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. 

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 

 

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 

 

The Bucket-Kewaunee WI 05/22/2025

 Surprises are out there. You just need to look or maybe take a chance on a place. That's exactly how we came upon the Bucket in Kewaunee Wisconsin. You could easily pass it by. It's just off the main drag on a street that might think you are in the Old West. Older buildings that have been somewhat updated but they still maintain their original shape and size. Sort of cool. The sign out front "Char-broiled Hamburgers" Gotta love that. Homemade chili? I bet that's the good stuff.

It was a fairly simple decision to get a loaded cheeseburger. All the veggies, Tomato, Lettuce, Onion etc. Sitting at the bar or anywhere in the bar, you can see the guy cooking your order. He might have been the person that took your order. I would guess that quite a few of the folks in the bar were local and regulars. The burger came pretty quick. No, it's not hand formed from fresh ground meat but if you are looking for a decent cooked patty and bun, here you go! Prices were pretty unreal too. I think we paid North of $5.00. Outrageous! Of course I'm kidding. It's quite the value.

Rate It: 4 of 5

Between the staff being wonderful, the bar being just that, a bar and the nicely prepared food I think we got a deal that day.

 

Tucson, AZ-Where's My Lindy's on 4th? 02.25.2025

 Tucson Arizona has been a favorite place to go back to. Over the years we've found a couple of things that we have to do. We stop by the "Hut" bar to get a picture of the Easter Island statue out front, Goodwill on 4th Avenue, check out the "Hippy Gypsy" and grab a burger at Lindy's. Well, Lindy's has moved down the street (avenue) into a larger space. They now have more indoor seating and a nice outdoor dining space. It's sort of all grown up now. The old place was pretty simple, a hole in the wall. I can appreciate the upgrades.

I'm at Lindy's for the burger. I fell in love with their burger a long time ago. I can even recall how long ago it was. I'd like to say it was in the mid 0's. Again, a funky shop that offered crazy burgers at a decent price. Not only did they have fries but tater tots too! Did the move change things? The only difference was the location and the idea of sitting and waiting for your waiter to visit. That took a bit. We were alone on the patio for some time before our server stopped by. I ordered the Shroomin' Cow. Sauteed mushrooms, grilled onions, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and a pickle. It came out fairly quick. A bit of a surprise but not a bad surprise anyway. I'm not going to say it was loaded with flavor but it wasn't flat. The combination of flavors worked well together.

Rate It: 4 of 5 I'm going low on this one. Again, a tasty burger but I was expecting just a bit more flavor from the patty. The price is up, just like most places.

 

Leff's Again?? Yep, Burgers With Brothers! 03/24/2025

 It's that time again, Burgers With Brothers! It was the younger sibling's choice this time. He had recently dined at Leff,s and recalled they have a dang good burger. He wanted to put it to the test. Bring the brothers. Not that either of us is such an expert or critical thinker when it comes to burgers. We do enjoy them. I've been to Leff's plenty times. I don't always blog about the burger I had. You know I have a hard time not ordering a burger especially when they are a decent value.

Let's get down to it. Right? It was $8 Build Your Own Burger night. They offer quite a few toppings as part of the $8 deal. (see the pic of the list) I opted to have a double bacon cheeseburger because a guy near us had one and it looked awesome. So, that's the $8 BYOB with an additional patty for $4. I'm still ahead of the game financially. Their patties are 6oz each. I kept it simple, nothing but bacon and cheese. I'd add some spicy brown mustard and a drip of ketchup later after I taste the pure version. Yum! Tons of flavor without anything else on it. That's what I'm talkin' about. The condiments only enhanced it.

Rate It: 4.5 of 5 Flavor was there. Price was right. Overall a great burger.

Leff's

 

It's Gallery Night in the 3rd Ward. Must be time for some Wicked Hop! 01.17.2025

 It was the 3rd Friday in January. That means it's Gallery Night in the 3rd Ward, Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sometimes it's a very cold night. Not this time. Temps were in the 20's. (balmy for WI) I was hanging out with my friend Rob. We chose the Wicked Hop because, in the past, they've done right with the burger and beverages.

Burgers it is! "Build Your Own" Cheeseburger. Cheddar for me and Blue Cheese w/bacon for Rob. It was a quick turnaround on the order. Before we knew it, the burgers were delivered. Both of us were quite pleased with the amount of "pink". Too often, it doesn't go that way. All the toppings are on the side so you can choose what to add and where they go. I did everything but the pickle. Only a small amount of ketchup. I forgot to ask for some stone ground mustard. No matter, I pushed forward. It was pretty decent. Maybe not as good as the last 8 times. Something was different. Maybe it was an off night for my taste buds? I didn't hate it, that's for sure. Juicy, seasoned enough. The toppings were all fresh. The fries, delicious.

Rate It: 4 of 5 $18 for a very good burger has become the normal. I'm not a fan. It's the same burger or maybe less for more. That doesn't change the overall flavor. It was still great. Just not wow great.

The Diplomat on Brady Street (Burgers w/Brothers!) 11.20.2024

 It was the third installation of the Burgers w/Brothers 2024. The eldest made the choice to go a bit more upscale for his burger. Not that we've been hanging out at dives or dumps. We've enjoyed quite the range of locations and varieties of burgers. His choice, The Diplomat. Located just East of Van Buren on Brady street. Cool vibe as soon as you walk in. There is a front space/bar area that's pretty chill. Around the corner is the dining room area. Well done. Warm, almost cozy space with plenty of art and little vignettes with interesting items. Our server was Roxanne. The menu is very simple, not many items. The idea is shared plates. I'm just not a fan of the term "small plates". Shared I can handle. Anyway, there is only one burger to choose from so that's what we all had. "The Diplomac". Prime beef burger, tomato, lettuce, American cheese, "1000 Island Dressing", pickle and red onion. (their description) $17 without a side.

How about that burger? Dang, it was good! I don't know if it was because I was surprised by how tidy it looked or the choice of roll/bun. No matter, it all worked together perfectly. The "1000 Island Dressing" is nothing like the Kraft foods version. All the condiments were freshly created on site. It made a difference for sure. The sandwich held together bite after bite. Nothing sliding out the back or slopping on to my plate or lap. I took a snitch off the side, just meat. Not crazy seasoned. Could have had a bit more flavor but maybe the rest of it makes up for that. We shared a plate of the Diplomat Fries. These aren't your average fries. Blanched and then fried 3 times. Light and crisp.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

Overall great taste. Fresh ingredients made for a great mix of flavors. If I'm paying $17 a burger it should be like this.

https://www.thediplomatmke.com/

Pump House is Here to Pump-You-Up! (Moncton Canada) 10/18/2024

 I really didn't plan to check out burgers in Canada. I was supposed to be going out for poutine rapée. The restaurant where they serve it closes at 6PM on a Friday night! It was a long day of driving and too late to go looking for another place serving it. Maybe we'll check out a local place for dinner and a beer. The Pump House was just a block away from where we were staying. Worth a shot? Sure.

It looked like the pizza might be a good choice but the list of burgers grabbed my attention. (go figure). Brew Pub Burger it is! A simple cheeseburger.It was. Good flavor, fresh roll and just enough toppings. Seasoning was decent. 

Rate It: 4 of 5

I'm thinking they aren't known for their burgers. It's more about the beer and pizza. It was a good burger and I'd suggest it for anybody that stops in. 

Pump House

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.

 

Public Market: Foltz Family Market

 I was downtown for a program at the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) and decided to grab some food at the Milwaukee Public Market. I saw something about a place that was supposed to have a decent burger. The online information said that they were only doing online and phone orders. Thankfully, they were very present and taking orders at the Foltz Family Market. Mostly a butcher shop but also a restaurant and bar! (I'll mention that later)

I wasn't sure what to expect. They seem to be good at pizza too. Not always a partnership with a good burger. I ordered the "Classic Burger" with cheddar. No fries. I paid for the burger and slid over to the bar to wait. Before the burger arrived, I had ordered a Jack n Coke. My favorite combo. The cocktail was fairly inexpensive for a "call" mixer. How about the burger, right? Well, I looked at it and thought, pretzel bun. Did I miss that in the description. I'm not a big fan of the pretzel bun. That's how they serve it, that's how I'm eating it. First bite. Wow! Flavor(s) just bursting out. The surprise flavor, arugula. Combined with the tomato and creamy cheddar cheese, it works well. The pretzel roll actually made it happen. Stiff yet soft inside with a heavier texture. Yum.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

This is ranking in one of my favorite burgers of 2023 if not all time. The flavors were on point. The fresh from the butcher beef, juicy and flavorful. Priced right.

https://foltzfamilymarket.com/about/

Let's Go To Sluggo's! 06/27/2023

So many burgers, so little time!

For 40 years, Sluggo's in Brookfield Wisconsin has been cooking up grub for it's loving public. The proof is verified by the large crowd on a Tuesday night in Summer.

My brother-in-law had driven past Sluggo's several times and noticed that, no matter what day or time for that matter, Sluggo's lot was pretty full. They must be doing something right to make them that popular. For that reason, he wanted to celebrate his birthday there. His vision, a Sluggo Burger. My kind of vision!

I chose the Cheeseburger with bacon. (there isn't a bacon cheeseburger) It's a 1/2 pound patty, hand formed as far as I could tell. Nicely charred on the outside, pink inside. Just the way I like it. I ordered it Medium Rare. Everything about it was on spot. Just enough bacon and cheese leaving the burger to shine. The seasoning was really good, done with confidence that it would enhance the flavor and not over power it. The brioche roll was fresh and buttered up a bit, yum.

Prices have gone up quite a bit over the past couple of years at Sluggo's but the burger stepped up to the plate. At $14.99, it isn't a cheap burger but, I've had less tasty ones for just as much or more. The bar/restaurant itself is a throw back, nothing fancy but well kept. The crowd added to the experience.There's a lot of hungry people in our town.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

It's one of the better burgers I've had recently. Sorry, I didn't get a picture.

Friday Fish Fry Burger Night-State Fair Inn 03.03.2023

 Hey, it's another Friday Night Fish Fry in Milwaukee! That's cool. I had my fish fry a couple weeks ago. How about a burger? 

The State Fair Inn has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years! Formerly a Schlitz Brewing company bar up until 1921, State Fair Inn hasn't changed much in some time. No need. They do what they do well.

My review might have a bit of skew to it because Fish Fry doesn't always equal yummy burgers. This burger was decent. Spiced up right, juicy. The bun was fresh and went well with the burger. I think the burger set me back about $12. Fries included.

Rate it: 4 of 5 I wouldn't go out of my way to get a burger at the State Fair Inn but, if you happen to stop by, it's a decent bet you'll like what you get.

Just remember, they are closed on the weekend and only serve food between 5-8:30PM when they are open. 

http://www.statefairinn1921.com/aboutus.html

Back at Leff's Lucky Town 02.16.2023

 Hey, it was Valentine's Day 2023. What better way to celebrate but to consume a burger at Leff's. The past couple years we've bought our Christmas tree at Leff's because it's a fundraiser for a local baseball league and we get a coupon for a "Buy One Get One" meal. There's a hitch, you need to use the coupon before March 1st. Valentine's Day is one of those days that we respect the idea but just aren't fans of the actual day's activities. Overpriced flowers, no chance to dine out etc. So, we adjust the day. Thus the celebration two days later. Same intent. Just more convenient. A bit of a bonus, it was lousy weather helping keep the crowds down! (selfish?)

What about the burger? It was the classic tasty burger I get almost every time I go to Leff's. It was cooked a bit more than I prefer but still had all the flavor and fresh tomato, onions etc. The bun is just enough to manage the burger patty and also fresh and tasty. I can talk about the price, even though we got a free meal. Still priced in the appropriate range for a burger at a place like Leff's. (a bit classy for a bar) I don't think I'll ever have a bad burger at Leff's. Consistent, priced right, clean place and always a great staff. I had the Cheeseburger, add bacon for $2.

Rated: 4 of 5

Hopped in to the Wicked Hop (Again!)

 It's tough to be in downtown Milwaukee's 3rd Ward without a stop at the Wicked Hop. They make an awesome Bloody Mary as well as an outstanding burger. Again, I'm not sure how many times I've had a burger at the Hop, a lot. There's never been a time that I didn't want to write about the experience. The staff is always wonderful. The bar is cool. There's an additional space called the Jackalope Lounge that is a chill space for hanging with your friends and having a drink. I've seen live acts, participated in a version of Karaoke.

I had some time before a meeting at a gallery down the street so, time to grab a Cheeseburger and maybe a Jack N Coke. I had the Hop Burger with Cheddar cheese and all the regular veggies (tomato, lettuce, onion) A half pounder is a bit much sometimes. Well, I ate it all anyway! From the first bite to the last, glad I indulged.

Always great service. Always great food. Prices are within the normal range. Parking can be a problem but, walking down Broadway is always interesting.

4 of 5

Sorry, no picture. :(

Here's a stock one...

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/

 

 

08/15/22-Cruize the Spur Elm Grove, WI

 Another gorgeous night to be in Elm Grove for a "Cruise the Spur". Cars, food and comrade. We took the '60 olds convertible to the cruise in. We decided to enjoy a sit down style dinner rather than doing the car show cuisine. They offer a less expensive smaller menu on the area where the cars are parked. Sort of nice. Otherwise, attending a car show can get expensive without even calculating in the fuel cost!

The Silver Spur has always served decent food. Not "wow, this is delicious" but, pretty decent. For some reason, maybe the cook was in a better mood, fresh spices who knows? The food was extra tasty. Not much of a story to tell. I went to the show with the intention of consuming a burger. All the toppings were fresh and flavorful. 

I'll be honest, I'm writing this some time after the fact. Details fade unless I write them down. I just remember, it was pretty remarkable. 

Rate it: 4 of 5 Decent price. Tasty.

09/07/22-Sister from another mother birthday outing @ Double Bs BBQ/MKE BBQ

 It was time to go out and celebrate my sister-in-law Therese's birthday. Being the considerate person she is, she chose a place that offered a lot of choices, including burgers! That's pretty cool.

I've been to BB BBQ before for the BBQ. It was delicious. So I figured the burger might be as good. I was right. My order was the 1/2 Fresh Angus Burger w/Cheese. I had American. They describe it like this: A fresh, lightly pressed, char-broiled patty, served on a toasted brioche bun with your choice of cheese: American, Mild Cheddar, Swiss, or Pepper-jack.I describe it like this: Yummy! If you read any of my posts on this blog you will find I'm not a big fan of the Brioche bun. In this case, it worked out well. The flavor complimented the burger instead of detracting. The burger itself could have been just a little less cooked. Still it was moist and flavorful. No need for all kinds of extra stuff loaded on. I did have raw onions and added a bit of ketchup and stone ground Düsseldorf mustard. Fries were the side.

Relatively inexpensive according to today's pricing. Delicious. I don't know if I will go back for the burger specifically because they do so well with the BBQ. Great atmosphere.

Rate it: 4 of 5 Price and quality are a value. Atmosphere adds to it.

Sorry, I don't have a picture of the sandwich. :( 

Here's their menu

 

Winner-Winner NO Chicken Dinner @ Oscar's Winner's Circle 03.31.2022

This was a bit unexpected. I needed to connect with a friend of mine Rob to return a piece of art he created as part of a show back in February. Rob suggested we get together, have something to eat and chat. That's always a good thing to keep us on our creative journey. Sort "check in" on each other. He suggested Oscar's Winner's Circle, a short walk from the print shop he works at. Oscar's has another place to the East a couple of miles. Every time I've been there, the burgers rocked. Will this be similar? Let's hope so.

After a long debate with Rob, I decided to have the Tailgate Burger. I'm not a big fan of all kinds of junk piled on my burger. Not only can it interfere with the overall taste, it can get messy. They place Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, Smoked Sharp Cheddar and Haystack Onions on top of what had to be a 1/2 lb patty. It was gorgeous. Stacked and pinned together with a toothpick. The roll had a bit of a glaze/shine to it. Cooked to perfection. Juicy, full of flavor. The patty snitch proved the burger was great on it's own. The added layers enhanced the experience. No conflict with flavors. It all worked together. Very mellow. Delicious.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5 (5s just don't happen)

Priced at $7.75 it's hard to imagine a better burger at twice the price. Oscar's did it again. When folks ask me "what's your favorite burger?" Oscar's will roll off my lips.

 The Tailgate Burger...