Posted by Adam Kuban, December 11, 2006 at 4:08 PM
After a little more than a year and a half spent focusing primarily on mom-and-pop burger joints on A Hamburger Today, I felt it was high time to explore the world of burgers in the "casual dining" sector. More than a few AHT readers had emailed expressing the opinion that Houlihan's or Red Robin or T.G.I.Friday's had surprisingly good burgers. Countless television commercials touting the fare at these bar-and-grill type restaurants played a part, too, getting me off the couch and into the booths of four of the nation's most recognizable chains in the course of one day.
My mission was to sample cheeseburgers, collect visual intel, and report my findings to you, our burger-loving readers. I sampled standard cheeseburgers at Houlihan's, Applebee's, T.G.I.Friday's, and Red Robin, asking for medium-rare or as close to it as possible. The results can be found at Serious Eats.
[NB: I'm trying out that Flash-based photo-display thingie here, which I found out about on Food Blog S'cool. You can put a similar display on your site by clicking the "info" button in its lower right-hand corner.]
First, I don't personally care for your "Flash-based photo-display thingie" . . . it makes it extremely difficult to add your beloved stories (with photos) to my collection of AHT posts. On the other hand, I DO heartily agree with your evaluation of Red Robin's burgers. As a matter of fact, just in the last three weeks, my wife and I have enjoyed RR burgers in Columbia, Maryland ... all the way to Phoenix, Arizona. They are ALWAYS delicious, perfectly presented, and cooked the way we request. DOWN SIDE: we (sorry, we're seniors) DO NOT appreciate the fact that RR is a magnet for yuppie, unruly, undisciplined, spoiled-brat kids. Many of the kid's soccer-moms and yuppie dads permit them to yell, scream, and act like little HELLIONS (we've even seen some kids throwing food at each other!). GAWD! it drive us nuts. But, Red Robin's burgers are SO GOOD, and their servers are SO FRIENDLY that we endure the f***ing kids. DocChuck
Is your mom a doctor? Heh. My family hasn't been that bad with arterial trouble, actually. This binge is actually an anomaly; I try to stick to one burger a week otherwise and try to eat better the rest of the week.
Not a doctor, no. Just someone who likes to worry. Usually about my burger habits, which sound like yours. Then again, she also made me a Burger Safari t-shirt for my birthday.
Shy isn't a problem. Itchy and unbearable and wrinkled is another. Those "print it yourself" t-shirt transfers should come with elaborate warnings. As it's December and considerably less likely I'll die of suffocation, I will see what I can do. Does this mean I'll get Grilled?
My favorite burger has always been the Gorilla Burger at a place called Mike's Dogs here in my hometown. Recently, however, I've been hearing talk about their food-handling which has me re-thinking my preferences.
That being said, I would like to make a few suggestions for possible future reviews.
1. Be sure not to overlook a good steakhouse when searching for a great burger. Longhorn, Outback, Texas Cattle Company and others all offer quality burgers.
2. Fat'z Cafe just opened here in my town, and their cheeseburger is pretty good, although not quite in the same league as the steakhouses.
3. Here's a surprise: Sonny's Barbecue! They recently added a cheeseburger to their menu, and it is quite good.
Maybe you can check out some of these in the future.
Thanx!
My family's favorite mid-priced burger joint is Fuddruckers. Love the burgers (even our vegetarian daughter says their Garden Burgers are the best). Have you reviewed them yet?
HI, ADAM!
I'M A NATIVE CALIFORNIAN, BUT I'VE BEEN LIVING IN THE BOSTON AREA FOR ABOUT 9 YEARS. WHILE READING ALL THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE TRIALS OF BURGER HUNTING, I COULDN'T HELP BUT TO REMEMBER MY PERSONAL FAVORITE: IN-AND-OUT BURGER!!!
EVERYONE I KNOW IN SO CAL WHO LEAVES THE STATE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, MAKES THAT ONE OF THEIR FIRST 'FOOD DESTINATIONS' UPON RETURNING TO CA. THERE SIMPLY ISN'T ANOTHER RESTAURANT LIKE IT, ANYWHERE. HOWEVER, IN FAIRNESS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COMMENTED HERE, I WILL TRY TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PLACES IN THIS AREA, AND IF I SHOULD SAMPLE SOMETHING YUMMY ON MY WAY, WELL, I GUESS I COULD JUST SAY THANKS FOR THE INPUT, IN ADVANCE.
I came in here to suggest that the author visit a restaurant that I went to while visiting friends in Maryland. It is called Hamburger Hamlet and I loved their burgers..
As many good suggestions as there have been about diversions to the mid-range places you tried, there is one thing you have yet to realize or admit.......going to TGI Fridays, Applebees, or others 'intentionally' for a burger is just, plain wrong! Like going to McDonalds for a fish dinner or mexican food.
If you are in the mood for a burger, it ends up being a regional thing. But go to a burger place. I have been to them all, and is my most intentional meal on a constant basis. Nothing beats a great Sonic or Culvers burger - and with both chains expansions, these are available to most folks.
For sure, everyone has a opinion about their favorite, and the bottom line is that your own favorite is always the best. And stay out of Ruby Tuesdays or Chili's if you want a hamburger!
Johnny Rocket's, Hamburger Hamlet, and Cheeseburger in Paradise are all chain restaurants that I'd recommend you review. Yes, Fudrucker's, too, although it's been years since I've been to one because there isn't one anywhere near me. As for In-and-Out and FatBoys that others have recommended.... I don't think they qualify in this category, do they? They're fast food chains, not restaurants. I don't even think they have dining in.
Good luck with this one -- hamburgers are in every restaurant chain that touts 'American Food' (and most who don't, too!) so you'll be sampling thousands before you're done.
I'm writing to comment on a place called Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield PA. They serve an 8 1/2 lb cheeseburger when cooked is still 6 lbs. This burger came about for the 1998 Super Bowl. There are contests to see who can eat an ENTIRE one. It consists of 24-28 oz bun, 2 onions, 2 tomatoes, 12 slices American cheese, 1 cup relish, 1 cup mayo, ketchup/mustard/banana peppers YOU'VE gotta try it! ! !
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18 Comments:
First, I don't personally care for your "Flash-based photo-display thingie" . . . it makes it extremely difficult to add your beloved stories (with photos) to my collection of AHT posts. On the other hand, I DO heartily agree with your evaluation of Red Robin's burgers. As a matter of fact, just in the last three weeks, my wife and I have enjoyed RR burgers in Columbia, Maryland ... all the way to Phoenix, Arizona. They are ALWAYS delicious, perfectly presented, and cooked the way we request. DOWN SIDE: we (sorry, we're seniors) DO NOT appreciate the fact that RR is a magnet for yuppie, unruly, undisciplined, spoiled-brat kids. Many of the kid's soccer-moms and yuppie dads permit them to yell, scream, and act like little HELLIONS (we've even seen some kids throwing food at each other!). GAWD! it drive us nuts. But, Red Robin's burgers are SO GOOD, and their servers are SO FRIENDLY that we endure the f***ing kids. DocChuck
Hamburger DocChuck at 6:31PM on 12/12/06
loved the roundup on serious eats -- still can't commit to "registering" to comment yet.
Hamburger phox at 2:37AM on 12/13/06
Loved it. ...Although my mom wants to know if you have a family history of arterial trouble. She's kind of no fun that way.
Hamburger lauren k at 5:13PM on 12/13/06
Is your mom a doctor? Heh. My family hasn't been that bad with arterial trouble, actually. This binge is actually an anomaly; I try to stick to one burger a week otherwise and try to eat better the rest of the week.
Adam Kuban at 5:19PM on 12/13/06
Not a doctor, no. Just someone who likes to worry. Usually about my burger habits, which sound like yours. Then again, she also made me a Burger Safari t-shirt for my birthday.
Hamburger lauren k at 8:22PM on 12/13/06
Lauren K.: Burger Safari t-shirt? OMG. You MUST send us that photo of you wearing that! ... Unless you're too shy, shy. ;)
Adam Kuban at 8:35PM on 12/13/06
Shy isn't a problem. Itchy and unbearable and wrinkled is another. Those "print it yourself" t-shirt transfers should come with elaborate warnings. As it's December and considerably less likely I'll die of suffocation, I will see what I can do. Does this mean I'll get Grilled?
Hamburger lauren k at 9:40PM on 12/13/06
Adam, I sent you an e-mail in response to this article. Good job!
Hamburger T.A.B. at 4:07PM on 12/14/06
My favorite burger has always been the Gorilla Burger at a place called Mike's Dogs here in my hometown. Recently, however, I've been hearing talk about their food-handling which has me re-thinking my preferences.
That being said, I would like to make a few suggestions for possible future reviews.
1. Be sure not to overlook a good steakhouse when searching for a great burger. Longhorn, Outback, Texas Cattle Company and others all offer quality burgers.
2. Fat'z Cafe just opened here in my town, and their cheeseburger is pretty good, although not quite in the same league as the steakhouses.
3. Here's a surprise: Sonny's Barbecue! They recently added a cheeseburger to their menu, and it is quite good.
Maybe you can check out some of these in the future.
Thanx!
VictorD at 4:06PM on 02/02/08
you have to fo to fudrucckers they have the BEST burgers and shakes
sarabfrompa at 4:36PM on 02/02/08
My family's favorite mid-priced burger joint is Fuddruckers. Love the burgers (even our vegetarian daughter says their Garden Burgers are the best). Have you reviewed them yet?
smthbrgr at 5:28PM on 02/02/08
HI, ADAM!
I'M A NATIVE CALIFORNIAN, BUT I'VE BEEN LIVING IN THE BOSTON AREA FOR ABOUT 9 YEARS. WHILE READING ALL THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE TRIALS OF BURGER HUNTING, I COULDN'T HELP BUT TO REMEMBER MY PERSONAL FAVORITE: IN-AND-OUT BURGER!!!
EVERYONE I KNOW IN SO CAL WHO LEAVES THE STATE FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, MAKES THAT ONE OF THEIR FIRST 'FOOD DESTINATIONS' UPON RETURNING TO CA. THERE SIMPLY ISN'T ANOTHER RESTAURANT LIKE IT, ANYWHERE. HOWEVER, IN FAIRNESS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS COMMENTED HERE, I WILL TRY TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PLACES IN THIS AREA, AND IF I SHOULD SAMPLE SOMETHING YUMMY ON MY WAY, WELL, I GUESS I COULD JUST SAY THANKS FOR THE INPUT, IN ADVANCE.
audi5k at 5:37PM on 02/02/08
I came in here to suggest that the author visit a restaurant that I went to while visiting friends in Maryland. It is called Hamburger Hamlet and I loved their burgers..
lasealy at 6:24PM on 02/02/08
Lotawata Creek in Fairview Heights, IL.....about 10 miles from St. Louis. Extraordinary burgers!!!
ghostwriter at 7:21PM on 02/02/08
Adam-
My suggestion is that you try FiveGuys and Johnny Rockets. They're both chains and I've consistently had great burgers at both.
Big_Stash at 9:33PM on 02/02/08
As many good suggestions as there have been about diversions to the mid-range places you tried, there is one thing you have yet to realize or admit.......going to TGI Fridays, Applebees, or others 'intentionally' for a burger is just, plain wrong! Like going to McDonalds for a fish dinner or mexican food.
If you are in the mood for a burger, it ends up being a regional thing. But go to a burger place. I have been to them all, and is my most intentional meal on a constant basis. Nothing beats a great Sonic or Culvers burger - and with both chains expansions, these are available to most folks.
For sure, everyone has a opinion about their favorite, and the bottom line is that your own favorite is always the best. And stay out of Ruby Tuesdays or Chili's if you want a hamburger!
burgermaven at 9:50PM on 02/02/08
Johnny Rocket's, Hamburger Hamlet, and Cheeseburger in Paradise are all chain restaurants that I'd recommend you review. Yes, Fudrucker's, too, although it's been years since I've been to one because there isn't one anywhere near me. As for In-and-Out and FatBoys that others have recommended.... I don't think they qualify in this category, do they? They're fast food chains, not restaurants. I don't even think they have dining in.
Good luck with this one -- hamburgers are in every restaurant chain that touts 'American Food' (and most who don't, too!) so you'll be sampling thousands before you're done.
ShayAlyce at 2:55AM on 02/03/08
I'm writing to comment on a place called Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield PA. They serve an 8 1/2 lb cheeseburger when cooked is still 6 lbs. This burger came about for the 1998 Super Bowl. There are contests to see who can eat an ENTIRE one. It consists of 24-28 oz bun, 2 onions, 2 tomatoes, 12 slices American cheese, 1 cup relish, 1 cup mayo, ketchup/mustard/banana peppers YOU'VE gotta try it! ! !
dlsg56 at 9:25AM on 02/03/08