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