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