Steely Dan Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 I was telling my brother about the Pittsburger, yesterday. Can't believe I forgot to mention the Press Box. THAT was a bizarre joint. I once saw the owner throw out a man, by his ear, for asking for a refill on a cup of coffee. The Press Box was a "get it yourself" kind of place. Probably an IRS agent and that would explain the problem's that later befell him.
The Dean Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 I don't think any of the Five Guys stores serve alcohol. The local one here only has Coca-Cola products and iced tea. I wholeheartedly agree with you on Steak and Shake, as far as the shakes are concerned. I stop just for a chocolate shake. The burgers are good, but they're a C+ compared to Five Guys. Maybe a half-step above Wendy's. Have you ever been to the Double Play in San Francisco? It's at 16th and Bryant, Mission District (across from where Seals Stadium used to be). My uncle took us years ago. Great food there. I think there are Five Guys that serve alcohol (in DC, I believe). I have never been to one, though. I know the owner of the Double Play (Marty, if he still owns it). My friend Sil (Ron Silvestri) used to bartend there during the day. They have very good food, especially for lunch, IMO.
Just Jack Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 Yes, go ahead and complain, but I really like Fuddruckers "Three Cheese" cooked medium rare.
The Dean Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 Yes, go ahead and complain, but I really like Fuddruckers "Three Cheese" cooked medium rare. I won't laugh. I haven't been to a Fuddrucker's in years, but always thought they had a damn good burger...plus I could always get a beer, too. Very important. I have little use for restaurants that won't cook your burger medium rare. I understand the health (and I suppose, the insurance) issues, but I don't really care. I went to a Longhorn Steakhouse, here in St Augustine, sat at the bar and ordered a drink and a bacon cheeseburger medium rare. The bartender/waitress informed me that they can't cook a burger less than "medium" (or was it "medium well"?). Now, I had a burger there a couple of weeks previously (with a different bartender) and got my burger done fine (maybe a tad over medium rare, but no biggie). Here is my list of issues with being told by a waitress/bartender, in a steakhouse, that I can't have my burger "medium rare": 1. This is a steakhouse. I can get my steak RARE. I assume that your burgers are from the same meat as your steak...that's why I went there. So, you are telling me that you have no confidence in the quality of your ground meat, or the sanitary condition of your grinder. That's great. 2. You are a bartender/waitress. Your job is to be my advocate in the kitchen. "No" shouldn't be the first answer for one of my legitimate restaurant requests...ever. Explain the policy (if you must), but then tell me you will "see what you can do". Have the decency to LIE TO ME (if you have to), for God's sake. Maybe the cook can call it medium, but deliver it medium rare. 3. If you think you can't get it done to my satisfaction (or don't want to try), send the manager over to explain it to me. At least you will have done some work for your tip. Needless to say, I finished my drink, pointed out the window with several other establishments clearly in view, and said, "I'm sure one of those restaurants will make my burger the way I request", and left. Don't remember where I got a burger that day (some local bar, I think), but recall that it was pretty good.
Booster4324 Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 I won't laugh. I haven't been to a Fuddrucker's in years, but always thought they had a damn good burger...plus I could always get a beer, too. Very important. I have little use for restaurants that won't cook your burger medium rare. I understand the health (and I suppose, the insurance) issues, but I don't really care. I went to a Longhorn Steakhouse, here in St Augustine, sat at the bar and ordered a drink and a bacon cheeseburger medium rare. The bartender/waitress informed me that they can't cook a burger less than "medium" (or was it "medium well"?). Now, I had a burger there a couple of weeks previously (with a different bartender) and got my burger done fine (maybe a tad over medium rare, but no biggie). Here is my list of issues with being told by a waitress/bartender, in a steakhouse, that I can't have my burger "medium rare": 1. This is a steakhouse. I can get my steak RARE. I assume that your burgers are from the same meat as your steak...that's why I went there. So, you are telling me that you have no confidence in the quality of your ground meat, or the sanitary condition of your grinder. That's great. 2. You are a bartender/waitress. Your job is to be my advocate in the kitchen. "No" shouldn't be the first answer for one of my legitimate restaurant requests...ever. Explain the policy (if you must), but then tell me you will "see what you can do". Have the decency to LIE TO ME (if you have to), for God's sake. Maybe the cook can call it medium, but deliver it medium rare. 3. If you think you can't get it done to my satisfaction (or don't want to try), send the manager over to explain it to me. At least you will have done some work for your tip. Needless to say, I finished my drink, pointed out the window with several other establishments clearly in view, and said, "I'm sure one of those restaurants will make my burger the way I request", and left. Don't remember where I got a burger that day (some local bar, I think), but recall that it was pretty good. http://archive.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/35468 The stuff is preground mostly. Some restaurants grind their own, but I doubt many chains do. Good read on the risks and demographics. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/foodr...00/may2000g.pdf The problem with the bartender/server being your advocate is that they could get in hot water with the manager. I have a feeling you are a good tipper and if you are a regular I would bet the bartender/server would be your advocate. Someone that doesn't know you though...not so much. Personally, I like my steaks medium rare. Burgers between med and medium well as I dislike the texture of a bloody burger.
The Dean Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 http://archive.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/35468 The stuff is preground mostly. Some restaurants grind their own, but I doubt many chains do. Good read on the risks and demographics. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/foodr...00/may2000g.pdf The problem with the bartender/server being your advocate is that they could get in hot water with the manager. I have a feeling you are a good tipper and if you are a regular I would bet the bartender/server would be your advocate. Someone that doesn't know you though...not so much. Personally, I like my steaks medium rare. Burgers between med and medium well as I dislike the texture of a bloody burger. I understand the risk of eating a burger medium-rare, and actually don't mind if it is medium (which it usually is, if ordered medium rare). I'll live with the risk. It isn't as if the other restaurants won't make it to order. As Jack notes, freakin Fudruckers will make it medium rare...but they grind their own meat. Here we come on the runWith a burger on a bun And a dab of coleslaw on the side, Oh your taste we will tickle With a great dill pickle And all of our potatoes are french fried, fried, fried, Our burgers can't be beat, 'Cause we grind our own meat, Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, When you drive away, You'll really hear us say, We bid you bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, We bid you bye, bye, bye, bye, bye! And as your on your way, A tip upon our tray We hope to find, find, find, find, find We hope to find, find, find, find, find. -Wilma and Betty With that said, I think you missed a couple of my points. This was a STEAK restaurant. I would hope they grind their own meat, but (as you note) likely they don't. They should still be serving something they have confidence in, IMO. By announcing they won't cook it less than medium (or medium well...whatever it was) they are also announcing they don't have strict quality control over their burger meat. As for the waitron, I understand your point. As I noted, she could have LIED to me and made me happy. "I checked with the kitchen, just to see if they could do something, but they have a strict policy". She didn't even have to actually check. In great restaurants (not just fancy restaurants, either) the server doesn't start by saying "no" to a customer's request. The bartender/waitress on the previous visit simply took care of the issue for me...and, yes, I over tip most of the time.
Fan in San Diego Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 If your in the San Diego area, there is a chain of restaurants called "Islands" they specialize in burgers. The "Bluenami" is pretty dam good. Bluenami is a blue cheese burger. With fries and a beer its hard to beat.
kegtapr Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 I just came home with a Don's Original and am eating it now. It's pretty good but I think McDonald's are the best. Seriously, there's a place near where I live called "Lindburgers", and they're great These are way overpriced. Mmmmmmm, Lindburgers. The only reason I was sad to move out of Penfield. I could eat a Far East burger every day.
The Avenger Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Having lived on the west coast my whole life I have no knowledge of many east coast burger joints, so I can only go with what I know. Best fast food cheeseburger: IN-N-OUT. Very simple menu, inexpensive, and everything is fresh daily. Best Restaurant(s) cheeseburger: ESPN Zone. Their burgers are so full of flavor, they make your mouth water. Order some cheese fries with them. MMMMMM MMMMMM. Saint John's in Sunnyvale, California is a very popular place. Great burgers and fries. Kirk's Steakburgers in San Jose area is another good place as well. Gotta agree with you, Mark - you have to categorize burgers. I liked my experience at In N Out Burger - burgers and fries were good, but it's still fast food. If we are talking about best overall burger I've ever had it really doesn't make the list - these are fast food. That said, if I had In N Out near me on the East Coast I'd probably select them over other fast food chains (right now Wendy's is the best of the fast food burgers here IMHO). The other think I liked was the price - $2.99 for a Double Double is pretty good for fast food, especially in an expensive place like the Bay Area.
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