Stalking The Definitive Hamburger

Someone wrote:
: All this talk of burger joints has me wondering.  What restaurant serves : the hamburger by which all other hamburgers must be judged.

: Here in Philadelphia, my favorite can be found at Chaucers - loose, hand : formed patty, nice crust on the outside, juicy red inside - a crisp bun : that's not too doughy.  Nice 'n greasy too.

In Columbus, Ohio that honor would go to Thurman's Cafe.  The Thurman Burger is an entire meal by itself.

Scott

Someone wrote:
>Someone wrote:
>: All this talk of burger joints has me wondering.  What restaurant serves
>: the hamburger by which all other hamburgers must be judged.
>: Here in Philadelphia, my favorite can be found at Chaucers
>
>For me, it's the same little hole in the wall for the last 25 years running:
>Burger Joint on Broadway and W.77th Street.  Ask for the "Big Nick".  The
>best.

Louie's Lunch, in New Haven.

>
>------------[ http://www.nylink.org/~manes/bouillabaisse.html ]-------------
>  Steve Manes                                            La Bouillabaisse
>  [email removed]                                      Brooklyn Heights, NY
>

Hamburgers are rated by the number of napkins you use. A count of four is the best. "Bailywicks" in Reno, NV is my favorite. They serve real french fries and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for dipping with all burgers.

Article 4281 of alt.vacation.las-vegas:

Someone wrote:
>
>
>Someone wrote:
>>Someone wrote:
>>: All this talk of burger joints has me wondering.  What restaurant serves
>>: the hamburger by which all other hamburgers must be judged.
>>: Here in Philadelphia, my favorite can be found at Chaucers
>>
>>For me, it's the same little hole in the wall for the last 25 years running:
>>Burger Joint on Broadway and W.77th Street.  Ask for the "Big Nick".  The
>>best.
>
>
Gotta disagree with Holly on this one.  Chaucer's are OK, but for me a burger HAS to be cooked over fire.  Roosevelt's Pub at 23rd and Walnut. Half a pound of flesh, and they'll cook it medium rare.

Jan K. wrote:
>
>>Someone wrote:
>>: All this talk of burger joints has me wondering.  What restaurant serves
>>: the hamburger by which all other hamburgers must be judged.
>>: Here in Philadelphia, my favorite can be found at Chaucers

>Gotta disagree with Holly on this one.  Chaucer's are OK, but for me a burger
>HAS to be cooked over fire.  Roosevelt's Pub at 23rd and Walnut. Half a pound
>of flesh, and they'll cook it medium rare.
>

Yo Jan -

Canceled my dinner plans (a healthy. low fat slab of grouper from the Chef's Market) and, without passing Go, headed directly to Roosevelt's Pub.  A burger better than Chaucer's thrice greasy epitome.  This I had to chomp.

Maybe Roosevelt's was having one of those days.  Perhaps it was the burger chef's night off.  Whatever the cause, Roosevelt's lug of a burger wasn't fit to grace the same table as Chaucer's.

Ordered rare to medium rare, it arrived a dry, dull gray, medium well done - supporting my theory that it is impossible to consistantly cook a half pound burger to spec - too  much beef to handle.  The kaiser roll bun was crumbly stale - too long in warming bin I presume.  The cliche slice of hothouse tomato and iceburg lettuce garnish didn't help.  (Gee, maybe I'll start writing bad reviews. This is kinda fun.)

I also take exception to your assertation that the definitive burger must be cooked over fire.  I favor a hamburger seared on a very hot cast iron skillet.

If you think I should give Roosevelt's another try, I will, but only if I really have to.

Holly