But you could check these places out nearly anywhere - they're all chains (which given the context of the thread seems antithetical). Just sayin'...
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There are some great Burger Joints in our Nation's Capitol. When you're in Washington, D. C., check out: (01). Fuddrucker's -- Sizes range from .25lb. to up to 1lb. (GRADE A BEEF -- HAND PATTIED (NOT STAMPED)), get it cooked ANY WAY you want. Fixings stands features Lettuce, Tomato, All Sorts Of Peppers, and ALL the Condiments you want. Bacon is also available if you want it. And you're healthy conscious, you can opt for a Turkey or Veggie Burger as opposed to an all Beef one. Milkshakes is as thick as they come. $$ to $$$ (02). TGIF -- I "ALWAYS" order the "Friday Burger" when I am there. I get mine with Bacon or Ham, Lettuce, Tomato, Ketchup and Mayo, with Fries on the Side. $$ (03). Johnny Rocket's -- Get your Burger cooked and topped ANY WAY you want. Get as MANY patties as you wish. If you're daring (which I am not), try downing three THICK Grade A All Beef Handmade Patties with toppings of your choice and cheese on all THREE patties (again, not me.... this isn't McDonald's..... and unlike McDonald's, their patties are REAL THICK and made with REAL BEEF). Get ANY KIND of Milkshake your heart should desire. AND...... if you like Oldies, each table has these Mini Jukeboxes on them, with all the Old Time Rock-N-Roll Hits from the 1950's, and 1960's. Come in, get your grub on, get your groove on, have a good time. $$ (04). Green Turtle -- (See TGIF). (05). Five Guys -- When you want something BETTER than McDonald's, but don't have the desire to go to Fuddrucker's TGIF/Green Turtle, and you want it to go, but cooked and prepared the way you want it. I would skip the Fries however. The Fries are too greasy for my liking. When your bag has grease spots all over it, then your Fries are too greasy. $$ --Charles-- |
Umami Burger (Several LA area locations) is worth trying. Steamies in Telluride does a not bad White Castle knock-off, if that's your thing (it's not mine) The King Cole Bar at the Saint Regis hotel in mid-town is stiff competition for the much hyped Burger Bar at the near-by Parker. I prefer either to the very good (but over hyped) Shake Shack burger. My favorite sandwich candidate is the 50-50 (half tri-tip/half pulled pork) from the Calabasa Catering truck that sets up in the parking lot of Jims Meats in Woodland Hills. They do Santa Maria style chicken, ribs, and tri-tip BBQ. Japanese food aside, this truck offers IMHO the best food in the Valley. |
I haven't had a real White Castle burger in thirty plus years! I'm thinking of going to the Chicago show just so I can do a dedicated feeding. I'm in Phoenix; but went to Big Bear in Ca to ski and Superbowl. As I did last year, I went out of my way on the way home to stop at the Original Tommy's Burgers in Mission Grove (Riverside). They have a 1/4 pound patty available now, and I reluctantly tried it (a double). Boy, am I glad I did! It has the same character and essence as the (obviously still available) original. It's increased size is horizontal, not vertical. As I always do, I ordered it with grilled onions, and ordered it with extra chilli (bowl-style!), and a side of chilli to ensure every bite was slathered with the swill! Another positive is it is a true double double. The original double cheeseburger came with only one slice of cheese. Locals knew to order the extra slice; but novices could easily think they were getting cheese on both patties, and in truth be suffering an indignity. Bottom line, for this chow-hound? This was the perfect size. Many times in the past forty years (Exactly. Ate my first in 1974!), I've been stuck in the slug zone of still being hungry after one; but not hungry enough for a second. On many occasions I've ordered a second anyway. The single and triples don't do it for me. The double double with grilled onions and extra chilli is the one for me. I'm not sure if all the locations have availability yet; but big thumbs up, and here's hoping it stays. |
I need to spend more time on this thread. As far as I'm concerned, if a restaurant can't make a good burger, there is no since in ordering anything else on the menu. If you're in the Lexington, KY area looking for a good burger, you'll need to check out Wallace Station, Windy Corner, and/or Ramsey's. Then again, anything you get at these places will be good and worth coming back for. |
Denny's Beer Barrel Belly Bruiser...50 pounds of ground beef. 72 hours notice required! |
OK, kind of off the map for you guys, but I have moved to OKC from Houston for work, and it's been a pretty easy transition, even though the city is much smaller. But, as far as burgers, I would put Irma's up against any I have had, including Father's Office in LA which I always thought was impossible to beat.. Irma's OKC (MidTown and 63rd at Western) |
I've been to Zinburger now. Twice. I have to say I like it. Kind of matches my sensibilities: I feel that the hamburger is one of the great inventions of western civilization, and should in some cases be treated as such. They treat it as such. Like with pizza, right? You sometimes want a $10.00 pie; and other times you want an over the top wood fired masterpiece. Anyway, here in Phoenix they're at the Biltmore. |
I've come to the conclusion that the best dog in the Phoenix area is the one at Delux. I've had the Kobe dog at one of the chophouses, and was a bit underwhelmed. The Delux dog is an all natural hotdog, and they hit it with (if you ask for it with the works) sauerkraut, chopped onion, sweet hot beaver mustard, celery salt and sweet relish. Its not natural cased, and I love natural cased dogs; but this one is something special. The menu says it's an all-beef kosher Niman Ranch dog. It comes with fries, and Delux has very good sweet potato fries, and of course the regular old spud fries. |
Have to add a new burger place to my list. Ultimate Burger in Kona, Hawaii. 1/3 pound organic beef patties. Local grown beef, I would assume Parker Ranch beef. Local baked buns, local grown tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. Topped with blue cheese and homemade aioli type sauce, had to add bacon. Probably tied for #1 on my previous list with Betty Burgers in Capitola, Ca. |
I said "followed", not "followed by"! I had to watch them bring pie after pie from the kitchen while I ate lunch. They all looked insane; but strawberry rhubarb is one of my faves, and not a lot of places known for pie have it. I live down the road from The Rock Springs Cafe, THE place for pie in the Phoenix area, a folksy old restaurant that pushes pie out the door in epidemic proportions, and Harry's Roadhouse had them beat hands down across the board. Rock Springs does have a bourbon apple pie that is far and away the best pie they produce, and this pie could sit on the cooling rack next to Harry's pies and not be too embarrassed, I suppose. You have to special order it though, so it's not available by the slice, which is a crime. |
