burger babe

Whatever happened to Hamburger Hamlet? I always adored their burgers. Hackney's on Harms (restaurants in Glenview, IL and another two locations, I believe still in business, in the surrounding region) are just fabulous, I think half-pound and try them with the fried onions. I can salivate just thinking and dreaming about a great burger! Worth a trip to the Chicago burbs just to check it out. The very best burgers at HOME are made from freshly ground file mignon, toasted on the outside and pink in the middle, topped with blue cheese, fried onions and fresh tomato slices == and don't forget the Heinz! Or the great fries that are needed to go with it. I would pit my burger against Kobe beef any day...........PS I never had a GREAT hamburger in NYC! Sad! I think the midwest is the place for beef. Trying writing to the staff online at Gourmet Magazine, they have lists of all the great burger dives which they review periodically.

Cheryl

8 oz is excessive - even a 1/3 lb burger is more than I can eat in one sitting. I miss Hamburger Hamlet as well, we had one in Wheaton which was a great area, don't know what happened. It is now a Red Robin (we have these in the midwest now - there are two in my west chicago suburb area alone).

Sara

I love Steak'N'Shake burgers. I don't like thick burgers, especially if not cooked through well. Others have said they don't like those thin patties seared til they are crispy but I love 'em.....MMMM I want one now. My SALAD at lunch didn't cut it!!

xxx

There's a Hamburger Hamlet in Palm Springs and one in Brentwood that I know of. I think the one in Westwood is still there as well.

BIG D

Best burger has to be THE FAMOUS ALMONT BURGER....LOCATED IN ALMONT, IOWA..........JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CLINTON, IOWA....WHICH HOSTS IOWA`S LARGEST 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL.BY THE WAY

travelbuff

In NYC, try the White Horse on Hudson St. a few blocks south of 14th St. The BEST in the city. For better you have to go to the Bahamas, on Harbour Island to Ma Ruby's for The BEST. Jimmy Buffet said that's his Cheeseburger in Paradise.

He's on island regularly his plane in the water, that's the one used in the TV commercials.

Oooops, gota go hungry.........

yumyum

In-N-Out is the best burger at a great price (love their fries, too!)

But, i also like Ruby's Beach Burger!

-SoCal

beachbum

Been a while since I've had one, but the best around here is the Garbage Grinder at Stanich's in NE Portland. Close seconds are at Helvetia Tavern 20 miles west.

And not meaning to provoke, but you folks who like Red Robbins need to get out more.

xxx

Animal style means with grilled onions at In n' Out.

RM

The Old Homestead Hamburger doesn't even come close to being the most expensive one out there.

McGuires restaurant here in Pensacola has had a The Grand Burger on their menu for some time. It costs $100.00.

RM

Robert

Milo's Hamburgers - Birmingham, Al.

Sara

Wow, does that Grand Burger come with a gold-leafed bun for the C-note price tag?!

Ann

Is Johnny Rocket's only a New England business? Very '50's, great burgers/fries/shakes! Also love a local place called Dunn & Gehrein's, but it's so off the beaten path that some of my local friends don't know about it! Elsie's in Harvard Square was awesome, but they closed about 8 years ago. Bartley's Burger Cottage, also in Harvard Sq. is supposed to be excellent as well, but I haven't been there. Can anyone else out there report on Bartley's?

Mary

The best one that comes to mind is from a "corner" bar called Nicknames in Germantown, WI. The beef and the bun are really what makes this an awesome burger. And they know what REAL swiss cheese is. Processed swiss is not swiss cheese. In fact, the FDA should ban cheese producers from calling anything processed "swiss." But that's a whole other issue. But I have to say, I really do like TGI Friday's burgers too.

Curious

Is hosting "Iowa's Largest 4th of July Party" comparable to being the "best hockey player in Bolivia."

Coach Boy

In n out animal style has four additional items: bun grilled with mustard, grilled onions, pickles and extra "special sauce".

I ordered it once - didn't like it. Never have seen anyone else order it. Zagat's mentions it - they're wrong as usual.

Now a 3x3 is another story...

CoachBoy

Betty

My vote is for the burger at Port o Call in New Orleans.

George

Today's NY Times has an article on the best burger in NYC. URL is http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/15/dining/15BURG.html . Must be registered to access it--it is free and easy to register...

Monthrash

Let me set the record straight:

ALL In-n-Out burgers come with special sauce and grilled onions (unless you specify 'uncooked' onions).

Animal Style means the patties are fried in mustard, it is served with pickles, and has extra sauce.

There is another variant they serve called 'protein' style. It is a normal double double but instead of a bun, the burger is encased in large leaves of lettuce.

There is another variant I have heard of but don't know the name for, where special sauce is replaced with the standard ketchup, mustard, and pickles.

Personally, I love In-n-Out burgers, and they serve some of the best milkshakes around. However, I think their fries suck.

pix

Try Marc Joseph's in Manhattan- pricey burger, yes. Worth it? Let me put it to you this way, I cried. Literal tears of beefy joy.