I nominate the Bracken Store Cafe, near San Antonio:

They are thick as hell, juicy, and LOADED with cheese.

http://www.brackenstore.com/

The ones I make with franks red hot cooked into the beef, with the tastiest sourdough i can find, and usually topped with grilled vegetables of some sort, and some expensive mustard, i love my mustards.

home cooked food is always better.

Believe it or not my favorite cheeseburger is at the airport Holiday Inn in Corpus Christi Tx. Half-pound angus and it's served on what can only be described as a burger size sweet dinner roll.

I nominate White Castle......Once it hits your lips, it's so good!

my wife makes a chicken wing burger (the cheese is bleu chesse) and on game days we get Beef on Weck

The old JIMMY MAC'S on Delaware?? Elmwood?--sorry haven't lived in BUFF for years but do visit. Went there about 7-8 years ago. I know its closed or changed owners now.

Grover's in Amherst...

review
nutha

Haven't had a burger from there in years, but I DO remember how good they were! Man, now your making me miss SA (which I swore I never would). Another good place down there for burgers is Chesters. There was one on Pat Booker Rd by Randolph AFB and another on loop 410 (I know Blue, that's pretty vague).

Next time your on the northeast side of SA, check out Chesters.

Shady glen in Manchester CT.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=14

Zips in Cincinnati, OH (across the street from my apt, too)

http://www.zipscafe.com/

... was NOT the ten-dollar model I had in the Cleveland airport Monday afternoon. Sounded good - bacon/cheese/mushrooms/onions - but lost something in the transition from the menu to the plate. Ah well...

Little place just outside Portville, Red's & Trudy's, makes a great drive-in style "loose meat" burger. We've been known to order a dozen to go, on top of the ones we're eating while we're there. Here are a few pictures of the place. (The "Chuck" in the second picture is Chuck Boller, across-the-creek neighbor, former owner/publisher of the paper I work for, and the man whose very large shoes I'm trying to fill on the local sports beat.)

Hey, let's hear some more entries from Buffalo. I'm sitting here trying to remember the last burger I had there that wasn't at a tailgate, and I'm coming up with a blank. I need some suggestions ...

I've been to the one on 410 (I think its near 410 & Broadway) - it was pretty good, but I'd put it fourth in SA, behind:

1.) Bracken
2.) Biff Buzbys
3.) Chris Madrid's
4.) Chester's

I'd agree with that ranking. I guess Chesters has a cool saloon-type atmosphere that makes it kind of a cool place and the 50+ choice of beers isn't bad either.

You should have told me you were coming here, even just to change planes...I could have made a Five Guys run for you.

Those are the best burgers I've ever had, and the closest one is about a three-iron from my office.

At Paul Weber's up in Orillia, Ontario. Not really "the" best Cheesburger, but since my dad and I would always stop there on the way up to Lake Cecebe for our annual week of fishing in Canada, it sure seemed like the best because it was the best of times.
Here's to you, dad!!!!

Buffalo Brew Pub (made with Angus and cooked to order. Always delicious)

the two best cheesburgers are in order

#1) The one at 4.00 AM, greasier the better (well now midnight for me)

#2) The one at 9.00 AM when your head is pounding form the night before, and as above, greasier the better

I'll have to keep that in mind for next time. I actually paid $40 extra to connect through Cleveland (and avoid Newark).

This pub in Somerville, Mass. serves burgers that are made with a half a pound of meat.

R.F. O'Sullivans

BURP

Five Guys Burgers 'n Fries

Their fries are fantastic too.

Another vote for Grover's on Transit. Simply fabulous, everytime. I don't know anyone who has ever had one that doesn't think they are the best they ever had, although I'm sure these madmen exist somewhere.

My wife also makes these ones that are like grilled meatloaf almost, covered in cheese.... awesome burgers.

I thought it was from that place on a numbered street with a red door and the neon sign that said Burger on it?

Don't we trust Regis to tell us whats the best?

Absoultely agree

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.

Five Guys is from the area in which I live now, greater Washington, D.C. They are good, but I really don't think they as good as Tom Wahls or Bill Gray's or Don's.

So not to be called a complete homer, I think the best burger on the planet can only be had at J. G. Melon on Third Ave in NYC.

I'd also say the burgers at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park are great!

Don't forget In-N-Out burgers out west.

I'm out on the West Coast on business and have plans to check out In-N-Out Burger tonight - I've heard so much about this chain...

IN NYC I like Jackson Hole (a few locations, when I lived on 85th st. there was one on 85th and Columbus) - burgers as big as your head and very tasty - yum!

"So not to be called a complete homer, I think the best burger on the planet can only be had at J. G. Melon on Third Ave in NYC."

Yes! I agree, I was going to post the exact same thing. That's 3rd and 74th Street. Also add their cottage fried potatoes, $3.95. Cash only.

This thread makes me hungry.

In Buffalo, they turned Grover Cleveland's old hunting lodge into a restaurant, and they serve these absolutley incredible 1 pound cheeseburgers. Best I've ever had.

In n OUT----horrible....esp if used to Buffalo area stuff

Beat you to it...I mentioned Five Guys to Lori (see post #15).

Terrific burgers. I'm so glad they moved into this area.

I've been to California and Arizona, but I've never had the pleasure of an In-N-Out Burger. I understand there's something special about those hamburgers.

Paris Hilton seems to love them.

When she was pulled over for driving without a license that's where she was going.

This is very hard for me. I've had quite a few great burgers (and if you have seen me lately, you'd think I ate them all in the past week.)

Five Guys are VERY good, but not the best I've ever had. The fries, on the other hand, are among the best I have ever had. It loses points, at least in St Augustine, as the local 5 Guys serves no alcohol of any kind.

I love Grovers in Amherst (only been there a couple of times), but don't remember having a burger. Next time I'm there, that'll be what I try.

Jackson Hole's burgers were big, and good, but not great, IMO.

In and Out makes a pretty damn good burger. Certainly the best fast-food burger, and by quite a lot, IMO. Also, the fries are fantastic (5 guys quality).

Steak and Shake are better than average fast food/diner burgers...good shakes, too.

In San Francisco (in the Triangle are of the dreaded Marina district), the Balboa Cafe makes the Balboa Burger. Served on a crusty French Baguette, it is fabulous. Major plus for the ability to have a selection of great beer, wine and (my personal favorite) Champagne, served by the glass. Fries are shoestring, but good.

Another one of the best burgers is from the Bull's Head in San Francisco (off West Portal). The place isn't very appealing, though. Fortunately, right next door, there is a terrific bar (Philosopher's Club), where you can sit and eat you burger in a civilized atmosphere, like a man. Unfortunately, the fries at the Bull's Head are pedestrian.

I bet she was;)
The IN N out franchises near me must be the worst franchises in the entire chain....which I doubt. Godawful.Thin...leathery...yukkkkkkkkkkk...and gave them a few chances.
Now the old Jimmy Mac's in Buffalo-----yeah baby---

The Press Box in Niagara Falls used to have the best burger in the free world, unfortunately, due to tax evasion issues, the place was closed down in the mid 90's

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.

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.

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.

She was a beast! As a Niagara student a night at the Press Box was a big date, You had to get off your ass, go to the kitchen and place your order, God forbid you get complicated with your order and you get tossed (Soup Nazi technique) Always walked away from that place stuffed the Pittsburger was the king!

Probably an IRS agent and that would explain the problem's that later befell him.

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.

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.

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.




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.

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.

Mmmmmmm, Lindburgers. The only reason I was sad to move out of Penfield. I could eat a Far East burger every day.

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.