Where was the best hamburger you’ve ever ate?

[Another Fan]

I hadn’t been there in over 10 years but Donavans Pub in Woodside, Queens.  

 

Was once recognized as best burger in NYC.  Not sure is still is 

Edited December 13, 2022 by Another Fan

[Gugny]

I recently went to lunch at the Garrison in Lake George, NY.  Decided to try what they call the T-Burger.

 

T-BURGER

8 oz grilled patty with melted American cheese, a hard fried egg, jalapenos and applewood-smoked bacon.

 

Simple, but was cooked perfectly medium and absolutely fantastic.

 

[teef]

i can't think of one specific place, but the better burgers i've had are from restaurants that aren't burger places.  We have an place by us that i suppose you would call italian as it's the bulk of the menu, but they always have a burger on the menu, (type changes with the season) that's out of this world.  there's even a mexican place in the city that has one of the better burgers in the area.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

There's a chain that originated in the Ottawa Ontario region, which expanded into other parts of Ontario via franchises: The Works.  I believe all are licensed to serve beer.  Best burger was the 'Olive Oyl', which received its name from the feta cheese, black olive, and raw baby spinach.

 

Honourable mention to a little joint on the east side of provincial highway #6, north of Arthur Ontario, on the way to Owen Sound.  Hamburger Patty's it was called.  Sadly, it closed a few years back.

[Chef Jim]

Well seeing I've had 16 bazillion burgers in my life it's really hard to remember the absolute best but Fat Burger in LA was pretty damn good! 

 

 

[Just Jack]

Walk into one of the swankiest hotels in NYC and look for the floor to ceiling velvet curtain. Follow the crowd going behind it.  

 

Burger Joint | New York City | Best Burger Joint In The World (burgerjointny.com)

 

[Mark Vader]

ESPN Zone

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

checkers when they first came around in the mid '80's. like many chain restaurants, the quality went south.

 

 

I now settle for a 5 guys burger when I get a hankerin'

Edited December 13, 2022 by DaBillsFanSince1973

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

I have to say that now that I have perfected making my own smashburger, nothing beats it.  It is so perfect and easy. 
 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Fuddruckers that used to be at Sweet Home Rd. and Maple Rd. In Amherst made a good burger, cooked as rare or well done as ordered.  The customer did their own garnishes.  I think Fuddruckers started in Texas.

[Gugny]

59 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

Walk into one of the swankiest hotels in NYC and look for the floor to ceiling velvet curtain. Follow the crowd going behind it.  

 

Burger Joint | New York City | Best Burger Joint In The World (burgerjointny.com)

 

 

There are three locations.  Which one have you been to and is it safe to assume the burgers will be/taste the same across all locations?  I'd like to try the one near Central Park sometime.

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

One of those 'food network' shows did a piece on steamed burgers a few years back.  Something I found worth trying.  Apparently only served in central Connecticut.  Looks like I will have to plan a steamed hamburger and candlepin bowling expedition.

[billsfanmiamioh]

Good topic. I’m sure I’ll think of more but these couple popped into my head first.

 

Thurman cafe: Columbus staple, can’t go wrong with any but the Thurman burger is pure gluttonous bliss
https://places.singleplatform.com/thurman-cafe/menu?menu_id=551975#all-menus

Coyote bluff cafe: Amarillo, Tx. Was on man vs food many years ago. I did the burger from hell it was excellent. Cool little spot. 

https://www.coyotebluffcafe.com/menu.html

[Bad Things]

I've had a lot of plain and fancy burgers in my time, but as soon as I saw the question, I immediately thought of my top four.

 

Bill Gray's - Webster NY.  It's my hometown, so this will probably always remain my favourite. 

CB and Potts - Fort Collins, Colorado.  Oh, mama!  Not sure if this place still exists, but I spent a lot of time there, while attending CSU.  Go Rams!

Ferg Burger - Queenstown, New Zealand.  The line of customers usually goes around the block, but the wait is worth it.  Fantastic burgers.  

Vili's Burgers - Rarotonga, Cook Islands.  We normally try to eat as much local food as possible, while visiting the islands, but this is our go-to spot.  Can't wait to go back again!

Edited December 13, 2022 by Bad Things

[Chef Jim]

Actually one of the best I've had recently was at Andrei's in Irvine CA by my old office.  They mixed braised short ribs in with the ground beef.  It was unique and pretty damn spectacular! 

[K-9]

1 hour ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Fuddruckers that used to be at Sweet Home Rd. and Maple Rd. In Amherst made a good burger, cooked as rare or well done as ordered.  The customer did their own garnishes.  I think Fuddruckers started in Texas.

I remember the dyslexic greeter at that Fuddruckers that got fired because he kept saying, “Welcome to RudeF**kers.”

[Jauronimo]

I can tell you the most disappointing burger was Craigie on Main in Boston.  They make like 20 burgers a night (its a fine dining restaurant) and its first come first served. So we waited outside for an hour before the doors opened to secure a burger and it had almost no sear, it was very juicy but not much on flavor, the bun was sopping wet.  I think they sous vide that thing.  But the worst part was their house made ketchup which had none of the umami or sweetness of ketchup.  Total fail.  No clue why it was such a big deal.  Scarcity is not a substitute for quality.  

[plenzmd1]

19 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I can tell you the most disappointing burger was Craigie on Main in Boston.  They make like 20 burgers a night (its a fine dining restaurant) and its first come first served. So we waited outside for an hour before the doors opened to secure a burger and it had almost no sear, it was very juicy but not much on flavor, the bun was sopping wet.  I think they sous vide that thing.  But the worst part was their house made ketchup which had none of the umami or sweetness of ketchup.  Total fail.  No clue why it was such a big deal.  Scarcity is not a substitute for quality.  

Funny, long time ago it was their roast chicken was the supposed to die for chicken...felt same way, i do better at home!

 

I would say my best burger is the 2AM burger...really does not matter where its from. 

 

 

[Draconator]

Best burger I've ever had was at The Silo in Lewiston, NY. Amazing burgers.

[US Egg]

Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood CA. across from Graumann’s.

 

Ate there 3x in a week. Burgers, both of us each time, even got two to go, but alas, never again. 

[That's No Moon]

1 hour ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

One of those 'food network' shows did a piece on steamed burgers a few years back.  Something I found worth trying.  Apparently only served in central Connecticut.  Looks like I will have to plan a steamed hamburger and candlepin bowling expedition.

[muppy]

The Chuck box in Tempe AZ

 

burgers cooked over mesquite fire. FABULOUS

[Just Jack]

2 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

There are three locations.  Which one have you been to and is it safe to assume the burgers will be/taste the same across all locations?  I'd like to try the one near Central Park sometime.

 

Thompson Central Park, used to be the Parker Meridian, is the one I’ve been too.  
 

https://www.burgerjointny.com/about

 

[mead107]

McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese 

 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

11 minutes ago, mead107 said:

McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese 

been a while but I like the double meat QP w/C with extra onions  

[Augie]

 

With such a broad topic, I was surprised that two burgers immediately came to mind. The first is Zip’s outside of Cincinnati. It was one of my favorite joints during college and they just have great burgers. It’s on the list of stops every time I get back to town. I think @Seasons1992 probably has tried them. 

 

The other place is Gecko’s, a sport bar kinda place with a few locations around Sarasota, FL. Their first location opened within walking distance of my house when we moved there in 1993. Great burger with lettuce tomato and red onion. When I was feeling crazy blue cheese went on. Some burgers slide all over and become hard to eat because of the “extras”, and some have better buns, I guess. 

 

Neither of these places does anything you can point to that makes it so good, but they are just so right in different and delicious ways. 

 

 

.

Edited December 13, 2022 by Augie

[Bill from NYC]

Several years ago we went into Manhattan to see the Carol King play on an April day. When it was over we went across the street to a pub/restaurant that advertised a burger made of steak tail from a porterhouse. When we could afford it, every once in a while my mother used to buy big steaks and have the butcher grind the tail and make hamburgers from it. It was nothing short of exquisite.

 

To make things even better, the restaurant was televising the yearly Alabama "A" Game. It as the first time I saw John Metchie play.Talk about a perfect day!!!!!   

 

If there are any butchers out here, why is it all but impossible to find steak tail these days?

[Dan in Owego]

13 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Several years ago we went into Manhattan to see the Carol King play on an April day. When it was over we went across the street to a pub/restaurant that advertised a burger made of steak tail from a porterhouse. When we could afford it, every once in a while my mother used to buy big steaks and have the butcher grind the tail and make hamburgers from it. It was nothing short of exquisite.

 

To make things even better, the restaurant was televising the yearly Alabama "A" Game. It as the first time I saw John Metchie play.Talk about a perfect day!!!!!   

 

If there are any butchers out here, why is it all but impossible to find steak tail these days?

Good question Bill, i believe the steak tail is referring to the cut known as tri-tip, it was a staple at our restaurant for a long time and suddenly about two years ago could not find any suppliers for it.

[Dan in Owego]

Best burger, pipers kilt Inwood Manhattan. Believe they have a location in the Bronx as well, just an old school pub got the Eastchester with bacon cheese onion rings lettuce and tomato , really really good super juicy think it was flat top cooked with beef fat.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

I had a shake shack burger in an airport once that caused me to change my shorts.

 

Best burger ever and totally worth the felany. 

Edited December 13, 2022 by EmotionallyUnstable

[Bermuda Triangle]

Grover's in East Amherst, New York.

 

The building used to be Grover Cleveland's hunting lodge back in the day. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

This is an easy one.

 

Sunshine Village, Banff National Park... April 1987.

 

Not sure why this burger resonates with me... Outdoor grill? Alberta beef? Nothing has ever matched it. Just a simple, pub style (thick) burger with the works... 

 

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

44 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

Grover's in East Amherst, New York.

 

The building used to be Grover Cleveland's hunting lodge back in the day. 

I think that is the stretched truth. It isn’t proven anywhere and in fact appears by historical records to be inaccurate.Skip to slide 37 for the records.

 

 

Edited December 14, 2022 by EmotionallyUnstable

[EmotionallyUnstable]

3 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

I can tell you the most disappointing burger was Craigie on Main in Boston.  They make like 20 burgers a night (its a fine dining restaurant) and its first come first served. So we waited outside for an hour before the doors opened to secure a burger and it had almost no sear, it was very juicy but not much on flavor, the bun was sopping wet.  I think they sous vide that thing.  But the worst part was their house made ketchup which had none of the umami or sweetness of ketchup.  Total fail.  No clue why it was such a big deal.  Scarcity is not a substitute for quality.  

Boston sucks

5 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I have to say that now that I have perfected making my own smashburger, nothing beats it.  It is so perfect and easy. 
 

 

Blackstone? We do the same. Onions, jalapeños and melted cheese….

[ICanSleepWhenI'mDead]

In both hands (so that I didn't need a fire hose to wash up afterwards)!

[Just Jack]

4 hours ago, mead107 said:

McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese 

 

Even better now that they make them "fresh" when you order, instead of sitting in the warmer for an hour after cooking. 

 

3 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

If there are any butchers out here, why is it all but impossible to find steak tail these days?

 

My nephew is, I will try to get in touch and ask him.  

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Boston sucks

Blackstone? We do the same. Onions, jalapeños and melted cheese….

I don’t have a blackstone…. Yet. It’s on my Christmas list. I just use a skillet, and a smasher. 
 

Put a mayo/mustard mix on the meat as it cooks, and sear it right into it. Melt cheese. Add chopped lettuce, sautéed onions, some special sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun. 

[SinceThe70s]

White Castle.

[Guffalo]

Press Box, Rainbow Blvd, Niagara Falls New York, end thread

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

9 hours ago, Bad Things said:

I've had a lot of plain and fancy burgers in my time, but as soon as I saw the question, I immediately thought of my top four.

 

Bill Gray's - Webster NY.  It's my hometown, so this will probably always remain my favourite. 

 

Bill Gray’s? I used to love that place as a kid. Used to go to one in Fairport and one at Eastview Mall. Great burgers and great crinkle fries.  I wonder if they are still around.