Who Would Like A Little Chaos In Their Life (or belly!)? 06.16.2026 Detroit

Hello Detroit! We decided to head to Detroit to catch Echo & the Bunnymen at the Fillmore theater. Part of our new "destination concert" thing we are trying. Go and see one of our favorite bands in a different city. Seems like a pretty good excuse to travel. We needed to grab a bite before the show. A search for "burgers in Detroit" turned up a decent list of places to go. Choas showed up. They have a location just a block and a half away from the Fillmore. Highly rated, "Smash" burgers. I know, here we go again.

The shop is the complete opposite. Clean and orderly. Almost void of the usual signage, artwork etc. The counter is well, not so much a counter but more of a simple space with a couple of monitors for the employees to input your order. The menu includes a Chicken Bacon Smash! (What?) 

I got the Double Classic, and my wife got the Chicken Bacon Single. My Classic was done just right—crispy on the edges, while still moist and flavorful in the center. The Chicken was amazingly delicious, and the fresh roll added great flavor to every bite. The fries were straight-up fries—nothing fancy, just crispy and satisfying. Overall, everything was simple, fresh, and really well done.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5 I really dug the vibe. Nothing was in my face about how awesome they are or that. The prices were rather amazing. A decent, fresh made burger for less than $15 is rare. Of course, it is take out, but still-it's a great value. 

 

I Like Big Guns and I Cannot Lie - Charleston, SC 04.06.2026

Big Guns is one of those places that throws you a curve ball. The online reviews talk it up. It's a small bar with a grill. The decor "spoke" to me. Wheel covers from older cars, stickers and writing on every surface, old school rock playing over the speakers. It was "Happy Hour" so the basic burger was $10, including fries. Tacos, $3 each. When I went to the bathroom, the guy ahead of me had a Brewer's T-shirt on. He noticed my West Allis Art Collective shirt and asked me "where is that?" Strange how you can travel far away and bump into folks from back home.

How about the burger. Quite tasty. Cooked a bit more than I would have liked but the bun and condiments brought it all together nicely.

A fun place to stop and grab a bite. Pretty chill. A lot of interesting folks both working and patrons. 

Rate it: 4 of 5 

 

Lack of blogging. Summertime is to blame. (Maybe)

 Whew, it's been a busy year. Traveling, attending different events around town. I've had some burgers both good and bad. I'll be sifting through my photos and identifying them. I might just cluster blog on them or if they were outstanding, special attention may be given.

Keep an eye on the blog... 

 

 

Poogan's Smokehouse-Charleston, SC - 04.05.2026

 It's our first night in Charleston, SC. We had a long day of driving from Atlanta the area. Heavy rain and traffic makes you weary. The hope was that temps would be warm enough in the evening to find a rooftop restaurant. It was windy and cold. Luckily, on the way to our first choice for dining, we stumbled into the Poogan's Smokehouse. We circled back and grabbed a booth inside. The building is pretty cool. Sort of old time manufacturing site mixed with stables. They had the smokehouse vibe down. I was thinking I might just order a pulled pork sandwich. I don't what I was thinking. The burger sounded pretty good. 8-oz. patty, poblano queso, pork belly, bacon, Carolina bbq. Normally, I'm not a big fan of all kinds of stuff loaded on my burger but for some reason, I trusted this one.

Upon arrival I noticed that it was quite tidy, considering it had all that stuff on it. Handmade chips on the side. The burger is hand formed and substantial. A pinch off the side to test for seasoning, yep no fear. Flavor came from everywhere! All of the toppings actually enhanced the overall flavor. The cook temp was near perfect for me. I think one of the things it had going for it was a very simple white bread roll. Nothing fancy. Something you might want to use to soak up some of the juices.

Rate It: 4.5 of 5 Really good. Juicy, seasoned, cooked near perfect.

 

Burger Bus-Ball Ground, GA - 04.02.2026

It's Thursday, my wife and I had been on the road since early morning when we left Bowling Green to head to Ball Ground Georgia. What's in Ball Ground Georgia? you might say? There is quite a bit going on in Ball Ground but what was important to a guy like me was the building that has a bus infused into the walls. Even more interesting for a guy like me, they make burgers in the building and serve them to you on the bus! The bus has been modified to accommodate dining. Very well done redesign of the interior. Stools along a bar that looks out the driver's side, smaller tables for two and a larger picnic table for families to sit together. If there isn't room onboard the bus, there are tables on a covered patio. It was my niece and her fiance' that suggested we meet them for lunch at the bus. My niece was getting married on Friday.Call it an "obligation" to share time and enjoy a burger with them.

My choice was the "1386". (1386 is the bus number) The basic burger. Cheese, onions, lettuce and tomato. I ordered fries as a side. My wife got the "Angry Swiss". Jalapenos, fried mushrooms and Swiss cheese. Prices were fair. The inside of the building is decorated with "nostalgic" images and kept my interest while waiting to order. The bus was pretty full so we went out to the patio. The food arrived in Styrofoam containers stacked inside a bag. Like it was "to go". Okay. It did heighten the suspense. I was very pleased to see that the cheese covered the burger completely. Decent portion of fries on the side. Let's talk about the burger. At a 1/4 pound it's not a big burger, per se. Big enough. It was cooked bit more than I prefer but it was juicy. Overall flavor, not bad. The bun, sweet finish. I didn't add any toppings. Pretty darn good.

Rate It: 4 of 5. It didn't blow me away but, it was pretty good flavor etc. Definitely a lot of fun.

 

Getting Social @ Social Haus (Burgers w/Brothers) - 03/23/2026

 It was the Spring edition of Burgers with Brothers. My little brother (6ft tall) turns 63 this year. He chose Social Haus in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. I've driven past a few times and wondered what kind of place it was. The parking lot is usually full, a good sign. The owners took what was a sort of "lost" space and cleaned it up and added almost another building. It was Trivia Night so, things were a bit noisy.

 I went basic, The Social (Traditional burger on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato & onion) They slapped on a slice of Cheddar for me. My older brother ordered the "Blackened Bleu" and said that I could have his bacon. (Yes!) The birthday brother ordered the same as me with American cheese. He's been to the Haus before and knows that you can order a "medium rare" and it comes nearly perfectly cooked. So, that's what I asked for. It's always cool when the burger arrives and the top of the bun is "branded" with a logo. Meat temp was perfect. A fair amount of pink. Not bloody. I tore off a chunk to get the real flavor without any distractions. It was good but could have used a bit more seasoning. Overall, I liked it. 

Rate It: 4 of 5. It was really good. A bit more seasoning would have helped. 

Consistent Camino-03/09/2026

 I can't recall how many times I've been to one of the Camino locations but, I'll say a few times. So, why go again? Great odds I'll have a great burger and $5 burgers on Mondays! (Whoa) This isn't the bait n switch where the burger they offer isn't the one you would get all the other days. It's 1/2 LB and arrives with everything you need. Normally, it would cost $11. Sort of a BOGO? I went with the "Medium Rare" request. They are not chicken about rare. Mine was almost a little too rare but the seasoning and overall flavor was solid. I had raw onions instead of fried. I'm not sure what else I can tell you. No matter, I was once again happy that I went, ordered and ate at Camino.

Rate It: 4.5 of 5.  Consistent, a great place to eat. 

 

Exploring the Explorium Distilled 02/20/2026

 A Friday night in the Deer District, on our way to Fiserv for "Flat Out Friday", in need of some tasty food. There are plenty of choices in the Deer District. For the most part, pricey and more pricey. That's how it goes when you are in one of the most popular areas of downtown Milwaukee. The menus offer a lot of the similar fare. You know what I'm looking for, a great burger! The Explorium Distilled listed a couple of decent offerings that we thought might be worth a try.

We split a Classic Burger, doubled! Two one third pound beef patties served on a toasted brioche bun with your choice of cheddar cheese. Lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion. The double made more sense for some reason. Less bun for starters. Also, cut in half, it's just over a 1/4 pound. It comes with fries! No chance to suggest how well done you might like it. Upon it's arrival, it looked amazing. Stacked high with a tooth pick in the middle. I will admit that it was not easy to cut in half to share. Partially because of the height and part because I started to think I might want the whole thing. I managed to slice it fairly clean. At this point, I didn't see any pink. Hmm, well, let's give it a go. First bite, I took in as much of all the burger, bun and fixings I could. Nice mix, a bit light on seasoning. So, I pinched off just the burger for a direct hit. Yep, a bit light. Still, overall flavor was good. It was also very moist. The fries were seasoned perfectly. The outsides, crispy. The inside, like a mashed potato. Nice.

Rate It: 4+ out of 5. It was a decent burger. Just needed seasoning. Extra points for the double and fries. I would suggest them for food. Service was great. Clean.

     

Let's Meat at the Milwaukee Public Market-Foltz Family Market Take II-01/14/2026

 It was "Mystery Night" at our Public Museum and we decided to meet our son and his family at the Milwaukee Public Market for dinner before the event. The Public Market is a good choice because they offer quite the gambit of food choices. Unlike a restaurant that offers different food choices, these places have the ability to be more focused on their selection.I knew right away that I would go to Foltz for a cheeseburger. I'd been there before and found out how great they were at putting together a decent burger. They feature a meat counter so, that might be part of it.

I went with the "Classic Burger". And why not? Choice of cheddar, pepper jack or provolone and served with arugula and tomato (add frites for $1.50) Since the food was fresh made while I wait, I perused the deli case. Again, amazing selection and all very nicely presented. The burger arrives in a cardboard box. Opening the box adds to the excitement.The pretzel bun stands tall on top the burger. Layers of cheese, tomato and arugula extend outside the reach of the bun. I wish I could cut it open and see the layers stacked. It's a bit more rare than I asked for but I'm not taking it back. I bite in, good stuff. All the layers in one bite without a mess of junk shooting out the back.

Rate it: 4 of 5 (4+). It's a real, hand formed patty. I can't guess the weight but I'd guess at least 1/3 or more of fresh beef, seasoned nicely. The price, pretty great at $12 including Frites. 

Foltz 

 

Copping Some Kopp's-01/14/2026

Is there a day that isn't good for a Kopp's cheeseburger? Even better, a nasty, Wintry, snow covered road kind of day. Kopp's reminds me of Summer days when I was a little boy on the North side of Milwaukee. When the budget allowed, our family could indulge in some custard from Kopp's at Appleton Avenue and Locust. That location close 30 years ago. Today, it's the Greenfield location at South 76th and Layton Avenue, now made famous because Hugh Jackman stopped by to serve custard as part of his visit to Milwaukee promoting "Song Sung Blue". My reason to stop there was unrelated. Nor was there a crowd waiting in line to see me. I was actually on my way back from picking up my younger sister and her husband from Mitchell Airport. It was nearly noon and all of us were thinking it might be nice to stop for a bite somewhere. Like that, Kopp's was across the intersection from us. It was a "sign". We pulled into the snow covered parking lot unsure if we were parked between the lines. 

I ordered my "usual", cheeseburger, plain with onion rings. I love a plain cheeseburger, especially a Kopp's cheeseburger. You get all that buttery flavor of the bun that gets toasted on the griddle. No onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard. I have to say that it took a bit longer than usual. Not like they were very busy at the time. No matter, it arrived in it's white paper wrapping along with a similar paper bag full of onion rings. First bite and every bite after, one of my favorites. Being honest, I know that these are frozen patties ordered in the mass amount. They just taste good.

Rate it: 4of5. Consistent flavor over the years. Still a value at $7.00. Nostalgic to a kid from Milwaukee.

 

Movie and a burger-Movie Tavern Brookfield Square 01/06/2026

 I really only planned to go to see "Song Sung Blue" on the big screen but found myself kicking back and enjoying a tasty burger as well.

The Movie Tavern at Brookfield Square is pretty amazing. The theater is loungers that do everything your lounger at home might do. They also have a tray that comes in handy for snacks to rest on. We took advantage of the $6 Tuesday shows. Seats can be reserved. Your ticket includes a small popcorn. We did everything online. Selected our seats and ordered dinner. Yes, dinner! They offer quite a selection of items. Wraps, Tacos, Pizza, a $3 hot dog, not bad. Oh, burgers too! They have a few to choose from. All sound delicious but, we decided to get the straight forward "Tavern Burger". Double smash burger, American cheese, lettuce, grilled onion, dill pickles, Tavern Sauce. ($16)

We had it delivered to us in the theater just before the movie started. I didn't get a picture because I would have had to use a flash.

The burger arrived all wrapped up. I didn't know what to expect. It was substantial. Not what I expected. The burger was nicely seasoned. All the add-ons, fresh. They were kind enough to cut it in two for us to share. First bite, all the flavors came together wonderfully. I only wish I could have seen it better. 

Rate it: 4of5 (maybe 4+) Not a bad price considering the situation. Served at your seat at the exact time requested. Delicious. Maybe I liked it more because it was a surprise or because I couldn't really see what it looked like? No matter, worth it.

 

Shiver Me Timbers? Timber Club-10/23/2025

The Timber Club is a relatively new restaurant in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The building is new too, built to look like it has been there since the start. The Timber Club is part of the Stagecoach Inn Bed & Breakfast. As you walk through the outdoor space towards the building you feel like you have been transported back to simpler, slower time in history. Once inside, I had to stop and look around at all the work and craftsmanship that was put into the construction. The place was packed. The staff, very welcoming. The owner Bill Conley roams the floor chatting with visitors.

The menu reads similar to a Supper Club, it includes tems like Beef Stroganoff, Pork Schnitzel and Steak Diane. How about burgers? They offer 4 variations. I'm a simple guy, cheeseburger works for me. Two all beef patties, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and a toasted soft roll. Sounds darn good to me. Well, it was. I might call them on how well done the meat was but it wouldn't be worth it because the patties were still moist and delicious. Just enough seasoning and a wonderful roll to tie it all together. Nothing conflicted with the other. Harmonious.

Rate it: 4of5 I might go as far as 4+ because the value. Between the atmosphere, staff and food, this place is a worth while stop for food and live music. It's a nice addition to the foodscape in Cedarburg.

 Timber Club

 

Traverse Lodge-Breckenridge,CO 09/18/2025

 It wasn't my intention to have a burger while visiting Breckenridge Colorado but, here I go. After traveling for six days it was time for somebody else to cook and clean up. We had looked up places ahead of traveling and the Traverse Lodge looked like a wonderful location. They also had a special called Beer & Burger Wednesday. Well, it was a Thursday evening so no deal. The lodge dates back to the 1970s but has been updated and upgraded since. As you approach it the entrance gives you the vibe of a cozy ski lodge somewhere in the mountains. Which, I guess it is. The bar/restaurant space opens up to a view of the mountains through large windows. It must really be something during a snowfall.

There is only one burger on the menu, the Traverse Burger. It's an 8oz. Chuck Brisket blend, Churchill Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickled Onion, Pork Belly, Smoked Gouda. Fries were included. Just looking at the description makes my mouth water again. The 8oz is fully in tack when the burger arrives. Juicy, flavorful. Nothing is over the top. All the different layers mix well together. Just a bit pink, perfect. 

Rate It: 4+ of 5 This burger really came close to a 4.5. I can't recall why I couldn't except the price. It did include fries for what that's worth. Everything was delicious. 

The Lodge at Breckenridge  

 

Feeling A Little Bleu @ Cunningham's Journal-Kearny NE 09/14/2025

It was the second day on the road to Colorado and our last overnight would be spent in Kearny Nebraska. The drive from Iowa to Nebraska was mostly good except the wicked storm that almost brought traffic on the interstate to a halt. Our hotel was one of several in a cluster just off the freeway. There were all the usual offerings, Godfather's Pizza, Red Lobster etc, only a short walk away. We did a quick search of the area for something more local. Cunningham's Journal showed up. They had two locations, one was just behind our hotel, less than a block away. The menu looked good. They had quite the list of burger offerings. The restaurant also has a really nice deck/patio space that overlooks a "lake". Another storm was approaching so, no patio. 

Let's talk burger. I ordered the Ole Bleu Burger. 1/2 pound ground chuck patty, bleu cheese, crispy bacon. My request was to be cooked medium. It came as described, a bit of pink in the center. I did my traditional pinch of the patty without all the stuff on it. I couldn't help getting a bit of Bleu Cheese with. Very nicely seasoned, juicy. The bacon was a thicker cut than usual. The bun, sweet and it had a "split" in the center almost suggesting I cut it there. When I bit in to it, all the flavors came together. 

Rate It: 4+ of 5  Priced at $16, it's not crazy money for a decent burger at a nicer restaurant. The burger as a whole was really nicely done. I might go to the 4.5 level on a different day.

Cunningham's Journal @ The Lake 

 

Made It To Wayne's Drive-In!!! 10/02/2025

 The Summer season goes so fast here in Wisconsin. One of my favorite places to go for a burger is Wayne's in Cedarburg, WI. Throughout the Summer they host a Classic Car Night every Thursday. The last official cruise night was last Thursday, September 25th. I missed the cruise season. Wayne's will close for the season in early November. I didn't want to miss a chance to have one of their burgers so I decided that I would take my "classic" 1997 Toyota Celica GT convertible out tonight. To my surprise, there were several true classics parked in their lot. ('57 Ford Fairlane, '63 Ford Galaxie, '72 Javelin) It was after 7PM, Wayne's closes for the night at 8PM. The place was hoping. Almost all the seats inside were full. People sat outside at the tables below the neon glow of the WAYNE'S sign (see picture). 

I ordered a single cheeseburger, cheddar cheese, onion (raw), tomato, lettuce and a pickle. My side was their Crinkle Fries. It was all tasty. The burger didn't have as much flavor as I remember from other visits. I just enjoy the scene. The staff is always helpful and friendly. Prices are still within reason.

Rate It: Not this time. I was just getting my Wayne's fix.

 

Living the High Life in IOWA? el Bait Shop 09/13/2025

It was time to hit the road again. We were on a three day journey to Colorado. The first stop was Des Moines IA. Someone suggested that we try el Bait Shop for a delicious burger. Personally, I think it's a bit over the top, in the most loving way.  The menu, whoa! The burger is only part of the whole menu. They have Pot Roast, Liver and Onions and more. It's vast. 

Nestled in the downtown of Des Moines, IA is a friendly pub that would most likely be a destination for any beer lover. From the outside el Bait has a vibe of a crusty old warehouse converted to a grab some food and a beverage. There's an open bar off the parking lot. A patio and of course the main building. When you first enter the first thing you will notice is all the tappers. I can't even count how many taps they have for beers both local and national. Next, almost every surface has something stuck on it. Stickers from all kinds of breweries, ads from the decades for beer, toys etc. A huge mural that looks like an Ed Roth (Rat Fink) plus a wall with "Where the Wild Things Are"! The staff is on constant move checking in and following up. We had Kayla. She helped us navigate the beer list to create the perfect flight. 

How about the burger? I chose the Highlife Burger-Double. My wife had the single. The burger came out relatively quick. I pinched off a chunk. Not Bad. Plenty of flavor. I cut it in half. No pink? It was still juicy. They were frozen patties brought back to life. First bite, all the flavors. Cheese, onion, pickle, tomato,. The bun was nostalgic, similar to a George Webb burger. Not a wow but tasty. Comfortable. I probably could have done the single. The fries and tots were tasty.

Rate It: 3.5 of 5. Service, price, atmosphere and the choices of food and beers were amazing. The food was very good. Staff, worked hard.

el Bait Shop 

 

Being Crafty Again. Crafty Cow-Tosa 09/07/2025

Let's say you are celebrating your birthday like my sister-in-law. What better place to go than the Crafty Cow, Tosa. It was her suggestion, but you know I really enjoy a good burger. So, twist my arm! I'm not sure how many times I've had a burger at one of the Crafty Cow restaurants, 5? maybe more.

I went with the Classic Cow. 1/3 lb Crafty Beef Patty, American, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Special Sauce. I've mentioned before that I'm not a big fan of "special sauce" in the description but that's how it's built. The Cow always does a decent burger. This wasn't one of their best but it was still a good one.

Rate It: 4 of 5 Crafty Cow is a consistent burger. The price is starting to out pace the sandwich. Service is always good. 

 

 

Season Tradition & Favorite: Nite Owl Drive In 09/27/2025

 In Wisconsin we have quite a few "seasonal" things. Outdoor (Drive-In) theaters, Outdoor Farmer's Markets, Dining El Fresco, Beer Gardens and Burger Stands. The Nite Owl falls into the last. I'm never sure when Nite Owl might open or close for the season. I'm sure it's similar each season. I guess I like to be surprised. The season passes faster than I like. I've got a couple of other burger stops that are similar. Wayne's in Cedarburg has a similar season. Nite Owl is just a bit more quirky. Not only do they have a short season, their hours are challenging. On top of short hours, you can never know if they "sold out" for the day. They grind all the meat fresh daily. When they run out, they shut down. Some days that can be just a couple of hours.

This post is mostly about the "joy" of Nite Owl. I think they make a great burger especially for $8. There is a certain value to standing in the parking lot waiting for your order. The crowd is usually pretty friendly. Yes, they too are waiting for their order which on certain days can take a while. It's "cash only" so don't try your fancy charge card, paypal, apple pay or whatever you like to use at other places.

This time I got a cheeseburger with onions and a pickle. No ketchup or mustard. Simple. It's a hefty patty placed on a decent roll. I'm not going to say it was packed with flavor but it was a good mix between the cheese, onion, meat and bun. Cooked nearly perfect for my tastes. The fries were a bit soggy.

Rate It: 4 out of 5 Still a great burger. Always cool to get the old school vibe. You pay when you get your order. Is that because they might run out before they get to yours? I'll be back next year. Hopefully more than once.

 

Nostalgia Is Still On the Menu ... How About Some Dog N Suds? 08/29/2025

We were headed to the Volo Car Museum in Volo Illinois. In the back seat, our grandson. He's 6+ years old and he's pretty crazy about cars. (understatement) The museum has 5+ buildings loaded with cars and other things with motors. I'd been there before, a long time ago. That time, we stopped for a burger at the Dog N Suds in Richmond, IL. It is a total throwback. I wanted to share D n' S with my grandson, so the stop was included in our journey. We arrived shortly after they had opened. The menu is pretty much the same as it has been for sometime. Chicago Style Dogs, Italian, Burgers, Pizza Burgers, Fries, Onion Rings etc. Don't forget all the ways to enjoy ice cream, Shakes, Blenders, Sundaes. Yum!

My grandson was feeling "burgered out" so he got Chicken Strips, Tots and sauce. I got a Char Burger 2, Char Burger with double patty, Ketchup, Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, American Cheese (extra). My wife got a hot dog and a small tot order. The kids meal came out in a cardboard 1955 Chevy. I thought my grandson was going to flip! He did, sort of. "These people know me!" he said.

I knew when we were ordering that the food is not gourmet. It slips in somewhere around fast food fun. My burger was just like it should be. A simple piece (2pcs) of meat. I'm not going to get involved with fancy descriptions of the texture etc. It was wonderful to be at the Dog N Suds eating a better than mediocre double cheeseburger while my grandson got to experience a different time in fast food dining.

Rate It: 3of5 on a good day. It's not about an awesome burger. Although, that would make it that much better. It was a sunny day, on a trip to a fun place with our family. Worth every penny!

Dog N Suds Richmond, IL 

  

 

 

Harboring A Fugitive Burger? Bartolotta Take Out at Harbor House 08/13/2025

 

It was another beautiful night in Milwaukee. We headed to the "Live At The Lake" concert down at Discovery World. The plan was to meet up with my son and his family to check out the show and grab some food from the food trucks. The venue's website said there would be food trucks. When we arrived we noticed a lack of previously mentioned food trucks. There were none and none were expected to turn up at any time. We had to figure out what to do for dinner. GrubHub or some other delivery service? We sort of joked about take out from the Harbor House Restaurant that was across the street from the venue. Food at Bartolotta's is not really "casual" nor are the prices, generally speaking. We decided to check it out. Yes, they do have take out. We ordered the Harbor House Burger to share. It's topped with Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Sciortino’s Bun and includes French Fries. All that for $15? I guess so. 

The burger was so good that we didn't even need any condiments. Lettuce and a big fresh tomato did the job. Perfect seasoning and cook to perfection. This was a great burger and a wonderful surprise. The fries were enough to feed three of us. Very satisfying. 

Rate It: 4.5 of 5

I have to admit that Bartolotta's has been one of my favorite burgers over the years. They used to have a place in downtown Milwaukee called the Rumpus Room. Best burgers. The Rumpus Room has been closed since Covid. The staff was super helpful and the price was pretty amazing too!

Harbor House Restaurant