2lb burger to be. My first bite was full of flavor. Raw onions, spicy pickles on a sort of sweet tasting roll. The burger was not heavily spiced. All the other flavors made up for that.

Rate It: 4 of 5

I'm going to be a bit tough. It was a really decent burger. I think they could step up the seasoning. Again, the 1/2lb looked a bit shy. Overall, good value. I'd say if you are near and want to have a good burger, here ya go. I wouldn't go out of the way to have one.

https://butcherburger.com/portland/

Kickin' it at the Kiltie 06/20/24

 The Kiltie has been on my list of my must have burgers. The problem with a place like the Kiltie is that I rarely go out that way and the season goes by fast. It's also difficult to find. Large trees block the view of their sign from the highway. I finally decided to use GPS to locate it. It's on what might be considered a frontage road along Highway 16 near Oconomowoc Wisconsin. I stopped by last year just to see the building and signage. This season I finally made it a point to stop during hours of operation. I'm glad I did.

The Kiltie is a throw back with car hops and cash only sales. You can either do take-out or park. I did take-out because I was in the middle of a busy day. The folks on either side of me had the old school tray on the window. Pretty cool. I ordered a cheeseburger and small fries. It didn't take much time before my order was ready. As I drove away, my car was filling up with the smell of the food. I pulled into a parking lot to eat. I should have just stayed at the restaurant. The fries have an outstanding seasoning on them. No chance I'd mess it up with ketchup. The burger was super thin. I was concerned that it might not be what I hoped for. It surprised me. Fresh toppings helped matters. The combination of flavors worked well together. 

All in, $10. That's tip and all. The girl that took my order was very nice and asked all the right questions like "ketchup, napkins?" I think the only thing I would change might be get a double cheese instead.

Rate it: 4 out of 5. It's a pretty good burger and deal. The nostalgia adds to the experience. The surroundings are a bit odd. I think it would be cool to go for dinner and see the building all lit up.

Return to 5th Ward Camino 04/19/2024

 I've been to Camino a few times now. Both locations keep on satisfying my burger needs. This time I was back in Milwaukee's 5th Ward for Gallery Night. I was showing several pieces of my art at the Eagleknit Building on South 2nd Street. It was going to be a long night if didn't have some kind of nourishment. A quick search for nearby food turned up Camino. It was literally across the street from the venue.

Camino on South 2nd street is quite a bit smaller than it's West Allis location. Limited seating makes it cozy. The grill is embedded in the bar space. A couple of guys are cooking food directly behind the bartender as she moves back and forth along the bar. If the weather cooperates, you can sit outside in the cool outdoor area snugged in along the one side and behind the building.

I had the Burger. Pretty straight forward. Ordered it medium. Perfect. I cut it in half. The first side I ate without the pickle. Great flavor. The onions really added to the overall taste. The second half I added the pickle. Next level stuff. Where's all this flavor coming from? I got to see the process. The bun rests along side the burgers as they cook. What can I say about the fries. Super skinny and crunchy. Flavor so good I skipped the ketchup!

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

Yummy. Priced right. The fries really made it all come together. Love the vibe inside this place.

 

Cloud Red. Sort of self serve. Great burger. 11/2022 (BWB)

 I'm still trying to get used to "Cloud Red" instead of "Red Cloud". I didn't ask or research the name. Maybe I should before writing this? No matter, Cloud Red is a cool little joint in Shorewood Wisconsin. It's got very subtle signage. I drove past it twice. The inside is sort of a funky/cool vibe. There's a huge handwritten menu on the wall near the bar. They didn't seem to have printed menus. Maybe because they have to change the menu too often? I think the food is somewhat reliant on seasons.

It was a Burgers with Brothers outing. The elder brother chose the location. We started with the Buffalo Cauliflower. Really tasty. Plus, you can act like you are eating healthy! I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. I must say, it was done near the way I like it with just a bit of pink. 

I'm still having a hard time with doing most of the work except cooking and still having to pay/tip like they are doing it. The new normal.

I'll admit, price shock and the demand for 15% tip automatically added are still tough to adjust to. It was very good food. They offer quite a few dishes you might not find elsewhere. They use Ney's meat, a local farm & family.

4 of 5 Self serve hasn't settled in for me. 

https://cloudredmke.com/

 

 

10/02/22 - Wayne's Drive-In, Cedarburg WI - Seasonal Favorite

Wisconsin like the rest of the upper midwest has a restricted outdoor dining season. Over the years, businesses like drive-ins have adapted their property to serve all year round. Others, they just keep it seasonal. Wayne's is one of them. No complaints. I hope they enjoy the time off.

Wayne's is one of my seasonal must haves. Is it because it's the best burger? Not really. I think that because Wayne's is seasonal and I can only have it during the warmer months, my mind associates them with that warm feeling of the sun shining down while you lean against your car munching a cheeseburger fresh off the griddle. The building adorned with memories of the history of Wayne's and all the kitschy items new and old that cover the walls. Generations come for meals together to share this. The staff is always working hard, friendly and helpful. It would be interesting how many of the current staff may have a link to past staff members. See what I mean? You got to support this stuff! Families, generations of friends and neighbors. 

Oh yes, I did have a burger. Well, a cheeseburger. With American cheese, tomato and raw onion. It was dang good. They don't use words like grass fed or organic. I think they just get the best beef patties they can. I'm cool with that. Fresh condiments, bakery (buns) are a plus. It was really juicy.

Rate it: 3.5 of 5 Always a decent burger, good price, great service (could be a 4 of 5?)

Wayne's website

Camino West Allis, WI 03.31.2022

 Today was sort of a day off of regular life. We planned to go for lunch at a place that serves Peruvian dishes followed by the local Realtor's Home and Garden Show (looking for inspiration). Well, the Peruvian place wasn't open for lunch. We didn't let that stop us from enjoying the day. Where should we go? I suggested the new hot corridor of restaurants in West Allis, WI. It's just to the East of where the show was going to be. Convenient, right? I had seen the Camino a couple weeks back when I drove past. The sign in the window says "Craft Beer & Burgers". It didn't take much to convince my wife to go there. She likes beer. I like burgers. Well, so does she.

The inside is pretty cool. The walls feature a local artist, Brian R Hibbard. The pieces are part of the Hot Pink Bullshit series. The fixtures are rustic chic. The staff is also rustic chic. Tattooed and wearing black.

The menu offers quite a few tempting versions of a burger. We chose to share "The Burger". Plain and simple. It was gorgeous. Just enough pink, juicy and tall. The seasoned fries were delicious. No need to dip, although we did.

Rate it:

4.5 of 5

This has to be one of the better burgers I've had in recent years. All the flavors worked perfect together. The patty stood on it's own when I took a little snitch without all the toppings. The price was $10.50. Well worth it and then some. I've spent more and been served something lesser.

By the way, the Home & Garden Show didn't start until later in the day.

Our burger...

Burgers with Brothers is back. This time, Badger Burger Co.

 Hey, it's my birthday soon and I got to pick the burger joint for "Burgers with Brothers". 

Sometime back, while in Richfield WI, I passed a building with a sign that said Badger Burger Co. Never heard of it. Well, within a couple of weeks I ran into the others. Mukwanago and Brookfield. A quick look at the menu online convinced me that we needed to have a taste.

It was a Monday night at the Brookfield location. The restaurant is in a strip mall but they did a really nice job with the space. Two levels for dine-in. The upper level has tables with chairs. The lower level has several booths, a couple of larger tables for groups and a bar that looks like you can order almost anything you like. Decor is cool. Not too over the top.

We got a booth. Seats were a bit stiff. I did one of those "drops" onto what looked like a cushion. No such luck. There was a slight piece of foam at best. Not a concern. Once I got past that, it was fine.

The burgers are all sort of crazy builds. A lot of bacon and cheese variations. Go figure, Wisconsin. One brother got the Burger with sweet potato waffle fries. The other had the Smokey with chive fries. I did the Badger with steak fries. I think we all order medium.

The burgers arrived. Instant craving. It looked great. Just enough fries and a garlic dill. The burger was obviously made just for me. The meat was nice and loose, cooked just right. All the toppings worked great together. Nothing overpowering the other. I'm not a fan of Brioche buns but this worked. 

I'm not going to say the service was lacking but, it could have been a bit better. The food was all great and didn't take too long to arrive. Price, not too outrageous. I think the total bill for the three burgers and a couple of sodas came to around $35.

Rate it:

Clean, cool setting, decent service, delicious burger cooked just right. Price, not crazy. If I were the type to grab a drink on a Monday night, I bet it would have been good also.

4+ out of 5

Lokal Serves it with a dash of nostalgia

We were in Coconut Grove Florida for a couple of days and as is usual, looking for a good local place to grab a bite. If it happens to be a burger, well that would be okay.
Lokal was a short walk away and according to what we read online, they serve a decent burger.
We got a table outside. Inside, the decor was pretty much what you might expect with one exception. The bar front was covered with cassette tapes! In the one corner, a telephone booth that had a sign that said "time machine". Interesting... through the back side of the phone booth was a "malt shop" that was created to appear similar to the owner's parent's place back in 1986. Part of that included video games that were popular in that time. I had to play a couple of games of Galaga.
Our order came. The bun on my burger had the Lokalz logo "branded" into it, (always a cool touch) Cooked just right, a little pink. Everything was tasty. The girl suggested going 50/50 on regular fries and sweet potato fries.
A bit pricey but, I think that's just how things go down there.
Rated: 4 of 5
I loved the scene. The food was darn good. Glad I went there.

Fred's on MKE's North Side: One of the best!

One of the most consistent decent burgers in Milwaukee has to be from Fred's on Vliet Street.
The staff is friendly and the customers that are waiting for their order are always fun to chat with.
Last Sunday, I was looking for an alternative to pizza for dinner. (the people I was hanging out with were having WyEast Pizza) Fred's is only half a mile east. My son and I headed over to grab a couple of sandwiches. He had his eye on the Italian Roast Beef, "soaked". I was thinking double cheeseburger and fries.
The burger was excellent. Fries, just how I like 'em, skinny and fried.
We walked away at about $20 after a tip. Not bad for good grub.
The thing about a place like Fred's is that the burger is cooked on the griddle and brings the characteristics of the griddle surface. Get some onions out on the top... then, drop the patties!
The bun they serve the burger on has the classic sweet edge to it. The cheese, old school grill stuff.
The only thing that didn't go exactly right, the Italian Roast Beef wasn't "soaked". Just sort of juiced.
Still, you can't beat the value and small town feel of Fred's.
4.5 of 5
Love the scene. Great staff. Wonderful food at a decent price.

Crazy about Psyco Suzi's

Like most large cities, Minneapolis offers quite a few places to go enjoy some food or a drink. For me, it was a 350 mile drive and I wanted to make the most of it. Before heading out, I checked the internet for burger joints in the metro area. Suzie's popped up.
A match made in heaven. I love all things Tiki (most) and they have a decent list of burgers to boot! Even more interesting/challenging is the fact that the online reviews were all over the chart.
Time to see for myself.
Snuggled in the warehouse district and backed up against the Mississippi river, Suzie's Motor Lounge has an instant cool vibe.
I was greeted by two people that gave me the lay of the land. Lower lounge, upper lounge and two decks. I was by myself so I headed to the deck on the lower level. There is a seating area that runs the edge of the deck on the railing. Bonus, I had a perfect view of the river.
First order, a Mai Tai. The burger was simple "I'll have the Suzi Burger".
The burger came cooked perfect, just a little pink. First bite, flavors abound. It's almost a bit of a "heat" effect. The herb butter and caramelized onion combine and mellow together. I had the red pepper mayo on the side but found that it went great with all the other components. Tater tots complete the order.
The whole scene was well done. If you are looking for a bright, all corners are 90 degrees kind of place, don't stop here. If you want to do some crowd watching, spend a little cash and get a decent burger swing on through.
Prices were average to high. Normally, I would have sticker shock. I just enjoyed the staff and watching the river go by.
4 of 5.
Pricey yes. Service was responsive even when busy (super busy because there was also an artwalk that night) Burger was a special treat. I haven't had a burger with such punch. I'm inspired to try the herb butter treatment at home.

Parkside 23-Anniversary dinner

Parkside 23 is one of those places I've been wanting to go to for some time. The curb appeal is really something. Outdoor seating wasn't an option because it was cool with a chance of rain. Maybe next time.
You already know how classy I am so, this won't be too surprising... I went for dinner with my wife to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary and had a burger. (Loser!) She's cool with that. Actually, it might put some flags up if I didn't order a burger.
The menu has quite a few interesting dishes to order. Brats, bacon & mac. How good does that sound? Maybe it should be on a burger?
It's always best to go with the basics. Parkside really only offers one burger. Simply called "Burger with cheese". That is fine with me. I won't have to take away all the extra stuff to get to the meat.
The burger arrives. Fresh fries (peel on potato) bun shining from a buttery touch, vegetable accessories on the side-tomato, pickle, lettuce. A little cup of ketchup on the side. I ordered medium rare with cheddar. It was a little more towards rare but, not a lot.
I cut a little chunk to get the taste. Nice. Butter, onions and seasoned without fear. I tried the onions by them self, exceptional. All of the flavor came together when I added the tomato and lettuce (both very fresh and crisp)
4 of 5
Price was relative to modern pricing on burgers, scene was okay-we had a corner table, a little more private

3 Burger Weekend (or as I call it heaven!)

It wasn't my intention to have three different burgers in one weekend but, let me tell you how it happened.
Junior's Custard Milwaukee, WI
Hunger and nostalgia drove the first burger. Now called Junior's Custard, the food stand that's been at the intersection of 60th & Appleton Avenue in Milwaukee has been a custard stand serving Jumbo Burgers since 1950 when Elsa & Karl Kopp opened their first stand. Will Junior's deliver the same quality Jumbo burger? I had to find out. The lot was empty when I arrived. I thought maybe they weren't open yet. The menu is quite different than the days when it was Kopp's or Robert's. Chicken, Fish, Gyros, Rubens etc. I went straight for the classic, Jumbo cheeseburger. When it arrived, I so ready to eat it. I sat in my car and had the first bite. Pretty decent. I wasn't having the nostalgic taste bud reaction that I thought I would. It was different. Was it because of all the anticipation? I decided to wait until I got to a place where I could sit and just enjoy it. Not much of a difference. The burger was okay. The bun, a bit dry. The seasoning was alright but didn't really do much for over all flavor.
2.5 of 5
Price was fair. Restaurant was clean and staff was pleasant. Not amazed with burger. Actually not as Jumbo as I recalled.

Trocadero Milwaukee, WI
The next experience was truly unexpected. Dinner and the theater. We decided that Trocadero, Milwaukee would be a nice place to dine at. Their menu offered choices for all of us. Little did I know, they had a burger on the menu. Was I silly to order a burger at a place that serves Sordfish or Marengo Chicken & Lobster sandwiches? Not at all. Everybody knows that I've passed up some delicious menu items to test the burger. No regrets. The cook/chef wasn't afraid to season the patty or to cook it to near perfect for my likings. My choice, Au Poivre Burger.
4+ of 5
Pricy, Excellent flavor, Not embarrassing to eat a burger while others have the fancy stuff.

Within 24 hours, I was sitting for the third and final burger experience of the weekend.

Red Dot Wauwatosa, WI
I went straight for the Classic with cheese. I've been to Red Dot for a burger before. It was quite good. (will I have to look at my own blog?) This was per-meditated. I came seeking a burger. A burger I got. Simple and tasty.
4 of 5
Price is appropriate, scene is swell, staff took good care of us.

Factory Food (04.04.2015)

I've always wondered what happens inside of the Cheesecake Factory. A stand alone structure, usually near a mall of some kind. You might think that upon entering, you would find yourself in a Willy Wonka like environment of cheesecakes. It wasn't.
The decor is sort of like a set from Raiders of the Lost Arc. We were seated immediately in a booth in a really neat little room off the main floor. (did they know who I was? I doubt it.)
It's hard to believe how many different dishes they serve at any given time. The cocktail and wine list was even more vast. Fresh bread and refreshments to get started.
I got the Factory Burger. The description seemed closest to a regular burger. My only concern was the bread/bun. The sample piece at the table was tasty so, what the heck.
Medium rare, as usual. The burger arrived. Hold it, it wasn't a round patty? Trust them. First bite, these folks aren't afraid to season their food. Black pepper and grill flavors mixed with sauteed onions and a fresh tomato. The bread was interesting, a little crunchy. The salty edge of the bread sort of tied everything together. So, I'm not complaining.
Cooked the way I like. My only thing was the shape of the "burger". To my taste buds, this was something slightly different than a burger. I can't put my finger on it. Was it the shape or bread?

The rating:
3.5 of 5
I would almost like to call this sandwich something different than a burger just for the fact that it is elongated. Overall, I liked it. I'm not sure if I would go back specifically to have a burger. The fries were tasty and just enough quantity. Price was the same as it is all over these days. (old guy talking)

Winter oasis with fries on the side at the Huntley Dairy Mart

It was a cold Sunday morning in February. Wind chills were to be in the sub-zeros. My friend Curt and I were headed to St Charles IL for a auto parts swap meet. The journey would take nearly two hours each way. One of the great things about driving down the road with Curt, he's always looking for an adventure. Interesting buildings, stuff for sale along the way and food. We knew that we would be heading home in the early afternoon so, we made note of the different restaurants along the roadside. There was the usual places, Burger King, McDonald's, Culver's, a Hot Dog place and one place that grabbed our attention, Huntley Dairy Mart. The Dairy Mart looked like it might be closed for the season. They opened their doors in 1955, a day when little drive-ins could make it without having to worry about the McDonald's directly across the street.
It was our lucky day! They were open for business, on a cold winter day! A small heater warms the metal building that's attached to the main building. The menu is incredible. What don't they make? I went classic, Double Cheeseburger and fries. Curt got a Tuna Melt and some Cream of Broccoli soup. It took a couple of minutes to cook up but, came out fresh and hot. To my surprise, the burger is hand-packed. I was guessing they used a frozen patty. I won't say the flavor was off the chart but, it tasted like a burger made fresh and cooked on a griddle. (I'm more of a flame broiled fan) Fries were plentiful and tasty. Curt's Tuna Melt got high ratings also.
I can't remember exact prices but, I didn't feel like it was expensive and once I started eating money didn't matter.
Did I mention that people were stopping in for ice cream? 11 degrees outside, people still have to have their Huntley Dairy Mart ice cream.
I wiped the grease off my face and hit the road back home. By the way, just down the road is another favorite place of mine in Richmond, IL the Dog N Suds.

Here is my take:
I'd go back, if I'm in the area.
Price for what you get, perfect. The scene, especially on a cold winter day, cool place.
3.5-4 stars

Duke's in Malibu (Not so legendary) 11.2014

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.

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.

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

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