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.

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!

Bonnie Burger - Bonnie's Place, Lansing, MI

I have to admit something. I had to eat this burger twice because I just wasn't sure. Bonnie's Place, circa 1988, is an approximately 20 x 80 brick building on the corner of Saginaw and Cedar streets in Lansing. The building itself is very unassuming, which definitely matches the interior. The inside feels as small as the outside looks with MSU paraphernalia lining the walls and at least a thin veil of cigarette smoke. It has the feel and look of a place that regulars guard with unfettered loyality.

The burger. Oh, the burger. As stated earlier, I had to try this one twice to wrap my head around it and to make sure I was getting the real deal at Bonnie's. The Bonnie Burger is definitely made to satisfy a real man's hunger. As usual I asked for a medium-rare patty. Both times I received a very medium cooked burger. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I can not say that I have ever had a juicier, more tender burger that has obviously been cooked pretty hard. The meat was succulently savory and seemed to sort of melt in your mouth. This is only to be complimented by the slices of ham included on the Bonnie Burger. Top it with some lettuce and tomato (which could have been fresher) and then tie it all together with a thick helping of REAL cheddar cheese. This sort of concoction could go terribly wrong, but not in the hands of the staff at Bonnie's. They have balanced everything as if in a majestic buffet where you can taste everything, but it all comes together into a synergistic melt of savory. You will notice that I have not talked about the bun. This is where the Bonnie Burger takes a downward turn. When it comes out it gives not indication as to what is in store. The bun looks very normal and appropriate in size. However, about half way through the burger you will suddenly notice that you are eating a diabetic version of the burger -- VIOLA, NO BUN! The bun has completely disintegrated and you are left to fend for yourself with the meat. While I can not say that the bun is the most important component of a burger, it is a necessary part. All in all, the Bonnie Burger definitely impresses, but don't forget your napkin. As such it has earned itself a spot on the Top Ten. Welcome Bonnie!

Bonnie Burger - ********* 9/10

Other Perks of Bonnie's Place: Beer, a "unique" atmosphere, and a 1/2 all burgers on monday nights.

NPR's "Perfect Burger" Recipe

Courtesy of one of my favorite people ever --> The Poet.

A NPR correspondent was shown the secret to what chef Adam Perry Lang consider's a perfect burger. It is faily involved, but if you have the time I think it would definitely satisfy. But I am not sure I say this is the perfect burger.

'Perfect Burger' Recipe

-Doc

New Feature: For Your Browsing Pleasure

I have linked the name of the burger (where is it scored at the bottom) to the website of the establishment, if available. Just in case you want more info.

-Doc

Champp's Cheeseburger - Champp's, East Lansing, MI

THE CHAMPP REIGNS SUPREME!!!

Before I ever thought of starting a burger blog I never imagined that a national chain would claim the top spot in a burger blog. Somehow it just seems inherently wrong. Nevertheless, my I manage to avert my bias and judge the burgers for what they are. And when you are at Champp's, you get what you are looking for.

Standing just outside the Eastwood Towncenter in East Lansing, MI, Champp's is a beacon of Americana. Beer, burgers, and sports. That pretty much sums up Champp's. Love or hate it, it is what it is.

Where do I start about Champp's Cheeseburger? Start with "USDA Choice Angus Beef" that boasts a wopping 60 grams of protein per patty. Cook that delicious slab a meat perfectly! Seared quickly to lock in the flavor, but leaving a warm red center so that you don't kill the taste. If there was nothing else, this burger would be creeping into the Top Ten. But they didn't stop there. Put that beautiful slab of meat on a sesame seed bun that is crispy enough to keep everything in and not disintegrate, but sweetly supple to handle the meats beauty. Lettuce, tomato, and REAL cheese. To reiterate - REAL cheese (your choice of cheddar, provolone, or pepper-jack). If you want bacon, you will get 'thick, peppered bacon from heaven'. Combine this with brew that is just a little bit slushy because it is so cold, an always friendly (and usually easy on the eyes) wait staff, and a cool atmosphere (including several big screens with your favorite sports). That is a recipe for Nirvana-like delight. The only downside of the Champp's Cheeseburger is that when you are done you won't have room for another!

Champp's Cheeseburger - ********** 10/10

Other perks of Champp's: Cheap drinks, instead of fries you can get those crisscross things (awesome!) or sweet steak fries, you can watch all the PPV events on their big screens, and the prices aren't bad!

Double Cheezborger - Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago, IL

Below the street along the Magnificent Mile lies the Billy Goat Tavern. An icon of Chicago, it is a symbol of the cities love for sports, and the curses that go along with them. Stemming from an incident in 1946 involving the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern and an actual Billy Goat, the Cubs have not won a World Series since. Perhaps the curse is real, but the burgers definitely are.

To be perfectly fair to the Billy Goat Tavern, they never claim to have the best burgers in the world. The atmosphere and staff personalities are everything. When you walk in you will be wildly greeted with the statement "You want a Double Cheezborger! Double is the best!" Don't even try to order anything else, because you won't get it. In addition you will be served some chips and a drink --> "No Pepsi, Coke!" As you wait for your burger you can look around at the walls and see the faces of fame. Everybody who is anybody has been to the Billy Goat Tavern, and if you are cool enough you get your picture on the wall.

ON TO THE BURGER! If you have been to any home town diner, you have had a Double Cheezborger. The patties add up to maybe 1/3 lbs and they are cook only one way - well done. Now this is not to say they are overly terrible. The bun is crispy and fresh. The 'cheeze' is artificial, but satisying. The burger, while thin, is juicy and tasty. As and overall experience, I would go again. You will get full. You will enjoy your time. But you are not going to be going there everyday for the mythical Double Cheezeborger.

Double Cheezborger - **** 4/10
The Billy Goat Tavern - ******** 8/10

Other perks of the Billy Goat Tavern: Cool atmosphere, lots of history, and on the Magnificent Mile

A future burger lover is born!!

I am pleased to announce the birth a future burger-lover. My son, Asher. Born 5/23 at 6:30 am. The adventure is just beginning.

Cheeseburger - Daddy O's Bar and Grill,Chicago, IL

Located along the illustrious magnificent mile in downtown Chicago, the Hyatt Regency Hotel is both a delight and a comfort away from home. The Hyatt is more than just a hotel...it is an experience. In fact, given enough money you could live quite well without ever leaving the complex. It includes gift shops, fitness centers, access to a subterranean mall, and of course alcohol and food. Just past the golden doored elevators of the west tower sits the cozy Daddy O's Bar and Grill (Irish) which, as any establishment claiming to be a bar, serves a hefty burger.

The Cheeseburger at Daddy O's was an interesting one. Even now as I write this blog entry I am a bit torn as to whether I really liked it, or whether it was just kind of weird. There were several very good things about the burger. It was thick and juicy, but not over the top greasy and just a slab of meat. I asked for a medium-rare, and I definitely got a perfect medium-rare, which unfortunately is all too rare (ha ha, get it?). The bun was great! Toasted and a little bit crispy on the outside, and beautifully white, supple, and absorbent on the inside. Yet the crispiness of the outside did not succumb juices and held strong!!! This burger included one of those "choose 2 of the following:..." statements, which as you know if you read this blog is not a good thing. I went safe and picked cheddar cheese and grilled onion. I was pleasantly surprised by thick cheddar and delectably grilled onions. Now comes the confusing part. It came with a side of mayo, which is always GREAT in my book. However, it turns out that this was not your ordinary mayo. In this mayo was a substance that I still can not define. All I got was the smell and a to a lesser extent flavor. I can only describe it as something that was fermenting. Now, this is not an automatic disqualifier. I love sauerkraut on my brats and I love the fermentation of the field. But this was neither beer nor kraut. Perhaps another kind of cabbage, or something altogether different as only the Irish could do. However, after much debate and thought, I still cannot place it in the category of either great or glop. Perhaps, I shall never know what that substance was, and perhaps I don't want to know. For now, though, I must blog on.

Daddy O's Cheeseburger - ****** 6/10

Other perks of Daddy O's: Awesome (and I do mean awesome) spinach artichoke dip appetizer, cool atmosphere, and you don't have to even leave the Hyatt to get it if you are staying there.

Da' Burger - Beggar's Banquet, East Lansing, MI

If you love fine food and wine then you will love Beggar's Banquet. Located in downtown East Lansing across from the storied buildings of Michigan State University, Beggar's Banquet has been providing the "gimme eat" style of service since 1973. Famous for it's casual atmosphere, high class food, extensive wine selection, the best baked brie in Mid-Michigan, and half-off bottles of wind and appetizers on wednesdays, it is a favorite haunt of cultured citizens.

As it can be gathered from the introduction, Beggar's Banquet is not your typical burger joint. However, everything else I have ever had there is excellent, so why not the burger. Their signature (and only) burger, Da' Burger is half-pound, Black Angus burger served with lettuce, tomatoes and onions on a kaiser roll. That sound good, right? Well, there is a lesson to be learned from the next option accompanying Da' Burger. In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, Da' Burger also comes with your choice of any 2 of the following:......... I did not include the options, because it really doesn't matter. When you see this sort of phrase, it is best to stay away. I have never had a burger that would be worthy of the TOP TEN that included a option such as this. Now don't get me wrong, the burger was okay. But, definitely not the best. I ordered medium-rare, I got medium-well (maybe the guy in the picture was cooking that night). I ordered cajun seasoning (one of my two options), and I got salt (I am assuming, because I didn't taste any cajun's!). The meat was average at best. A little dry, adequately large, and pretty bland. The kaiser roll was indeed a kaiser roll. However, a burger is only as good as what is between the buns (that's what she said!!). Overall, I have to recommend Beggar's sticks to large chunks of baked cheese (again, it is SOOOOO good) and fermented grapes.



Da' Burger - **** 4/10

Perks of Beggar's Banquet: HALF-OFF WINE AND APPETIZERS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT (get a reservation.), BAKED-BRIE (soooo good), and really cool laid back staff and atmosphere.

The McGangbang - Neighborhood McDonald's, USA

On any street in our lovely country one is likely to see a symbol of America itself. Two rising arches gleaming in the air. Boasting their golden hue for all the world to see. One can even imagine nestling in the bossom of their ever adorning image. McDonald's..... what more needs to be said. Billions, yes BILLIONS, served.

Sometimes the best things are better left unsaid. And sometimes other things are left off of the menu. The McGangbang (for a more systematic definition please refer to the Urban Dictionary) is a part beauty, part beast. Created by sweetly inserting a McChicken in between the juicy patties of a McDouble, the McGangbang screams atherosclerosis. I know that it seems something of a farce, but this actually happened. In the heat of the moment I reverted to my 'roots' and screamed "THAT JUST HAPPENED!"
One might think that since there are 2 hamburger patties to one chicken patty that it would overpower the poultry. However, quite the contrary. That chicken is a force to be reckoned with. My taste buds were overwhelmed by the McChicken's power with only subtle and momentary glimpses of McDouble. Now, come the part when I lose all credibility. It really wasn't that bad. It was a new taste, it was cheap, and I was full. Some days that is all you can ask for, and fortunately (or unfortunately) that days was one of those days.

The McGangbang - ***** 5/10

Perks of McDonalds: I will reserve some of my dignity and not elaborate.

Smokehouse Burger - Smokey Bones, East Lansing, MI

Sitting in the corner of lovely Eastwood Towne Centre in East Lansing is a wonderful place called Smokey Bones. In writing this blog I found out that Smokey Bones is actually a chain restaurant, but from my end I couldn't tell (maybe I should get out more!). The very name gives you everything you need to know about the food at Smokey Bones. They smoke stuff that used to have, or still contains in some instances, bones. Ribs, pulled pork, and burger. All the good things in life, eh?

The delight at hand from Smokey Bones is dubbed the Smokehouse Burger. This hearty mound of meat comes with a host of tasty goodness. Start with a thick, yet supple, bun. Add on top a thick burger, perfectly cooked to medium-rare, that is juicy enough (but could be better). A subtle, yet oh so important, addition are red onions cooked and smothered in the Smokey Bones signature savory BBQ sauce. On top of all this cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and more red onions. You may say to yourself "that is a lot of onions!", which ends up being true. When beginning this burger you can taste onions in addition to the ever subtle, but smokey, flavor of the BBQ sauce. It is truly heavenly.
But admittedly by the end of the burger the power of the red onions can not be denied. Even with the pitfall of the onion parade, the Smokehouse Burger is a site to behold. This is a burger I would recommend to anybody due to both it's heartiness (I was stuffed) as well as the balance of flavor (forgetting the onions).

Smokehouse Burger - ******** 8/10

Other Perks of Smokey Bones: Lots of TV's with your own listening station, lots of Happy Hours, AWESOME Pulled Pork and Ribs, cool atmosphere.

Cheeseburger - Clara's Restaurant, Lansing, MI

A beacon of a time near forgotten, Clara's Restaurant, sits on Michigan Ave in Lansing. A rennovated train station, built in 1903, Clara's has been a restaurant icon in Lansing since 1978. Clara's boast an extensive (and I do mean extensive) range and number of dishes in it's menu. Ranging from Mexican to Italion to Ribs and, of course, burgers.



Clara's, as most American restaurants, offers at least 5-7 burgers of various craftsmanship. However, this eccletic restaurant does not claim any as a signature burger, therefore I ordered the good old Cheeseburger. As usual I ordered it medium-rare, and I was feeling especially saucy this night and asked for the pepper-jack cheese (this was one of 4 choices). When the burger came out I almost asked if I got the wrong dish. What sat before me was a slab of black meat with cheese of unknown origin upon an actually above average bun. That is it (aside from a scanty pile of mediocre fries) As I pulled out the 'medium-rare' tag stuck in the patty I knew I was in for a treat. The black exterior of the meat was only surpassed in it's beauty by the full cooked, and slighty dry, meat contained therein. While I know I ordered pepper-jack cheese, I can scarecly recall the taste of any sort of cultured dairy product while stomaching the burger. The burger included no lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and only a mostly empty bottle of ketchup set entirely too far away for me to reach. The only positive thing about the burger was the bun. Clara's claims that in imports bun's for their burgers from somewhere in Chicago. This I can believe, because it was actually very good. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and just a hint of sesame flavor. All-in-all Clara's cheeseburger should come with a warning to those with taste bud's for real burgers.

Clara's cheeseburger - *** 3/10 (all for the bun)

Additional perks of Clara's - Cool atmosphere (you can eat in an old rennovated train car), there is something on the menu that will appeal to everybody (I can't comment on whether it will taste good, though), and I hear they have a great brunch.

Brewtus Sirloin Burger - Applebee's, Delta, MI

In most american towns you will find an Applebee's.  A glimmering beacon of America's chain restaurant obsession.  In recent years it's reputation has improved, for example it was especially featured in the critically acclaimed movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  In line with it's truly American heritage, Applebee's boasts a fine section of large burgers.

Applebee's signature, or at least it claims it as the original, burger is the Brewtus Steak Burger.  Weighing in at 10 oz. of sirloin burger, the Brewtus is crowned with REAL cheddar cheese, bacon, and an above average bun.  This first let down with this burger is when I was asked how I would like it cooked.  I, of course, said 'medium rare' (the perfect cook for all burgers).  I was politely informed that medium is the rarest they can go, but the waiter was friendly enough to state he would try to get it medium rare.  I should have just settled for the medium, because what I got was a medium with a barely pink,
mushy center.  Thankfully the meat of the burger was of good quality and thereby not allowing the texture to be devastating.  While the sirloin burger was not bad, it was also not fabulous.   It was not too greasy or salty, but lacked any kind of unique flavor.  A definite bonus on this burger was the thick slice of REAL cheddar cheese (you don't see that too much anymore).  Down sides of the burger included scrawny, soft bacon and the burger was at least twice as big at the bun.  If you are going to have bacon on a burger, it better be 'thick, peppered bacon from heaven', not a couple slices of nasty bacon just to say you have bacon on the burger.  In addition, I love the meat of a burger, but I also enjoy not have my fingers in my burger by the end.  Big burgers deserve big buns.   All together the Brewtus Sirloin Burger is definitely above the average, but lacks the signature taste and love of creation of truly great burgers.

Additional perks of the Brewtus Sirloin Burger:  You can get it anywhere in America at Applebee's, the fries were pretty good, and Applebee's has lots of options on the menu for those eating with you.

Brewtus Sirloin Burger - ****** 6/10

Crunchy Burger - Crunchy's, East Lansing, MI

Everybody who loves karoke and beer in East Lansing knows Crunchy's.  Just down the street from Michigan State University, this local favorite offers good times to many students.  As it turns out, though, they do a decent job with a hand crafted burger.  

The "Crunchy Burger" is a handcrafted sort of beast.  It  reminds me of a burger you would have at a backyard BBQ.   Large enough to stick out off the side of the bun (a definite positive).

Cooked to perfection (I ordered it Medium this day), it was both juicy and flavorful.  You can tell these burgers are either put together just before grilling, or they have some sort of freshness formula.  The burger comes with lettuce, onion, tomato, and cheese.  Downsides - the lettuce was a bit too big and the onion was a bit too strong.  The cheese was not 'real'.  Most of the time this is not necessarily a good thing.  However, on a Crunchy Burger it was perfect.  Not too fake tasting and melted just enough to not slide off.  All-in-all the Crunchy Burger served to satisfy. At the affordable price of $4.75, the Crunchy Burger rightfully lands itself a spot in the Top Ten.

Additional Perks of Crunchy's:  Karoke, Lots of Beer (at reasonable prices), a cool atmosphere, and awesome Cajun Fries that are great when you are drunk.

Crunchy's Burger -  *********  9/10

Welcome to Burger Heaven!!

Welcome to my little world!  I am a lover, not a hater.  And one thing that I truly love is a big juicy burger.  Mmmmmm.  There is not much better to me than a big, lovely burger and a cold glass of brew.  As such, I have decided to make myself relevant to.....probably only myself.  But it makes me feel better.

In this delicate blog I will be posting my chronicles as an amateur burger connoisseur.  As I eat burgers I will posting entries detailing my personal impression of the burger.  I will probably even give it a rating.  Ultimately I will be deciding whether the burger at hand deserves a spot in my TOP TEN BURGERS!! (seen on the left).   Should the burger be worthy, count yourself lucky.  

I will play by simple rules, since I am a simple man.  As I attend a establishment of food I will look to see if they have a 'signature' burger.  This, without variance, will the burger I try.  If there is no 'signature' burger I tend to look for 'signature' ribs (I LOVE RIBS, TOO).  If I find neither, then I will most likely get the regular cheeseburger (I love cheese) or whatever happens to look especially appetizing.  

Occasionally I will detail the ribs I try.  I am also contemplating making a burger recipe blog, but that will have to wait until summer (I love to grill when it is hot).  

So to all that read and/or care.  Enjoy!  

(I also love comments, critique, and discussion).

Cordially, 

Doc