50 Burgers, 50 States

50 states, 50 burgers.....   (from the food network magazine)
Burgers All The Rage: Bobby Flay And “50 States”
 
I really enjoyed the "ultimate burger in every state" article (complete with pics!)
I was surprised the Bobcat Cafe burger did'nt win for New Mexico...(I'm still waiting to try that burger, and I'm expecting a LOT) At least the burger that DID win has GREEN CHILI'S on it ,  too...
 
It does'nt say who wrote this 50 states article in this June/July issue of the Food Network Magazine.
(I don't like when the author is not mentioned)
Bobby Flay wrote an article with hamburger recipes, but that's a bunch of pages before the 50 states leaflet..
 
Supposedly the best burger in PA is at the ROYAL TAVERN in Philly, right near Pat's and Gino's cheesesteaks..
the burger comes with a pickled "long hot" pepper on it . I'm VERY excited about trying it !
(almost even went there today!)
I'd never even heard of this place before, but reviews seem to be glowing...
"addictive" burger, etc..
 
I do plan to try the "best burger" in Mass.  next week;   "they" say it's at CHRISTOFER'S Restaurant and Bar in Cambridge...
(in Boston area, by Harvard).... I guess I'll do a doubleheader, cause I've got to see if Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage measures up to the hype..!
 
My bf said to me today "Now , THERE'S a mission for you !!"  .....
Ellen embarks on a 50 state burger tour !
 
 

Ellen, skip Bartley's and go right to RF O'Sullivan.  If there is enough interest, we should organize a quick meat and eat.

Stephen, 

I might be down with that.  On Friday or Saturday?  I've been to Bartley's many times.  I love their turkey sandwiches and dinner and their frappes, but I've never been a fan of their burgers.  Always charred on the outside and bloody rare inside.  I'd seen some great reviews of O'Sullivan's in my research for this trip.  I'm thinking about checking out a roast beef place too if time warrants.

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Ellen, skip Bartley's and go right to RF O'Sullivan. 

Thanks for the hot tip, Stephen ! I'll DEFINITELY check out RF O'Sullivan's, since it comes "Stephen Rushmore" certified.  I just checked out their website, www.rf-osullivan.com  ; plus I read some of the dozens and dozens of reviews.... LOTS of mentions regarding their JUICY burgers.... I'm excited!
Even that "phantom gourmet" mystery diner was happy, cause it was about the only Boston area place that would make his burger RARE...
 
I found a great pic of RF O'Sullivan's burger on this blog page ..    www.circa1973.net/GBT2K5
My only concern is that it's too much of a good thing....too big to fit in any human beings' mouth!!
How does one even begin to bite into that big hunk of meat?!?
Hey, MICHAEL STERN, could THIS be the "Sullivan's" you referred to when you told me last year in Austin about the best burger you ever had in your LIFE?  You had said it was about 25 years ago, so you did'nt remember the exact name.....
 
One thing about Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage that really turns me off is the fact that supposedly there are NO bathrooms !!!!!  
Mr. Bartley's seems to be an overhyped place..... many who love it, but also many disssenters, huh?!?
(reviews of "too much of a greasy taste, hardly any beefy taste", etc)
 
What about this Christopher's Restaurant burger?!?
Hey, I may do a triple header!  ....
Watch out Boston, here comes Ellen ! (get those burgers and beef ribs on the grill!)
 
P.S. And while I'm in the Somerville area (RF Sullivan's) , I've gotta try a SPIKE'S JUNKYARD DOG !
 

 

The murder burger at Haven Brothers in Rhode Island?

I couldn't think of anything that's more ordinary...

Yeah, who made up this list, anyway?!?
Maybe they purposely want to remain anonymous , due to possible repurcussions?!?

wanderingjew


The murder burger at Haven Brothers in Rhode Island?

I couldn't think of anything that's more ordinary...

Next time , they've gotta hire Wandering Jew and Ellen4641 to do this nationwide burger mission!

Only been to three.  Johnnie's was very good.  In-N-Out and Winstead's were good for chains, but best in their states? 

They blew it re Kentucky --- Wilson's Pool Hall in Versailles is the best with their "Willie Burger".

Andrea

AndreaB


They blew it re Kentucky --- Wilson's Pool Hall in Versailles is the best with their "Willie Burger".

Andrea

Sounds intriguing, AndreaB !  Tell me more about that Wiillie Burger ! What makes it special for you ?

Clancy's in Farmington, NM.  Well, perhaps...But, it must be a fantastic burger to beat out my all time favorite burger...The Bob Cat Bite in Santa Fe.. 

I'll defer to the authors until I can compare it myself.  This is one state I definitely want to return to.  A beautiful place to visit with surprisingly underrated food.  We loved New Mexico!  Wouldn't mind living there either.

I like the premise.  What a great idea..Traveling to 50 states to find the 50 best burgers!!  We can all argue..Nobody is gonna win. 

Thanks for the article Ellen.

Baah Ben


Clancy's in Farmington, NM.  Well, perhaps...But, it must be a fantastic burger to beat out my all time favorite burger...The Bob Cat Bite in Santa Fe.. 

I like the premise.  What a great idea..Traveling to 50 states to find the 50 best burgers
Thanks for the article Ellen.

My pleasure, Baah Ben...
I've always wanted to try that Bob Cat Bite burger; I noted in the beginning of my spiel that I was also surprised it did not win "best burger in New Mexico"...
cause I've heard SO many good things about that green chili burger, mostly right here on this Roadfood site !
 
I like the premise, as well,  cause we can all relate, even those who don't travel that often, since every state is covered.
So "50 States"  should be able to strike a chord with almost everyone! (assuming one likes burgers!)
 
 


 

Winstead's isn't a Kansas burger and The Skyline in Portland isn't even close to the best in
Stumptown, much less the rest of Oregon. Food Network: fail.

Why even bother with a fifty burger fifty states list when  everyone knows that Los Angeles has the best burgers in the country

I just looked at RF O'Sullivan's burger. Hoo-whee! Even my big mouth couldn't deal with that colossus. Does it taste as good as it looks?

wanderingjew


Why even bother with a fifty burger fifty states list when  everyone knows that Los Angeles has the best burgers in the country

Now you're seeing the light, WJ !
Burgers in L.A.  !!!!!
You, go, guy !
 
p.s. I was very happy to see  burgers mixed in with your wonderful L.A. trip report...
this site has been a little dead since then...(after that 9 part series of yours!)
(who could possibly top THAT?!?)
 
Hey, NOCAROLINA : I do find the size of that RF Sullivan's burger a little too overwhelming.... but I DO have it as my current desktop "background screen pic" on my computer!  And I WILL try one in Boston!
  
  
  
 

ellen4641

 
It does'nt say who wrote this 50 states article in this June/July issue of the Food Network Magazine.
(I don't like when the author is not mentioned)
 

 At the very end of the listings there is a list of contributors.

How could they pick some nondescript burger from Cincinnati when there's Crabill's in Urbana and the Beanie Burger in Gahanna?

They totally missed it in Georgia.

Best (THICK PATTY) burgers in LA

1
2
3
4
5

Thanks

What about NYC inc Queens, Brooklyn, etc - THICK 1/3 LB AND UP) burgers? 

Steve Rushmore..I'd love to see your list.  Thank you!

Just a few that I've read about and/or heard from people....

1 Luger's - Has to be good!  I believe it's only served at lunch
2 JG Melon's - Flay's favorite - Others love it too - So did I
3 Spotted Pig - Heard really good things about this place
4 Old Homestead - Like Luger's - How can they have a bad burger
5 Nick's
6 PJ Clarke's - Use to be a standard...Heard mixed reviews
7. Jackson Hole - Forget the appearance - Enjoy that meat!

I'm interested in hearing from RF'ers...Their top picks mean more to me than these magazine lists.  Far less politics. 

Thanks to all willing to list your favorites

Nice looking burgers at the Eagles Deli in the Brighton section of Boston, on Man vs food they had a contest featuring the Eagles Challenge, 10 - 1/2 pound patties stacked with cheese and bacon, to complete the challenge you also have to finish the 5 pounds of fries that come with the meal.

Regarding that OLD HOMESTEAD burger you've heard about, Baah Ben :
It's a KOBE beef burger . The  PRICE ?!?  $41.00  !!

I'm fine with just good fresh ground chuck, or sirloin, thank you ....

Ellen - I have heard of that burger.  Don't they also serve a traditional burger?  That's what I was referring to.  No burger is worth $41 IMHO...

I will check their menu.... Yes, they have their "classic" burger..$15

Guess none of you have ever been to Howard's Big Burgers on Venice Bl near Sepulveda in West Los Angeles.

They're famous for their avocado, bacon burger but give it to me without the a and b and just give me lettuce and tomato.

Great burger or at least it used to be.

For a chain, I like Fatburger in LA.

Mo's in Burbank is also great if you like "stuff" on your burgers.  Horseradish with caviar or peanut butter and jelly come to mind.

I severely miss Woody's Smorgesburger.  Extremely.

So much that it depresses me.  That was my number one go to burger for 40 years.

mar52, I know how you feel. A few years ago, I lost my favorite burger place, the Come Back Inn in Melrose Park IL. It was an important part of my life for over thirty years.

Baah Ben


Ellen - I have heard of that burger.  Don't they also serve a traditional burger?  That's what I was referring to.  No burger is worth $41 IMHO...

I will check their menu.... Yes, they have their "classic" burger..$15

I agree with you that no burger is worth $41 ! 
I did'nt realize the Old Homestead had a lunch menu, where that $15 burger appears . 
 
I'm used to going to their 2nd location, the one inside the Borgata Casino in AC.
The AC one is only open for dinner, and does not have that cheapie $15 burger , only the $41 Kobe one.    
 
The Old Homestead is the oldest steakhouse in NYC (maybe the whole country?!?)
They had that single location for over 100 years, before opening their 2nd location, the one in Atlantic City !  (there's some food for thought, huh?!?)              

mar52


Guess none of you have ever been to Howard's Big Burgers on Venice Bl near Sepulveda in West Los Angeles.
I severely miss Woody's Smorgesburger.  Extremely.

I've passed by Howard's countless times; love their big letter signage...
looks like I'll have to try it next time.  Good homestyle type burger?
(not charbroiled, I'm assuming?)
 
I used to LOVE Woody's , as well !!!
I've been to the one on Sepulveda Blvd , El Segundo; LAX area.
Great charbroiled taste, fun toppings bar (a la Fuddruckers)
 
I believe it might have even been YOU that enlightened me to the fact that there used to be other Woody's, as well.... like in culver city.
Apparently, that El Segundo one was the last one standing..
well, it's still standing, but it's an IHOP now .

To add to the discussion, I scanned these two pages from 500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late. Our favorite 25 burgers in the U.S. (and Canada):

 

thanks for sharing, Michael...

Looks like I better step it up a bit, as I've only been to 4 places on your list !
(#1, 5, 12, and 15)

but  I'll probably be adding #3, RF O'Sullivan's, by Monday night!

Heck, I've only been to one, Phillips Grocery. I've gotta get busy....