Niman Ranch All Natural Burger - Wasatch Brew Pub, Park City, UT

High above sea level in the cradling arms of the wasatch mountains is Park City. Famous for being one of the greatest ski areas in the world and the home of the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival. Park City is something of a microcosm of rustic-feeling worldly pleasure in a state largely ruled by the Latter-Day Saints. When Greg Schirf first came to Utah in 1986 from Milwaukee I can imagine his shock and awe to find there were no brewpubs in the state. So, he took it upon himself to create Utah's first brewpub, Wasatch Brewing Company. Wasatch Brewing Company started in Park City, and it's headquarters remain there to this day. When the wife and I were in the 'homeland' on a visit we ventured to Park City to partake of the glory known as the Acoustic All Stars and in particular to see one of my very, very best friends, Greg Downs, play in the festival. Needless to say, I wanted a burger and we found ourselves sitting in the Wasatch Brewing Company drinking Polygamy Porter and my wife checking out the 'hot' waiter.

When I tell you that I ate the Niman Ranch All Natural Burger, you know about as much as I do regarding food lineage/pedigree. The menu gives no information as to what is Niman Ranch, or why they call it All Natural. Overcooked and dry, the burger left a bit to be desired. Having had extensive experience with both corn-fed and natural (grass fed) beef, I have to say that natural burgers have the edge on taste. This burger, though, did not. It didn't really taste like anything besides cooked protein. It wasn't even very savory or salty, owing to it's 'natural' origins. The cheese was good. Real cheddar, but you can't overcome a blah burger with average cheese. The bun was also good, but again you cannot overcome the defect that was the burger. I don't really even have more to say about it. I hope that it was an off night at Wasatch, because the atmosphere was cool and the rest of our service was great. Better luck next time, Wasatch.

Niman Ranch All Natural Burger - 3/10 ***

Other perks of Wasatch Brewing Company: The Polygamy Porter was GREAT (Very complex flavor with a definite essence of earthy coffee-ness at the end. Super Good.), the John Daly was also GREAT (Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade. Arnold Palmer for the serious drinker! YEAH!). The appetizer, Coconut Shrimp was out of this world, the service was great, and the atmosphere was really cool.

VOTE!!!

Just wanted to make a plug for the survey on the right hand side (scroll down a bit).

I want to know what the consensus is for how a burger should be cooked. Currently I ask for medium rare, but if the masses state differently I will change for the blog-o-sphere.

-Doc

MEAT!!!

For the carnivores, which I assume that at least some you are.



- Doc

Scones - Merritt's Country Cafe, Boise, ID

Well deserving of their own entry even on a burger blog are the scones at Merritt's. There is nothing better at 1 am than a Merritt's face-sized scone. In fact, there is not much better at any time of the day, really. Always made fresh and always huge, the scones come in three basic flavors: plain, cinnamon and sugar (coated like a FUR coat! Thick and sweet.), powdered sugar, and Dutch Babies (powdered sugar with lemon wedges). This is what Merritt's is known for and excels at. If you are going to go to Merritt's you should be going there for the scones.

Merritt's Scones - 11/10 *********** (....but this one goes to eleven.......)

TOP TEN!!

Well I have finally gotten to the point where all 10 burgers in the Top Ten are burgers that I have officially reviewed and are deserving of the honor!

Welcome to Bardenay's Charbroiled Ground Chuck Burger. Enjoy the view from the Top while it lasts!

- Doc

Trucker's Special - Merritt's Country Cafe, Boise, ID

It's 3 am. You ate dinner at 7, partied hard, and now it is time for 4th meal (Thank you, Taco Bell). In Boise the decision of where to eat is easy: Merritt's Country Cafe. I am sure that at 3 am Merritt's looks better than at 3 pm, just like a bar looks better late at night. Merritt's is not much to look at, but you don't go to Merritt's for high class dining. Merritt's is a treasure of the Treasure Valley known for being open 24 hours a day and super-awesome-amazing-giant scones. I went for the scone, but was enticed by the Trucker's Special.

The name itself rings of dirty toilets and a long day's travel. But you have to give it to 'truckers', they usually eat some pretty tasty food, even if it means an early, artery clogged death. The Trucker's Special consists of two burger patties, a slice of both American and Swiss cheese, and your choice of ham or bacon. Lets start with the last first. I chose ham, although I could have been fooled. I only know there was ham on the burger because I can see it in the picture I took. It looks like good ham, but I never tasted it. Next is cheese. First I will say that I am not a cheese snob! I admit that I still enjoy eating Kraft Singles processed cheese and Easy Cheese with Wheat Thins. However, there is only so much processing that can happen to a "cheese" before it 'jumps the shark', if you catch my drift. The Trucker's Special definitely flirts with the edge of what you can call cheese. Yes, it they were yellow and white (the appropriate colors for American and Swiss). Yes, they were salty and gooey like cheese on a burger should be. But all I could taste was the artificial, mostly hydrogenated oil, cheese flavoring. It put all the other flavors of the burger to shame. The hamburger patties didn't really call for any special attention, either. Definitely just your regular old frozen, corn-fed, beef patties that are cooked until they are just a bit dry. All in all, I would say that the Trucker's Special should stay where it is. Way down on the burger list of Merritt's where only the truly brave dare venture. Don't get me wrong, I ate the whole thing and I would definitely say that it was not the worst burger I have ever had. However, with all the splendor of life and the many, many burgers that are out there I doubt that the Trucker's Special will cross my lips again.

Trucker's Special - 4/10 ****

The Perks of Merritt's: It is open 24/7, they have a Juke Box, and SCONES (see the upcoming post!)

ICE CREAM POTATO!!

Not a burger, but definitely something worth seeing.

Yes folks! That may look like a potato, but it definitely tastes like ice cream.

Ah Idaho.........

Charbroiled Ground Chuck Burger - Bardenay, Boise, ID

The City of Trees - Boise, ID. Yes, I know that most people think of Idaho as a backwoods, outlander state. But if you have ever been to Boise you might change your mind. Boise offers some of the nations best outdoors, culture, and the best college football team in the nation. Something else that you may not know about Boise is that it is home to one of the largest Basque communities outside of Europe. (Click here if you like find out more about the Basque people) Basques are a small ethnic group hailing from the south of France. They boast a rich heritage of dance, music, and most importantly food. Bardenay is a restaurant/distillery, founded April 2000, located in the heart of the Basque district of downtown Boise. Claiming to be one of the first restaurants that is also a distillery, they serve up some tasty eats and some wicked drinks. Suggested to me by the ever wise Red Beard, I ventured a taste of Bardenay's Charbroiled Ground Chuck Burger.

First of all, Bardenay has an awesome setup. The Basque district is beautiful, Boise has awesome weather, and the porch is on a pedestrian only street. Perfect setup. The burger comes to the table looking fabulous! Dark brown crusty bun, melty REAL cheese, and bacon draped over the patty. The bun was perfect! Just a bit crusty, almost stale, with a soft center that caresses the food inside and soaks up the juices. The cheddar (yes REAL cheddar) is Tillamook brand. Which if you have ever lived in the Oregon/Idaho area know is of unquestionable quality. In fact, Tillamook Medium Cheddar was awarded the world's best at the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest. Bardenay has an interesting take on the other toppings. First, the burger, cheese, and bacon are on top of the veggies. Not terribly novel, but also not the norm. The burger comes with sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce. In the lettuce is was a mayo-type mixture that was almost like coleslaw, but less sweet, more savory, and very refreshing. It reminded me of the burger-stand burgers you get at lake resorts all over the US. Only this was high quality instead of just an easy way to put more toppings on. It complimented the dark and savory flavors of the cheese and bacon exceptionally well. The burger itself I will admit was a bit 'ho hum'. It was overcooked a bit (I always ask for medium-rare), not too salty, but not overly tasty either. To be perfectly honest I guess it was probably a frozen patty from a food supplier. Definitely not the worst, but it is definitely was is holding this burger back from true greatness. All in all, the burger gets a thumbs up, though. I would definitely recommend a stop at Bardenay's for good drinks and some sweet food.

Charbroiled Ground Chuck Burger - 7.5/10 *******`

Other perks of Bardenay: It is a distillery! Mamadoula had what she terms 'the BEST mojito'. The list of liquors and drinks is EXTENSIVE. They also had a bunch of local beers (I had Sockeye Brewery IPA which was very, very hoppy but good), Bardenay is one of the few places I have been that offer Sweet Potato fries!!!!, cool locale, and Boise is awesome.

Burger Mania/Vacation

Hey Burger Nation,

Just wanted to give an update. I have now been on vacation for 48 hours and have eaten 4 burgers. Just got back from eating an awesome burger at a place called Bardenays here in Boise. Look for the blog soon!

12 days of vacation left. Lots of burgers left too.

Doc

Sent from my new Android!

Can't Beat The Meat is heading WEST!!

Hey Burger Lovers,

Can't Beat the Meat will be in Northern Utah and the Boise, ID areas for a couple weeks. I need suggestions on where to find some good eats. If I eat the burger you suggest you will get a shout out and maybe even a special surprise.

I NEED YOUR SUGGESTIONS!

Thanks,
Doc

Welcome to the Top Ten - Blimpy Burger

Despite it's shortcoming the Blimpy Burger is still a winner overall. With time and figuring out the secret combination of toppings the Blimpy Burger could definitely move up this list. But for now, enjoy the scenery of the TOP TEN.

Welcome, Jim.

Quad w/ Cheese Blimpy - Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, Ann Arbor, MI

Small, kind of dirty, rubbing elbows with the cook, but an experience not to be missed. This describes a trip to Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor, MI (Boo Wolverines! ....Sorry, I am a State fan). Serving the fans in Ann Arbor and the student body of the University of Michigan since 1953 (which they also claim as the oldest burger stand in the AA), Krazy Jim's is a local favorite. Just look for the place with Snowbears in the winter at the corner of Packard & S. Division. Krazy Jim's is one of those places that lets the customer design the burger for themselves. They claim that a Blimpy Burger can be ordered in over 2 BILLION combinations! The math behind this number derives from the choices as they have "four burger sizes, six cheeses (you can order all of them, some of them, or no cheese at all), four different bun types, nine different grilled items (you can get all, some, or none of them) and twelve different condiments (again you can get all, some, or none)." Therefore, a Blimpy Burger is more a personal thing. Let me take you into MY Blimpy Burger.

First, I was instructed on how to order. Grab a tray. Then move down the line and answer questions as they are fired at you. First choice: Do you want something from the fryer? Fresh cooked fries and onions rings. Mmmmmmmm.......That is all I have to say about that. Next choice: how much meat? I, feeling adventurous, ordered the "quad" [4 patties] not knowing exactly how big the patties are. I was glad that I ordered the quad because each patty is a little ball approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. This is then smashed flat with a spatula and cooked to medium/medium-well (there is NO room for medium-rare in these). I am not really a fan of this method of patty making as the meat can be overly tough, but I figured I would give it a chance. I chose a kaiser bun, added some bacon, and requested provolone cheese rounded out with mayo, mustard, and ketchup. Not a fancy or overly ornate burger, but I can tell you that I was salivating like a rabid dog. Some of that could possibly be due to that fact that they make you stand and watch your burger being cooked less that 5 feet from your proverbial piehole. You are just standing there waiting and watching your burger cook in all it's goodness. Thankfully the staff is incredibly friendly and entertaining, so it goes by pretty quick. Finally I get the burger and dash for a seat. It should be noted at this point that Krazy Jim's proudly proclaims that they "grind their own meat fresh daily". This is a statment the I fully believe. The burger, while being a little over cooked, was delicious. It really tasted more like they had ground up a good steak and made hamburger out of it. Still juicy, full of savory flavor, and just a bit crumbly. It was a beautiful thing. The rest of the burger complemented the meat well, however I will add a caution. The meat is very savory and quite salty. I don't know if it was the particular combination I ordered or if it is just the style of burger at Krazy Jim's, but I got a bit overloaded on the saltiness of the meal. Perhaps a different combination might alleviate the issue. Overall, though, the burger was a winner. This is definitely a place I will visit again, and I have a feeling a champion may exist in Krazy Jim's menu. Maybe Bo was actually thinking of Krazy Jim's when he made his infamous sign --> "Those who stay [and find the magic combination of burger and toppings] will be CHAMPIONS!"

Quad w/ Cheese Blimpy - 8/10 ********

Other perks of Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger: Ann Arbor is a really cool place [if you can get over all the Wolverines walking around ;)], very friendly staff, an interesting atmosphere, and old school bottled root beer, fresh from the fryer steak fries and onion rings (MMMMMMM, yeah!).

Hair of the Dog - Detroit Beer Co., Detroit, MI

Shadowed by Comerica Park and Ford Field in the heart of the long famous (and now possibly defunct) Motown lies the Detroit Beer Co. Started in 2003, this establishment offers good times, good sports (sometimes. In the 'D' you never know.), tasty microbrews, and of course pub food. My brother-in-law was in town and I wanted to show him the heart of Detroit and I was hungry, as usual. So we made a stop at the Beer Co. and I was introduced to a burger dubbed Hair of the Dog.

First of all, the name is at once repulsing and intriguing. It actually makes me think that Uncle Ted (Ted Nugent to those of you not from Michigan) came up with the name. I can in no way figure out why it is named such, but it is a pretty sweet name. The line up on the Hair of the Dog is as such: 1/2 of burger, smoked bacon, and a PERFECTLY fried over-easy egg. Notice the PERFECTLY fried over-easy egg. Now when I say perfectly fried I mean the egg was just a little brown and crispy on the eggs, the white was totally cooked (no 'runnies'), and the yolk was completely liquid. A breakfast dream! But I believe that is where this burger loses some points. The burger was indeed good, but nothing great. Cooked a little past medium-rare, but nothing I couldn't stomach. The bacon was thick, crispy, and delicious. So here I am eating the burger and enjoying it quite a bit. I actually pretty neutral on the eggs on burgers. Normally they don't really add much except for some texture and extra protein. But the Hair of the Dog and it's perfectly fried egg was different. I took a bite of my then lunch and was instantly transported to a campfire breakfast?! Over-easy eggs with lots of yolk and delicious bacon. Huh? Confusing, I know. Everything was good, but the flavors of breakfast were just a bit too strong for the burger-fare I was enjoying up to that point. Don't get me wrong, I would eat the Hair of the Dog again. Maybe next time it will be brunch though.

Hair of the Dog - 6/10 ******

Other perks of the Detroit Beer Co.: Good microbrews (I had the Local 1529 IPA and was quite pleased), awesome criss-cut fries, and a cool location with a building in downtown Detroit very close to Comerica Park and Ford Field.

Terry's Turf Club Annotation: GIANT 'SHROOMS!

My good friend Hark, who went with me on my journey to Terry's, reminded of their vegetarian option. As is custom for most burger joints the vegetarian option is simply a burger with a large portobello mushroom instead of hamburger. Hark had ordered the mushroom version and we were enjoying the scenery and lovely conversation while waiting for our food. Suddenly the cook, or some other official looking kitchen staff, appeared with a hand behind their back. "Is this big enough?" they asked as the BIGGEST mushroom I have ever seen from emerged from behind his back. It measured probably 6 inches across and an inch or more deep. As I remember, she wasn't actually able to eat all of it due to it's massiveness. Hark reminded me today of how good it tasted (I didn't have any but she was and is still raving about it).

Carnivores and herbivores alike, if you are in Cincinnati head to Terry's.

Also check out Hark's music if you are in the Cincinnati area!

I AM BACK!!!!

My deepest apologies and my most sincere regrets to my fellow burger lovers. My life has been consumed in the ever-widening jaw of medical knowledge these last few months. But, alas, I have emerged from the abyss alive and triumphant (At least I think so. I don't get my board scores back for another ~6 weeks).

Look forward to some delicious reading! I have not stopped eating the most beautiful of cow's creations. I simply have not had a chance to vomit my horrible prose upon the blog-o-sphere. Sit back, relax, pop a beer, and check back for more banter soon.

- Double Doc (The Burger Boy!)

Terry's Turf Club Burger - Terry's Turf Club, Cincinnati, OH

WKRP. The Reds. Skyline Chili. What do all these thing say....Cincinnati. Recently our crew took a trip to visit some of our favorite people. Not long before we ventured down, Red Beard (as we will call him) sent me a text stating that he had had 'a religous experience' eating a burger. If that isn't a sign for me to try a burger then I have no idea what one is. Come with me on an adventure, my friends.We are going to a magical place called Terry's Turf Club.........

First you enjoy a drive along the beautiful Ohio River on your way. Enjoy the scenery as you go from upscale homes to Ghetto to Industrial sections (essentially every kind of neighborhood). Finally you stop on the street and see what is quite plausibly a house that looks like there is a party happening. You have arrived at Terry's. Luckily our host's were wise enough to take us early in the evening on a weekday, because there is already a line. While you wait you can hang out in the front on what appear to be a row of old theater seats and order a drink from the bar if you would like. After a reasonable wait you enter what is quite literally a house party! Wall to wall people crammed with what was probably a large living room. After sitting down one of the very nimble House Host's (waitress) arrives....

Margo (HERE IS YOUR SHOUT OUT!!!), our very lovely waitress, explains to us new comers what is going on: Good burgers, and beer. That is pretty much it on the menu. But these are not just a 'I'll have a cheeseburger' burgers. Anyway you want it, you can have it. I don't remember exactly what the 'special' toppings of the day were when I was there, but I know that one of them was a mushroom I had never heard of. For myself I chose I had a cheese called haloumi, grilled onions, banana peppers, and a man-size portion of beef. Order some fries, which indeed taste like my father-in-law makes at home, and order beers from around the world. After a very reasonable wait time (which is a major thumbs down from a lot of reviewers online. FYI to those people: If you go at dinner time when it is REALLY BUSY you are going to have to wait for your dinner. Get over it!) our food shows up on paper plates. Yes, paper plates. Which is awesome because the clean up is easy and the cheap ones they use can be recycled. Now is time for a delight. The bun reminded me of fresh french bread. Not crunchy, not stale, but not so soft that is disintegrates. The next 10 minutes are something of a blur. I remember having fun. Every bite was full of delicious not-too-salty, but oh-so-juicy beef. I will admit it was more toward medium than medium-rare, but juicy enough to make up for it. Past that it was like eating 5 different burgers. Every bite was an adventure. One bite had only haloumi in it. The next haloumi and banana peppers. The one after that banana peppers, haloumi, and onions. After that haloumi and onions. And so it went until it was gone. I can honestly say that I don't believe that I have had that much FUN eating a burger.
It was juicy. It was delicious. It was exciting. And it was fun. A must eat for anybody making a stop in Cin-City.

Terry's Turf Club Burger - 10/10 **********

***WELCOME TO THE TOP, MY FRIEND. ENJOY THE STAY, BUT DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE! I EAT A LOT OF BURGERS.***

Other perks of Terry's Turf Club: Cool and unique environment (definitely not for people with S.A.D. or claustrophobia), Great Fries, Lots of different beers, and a unique experience. (Don't go during peak eating times because the line can get HORRENDOUS!)

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.