There’s just something about a burger. The way they sizzle on the grill. That smell that makes you change your dinner plans as it wafts in through your open car window on your way home from work. That first bite, when your teeth meet the slightest bit of resistance on the crust before sinking into that juicy, beefy goodness.
Great, now I’ve made myself hungry. Oh well, occupational hazard here at LRF Headquarters.
In any case, here are ten of the best burgers I’ve had recently. I don’t want to say “Top Ten,” because I’m always finding new ones.
The Juicy Lucy at The Blue Boar (Cobden, IL)
I’ve mentioned this one before. A half-pound of ground chuck stuffed with American cheese. This one gets a bit messy, but then again, if you don’t get some on ya, were you really eating a burger? Or, if you prefer Bleu cheese to American, try the Bleu Lou for 50 cents more. (If you don’t know what Bleu cheese is, you’re happier not knowing. Just try it. Trust me.)
Cheddar Bacon BBQ Elk Burger and Cowboy Yak Burger at The Grubsteak (Estes Park, CO)
Yes, I’ve mentioned these before too, but anything that reminds me of the Rocky Mountains is worth repeating.
The Grubsteak proves (not that I had any doubt) that a burger doesn’t have to be made of cow to be delicious. They also have burgers made of buffalo and duck. If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, try the Duck, Duck, Juice (then tell me how it is; I haven’t tried it yet). This is a duck patty glazed in a house made re-duck-tion of orange juice and teriyaki, then topped with caramelized onions.
Re-DUCK-tion. I see what I did there!
The Grilled Cheese Burger and Mac N Cheese Burger at The Burger Bar (Springfield, IL)
Obviously, I love burgers, because I’m writing about them. I also love a good grilled cheese sandwich. So what do you get when you put them together? This.
Yes friends, why put an 8-ounce cow patty on a bun when you can put it between TWO PEPPER JACK GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES?
For that matter, why eat your macaroni and cheese as a side dish when you can just put it RIGHT ON THE BURGER?
These are just two of the 11 specialty burgers on the menu at The Burger Bar, a nondescript joint on the south end of Springfield. If those don’t appeal, build your own burger (single, double or triple) from the menu of 23 toppings, seven sauces, six cheeses and four types of buns.
Honestly, as intriguing as the specialty burgers are, I think I would recommend the build your own option. That way, you can control the flavor better, I think. Besides, how else are you going to get your BBQ Pork and Cole Slaw burger with hot giardiniera, tzatziki sauce and ghost pepper jack cheese on a jumbo English muffin? (I don’t think I want to be around you if you order that, but technically, you could.)
Even if you’re not a burger fan (if you’re not, why are you reading this?), just go for the fun. I went with my wife in February, and the owner was there handing out Valentine’s Day roses to all the ladies. He stopped to chat with everyone at every table. It’s that kind of a place.
Big Sky Burger at Longhorn Steakhouse
OK, let’s get two things straight right off the bat here.
One, yes, this is a chain restaurant. It is perfectly plausible for a chain restaurant to have good food. Longhorn does. It’s OK to say that.
Two, this thing is on the lunch menu. But it shouldn’t be. This is WAY too much food for lunch.
My wife and I have three levels of full. There’s comfortably full, which is just what it sounds like. Then there’s “stuffed,” which is when you eat more than you need to, and you’re probably going to need a nap later, but it was worth it. Then there’s “stupid full.”
Stupid full is “you should have gotten a box 15 minutes ago.” Stupid full is “I’m not going to eat again for three days!” Stupid full is when you cross the line from culinary pleasure to pain. It is a line not meant to be crossed.
The Big Sky Burger pushed me right to the edge of stupid full. Maybe I’ll try it again for dinner sometime, when I’ve had all day not to eat anything else in advance.
The Big Sky starts with a really good burger. Then they top that with shaved prime rib, Swiss cheese, those crispy onion things, arugula (which if you’ve never had it, tastes like peppery lettuce), and “steakhouse mayo” on a potato bun. It should be eaten slowly. And yes, there is no shame in asking for a box and taking half of it home. Why do you think they give you those big steak knives for a burger?
And as long as we’re talking about chain restaurants. . .
Southern Smokehouse Burger and Queso Burger at Chili’s
Chili’s is known for a lot of things. Health food ain’t one of them. But their Big Mouth Burgers are.
My favorite one on the regular menu is the Southern Smokehouse burger. It comes with bacon, cheddar, pickles, Awesome Blossom petals (again with the crispy onion things), as well as lettuce, tomato and garlic aioli. This burger is served with a side of BBQ sauce.
A note on “aioli.” This is a Food Network-y word that has found its way onto mainstream menus, usually as a burger topping or something to dip your fries in. It’s not as fancy as it sounds. Aioli is basically mayonnaise with garlic.
A new burger that Chili’s has come out with, though, is quickly becoming my favorite there.
The queso burger is simple, but awesome. It’s half of a pound of beef wot is ground covered by queso dip, tortilla strips and pico. It’s messy, but oddly not as messy as it sounds (or looks on the menu). The best part? It’s included on Chili’s 3 for $10 menu, which is the best deal going in casual dining right now. A beverage, appetizer and entree all for just $10.
Now a lot of restaurants like this will have some kind of three-course deal like this. Usually, however, it will only include their bottom-of-the-barrel basic menu items. Not Chili’s. They are putting their most popular items on this value menu, I am assuming to get more repeat business. I think it’s working.
Oh, going back to the “stupid full” concept for a minute. Chili’s also has a monstrosity now on their menu called the Boss Burger, which they bill as “the burger all other burgers report to.” On top of an already good-sized burger, they pile brisket, rib meat, jalapeno-cheddar smoked sausage, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, BBQ sauce AND ranch. That’s ridiculous. I haven’t tried it. I don’t plan to. If you like, get two or three people together to split one and let me know how it was.
The Veggie 21 and Freshman 15 at Bulldog Burger Company (Starkville, MS)
When I go to visit my son and daughter-in-law at Mississippi State University. . .wait a minute. . .WHAT THE #@$% IS A VEGGIE BURGER DOING ON THIS LIST?
Easy folks, I promise it will be OK. We’re not talking Morningstar Farms here. The Veggie 21 is a vegetarian burger that I will totally fight you for.
I’m not sure exactly what they make the patty out of, but it’s not just a bunch of black beans or tofu squished together and wishing it was meat. It has a flavor all its own that you just have to try to believe. Then top that with provolone, red onion, tomato, Bibb lettuce, sweet potato hay, basil and mayo. It’s almost enough to make you consider vegetarianism. That is, at least until you see. . .
This one will put you under the table, but it’s delicious. That patty on top of the burger patty is a huge slab of mozzarella, coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried. Takes the concept of “cheeseburger” to the next level, doesn’t it? Add Bibb lettuce bacon, tomato and “sassy sauce.” No, I don’t know what’s in the sassy sauce, but it’s pretty tasty.
I’m always on the lookout for a good burger, so you can expect there will probably be an update/sequel to this post at some point in the future. Meanwhile, go GETCHA SOME!