What this is is a list of good hamburger places within the largest media market in each state. I have had too many great REAL hamburgers while traveling through the hinterland to give much credence to a list like this. It underscores the necessity of a site like AHT and the input of its readers and contributors, why it's great to hear from burgerphiles who don't live within 50 miles of a major airport.
Christopher's in Cambridge, MA has seen its quality diminish over time. I used to love going there. Now, I'm less thrilled. And the English burger isn't their best. Not by a long shot.
Yeah, it doesn't look that good at all. Skyline for Oregon? I can name at least 3 better burgers. It's not that their burger is *bad*, it's just that there are much better burgers, especially in the Portland area.
A burger from the Great Friggin' Dane in Wisconsin? That burger is a big pile of greasy shit, believe me. And I'm a Wisconsinite, so if it's gross to me... well, you know. No love for Solly's?
I hate when magazines, TV shows, websites, etc. don't have any actual intel on anything and still insist on creating those farkakte "best of" lists. I call malarkey.
I second BangieB. It's a shame this list ignored the countless better burgers in Madison alone, not to mention the various other contenders in the great taverns across Wisconsin. A burger with a pretzel bun? What an embarrassment.
I can at least verify Washington State's Lunchbox Lab. I've tried all of the hyped burgers around the Seattle area (I think it was Oprah who praised Red Mill on Phinney Ridge), but none brought me to my knees like Lunchbox Lab. I don't think I've ever had a stronger case of the itis in my life.
Eating there is like a one night stand. Afterwards, you feel fat and immoral and a failure and ask, "Why did I do that?! How could I betray my healthy eating habits?!" But man, it's a total taste orgasm when you're plowing through an Ebony Assassin burger with a side of sweet potato fries and a Nutella milkshake served in a beaker, and you KNOW deep down you wanted it, you hedonist.
@lemons: D'oh! I didn't even think of that. I think people like me, who grew up in JoCo, Kansas, just think of the KC metro as one big place without borders. But, yeah, Winstead's is technically a Missouri burger joint. Also: If Trillin still thinks Winstead's has the world's best cheeseburgers, then he's live in New York too long. Hmmph.
Wyoming's best burger is on a some stupid touristy bison dude ranch thing that I had never heard of until reading it on this list. I seriously doubt it.
I can verify Ohio's Terry's Turf Club. I found it on yelp and it may have been the best burger I have ever had. Food Network's description of the bar is spot on as well.
Colorado: I've never been to Jack-N-Grill, but the Juarez is described as a "10oz patty of fresh-ground chuck, ham, hot-dog, fresh ground chile, cheese, guacamole, and mayo." Forgive me if I'm skeptical, but I'm not sure I like the idea of ham and hot dog meat in my burger. The photo on the site looks gnarly too: ( http://www.jackngrill.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/Picture451.jpg.w300h224.jpg ). Has anyone been there and can tell me if this is actually as bad as it sounds and I should most definitely NOT drive into Denver for this, or if I'm wrong and shouldn't judge a burger by its description/picture?
Ray's Hell-Burgers are awesome so they must have had a good source for that area (or at least read donrockwell.com). Despite that, this list is pointless and vaguely insulting.
personally, i'm disappointed in the selection of in-n-out for california... basically, i think they should not have picked a franchise chain burger, i think... like most of the other states, i think they should have chosen a burger from a sole proprietor... shows a lake of imagination from the editors, in my opinion....
also... i know it isn't officially a "state", but why isn't washington, dc represented? with a population greater that 3 or 4 actual states you would think that a cultural mecca and melting pot like DC should have been represented... no?
I'm pretty angry they chose some hoity-toity white tablecloth restaurant to represent my great state of MN. Seriously! So many awesome juicy-lucy's to choose from-- 5-8, Nook, Matt's, and they choose this!!! Grrrrrr.
While I concur with the consensus here that this list needs to be revised I went out last weekend to try the original Frita Burger at El Rey De Las Fritas anyway.
The Frita burger is really good and quite interesting being made with beef and chorizo topped with fried potatoes and onions on cuban bread. If you are a Floridian or just a tourist, make your way to little Havana and try the Frita burger. I was happy I did.
I want to give some more props to Terry's Turf Club in Cincinnati. Holy crap thats a great burger. I was there tonight with a keen eye on the cook. He went about his business perfectly. Great soft, griddled buns. Nice Moderately thin patties on a screaming hot griddle (Tommy told me it was 81/19 black agnus chuck). Flipped once. You can get all kinds of toppings, or just a slice of cheese. Great beer selection and atmosphere. Adam, you would love this place, they do not mess around.
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36 Comments:
Kansas: Winstead's is good, but it's not the best. Puhlease. Bobo's and Cozy Inn EASILY beat a Winstead's burger.
Adam Kuban at 1:19PM on 04/30/09
No respect for the District of Columbia?
FryPrayEatPassOut at 1:22PM on 04/30/09
California: Are they serious? In&Out is the best for convenience sake, but we have a lot more to offer burger-wise in Cali!
FamishedFem at 1:24PM on 04/30/09
Oh, that's old information. My plumber gave me that list and of course I memorized it because he has about as much culinary credibility as TVFN.
therealchiffonade at 1:29PM on 04/30/09
I love In-N-Out, but I have to agree this list is flawed in so many ways...
caroliiine at 1:32PM on 04/30/09
@FamishedFem - I know right? I was thinking the same thing.
bearsilber at 1:35PM on 04/30/09
Arkansas - Cothams Hubcap burger? Yeah, it's probably the biggest.. but the best comes from Midtown .. the only true dive bar in LR. I'm just sayin'.
graciecat at 1:37PM on 04/30/09
What this is is a list of good hamburger places within the largest media market in each state. I have had too many great REAL hamburgers while traveling through the hinterland to give much credence to a list like this. It underscores the necessity of a site like AHT and the input of its readers and contributors, why it's great to hear from burgerphiles who don't live within 50 miles of a major airport.
jscarey at 1:46PM on 04/30/09
Christopher's in Cambridge, MA has seen its quality diminish over time. I used to love going there. Now, I'm less thrilled. And the English burger isn't their best. Not by a long shot.
shoneyjoe at 2:34PM on 04/30/09
Adam, don't you have anything to say about giving Winsteads to Kansas? Call Bud Trillin and ask him what he thinks of that....
lemons at 2:34PM on 04/30/09
Looks like they didn't do much research, just picked out whatever was the most popular.
Fatfudge at 2:59PM on 04/30/09
Yeah, it doesn't look that good at all. Skyline for Oregon? I can name at least 3 better burgers. It's not that their burger is *bad*, it's just that there are much better burgers, especially in the Portland area.
devlyn at 3:11PM on 04/30/09
Apparently the best burger in West Virginia is some fifty pound monstrosity.
jakeyd at 3:19PM on 04/30/09
A burger from the Great Friggin' Dane in Wisconsin? That burger is a big pile of greasy shit, believe me. And I'm a Wisconsinite, so if it's gross to me... well, you know. No love for Solly's?
I hate when magazines, TV shows, websites, etc. don't have any actual intel on anything and still insist on creating those farkakte "best of" lists. I call malarkey.
BangieB at 3:26PM on 04/30/09
I second BangieB. It's a shame this list ignored the countless better burgers in Madison alone, not to mention the various other contenders in the great taverns across Wisconsin. A burger with a pretzel bun? What an embarrassment.
blt76 at 3:31PM on 04/30/09
the French Onion Burger at Burger Deluxe in Wayne, NJ ranks up there !!!
doogielah at 3:45PM on 04/30/09
@Everyone: Thanks for you input! I knew I could count on ya'll to say "..this list kinda blows."
Robyn Lee at 3:47PM on 04/30/09
I can at least verify Washington State's Lunchbox Lab. I've tried all of the hyped burgers around the Seattle area (I think it was Oprah who praised Red Mill on Phinney Ridge), but none brought me to my knees like Lunchbox Lab. I don't think I've ever had a stronger case of the itis in my life.
Eating there is like a one night stand. Afterwards, you feel fat and immoral and a failure and ask, "Why did I do that?! How could I betray my healthy eating habits?!" But man, it's a total taste orgasm when you're plowing through an Ebony Assassin burger with a side of sweet potato fries and a Nutella milkshake served in a beaker, and you KNOW deep down you wanted it, you hedonist.
codeblue at 3:50PM on 04/30/09
Haven Brother's for RI? That's ridiculous considering it's a diner truck when there's an amazing amazing burger at La Laiterie.
slin1 at 4:07PM on 04/30/09
@lemons: D'oh! I didn't even think of that. I think people like me, who grew up in JoCo, Kansas, just think of the KC metro as one big place without borders. But, yeah, Winstead's is technically a Missouri burger joint. Also: If Trillin still thinks Winstead's has the world's best cheeseburgers, then he's live in New York too long. Hmmph.
Adam Kuban at 4:40PM on 04/30/09
Wyoming's best burger is on a some stupid touristy bison dude ranch thing that I had never heard of until reading it on this list. I seriously doubt it.
lo82070 at 5:34PM on 04/30/09
I can verify Ohio's Terry's Turf Club. I found it on yelp and it may have been the best burger I have ever had. Food Network's description of the bar is spot on as well.
Navec at 5:48PM on 04/30/09
Oh really? And what is their credibility in the best-burger-in-the-state department?
Sakura at 6:01PM on 04/30/09
@roboppy, "kinda blows?" That's putting it mildly.
On the plus side, they picked a mildly crappy burger for CT, instead of a REALLY crappy one like Shady Glen or LL.
ratbuddy at 6:21PM on 04/30/09
@ratbuddy: How about..."blows like a violent, high-velocity case of the poop smoothies"?
Robyn Lee at 6:36PM on 04/30/09
Onion burgers are good, but somehow I'm thinking the place in El Reno, Oklahoma isn't as great as it says...
Then again I'm biased, I think homemade onion burgers will always triumph.
comicsan at 9:21PM on 04/30/09
No way In-n-Out would beat out Taylor's in Cali. Sorry, Taylor's Refresher has some of the best burgers in the country.
amanda0730 at 10:24PM on 04/30/09
Eww.
ratbuddy at 11:28PM on 04/30/09
Colorado: I've never been to Jack-N-Grill, but the Juarez is described as a "10oz patty of fresh-ground chuck, ham, hot-dog, fresh ground chile, cheese, guacamole, and mayo." Forgive me if I'm skeptical, but I'm not sure I like the idea of ham and hot dog meat in my burger. The photo on the site looks gnarly too: ( http://www.jackngrill.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/Picture451.jpg.w300h224.jpg ). Has anyone been there and can tell me if this is actually as bad as it sounds and I should most definitely NOT drive into Denver for this, or if I'm wrong and shouldn't judge a burger by its description/picture?
cycorider at 7:06AM on 05/01/09
Ray's Hell-Burgers are awesome so they must have had a good source for that area (or at least read donrockwell.com). Despite that, this list is pointless and vaguely insulting.
jm chen at 12:21PM on 05/01/09
personally, i'm disappointed in the selection of in-n-out for california... basically, i think they should not have picked a franchise chain burger, i think... like most of the other states, i think they should have chosen a burger from a sole proprietor... shows a lake of imagination from the editors, in my opinion....
HerbyN at 2:05PM on 05/01/09
also... i know it isn't officially a "state", but why isn't washington, dc represented? with a population greater that 3 or 4 actual states you would think that a cultural mecca and melting pot like DC should have been represented... no?
HerbyN at 2:14PM on 05/01/09
I'm pretty angry they chose some hoity-toity white tablecloth restaurant to represent my great state of MN. Seriously! So many awesome juicy-lucy's to choose from-- 5-8, Nook, Matt's, and they choose this!!! Grrrrrr.
tvang at 8:12AM on 05/03/09
While I concur with the consensus here that this list needs to be revised I went out last weekend to try the original Frita Burger at El Rey De Las Fritas anyway.
The Frita burger is really good and quite interesting being made with beef and chorizo topped with fried potatoes and onions on cuban bread. If you are a Floridian or just a tourist, make your way to little Havana and try the Frita burger. I was happy I did.
But I still slate Le Tub #1.
mmakis at 8:01AM on 05/04/09
Oh yeah, Burger Joint... definitely the #8 or #9 burger in NYC. :(
Big B at 4:20PM on 05/05/09
I want to give some more props to Terry's Turf Club in Cincinnati. Holy crap thats a great burger. I was there tonight with a keen eye on the cook. He went about his business perfectly. Great soft, griddled buns. Nice Moderately thin patties on a screaming hot griddle (Tommy told me it was 81/19 black agnus chuck). Flipped once. You can get all kinds of toppings, or just a slice of cheese. Great beer selection and atmosphere. Adam, you would love this place, they do not mess around.
ChiefHDB at 8:33PM on 05/07/09