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.

Cheeseburger - Five Guys, Arlington, VA

If you have ever lived in the D.C./Arlington areas you will know about Five Guys. This summer I visited my brother in McLean, VA and of course asked him where to get the best burger in the area. >He immediately introduced me to the semi-legendary status of Five Guys. Found in shopping malls, strip malls, and probably other types of malls Five Guys have been busting out fresh cow meat since 1986. In that time they have expanded from a sole mecca of charred heaven to over 300 locations in 25 states. To me that deserves a looking-into.

When it comes to their burgers Five Guys stand by several tenets which are a source of inspiration and pride. 1-The burgers and toppings are never frozen. There are no freezers in a Five Guys shop, only coolers. 2-In relation to #1, the burgers are always fresh and cooked to order. 3-They use only the tastiest peanut oil for their awesome fries. 4-Their fries are made only from Idaho (YAY IDAHO!) potatoes. In fact, the day we went to Five Guys there was a sign stating the fries were from Driggs, ID that day.

Having surveyed the rules, I would have to say that they live up to the standards of their claims. The cheeseburger at Five Guys was great! When you bite into a Five Guys burger don't expect to stay clean. The juiciness and the salty-savoriness of the meat hits you will full force. The burger, which is not wimp at about a 1 inch thickness, is cooked beautifully even though was not medium rare. The toppings were fresh, crisp, and juicy in their own right. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be able to tell if the burger was ever frozen because of the sweet fattiness of the meat, but the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions spoke loud and clear. The bun was nothing special, but thankfully didn't disintegrate in the river of luscious flavor. The one bone I have to pick is the cheese. Everything about Five Guys screams fresh backyard BBQ. Everything but the cheese, that is. The cheese was definitely of the American processed types. Don't get me wrong, the cheese was melted beautifully and incorporated into the burger as you ate it. However, the savory-saltiness of the meat and the 'cheese' got to be a bit more than I would like by the end. That being said, the cheeseburger at Five Guys is a wrecking ball of flavor and deliciousness. Five Guys....welcome to the Top Ten.

Five Guys Cheeseburger - ******** 8/10

Other perks of Five Guys: It was super fast and cheap, they are expanding rapidly, and the FRIES WERE GREAT! (peanut oil, fresh, just thick enough, and they were from Idaho).

After a little though...

I have officially decided that the Papa Joe Burger deserves to be on the TOP TEN!! Welcome and enjoy your time Papa Joe.

Papa Joe Burger - Peanut Barrel, East Lansing, MI

If you attended Michigan State University since 1983 you will know the Peanut Barrel. Conveniently located on Grand River in downtown East Lansing, The Peanut Barrel is a staple of grub and good times for everybody in Sparta. So sit down, enjoy the beautiful Michigan summer, and have yourself a big beer or the strong Long Island in town!

The Papa Joe Burger at the Peanut Barrel is one of "those". It is not the best burger, but it most certainly not the worst. The kind of burger that you could eat once a week and not get bored for long time! The bun is excellent. More of a home-style roll turned into a bun with just a bit of grease on it to satisfy. The burger is definitely something formed by hand: No manufactured, frozen, cookie cutter burger here. The burger is always cooked on the medium-well side of things, and just a bit dry. However add lettuce, tomato, and American cheese plus some mayo, mustard, and ketchup and you'll have a winner. The fries are definitely more of the home-style, too. Excellent and crispy. Not many things in life go down better than Peanut Barrel fries with mayo and finish it off with a brewskie. Combine the beautiful downtown East Lansing scenery in the summer, some lovely Canadian ale, and the very reasonable price of the Papa Joe burger for a great time. The kind of memory that will always remind you of being at MSU.

Papa Joe Burger - ******* 7/10


Other perks of the Peanut Barrel: THE BEST Long Island in town, daily lunch specials, outdoor seating, daily drink specials, and good times!

SPECIAL ENTRY - Spare Ribs - Bubba's BBQ, Jackson, WY

As you may know, this is a burger blog. What are these ribs doing here, then? Well, as I enjoy my culinary adventure I am looking for signature items. Signature burgers are at the top of the list, however signature ribs will do just fine. Bubba's just so happens to be a place that has signature ribs, but not a burger. Therefore, I endulged.

Bubba's BBQ is located in majestic downtown Jackson, WY (most of you may know it as Jackson Hole, WY). Unassuming and definitely not the kind of place that has a professionally printed menu or website, Bubba's naturally draws you in. It appears to have been therefore ever, and it's food tells you that is not a bad thing. Stainless steel tables, cheap chairs and benches, and a surly attitude make Bubba's feel like home....until you try the food. I don't make ribs like this!

BBQ'd spare ribs, pork and beans, and garlic Texas Toast! If I can't have a burger, give me this. The ribs were incredibly meaty, which is not always the case and not always good. But in this case it was great! The meat was a bit overcooked as the meat did not simply fall off into your mouth. However, the BBQ sauce made a daring attempt at making up for the meat. Savory, smokey, just a little heat, a bit greasy, and smooth like velvet - this sauce was good. The sauce was also in harmony with a very mild tasting rub that is obviously made to camoflouge itself in charred meat and the brownish-red sauce. Finish it off with real pork and bean and the toast to satisfy a real mans hunger. Bubba's is a definite must to anyone visiting the land of Buffalo's and tourists!


Bubba's Spare Ribs - ******* 7/10

Other perks of Bubba's: Pork ribs which were actually better (my nephew let me try them), cool atmosphere, room for an 11 person party, and it is in Jackson Hole!