The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Sundancer7)

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:38:15 GMT

I am sorta like TM as I order my burger the same everywhere I go because that is the way I like it and then I can form an opinion. I am not good about making a list like WJ, TM and Buffetbuster but I remember what I like. I order my burger with lettuce, tomato, mayo X2, onion and cheddar.

The next time I get a chance, I will try Bobby Flay's new concept.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (The Travelin Man)

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:39:29 GMT

pimple2 -

While your comparison points are valid, the original article (as mentioned in the first post) doesn't claim to offer the 20 "Best" burgers - just the 20 that you should eat before you die. I believe that they purposefully didn't make a list with all 20 charbroiled burgers cooked exactly the same way.

In my trip reports, you will often find that I do order my burgers the same way - and it does help for the sake of comparison - but, mostly, it is because that is the way that I like a burger. I don't expect that everyone else should like a burger the same way that I do.

I did a write-up on Luger's and a few of the other places on Page 3 of this thread. I will only say that for everyone who had corrections/additions to this list, or their own ideas as to what burgers should be on the list - that I have not yet been steered wrong by this list once. A small sample size to be sure, but not once.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (pimple2)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:54:35 GMT

We should make a couple or three categories:

1.a) Standard beef patty, CHAR-GRILLED, i.e. open flame, toasted bun, ketchup, any other dressing with or without [e.g. mayo, like Whopper], toppings: onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles all:(with, w/o)
b) above with cheese, bacon, fried onion, anything unusual etc.

2. a) Standard beef patty, griddled, as above
b) with cheese, etc.

3. Slider style: griddled beef with onions and fat, pressed with spatula while cooking, specific style of buns

4. Other beef patties : e.g. steamed, unuual toppings, sauce, styles etc.

Then we are a bit closer towards comparing apples to apples. There are people who are sticklers for category 1a, me, for example, for whom a griddle-fried burger/cheeseburger automaticaly takes it out of the personal "best" ranking. Ditto a slider or steamed burger, while there are those who dream about these tastes.

In today's NY Time I read about burgers with foie gras and black truffles, pine nuts and dried tomatoes, fresh thyme. 'Burgers" of squid and shrimp. I love both, but not here. And I want to know if any of the "best burgers" suggested by NYT, such as Daniel Boulud's which has those fancy things, so I can stay away!!!!!! Not that they will ever let me in, nor will I ever have $56 to spend for a burger. So I am safe, for now! You never know, Bubba might take to adding gourmet touches, he watches Food TV too, and porcini mushrooms are a mere $17.50/lb [real potent dry stuff]!!

BTW, has anyone eaten Peter Luger's chopped steak which is a charbroiled burger, at the original Brookyn location? It is served only at lunch, used to be about $9/8oz, made of the trimmings from Luger's fmous steaks. Cash only. Try it.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (susanll)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:00:14 GMT

I read Bobby Flay's place has a Chip Burger....CheeseBurger with potato chips on it. Sounds good and very simple.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (fabulousoyster)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:57:39 GMT

Bobby Flays "Bobby's Burger Palace", Bobby's only hamburger restaurant,opens in Lake Grove SmithHaven Mall this week, Suffolk County Long Island. I'll be visiting soon.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Locster)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:48:08 GMT

Yeah, what is that sauce that they put on it anyways? Is it cucumber sauce like you'd find on a gyro?

quote:
Originally posted by azure

I'd like to submit one...a Plaza Burger at the Plaza (the Za, for those in the know) in Madison. Wisconsin.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (yamahafjr)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:33:34 GMT

Taylor's Refresher in St Helena CA (Napa Valley) is the ultimate gourmet drive-in experience-- the burgers are sublime!

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (swirsk53)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:05:28 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by V960

Nick's on Broadway in NYC didn't make it? BS

Nick's IS Burger Joint (at least it was when I lived across the street at 75th and Bradway-that was when Nick also ran Pizza Joint on the same block).

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Baah Ben)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:19:45 GMT

For whatever it's worth (a lot to me) JG Mellons is Bobby Flay's favorite NYC burger. I'm down with Bobby Flay...Love him!

Anyway, I'd like to add to this very, very strange list Tessarro's wood fire cooked burger in Pittsburgh, the Roaring Fork's incredible 12 oz char broiled burger in Scottsdale, and the best burger in this country IMHO...The Bob Cat Bite's grilled 10 oz green chili cheeseburger in Santa Fe, NM. Pure heaven.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (ellen4641)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:00:52 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Jack Barry

I have have also been to Le Tub and found their hamburger to be very good but not great, as it was slightly on the dry side. But I will add that the experince of dining right on the intercoastal in Hollywood, FL was awesome - despite the poor service.

Excellent summary ! I felt the same way ! Good, but not great, and YES, it was a bit DRY!!

The views of the boaters going by defintely helped add to the experience.. I was luckier to have some better service than you did..
but I agree: overrated !!

And what, no pickles?!?
Le Tub Burger, Hollywood, CA , Dec. 2007

I was'nt really crazy about that kind of roll, and I prefer onions sliced thinner. Just my personal tastes.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (angeltearsmc)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:01:51 GMT

I can't believe Litton's in Knoxville didn't make that list... granted, it's from 3 years ago.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (ScreenBear)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:18:21 GMT

The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die?

Let me know when they invent the burger that keeps you from dying.

The Bear

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (tommyeats)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:19:11 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by fattybomatty

quote:
Originally posted by tommyeats

quote:
Originally posted by fattybomatty

I would vote for Stage Left in New Brunswick, NJ that at one point was voted best NYC burger when it entered a competition some years back

i have been trying to try it before i die (and with any luck I have some more time), but they tell me it's served only at lunch. and lunch is served only on Friday. it just can't be worth missing a day of work.

Tommy I thought the burger was on the bar menu that you can get at night as well? Unfortunately the website is blocked at my job, but here it is. See what it says. www.stageleft.com

excellent suggestion. i don't see a bar menu, but it would make sense to serve the "world's greatest burger" more than just during a two hour window when most people are at work. if that's the case they should include that info on their website. between a phone call i made to the restaurant and various times perusing their website, that was never made clear.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (fattybomatty)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:52:40 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by tommyeats

quote:
Originally posted by fattybomatty

I would vote for Stage Left in New Brunswick, NJ that at one point was voted best NYC burger when it entered a competition some years back

i have been trying to try it before i die (and with any luck I have some more time), but they tell me it's served only at lunch. and lunch is served only on Friday. it just can't be worth missing a day of work.

Tommy I thought the burger was on the bar menu that you can get at night as well? Unfortunately the website is blocked at my job, but here it is. See what it says. www.stageleft.com

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (tommyeats)

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:15:55 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by fattybomatty

I would vote for Stage Left in New Brunswick, NJ that at one point was voted best NYC burger when it entered a competition some years back

i have been trying to try it before i die (and with any luck I have some more time), but they tell me it's served only at lunch. and lunch is served only on Friday. it just can't be worth missing a day of work.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (fattybomatty)

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:27:11 GMT

I would vote for Stage Left in New Brunswick, NJ that at one point was voted best NYC burger when it entered a competition some years back

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Princesspooh)

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:44:49 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by NAAMikey

Thanks for the info Ellen...I worked at LAX, but don't remember "lick and split"..Where I lived (Redondo Beach). there were many great places that were only open for breakfast and lunch. Some that come to mind are Unky Roys ( the original,gone now, they biult a hotel there in King Harbor),"Joes" on PCH,Nancy's Food Cellar in Riviera Village, "The Cozy Cafe" on PCH. Also another one that is gone is "Vans". They served breakfast and lunch. Belgian waffles,crepes,Flemish sausage bread with cheese...mmmmm

Boy, do I ever miss Vans. I loved their specialty waffles and their Flemish sausage bread. I wish they had never lost their lease after so many years there. Altho, that being said, I moved from CA to WI in 1999, so even if they were still there, I'd only get my "fix" when I visit once a year to see family.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (hrogers)

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:31:10 GMT

I vote for the Bun N' Burger in Stratford, CT. They were recently profiled in the CT Post as having one of the best burgers in the state. They're great, juicy and worth a visit. Yum!

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (pinkie)

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 21:51:01 GMT

my vote for best burger is Barney's Gourmet in San Francisco-fabulous-I also like Phylis's giant Burger in San Rafael, CA.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (danimal15)

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 14:27:11 GMT

I used to love the charburgers at Gold Coast Dogs in Chicago but haven't had one for years. I can't vouch for their current quality, but I'd put the ones I used to have on that list.

I had a great burger at The Lantern in Lake Forest, Ill., yesterday.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (københavner)

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 04:22:22 GMT

When I moved to Copenhagen in 1994, I thought that the only hamburgers that I would see would come from Mc Donald's or Burger King. Suprisingly there is an excellent hamburger available at Chili, located in a short street named Vandkunsten near the center of the old city. I have been eating there for almost 15 years and the hamburgers are as good as ever. One nice touch is that witn your order you are given two containers, each holding 4 different condiments which you can add to your burger. If you are in Copenhagen I can assure you that you will not be sorry if you eat at Chili.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (V960)

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 08:35:13 GMT

Nothing in the original post but yankees and left coasters. By the way Flordia is considered yankee land in the south. No good burgers in Texas?...give me a break.

The center of meat production in the states...the midwest and Texas isn't even represented. A burger in South Dakota is to die for.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (shivashakti)

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 07:52:04 GMT

I can't believe Ted's Steamed Cheeseburgers from Meriden, CT isn't on there.

Louis' Lunch is more interesting because of the history behind it. The old tiny buildings, the vintage sideways, gas-powered grills. It's a burger place from the 1890s. That it of itself is cool.

However, their burgers are just ok. Nothing special. Better than most places, sure. But Ted's is awesome. There are several places to get the "steamed cheeseburger" throughout central CT, but Ted's is the best.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Phildelmar)

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:52:50 GMT

Peter luger is unique.
It is as if, sometime in the misty past, they said "We know steak, can we bring that expertise to the humble burger?"
And they do
They understand the concept of "rare' and deliver, magnificently.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (JBarry713)

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 20:10:57 GMT

I have have also been to Le Tub and found their hamburger to be very good but not great, as it was slightly on the dry side. Louis Lunch in New Haven makes a superior burger in my opinion, but I will add that the experince of dining right on the intercoastal in Hollywood, FL was awesome - despite the poor service.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (strickda)

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 08:12:53 GMT

I had a chance to visit Le Tub which was rated # 1 burger joint in G Q magazine and also Gail King from Oprah went to check it out. Well, I think it is over rated. The waiter's attitude wasn't to nice. I waited 2 hrs for my hamburger on a saturday afternoon and the burger really wasn't all that. Will I go back? I don't think so!!!!

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (strickda)

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 08:04:50 GMT

I think that the best hamburger is in Pontiac, Michigan on Huron St named Pete's. The cost is $1.85 each. They are also well known for their Hot Dogs. They have a large place in Clarkston, Michigan. So if you're ever in the area, check out Pete's.

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (The Travelin Man)

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 15:40:11 GMT

I hate to admit this, but the GQ list is gaining credibility with me. I made a trip to my third location on the list last night, Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien Hotel in NYC. It was the third bona fide hit. I would heartily endorse Burger Joint both for the good burger and the experience of getting there.

To say this place is hard to find is an absolute understatement. First of all, the hotel has an entrance on both 56th and 57th Streets. There is not much of anything that looks like a hotel entrance on 57th. It is a little hidden. When you enter, you realize that you are in a pretty high-style hotel -- likely in the neighborhood of $400/night this time of year. To give you a better example, to use the bathroom in the lobby of the hotel (which you would need to do, as a patron of Burger Joint), you need to get a key pass from the concierge.

There is no outward appearance of any place that would serve a great burger by standing in the middle of the lobby. There are no signs for Burger Joint. There is a clear entrance to another hotel restaurant, which is not what you are looking for. On one side of the hotel check-in is a curtain, behind which you will find one of the best burgers in NYC.

There is a neon hamburger outside a room as the only indication that there might even be any food inside. Once you step inside, you will realize that you have, in fact, found a true "roadfood" experience. You order your burger at the counter and can watch as it is cooked to your specs. Banter with the employees seems to be encouraged, as these guys will dole it out as well as they take it -- truly New York. They offer three combos -- a burger and fries with your choice of a soda, beer, or a milkshake. I got beer (Sam on draught is the only choice) with mine, but the milkshakes looked absolutely divine.

My burger was cooked to a perfect medium (including proper pink and juice). The fries were reminiscent of McDonald's -- truthfully, though, they were not bad. I would have preferred steak fries, but I am not going to nitpick. If you order your burger "all the way", it comes with a ton of stuff on it -- lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, mayo, and mustard. The burger itself was not one of those weighty 12 oz+ jobs, but rather no more than 1/3-1/2 lb of great ground beef.

The Burger Joint is not cheap by normal standards, but is not expensive by NYC standards. My combo meal was about $12 with tax. They have a limited number of a la carte items, and a sign on the bottom of their menu that reads "If you don't see the it listed above, we don't have it."

If you want to grab a burger in NYC, this is a worthy stop. Seating is limited -- and I am not sure how receptive the hotel is to folks hanging out eating burgers in the lobby (which is not to say that they are opposed -- I just never asked). Tables do turnover pretty quickly, or prepare to take your meal to go. Everything is packed to go anyway -- burgers wrapped in white butcher paper, fries in brown paper bags, beer in plastic cups, sodas and shakes in paper to go cups.

Even more than for the good food, I think it would be great to tell someone that you are taking them for dinner to Le Parker Meridien Hotel, have them get all dressed for a lovely evening on the town, and then take them to this back door faux "dump." It is definitely the kind of place that you could take someone if you wanted to look like a true NYC insider.

Enjoy,
Steve

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (Scorereader)

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:03:19 GMT

Each of the Five Guys I've been to were great.

Can't speak of the Inner Harbor, as I usally eat in Fells Point where my friends live, but I've been to a couple different ones and they were all good.

I am getting nervous at how quickly they are starting to expand. It's basically gone corporate...and that's not usually a good sign.
But I'd give the Inner Harbor location a try. Why not?

RE: The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die (joanie41)

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 23:00:42 GMT

Speaking of burgers...is the Five Guys at the Inner Harbour in Baltimore all that and a bag of chips? I know the one in Alexandria has a lot of fans, but sometimes when restaurants branch out, the quality is lacking. Let me know if I should give it a try...I'm often in that area.