In search of the perfect burger
Okay, so I try to eat healthfully. On most days I get more than my five servings of fruits and veggies. I do the whole grain thing, the organic thing, the running/biking/walking thing. Yet, there are days when all I want is that perfect, moist, medium rare (okay I admit, if it weren’t for E Coli, I’d eat it blackened on the outside, chilly on the inside) burger, on a really great bun. I want it carmelized on the outside, with lots of ketchup, red onions, a leaf of romaine lettuce, tomato only if ripe, and a pickle spear on the side. Ciabatta or challah roll, please. With quality french fries and a good beer. Am I really asking that much?
When searching for the perfect burger in Philly, I often find myself missing Portland, for a chain of restaurants run by the McMenamin brothers, called oddly enough, McMenamin’s. Often chain is a dirty word, but not when these guys are involved. They are brew pubs that are unique, quirky and totally appealing (and inexpensive). Philly really has no equal. But I’m here, and I must eat, so the search continues. Some Philly favorites:
Standard Tap: It’s a good messy burger, with great fries and good beer. And yet I search.
Chaucer’s: Amazing fries, and an adequate burger. I don’t remember being thrilled with the bun.
Blue Horseshoe: They used to have great burgers and fries, but the last time I went there with a friend, it was like eating a slightly higher quality McDonald’s. Only for almost $10 at the Blue, I’d have rather had McDonald’s for $5.
Ten Stone: It holds it’s own, but not impressive.
Marathon on the Square: They do a really good job, and yet, I can’t endorse. I think it’s the environment, just a little too polished.
So friends, I turn the search over to you. Tell me where the burger experience of my dream is, and I will happily go check it out and let you know what I think.
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McMenamin’s is great! My fav’s are the Barley Mill on 17th and Hawthorne (and while you’re in the area, Vincente’s Pizza at I think 20th is awesome, too), the Fulton Pub over near Johns Landing (love the outdoor area w/ the picnic tables!), and Ringler’s–on Burnside, next to the Crystal Ballroom–although often quite rowdy, is great as well.
The Kennedy School and Edgefield are cool too, but they’re pretty out of the way and since they always have out-of-towners (they are hotels, after all) I sometimes get the “touristy” vibe.
Why’d you have to post this? Now I’m dying for some Terminator Stout!
By the way, if you ever have Oregon beer nostalgia, I’ve found that Monk’s has at times had Rogue River on tap!
Forgot to mention–Buttercup Cafe on the 1700 block of Walnut has a pretty tasty burger. I wouldn’t go so far to say it’s the best I’ve ever had, but I thought it was pretty good (my office is a block away, so it’s convenient, although I try to limit my burger-intake so I’ve only been once)!