Below are all of my current craves and faves when it comes to the burger world. Of course these eateries all have yummy options that aren’t solely under the burger category, but right now, it’s all about burgers, baby!
Le Cirque’s Magical Mini Cheeseburgers and fries.
Burger Bar (Las Vegas, NV) – BEYOND IN LOVE. Their burgers are amazing, the atmosphere is chill and chic, and their menu is delicious. Choose from well over 40 toppings (my faves are mozzarella cheese with a fried egg) in addition to choosing your bun. They even have liquored up ice cream shakes and beer floats. But, their fries sampler is above and beyond the most delicious. My choice is the skinny fries, fat fries, and sweet potato fries. Plus, choose three sauces to accompany them! My to-die-for favorite is the cinnamon honey mustard sauce with the sweet potato fries. It’s so good I can’t even describe it. So, next time you’re in Vegas, head over to the Mandalay Bay and don’t forget to send me a care package filled with all of the above.
Fat Burger (CA, MD, NV, NJ) – Mainly located in California and Nevada, I am so in love with their burgers, crinkle fries, and their locations that have the Coca-Cola freestyle machines. For those of you not familiar, the free-style machine allows you to make drink flavors in tons of combinations. My addiction is the Strawberry Powerade. Also, not all of the locations have crinkle fries, but they do have a choice between steak fries and skinny fries. Plus, unlike most fast food joints, this one has more interesting toppings like a fried egg (which we all know I’m a fan of) or chili.
Le Cirque (New York, NY) – If you sit on the cafe side of the restaurant, which is equally as nice, you have additional menu options such as the Mini Cheeseburgers and Pommes Frites. Despite the “mini” in the title, they are juicy, filling, and anything but ”mini” in taste. And the skinny fries are just as delightful.
Lucky Strike (All Over USA) – With locations across the country, Lucky Strike is easy to get your hands on. Their slider selection is gorgeous, just like the atmosphere. High-end, trendy bowling atmosphere with a menu to match. Of course, depending on the locations, some of the selections may vary, but not by much. Because they sell their sliders individually, you can mix-and-match, which is the best! Top picks are: Truffle Goat Cheese Burger Slider, Chicken Pretzel Roll Slider, and the Short Rib Slider. Oh, and they come with french fries as a nice little bonus. Additional fun foods on the menu are the tomato and cheese s’mores, truffle mac & cheese, and baked potato chips.
PYT Burger (Philadelphia, PA) – Okay. So, I haven’t been here… YET! I will be going soon because their menu looks outrageous. Here are some of the crazy items that are part of their selections: Krispy Kreme Sliders $10.00 Three of our famous mini-beef burgers topped with chocolate-covered bacon and served on tiny Krispy Kreme donuts with fries and a spicy pickle spear./ Cheesesteak Pretzel Roll Burger $12.00 It’s “Wiz Wit”. Beef patty topped with cheddar, sliced top round steak, Cheez Whiz and our roasted garlic-caramelized onion special sauce on a pretzel bun baked for us at the Philly Pretzel Factory./ Lobster Crab Cake Burger $14.00 Fresh lobster and lump crab patty sauteed and topped with chopped tomato, sliced cucumbers and red onions with a fresh citrus aioli on a Kaplan’s egg-washed roll, served with Old Bay fries./ Double Bacon Cheeseburger Soup $5.00 Creamy cheese soup with ground beef, bacon, tomatoes, onions, pickles and lettuce…finished with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard with onion rings on the side./ Bananas John Foster $10.00 Vanilla ice cream, fresh banana, Sailor jerry Spiced Rum, banana liqueur & maple syrup topped with whipped cream and banana slices./ Peanut Butter Bacon Shake $10.00 Vanilla ice cream, creamy peanut butter, real bacon and vanilla vodka.
Triumph Brewery (PA, NJ) – Out of the three locations, the Princeton one is my favorite and I am all about the Epic Burger. With pork belly, caramelized onion, fried egg, truffle aioli, mornay sauce, pickle, and fries, this juicy guy is heaven. Though, when I order it, I like to subtract the onion and pickle, put the aioli and mornay sauce on the side, and add cheese. YUM. Additional delights are the pork belly sliders, chicken milanese, fried goat cheese, beef tenderloin sliders, philly bacon cheeseburger and the calamari… not to mention the beer sampler that features 7 of their home-made beers. The honey blonde is the most revered by everyone I’ve experienced it with.
Andrew’s Diner (Staten Island, NY) – This place is delicious. Every plate is huge. You order one meal and it’s enough for three people. Their hamburgers are huge and juicy, as are the rest of the fantastic meats. Try the 16 oz. burger deluxe….if you dare.
Burger Joints I’m itching to go try:
Tioli’s Crazee Burger (San Diego, CA) – Their burgers expand as wide as kangaroo, antelope, gator, venison, ostrich, and wildboar, but it’s the Hamburgeeerrrr Francaise with melted BRIE Cheese that’s really got me drooling.
Vortex Grill (Atlanta, GA) – So, what makes me want to try this place? The Triple Coronary Bypass aka the Super Stack”Made with two half-pound Vortex sirloin patties stacked inside three grilled cheese sandwiches, topped with two fried eggs, eight slices of American cheese, ten slices of bacon and plenty of mayo on the side. With this burger we choose your side for you, and it’s a big bowl of fries and tots covered in our cheesy-cheese goo.”
City Street Restaurant (Waltham, MA) – I just want to go here for the Mac and Cheese stuffed Hamburger. With fresh mozzarella and cheddar cheese, some curly cavatapi pasta, and creamy cheese sauce, how can you go wrong? But, if this place isn’t in your area, the Cheesecake Factory has a macaroni and cheese burger to satisfy your disgusting craving.
Mo’s Burgers & Brew (Gales Ferry, CT) – I want to definitely try the Boss Man, which is Polly-o Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Basil Leaves, Tomatoes, Garlic Mayo Prosciutto & Onions… minus the onions, with the garlic mayo on the side.
BurgerFi (CT, CA, FL, GA, and a few other states) – This looks so yummy with all its creative toppings. I’m definitely down for a Sunny Side Up Egg, Peter Luger steak sauce, white cheddar cheese, and potato chips on top. They also have some inventive menu options that leave me intrigued like the chicken apple dog, the alternative style fries, and the kobe dog.
Smashburger (Across the U.S.) – With add-ons including guacamole, fried pickles, Applewood smoked bacon, and Smash sauce as just a few of the plethora of options. I actually didn’t realize there’s a location rather close to me, so I’m thinking the Create Your Own Burger option is all mine. I’m going to go with a fried egg as always, tomato, fried potatoes, goat cheese, and ketchup on top with an egg bun to seal the deal. I’m also going to have to try the rosemary Smash fries.
Okay, now that I’ve gained 100 lbs. just in day-dreaming, I’m going to go eat!
