Big Jud - Big Jud's, Boise, ID

Nestled in the Treasure Valley of eastern Idaho lies the "City of Trees". Boise is home to beautiful scenery, a laid back life-style, Boise State University, and a legend. In this case I am not speaking of the "Smurf Turf" (which is indeed a legend of its own). Instead I am speaking of burger known as the Big Jud Special. Any true Bronco knows of Big Jud's. A mere 0.3 miles from Boise State University, Big Jud's offer great shakes, a hometown atmosphere, and a behemoth of a burger.

The Big Jud is nothing to be trifled with. The special cost $18! But considering what you get it is a small price to pay. The Big Jud consist of 1 lb of delicious beef. Usually this much meat needs to be burned on the outside just to cook all the way through. However, Big Jud's has solved the problem of keeping their giant burger juicy and delicious, just like their regular sized burgers (Yes, they do have them and they are all great!). The Big Jud is approximately over 8 inches across! That way they are able to seal in the juices, but still get the meat cooked through without burning the outside. The beef is savory, juicy, and does not disappoint. It tastes like the good cuts of hamburger I cook in my backyard. But what do you put a burger that size on, you say? How about a bun to match it's ferocity!! The bun is over 8 inches across, each side is over an inch tall, and it is beautifully soft with just a touch of sweetness. Add on top of this FOUR slices of real cheddar and about another pound (total) of pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard. THIS is the Big Jud. Big Jud's makes great normal sized burgers, many of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. But when ordering the Big Jud I expected the taste to be sacrificed for the sake of enormity. NOT THE CASE. The burger was juicy, delicious, and everything was in great ratio. I now understand why the bun was so big and why there are so many toppings. It is all about the ratio. Everything blended and created a great home-style burger.... just in massive proportions. The Big Jud definitely proved itself as a Top Ten burger. Enjoy the stay!


The Big Jud Special is actually the combo which includes the Big Jud, 1 lb of tater tots, and a drink. Finish it all and you have your picture put on the wall. Even as delicious as the Big Jud is, it was a challenge to put it down. Add on the tater tots and you have a REAL challenge. The tater tots are crispy and delicous, but around the 3/4 mark you start feeling like an artery is going to pop from salt overload. However, I did not want to disappoint my family (which was there), a few enthusiastic fans I gained during my eating at the shop, and most of all my faithful readers. So I stared the Special in the face, slammed the final bits in my gulliver, and claimed victory. A most delicious victory.

The Big Jud - 9/10 *********

Other perks of Big Jud's: ALL the burgers are great, Boise is an awesome place, the tater tots are superior (when eaten in moderation), and they have really great shakes!

--The Food Network listed the Big Jud as Idaho's Best Burger in their 50 State 50 Burgers feature.
--Man vs Food did a feature on the Big Jud when they were in Boise, too.

Yes, it is that good.

The BIg Blue - A&W, Logan, UT

Any born and bred American knows A&W. It is an iconic symbol of a time long gone full of poodle skirts, root beer without high fructose corn syrup, and diner guys with paper hats. Founded in 1919 with a special root beer sold for a nickel, A&W is integrally woven into the fabric of American cuisine.

In the shadow of the Wasatch mountains there lies Cache Valley. Cache Valley is known for cheese (yes, it is that good), Mormons, and Utah State University. Founded as a land grant institution in the 1800's, USU loves its cows and its grass. Fittingly their mascot is a large blue bull aptly named Big Blue. It is from this grand monicker that the Big Blue derives it's name. A specialty you will only find at one A&W in the whole world. The Big Blue has it's roots in the classic A&W burger, but made for the hunger of a large blue ungulate. First you begin with the classic sesame bun known so well. Next add not one, but TWO 1/4 100% USDA beef burgers. Top with two slices of cheese and you have the Big Blue. Now, the next part is optional (a personal recommendation). Another unique item you will only find at the A&W in downtown Logan, UT is their fry sauce. I don't know what is in it (a secret for the ages), but it is pink with pickle chunks and insanely delicious. Pour a generous helping on your Big Blue and you are in for a treat. This a treat from my childhood, and probably a significant factor to my being rather... well chunky as a youth.

Now for the honesty. I am a fan of the Big Blue, let that be known. However, when indulging in said meal recently I realize that not all things remain the same. Big and filling, but ultimately just a large helping of the fast food version of A&W. It is definitely something that satisfies the munchies, but the slightly dry and ho-hum tasting burger will not win any awards. The bun is the typical fare for A&W and the cheese is fast food American. Nothing to be triffled with, yet nothing to write home about. The Big Blue remains a memory of indulgence in the memory of the little fat boy.

BIg Blue - ***** 5/10

Other perks of the Big Blue: The Big Blue is actuall a special - The Big Blue Special. With the Big Blue comes an equally weight mound of french fries (typical A&W fare). Put down some fry sauce with those fries, load up on some A&W Root Beer, and you have yourself a date with destiny. Or the toilet. Both are acceptable.

Big As A House Burger - Pizza House, East Lansing, MI

If you have spent any significant amount of time on the southeast side of MSU you know Pizza House. Nestled in Hannah Plaza adjacent to MSU, Pizza house has been a crowd favorite for over 23 years. Known mostly for it AMAZING pizza (duh!), including an awesome version of the Chicago-style deep dish, it also provides a hefty line burgers. Normally Pizza House is not my first thought for a juicy burger, but I figure that everybody deserves their fair shake. I mean they say "We’re committed to using the leanest meats, finest poultry, real Wisconsin cheeses, fresh baked breads and produce delivered daily to create your favorite meals from our expansive menu!" And I can personally say it is true in regards to their pizza. But now...the burger.

Atop their burger page in the menu the have a selection that couldn't be passed up. It is called the "Big As A House Burger"! While I certainly applaud Pizza House attempt at catering to all palates, maybe they should just stick to pizza. The first clue could have been in the description where they state "chargrilled medium-well, unless otherwise specified". Perhaps they meant "will be charred to medium-well or more regardless of your preference". I 'specified', but did not obtain medium-rare. Dry and lacking a lot of taste the burger seemed to go on forever. As it claimed, it was big. However, bigger in this case did not mean better. The bun was so-so and the toppings were to satisfaction. My choice of topping was cheddar, and thankfully cheddar is what I received. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Pizza House. However, my Daddy always said 'you don't get race horses out of shetlands' and I say you don't get great burgers at a pizza joint. (Maybe next time I will try their pizza burger.)

Big As A House Burger - **** 4/10

Other Perks of Pizza House: GREAT PIZZA! You can't go wrong here. I really like the vegetarian pizza, lots of cheap beer, nice atmosphere, and close to MSU

Back from a siesta....

Hello Burger Lovers,

Pardon my ill-timed and unanounced departure from the blog. Life happened. But the good news is that I am now on break from school and several entries are in the making. You will be privy to my culinary wanderings as I journey west to my native lands and eat at establishments of my youth.

Happy eating and Happy Holidays!

Doc

The Elevation Burger - Elevation Burger, Falls Church, VA

If you are short on time, just take the Five Guys burger I recently blogged and take everything up a few notches and you have The Elevation Burger (aptly named).

I will be perfectly honest here. I don't normally associate the phrases 'organic', 'better for you', or 'better for the environment' with a winner of a burger. However, I was proved ABSOLUTELY wrong recently. While at my brother's house I was searching for a tasty treat (by which I mean a good burger). I happened upon a lovely little operation called Elevation Burger. I know that many of the best 'houses of burger' claim and abide by a certain code of conduct, but this place takes the proverbial cake.

Have you ever really had 100% organic, 100% grass-fed, 100% free-range, 100% ground-on-premises beef? I have and it was a vision! Take all the savory, salty beef you have ever had in your life and throw that idea out. The flavor of the elevation burger is something that we in America don't ever get.....it tasted like beef itself. Juicy, savory, and just a bit sweet. The meat reminded me of elk or venison, but it still had that distinctive heavy savoriness that we all know in beef. But instead of the fatty saltiness of corn-fed midwest beef, this meat had a subtle sweetness that seemed to push the flavor all over your mouth. The meat melted together with a thick slice of REAL cheddar in a symphony of pure, natural flavor. The bun, which obviously must be made from wholesome, all natural ingredients, was nothing to get terribly excited about. However, it didn't get in the way of what was a truly elevating experience. Add on mustard, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes for session of burger zen......ahhhhh. The only thing I could have asked for was a bun that truly complimented the amazing flavor and it a be a bit bigger (about the size of a McDonald's double cheeseburger). However... the Elevation Burger definitely raised the bar! WELCOME TO THE TOP TEN!!

Elevation Burger - ********* 9/10

Other perks of Elevation Burger: CHEAP (it will only put you back ~$3!!), it was quick, and it was clean.

Tony's BLT

Not a burger, but definitely worth a mention.

1 lb of bacon with some lettuce and tomato for good measure. I love Michigan.
CLICK HERE!

Not the only one....

Evidently I am not the only person who is excited about Five Guys outside of D.C. I have had multiple comments on my facebook about Five Guys and I just saw this on another blog [Click Here]

BUT... I also found this [Click Here]. Just reinforces something I abide by when looking for a good burger. When you are looking for a good burger --> look for local places or the original place if it is a franchise. 'Nuff said.