Seattle- Burgermaster

I'm back!  I've moved north to Seattle so I'll be reviewing some of the top Burger joints in the Northwest.  That doesn't mean I've forgotten CA.  I still have a house there and will be back to check out the places I missed.   In the meantime, let's see how the rainy NW compares.
My first stop is Burgermaster http://www.burgermaster.biz/  .  I found them listed on many of the top burger list for Seattle and it just so happens they have a location 4 miles from my new place.  After a day of running errands, I decided a burger and fries is just what I needed.

Burgermaster is an old drive-in. They started in 1952 and now have 5 locations.  I'm not sure when the Aurora location opened but it looks like it might have been 1952.  You pull up and turn your lights on and a waitress comes to your car.  The waitress might be one of the original employees.  Sitting in the car made me remember being a kid and ordering at the  drive-in in West Virginia.  Kinda fun.  I ordered the burger, fries and soda.  Later I was wishing I ordered the combo with a shake because the shake choices sounded delicious! The burger came with the basic toppings but included relish.  Since I'm not a fan of the relish I substituted ketcup instead.

So here's the thing, the burger was good.  The bun was tasty, the meat tasty and well cooked.  But it wasn't anything over the top.  It was a really good grilled burger. The bun held together but was basic.   The best part was the tomato and lettuce.  It was the nicest slice of tomato I've ever had on a burger.  So often they are too thin or hard or too soft.  This tomato was perfect.  The fries were a disappointment.  They were your basic shoestring fries.  While I enjoyed the lunch, I'm not sure it is worth going back again.  I now live within walking distance of a 5 Guys so everything is going to be compared to...  is it better then 5 Guys.  otherwise I can walk out my front door and order my burger within 5 minutes. 
It's a good start in Seattle but I'm betting I can do better.  I'm going to start my research and plan the next outing.  Stay tuned!

Finally ate at Bob's

 

My time in Burbank was coming to an end and I knew I had to get back to Bob's to try their burger.  Finally I made it happen.  The building itself is very cool and retro.  It's the original Bob's and they sell T-shirts and banks with Bob displayed.  It is in a part of Burbank call Toluca Lake.  Fairly upscale and a lot of walk-by traffic.  I sat outside on the patio and ordered the cheese burger.  The service was fine, nothing special.  The burger arrived and right away I noticed the dressing.  I always forget that Burger joints in CA seem to think that Thousand Island dressing needs to be on every burger.  They call it their Special sauce.  I've said it a few times but I'm saying it again, I hate 1000 Island dressing!  It's the same no matter what you call it.     So, I scrapped it off and put the burger back together.  The burger was just okay.  It wasn't anything special.  Honestly it tasted like a typical diner burger.  It was  a little overdone and the cheese was American.  The bun was non descript and the toppings were lettuce and tomato.  The fries were the meaty kind which I like but definitely from a bag and dumped in a fryer.   
Overall I'd say that the experience of eating in the location, watching the people walk by, looking at the memorabilia posted in the lobby made it worthwhile.  It brought back all those memories of childhood.  The food was just okay.  I took my photo's and checked the location off my list. On to the next Burger. 

It's National Burger month.

I've been so busy that I didn't even notice it was national Burger Month.  Of course for some of us, it is always Burger month.
Enjoy!

http://sacburgermonth.com/

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/05/happy-national-burger-month.html

Hook Burger

A couple of weeks ago when I was down in Burbank, I saw that a Hook Burger was getting ready to open in the shopping center by my hotel.  Hook Burger is owned by the same team that owns The Habit.  This is a bit more upscale then The Habit along with a full bar.   When I went back last week, they were open and I decided to give them a shot.  I am a big fan of the Habit so I was expecting big things.

First, the new spot is inviting with plenty of outdoor seating and a friendly staff.  You can tell they just opened because everything is spotless and the staff was all smiles.   I ordered the Hickory Burger which comes with Bacon and onion strings and an order of sweet potato fries.  
The burger was giant.  I'm not sure my mouth is big enough for this burger (no comments needed here!) 
This was a tasty burger.  The BBQ sauce was slightly sweet, the onion strings were crunchy and the meat was perfectly cooked. Due to the size, it was a bit messy but I managed to scrape up my leftovers with a fork.   My only complaint was the bun.  It just didn't have much flavor to it.  I thought the bun lacked something but I'm not sure what.  The sweet potato fries were also good but maybe not the best I've ever had.  I still dream about the ones at Umami Burger!  These were good but nothing special.  It was also nice to have a beer with the burger, not something that's available at all burger spots.
Overall it was a thumbs up experience.  The location is great, the people are nice and the food is delicious.  I look forward to going back.

Pie N Burger

Last week I was in Pasadena CA and decided to check out the best Burger in town.  I looked on a few websites and kept seeing Pie N Burger mentioned.  Burgers AND Pie??  what more could a girl ask for?

I went in search of it through old town Pasadena.  I got lost a few times, even with the GPS, but finally found the joint...  hole in the wall.  At first glance I was a bit scared.  I had read that it opened in 1963 and I'm willing to bet they haven't done a lot to the interior since 1963.  It looked like a 60's diner with brown counters and a few tables in the back.  I sat at the counter  next to a couple in their 80's and ordered the cheeseburger, fries and a diet soda.  The service was fine and I could see the cook at the grill flipping the patties so I knew they would be freshly made.  The burger arrived and it was your typical diner burger.  Pretty darn tasty but a little greasy and I forgot to ask if they put a weird sauce on it and they did. Why oh  why does everyone think that putting a Thousand Island sauce on a burger is a good thing?  I wish the waitress had mentioned it but she didn't.  I scrapped it off and chowed down.  Overall a good burger , tasty meat, bun held together nicely and was lightly toasted.  The fries were  okay but basic.  The mistake I made was not saving room for the pie.  Later everyone told me the pie is the real highlight of the experience.  The waitress read off a selection of about 10 pies to choose from but I was just too full.   Now I wish I had ordered the Butterscotch creme pie to go.  
I might go back if I'm in Pasadena again .   Not sure I'd drive out of my way.  But next time it will be half a burger and a slice of pie!

Bob's BIg Boy

I was in Burbank this past week for work and there in the distances I saw.....  the Original Bob's Big Boy!!  We use to eat at a Bob's all the time when we were kids.  Unfortunately I was headed off to meet friends for dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant so I couldn't stop in to eat.  But next time!!  What kind of hamburger blogger could pass up eating in the place that invented the original Double Deck Hamburger!  Can't wait.

New facebook page

I've added a facebook page for my burger blogs.  It will be a shorter review of each location. 
I will post some of the old reviews to catch folks up on what's been happening.  I'm planning on referring them to the blog for longer reviews and pushing my friends here to sign up there. 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Between-The-Buns-Restaurant-Review/143921539009234