Burgermeisters! Here's another excerpt from George Motz's book Hamburger America. George and his publisher were kind enough to allow us to run them here, along with George's beautiful photos. We'll be running one every other week. Eat up! —The Mgmt.
Bud's Bar is one of only a few businesses in the small downtown of Sedalia, Colorado. The 60-year-old bar sits between two busy railroad rights-of-way that are only a few hundred feet apart. It's not uncommon to be stuck at either crossing for longer than 20 minutes waiting for a long coal or cattle train to pass. "Some guys walk out, see the train, and say 'oh well!' and head back inside for another beer," Mike Steerman told me. Mike should know. He owns the place.
The burger at Bud's is a classic, griddled, quarter-pounder with American cheese on a white squishy bun. It's absolutely amazing and transcends the standard notion of bar food. The burger bursts with flavor and is one of the juiciest griddled burgers I have ever eaten.
People go to Bud's for two reasons – because they know everyone in the bar and for the burgers. Outside of drinks at the bar, Bud's has served only burgers since the beginning. "It's simple," Mike explained, "We don't offer lettuce, we don't offer tomato, and we only use one kind of cheese." Fries? Nope. Chips will have to do. But trust me, you'll be focusing on this burger and nothing else.
The burgers start as 80/20 chuck hand pressed in a single patty maker. They are cooked on a smallish flattop griddle in a bright, clean kitchen next to the bar. As a burger nears doneness, both halves of a bun are placed on the burger and covered with a lid to steam the bun to softness. Your order is served with a bag of chips and a slice of onion in a plastic mesh basket lined with wax paper. "That's it," Mike told me, proud of the simplicity of his product. Locals in the know request jalapeno slices that Mike has stashed in a small jar in the kitchen.
Bud's interior is cozy and simple. The small, square box has a bar on one side lined with vintage stools, booths on the other side, and a few tables in the middle. An original jukebox sits just inside the front door and one wall displays a unique item – the branding board. Of course, being from New York I was very intrigued by the branding board, something that probably seems mundane to a ranching community. The idea is simple – It's a long piece of wood attached to one wall of the bar that displays actual cattle brands of the local ranchers. Brands are of fairly intricate design and obviously each one unique, which makes the branding board a viable piece of 'bar art'. Also, one glance at the board and you are reminded of just how close you are to fresh beef.
Bud's Bar
5453 Manhart Street, Sedalia CO 80135
303-688-9967 Hours: Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hamburger America is available at Amazon and comes with a DVD of George's movie of the same title.
mmmm, looks so good. I love the ooziness of the cheese and how it's glazed in burger fat and it looks cooked to my temperature as there is still some blood on it.
Since the change in ownership, Bud's has become the WORST burger in town. The new guy buys the cheapest meats and the cheapest buns he can get his hands on. Now he charges for things (Like jalapenos) that used to be free. He'll be charging for ketchup next. STAY AWAY. You can cook a better burger on the hood of your car.
If you want a real treat, check out My Brothers Bar in Denver. The oldest joint in town and the best burger in town.
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Bud's Bar is one of only a few businesses in the small downtown of Sedalia, Colorado. The 60-year-old bar sits between two busy railroad rights-of-way that are only a few hundred feet apart. It's not uncommon to be stuck at either crossing for longer than 20 minutes waiting for a long coal or cattle train to pass. "Some guys walk out, see the train, and say 'oh well!' and head back inside for another beer," Mike Steerman told me. Mike should know. He owns the place.
7 Comments:
mmmm, looks so good. I love the ooziness of the cheese and how it's glazed in burger fat and it looks cooked to my temperature as there is still some blood on it.
simon at 10:32AM on 08/08/08
Yeah....one of those burgers that makes everything right with the world. If I'm ever in Colorado.....
thewrighttaste at 10:42AM on 08/08/08
holy crap...this place is practically right in my backyard! I'm gonna make a pilgrimage!
bisbee at 11:05AM on 08/08/08
My parents low-carb diet has almost 100% turned me off meat, but even I admit that this burger looks amazing.
agk685 at 11:38AM on 08/08/08
These burgers are every bit as good as you think they would be. You'll know you are in the right place when you see all the motorcycles!
DebDiva at 12:29PM on 08/08/08
This is my favorite pick in george's book. To me...that is what the quintessential burger looks like.
davey at 12:32PM on 08/08/08
Since the change in ownership, Bud's has become the WORST burger in town. The new guy buys the cheapest meats and the cheapest buns he can get his hands on. Now he charges for things (Like jalapenos) that used to be free. He'll be charging for ketchup next. STAY AWAY. You can cook a better burger on the hood of your car.
If you want a real treat, check out My Brothers Bar in Denver. The oldest joint in town and the best burger in town.
Jimmy Ramone at 8:31PM on 08/19/08