Street eats with Roll MKE

It's a Wednesday night in the big city of Milwaukee. My wife and I decide to combine exercise with food & entertainment. The best way to accomplish this, head to downtown for the Newaukee Night Market.

One of the features that has my attention is the food trucks that show up with their street eats. The energy that surrounds these vehicles is special. Lines form, sometimes based on the smell of charcoal, spices or the name of the truck. The Cluck Truck, Stree-za (Pizza) and the one that hooked me, Roll MKE.

I won't lie and say that the truck got me, nor the smell of either smoke or spice. What did was the sign on the side of the truck that said something about "your mind and taste buds to be blown". I'm up for that kind of stuff!

Playing it smart, we were already in line while reading the signage because only moments later, the line size had doubled. Fries, burgers, rib sandwiches were being handed out through the truck side window. The expression on the person receiving the checkered cardboard tray full of "yum-ness" was like they finally had gotten the organ needed for the transplant surgery. Now I'm really getting anxious. We order a burger. Thought about the House Cut Fries but, we had to ride our bikes almost six miles to get home. Not sure how it would have all sat.

So, the burger. This time, I didn't pull the burger out of all the sauces etc to "verify" the burger as a stand alone taste. All was well. The sauce, bacon, bun all came together just right. I guess that means I will need to return to the truck for fries and a chance to isolate the burger.

The vibe you get from the staff and the scene surrounding the truck really added to the experience. The burger stood on it's own. The price of $5 is almost unheard of. It was a smaller burger but brought the flavor, size didn't matter.

Rate it:
3.5-4 of 5
Don't think that's a low rating. These guys really put together a great sandwich. The staff works their butt off to get the food out as fast as they can. It was yummy hot food on a cool night downtown. The price was perfect, not too much or little. I've had many bad burgers for more $$. The only thing I might change would be less sauce so I could find the burger. Maybe a larger burger with the same sauce? (add a couple of $$ to cover size)

McBob's Milwaukee, the Hunter becomes the hunted

I knew McBob's in Milwaukee is know for great Corned Beef or chili. What I didn't know is they have awesome burgers also! Normally, I'd be the lame-o and order just a plain burger. I felt a bit adventurous last night. I ordered the Hunter. Tell me if this doesn't make you want one right now. 1/2 lb Angus patty, 1/2 of a brat, sauerkraut, fried onions, sharp cheddar and brown mustard. Each of the components could stand on their own. I requested medium rare, that's what I got. Combined on a bun, splendid. Could it be that I was caught off guard? No matter, I was glad I didn't default to the Ruben (don't get me wrong, their Ruben is awesome) Served with potato chips instead of fries, that's okay. $7.75 is on target for value.

4.5 of 5 stars

Cooked just right, all components were excellent. Price makes a great value. Staff was a little off.

Wicked Hop, Wicked Burger

This is the second time I've been at the Wicked Hop in the Third Ward, Milwaukee WI.

I wasn't in the bar proper so, things were complicated. I was actually next door at the Jackalope Lounge. Still, they serve all the menu if you request it.

The staff in the bar area were very accommodating. They took my order and later, when the order was ready, they tracked me down in the Lounge.

The group I was with had some appetizers out but, I had to have my Wicked Burger. Build your own for me. Medium rare. They cooked it spot on and tasty. The server from the main bar took care of everything without a hitch.

I will return during warmer weather for some outdoor seating and tasty food.
4 of 5 stars. Great service, great taste.

http://www.thewickedhop.com/

AJ Bomber's-Good But Not "the Bomb"

One of the places everybody says a person needs to go for burgers in Milwaukee is AJ Bomber's, on Water Street.

I finally made it to Bomber's a couple of month's back as part of a night out. The place was packed. Standing room only. The staff is a lot of fun and very accommodating. The crowd seemed rather prepared to wait for the experience. We grabbed a couple of refreshments, beer & soda. They have this wonderful system to reload peanuts. Little airplanes slide on rails across the room and hit a stopper that causes the peanuts to drop in to a dish at the final destination. Fun.

So, how about the burger? I had a Double AJ.

Tasty, yes. Awesome, not really. Maybe it was all the hype about the Food Channel etc.? Maybe the long wait really didn't make me crave it more? I'm not going to cut it down. It was decent. $$ was relative to the location/scene.

Overall, I think most people would enjoy the atmosphere, food and selection of beers.

I was expecting more of a hand formed, juicy burger on a bit more tasty bun.
3.5 of 5 stars. Mostly because the scene and then, the burger.

(http://ajbombers.com/milwaukee)

Oscar's on Pierce St, No Garbage.

As you know, I search out places that say they have the greatest or best burger. Then, I take the challenge. Online, they showed up in the Best Burger in Wisconsin.

The 1700 block of W Pierce Street in Milwaukee is one of those streets that people use to bypass the congestion on the main streets. Sort of "back road" through the near Southside of Milwaukee. Along that corridor, is Oscar's. (Don't be confused with the Custard/Jumbo burger joint, it's different)
Ample parking, clean and well lit.

When you first enter, you are hit with all kinds of wonderful spicy smells. A little garlic, onion etc. The staff all say hello as you walk in. You choose the open table you want.

They have a vast choice of beers and my choice, Root Beer. A MKE Brewing Root Beer. Very good. I know, this is a burger blog so, what about the burger?

I got the Classic Cheeseburger. Medium rare. When it arrived, it was just that. The fries are totally homemade and tasty. Unlike most places, they understand that fries aren't the meal. So, just enough fries to keep me happy. The bun is wonderful, buttered and fresh. The burger tasted like one that I might make at home. Very tasty.

All of this and then, the bill came... $20! Wow, quality stuff at a decent price. That rocks!

4.5 of 5.0 The staff, food and price were remarkable. We plan to talk it up and return some day.
http://www.oscarsonpierce.com/

Back in Tucson, AZ

My brother-in-law gave me an article out of a local rag in Green Valley/Tucson that covered some of the regional burger joints. We've been to Lindy's on 4th Ave. Great burgers, yummy tater tots. One of the places mentioned in the articles was The Monkey Burger on 6th Avenue. I really didn't plan on having a burger for lunch but, what the heck. Located across from the transit terminal in a sort of hidden part of town you will find the Monkey Burger. It's in the middle of the block. Next door is a barber and a couple other shops. Anyway, back to the burger talk... we got the Great American. $8.50 got us involved with a tasty and juicy burger. Nothing too fancy, lettuce and tomatoes. Great little dish of sauce for dippin'. Fries were seasoned with something yummy. My brother in law enjoyed a Veghead, Portabella sandwich. Fresh made chips were included with his.

I would go back. The one thing that could have made it a bit more fun or interesting, more people. I think that 6th Ave on a Saturday afternoon might not be the most active part of tucson. 4th Ave was hoping with U of A fans. The trolley was running, very cool.

3.5 of 5 (or 7.5 of 10)

You won't regret it.

Later,

Dasburgereater