Category Archives: Burgers

Billy Goat Tavern

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** (2 stars)

This place is a dive. It revels in being a dive. And I think dives are just fine, if they have great food. But there is absolutely nothing special about the hamburgers here, other than the fact that they were featured in a funny sketch on Saturday Night Live three decades ago. Having not seen the sketch, I entertained myself by reading the very interesting memorabilia that covers the walls. If only the food had been as interesting.

Billy Goat Tavern
430 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-1525
http://www.yelp.com/biz/billy-goat-tavern-chicago

Amazing Kale Burger Lunch Counter

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**** (4 stars)

It’s always a pleasure to eat where the employees are really passionate about what they do, and that epitomizes The Amazing Kale Burger. From the moment I walked in I felt right at home, and my server’s enthusiasm for the food was very clear.

I tried the Vaden, which is served with a beet-based BBQ sauce. The kale burger patty is quite delicious, with all the ingredient in balance, and a nice crust from cooking. The accompanying lettuce and tomato were quite fresh, and the BBQ sauce was delicious. The bun was a bit small, sturdy and dry for my taste, but I can see where others might like it.

For a side dish I had pickled asparagus, which was tossed with yellow peppers and extremely fresh oregano bits. It was delicious.

House made mint tea was pleasantly unsweetened.

The kale burger was one of the better vegetarian patties I’ve had, and I’d often choose it over a meat patty if it were available elsewhere. Coincidentally, I ate here on national burger day!

Amazing Kale Burger Lunch Counter
741 Howard St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 660-4330
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amazing-kale-burger-lunch-counter-evanston

Ivy’s Burgers, Hot Dogs and Fries

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***** (5 stars)

I’ve been looking all over Chicago (literally) for a place with great gourmet hotdogs and hamburgers. Well, this is it.

The dogs include the usual Chicago and chili varieties, plus others named after cities and countries. I tried the most unusual, the Japanese Dog, and wow, was it good. Yes, the seaweed salad and pickled ginger go well on a dog, but the superb flavors of the dog itself really shone through. Best hot dog meat I’ve had, for sure.

But the burger was actually better. A think, juicy patty with a crisp, seared crust, piled high with all my favorite toppings, plus cheddar cheese and (of course) bacon. That bacon really made it a home run, with its smoky flavor, and the bun had enough integrity to hold the whole handful together. Just describing it has made me want another one.

I also tried the garlic fries, which are hand cut and tossed with fresh Gilroy garlic, herbs and olive oil. If that sounds good, you’re right. The owner made sure I knew they were unsalted, and pointed out a whole rack of seasoning salt shakers to choose from. His recommended smoked salt was terrific on them.

It’s easy to see that the owner’s hands-on approach makes this place special, and I can imagine it’s often hard to get a seat, as there are only a few tables, but I was served quickly, and the wait time for everything to be prepared fresh was definitely worth it. I’m all ready to go back and try some other gourmet combinations and maybe a shake, too.

Ivy’s Burgers, Hot Dogs and Fries
5419 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 775-2545
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ivys-burgers-hot-dogs-and-fries-chicago

BurgerFi

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**** (4 stars)

This latest outpost of the BurgerFi empire is at the entrance to Windermere, next to Isleworth and Bay Hill in the Grove shopping plaza. The weird design of the parking makes finding a space a bit of a puzzle, but it keeps down the traffic, which makes dining outside on the large, covered patio pleasant.

I like BurgerFi’s approach to burgers, because they make it easy to assemble your burger from the ground up. My favorite is with bacon, white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle relish, ketchup, mustard and mayo. It’s no problem to rattle these off and get exactly what you want.

The burgers themselves are fairly small, about the size of a fast food burger, not a gourmet hamburger restaurant’s patty. But that’s fine as far as I’m concerned, because you get all the flavor without so many calories. And the flavor was good, especially the crispy bacon, which was generous. The bun was a bit blah, even though it had been “branded” with the BurgerFi logo. And the meat was definitely well done, which might turn some off, but I don’t mind a well-done burger as long as it’s juicy, which this one was.

The accompanying onion rings I ordered where huge, crispy and tasty, but dripping with oil. My companion liked his fries less well. The order was huge, but the variant he ordered was covered with a white sauce that made them slimy.

BurgerFi has Coke Freestyle machines, so you can select from hundreds of combinations, which is always fun.

You order at the counter, and then the food is delivered to your table using a clever scheme involving restaurant pagers placed on a special mat that must signal the servers which table you’re at. Very neat.

If you’re expecting Red Robin or Burger 21, BurgerFi isn’t really in that category, but if you want an excellent fast food burger in a nice environment, it’s a good choice.

BurgerFi
4750 The Grove Dr.
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 217-7612
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burgerfi-windermere-6

Teak Neighborhood Grill

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***** (5 stars)

This comfortable neighborhood bar offers a great environment for drinks, lunch, or casual dinner. The extensive menu takes a gesture pub approach, with a variety of offerings, but the stars of the show are the burgers.

What’s great about the burger selection here is that every burger is distinctly different, with a true range of flavors from spicy to beer-glazed to caramelized and even peanut butter and jelly! All burgers are a half pound, cooked any way you like, and most come on a pretzel bun, accompanied by your choice of side item. My favorites are the Drunken Monk and the Crone burger (which comes on a cinnamon dusted croissant/donut and is pictured above).

The bistro fries, with a strong rosemary flavor, and the sweet potato tater tots are two good choices.

Definitely in the running for best burger in Orlando.

Teak Neighborhood Grill
6400 Times Square Ave
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 313-5111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/teak-neighborhood-grill-orlando

DMK Burger & Fish

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**** (4 stars)

It’s nice to find a burger place with table service. This small restaurant offers counter service to go, but if you want to eat in, just have  seat.

The veggie burger I had was delicious, with a nice crust, and moist, tasty filling, and good toppings. The bun tended to self-destruct, even though it had been nicely grilled, but fortunately I had a knife and fork!

The fries were tasty but a bit soggy, although that was mostly masked by the excellent blue cheese and bacon topping.

Service, by Tess, was great, friendly and informative. Nice place.

DMK Burger & Fish
815 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 424-8226
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dmk-burger-and-fish-evanston

Superdawg Drive-In

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*** (3 stars)

This is a really neat 50s style drive-in with amusing hotdog characters on the roof, and a great history. Service is fast and friendly. The food is fine, but it’s not going to change your life. You’ll get the same Chicago dog available all over town. The hamburger is actually a bit more interesting, because although it’s a fairly typical fast food burger, it’s dressed like a Chicago dog. The fries are fairly crisp if you open the box as soon as they arrive. A good place to take a car full of kids, I guess.

Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/superdawg-drive-in-chicago-2

Wiener & Still Champion

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*** (3 stars)

Definitely a hole in the wall, this microscopic grill has about five tables. Service is quick and friendly. The corndog breading was fairly thick, but nicely crisp. Fries were plentiful. I was a bit put off by the slightly clotted cheddar sauce used on the cheeseburger in place of actual cheese. All in all fine, but unremarkable.

Wiener & Still Champion
802 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 869-0100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wiener-and-still-champion-evanston

Fat Kahunas

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**** (4 stars)

If you’re looking for good food right at the beach in Cocoa, this is the place. It’s not just your typical fried fish hut, but an excellent restaurant with a range of offerings that is an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

We particularly enjoyed the coconut shrimp appetizer and the wedge salad. The entrees were also good, with a massive plate of “Malibu” chicken — chicken covered with cheddar cheese, bacon and mushrooms.  I was a bit surprised that there was no tartar sauce for the fish and chips. Side dishes, which come with the entrees, were also very good, especially the coconut rice and the cole slaw.

Pricing is extremely reasonable for the great quality and large portions.

Reservations are really important. This restaurant has only five inside tables, and two more outside, so plan ahead, or come at an off time!

Fat Kahunas
8 Minuteman Cswy
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
(321) 783-6858
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fat-kahunas-cocoa-beach-2

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub

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**** (4 stars)

I’d been wanting to try the Crooked Spoon for some time after hearing about their burger back when it was a food truck. So it was with great anticipation that I read the online menu and then ventured out for lunch. Upon arrival I was quite disappointed to discover that, by bad luck, I’d chosen the day they decided to inaugurate a new Sunday brunch (not noted on the website), and wouldn’t serve items from the regular menu.

Since I’m not a brunch fan, this was unfortunate. The brunch menu contains much less interesting food than their normal offerings. It was hard to understand why at least some of the regular food couldn’t be made available, but we ended up with a 420 burger and a spinach salad, two of the few non-breakfast items. Both were very good. I particularly liked the toasted brioche bun on the burger.

Bruch seemed popular with large families with many kids, which wasn’t exactly the gastropub ambience I was expecting, but good for them, if they’ve found a way to increase business on what might otherwise be a slow day. However it took close to 45 minutes to get a hamburger, which suggests they either had more business than expected, or need more organization. Perhaps the newness of the menu slowed things down, but frankly there weren’t many people still ordering at 2pm on a Sunday when we arrived.

I would like to return when the normal menu is being served, and give them a try on true gastro pub food.

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub
200 Citrus Tower Blvd
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 404-7808
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-crooked-spoon-gastropub-clermont