Wednesday, April 29, 2009

George's Giant Hamburgers

UPDATED: 04.28.09





BigManBurgers isn't feeling it:



I'll admit, I had high expectations for this place. I am among other things, a connoisseur of burgers, so the concept of a GIANT HAMBURGER had me envisioning all sorts of things. I was let down.

I got the bacon cheeseburger, with a fried egg on it, and fries. It came out to $8.45. The burger and fries came in baskets diner style. When I got it the first thing I noticed was that the burger itself was not really giant. The place should be more called, Georges Mediocre Hamburgers, because it was, well, just sorta average. Not Giant, not small, just a medium sized average hamburger with a below average side of fries.

As you might be able to see, the bacon was stiff and brittle like my 95-year-old grandmother's wrists and hips, because when I arranged it on the burger it crumpled into little pieces. Party foul. The bun was nice and soft and toasted, and it looked like they buttered it, so that was a plus., but the fries were sort of bland and had a mild hint of egg taste (they must fry them in the same oil).

It's kinda neat because they have a toppings bar where you can put your own toppings on the burger, but by and large I was just not satisfied. It wasn't a bad burger, or a good one, it was just an average burger with an above average burger joint name. Thusly, overall I'd give Georges a 2.5 out of 5.





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ORIGINAL POST 12.18.08










The Duke of Hamburg (also know as The Guilty Carnivore ) makes us hungry visually and takes condiments personally:


George’s Giant Hamburgers is located in Tigard, just off the 99W as it transforms from Barbur Blvd. and leaves Portland proper.

As you can see, the windows boasts that they grind meat fresh. Daily. Except Sundays, when they are closed. So they are liars.

There’s a well-stocked garnish bar, with sauces that include a special-saucey 1000 Island-type concoction that for all I know is actually 1000 Island dressing. I don’t eat things named after mystical places.

The garnish bar includes a salsa fresca, jalapenos, and two types of pickles, even. Well, three, if you include relish as a type of pickle, and I don’t, but I’m not gonna fight you on this.

The bun at George’s is always toasted.

The fries are thicker cut, and fairly decent, though could be a bit crisper. Some people get all freaky about fries and shit and will only eat one style, but I personally like freshly cut and fried potatoes with the skin on.

A fully dressed hamburger. Verdict? The meat isn’t all that flavorful, but it tastes like beef. It’s an honest, simple burger, albeit overcooked to well-done. The pre-cooked weight of the standard burger is 1/3 of a pound. The bun is nicely toasted. At $4.45, it’s only a little over a dollar more than the Whopper™ Sandwich you’ll find just a couple hundred yards down the street, and much better since it’s not microwaved and sitting upon a bottom bun the consistency of refrigerated day-old gravy.

And as you can witness by the three fresh pickle spears, I enjoy over-accessorizing my burger. The quality and selection of the garnish bar makes George’s an infinitely better value than typical fast-food fare. Thick slices of red onion, freshly chopped lettuce, and uniform, meaty slices of tomato…as a comparison, nearly half the time I’ve had a burger at Burgerville the sole tomato slice was simply the very crown of the fruit with a hole in the middle. You won’t find this at George’s, because you’re master of your own burger domain.


Bonus Pickle!

Georges Giant Hamburgers
11640 SW Pacific Hwy
Tigard, OR 97223
(503)639-8029


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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Burger Skills: Hamburgers VS Art




BurgerBlogger and BurgerHoover took a picutre of a burger:



So we were asked to enter this small group art show, Burgerhoover and I turned in a series of pictures with one common thread, a fun abstract layout and color.... I wont bore you with the concept and our definition. One of the photos is a letterbox shaped picture that measures 28"x15". The subject is one of interest to us, BURGERS shot in Burgerhoover's straight shot front flash style.

The local paper did a review of the Show put on by Venae Rivera from Santa Barbara (you can see her art in May at a group show here www.pdxfinegrind.com) they liked the burger shot, who doesn't right? Here's what they said about it "...and photography duo Manny and Kendall offer the viewer stark, off-kilter portraits of the mundane, capturing the essence of the a summers day with "FUN", a portrait of an inner tube floating on above swimming pool, and "MINE" a straight shot of a cheese burger with fires on a dinner plate."

So there you go burgers make a good meal and good art for your walls. If you're in Santa Barbara check the show at:

508 E Haley St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-9328



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Dottie's #3



Bur-Geek uses logic to break through the secret marketing plan:



So I know you've all driven by these "Lottery Deli's", and wondered if they are just fronts to get around the laws to have video lottery games. Well, yes they are. But they actually DO serve food and drinks, and surprisingly, have a decent burger. They also serve sandwiches and chicken strips, but I haven't found a blog for those, so this burger review will have to do for now.

The burger selection isn't huge. In fact, there's only two. A standard cheeseburger for $1.99 (including fries and a pickle) and a Bacon Cheeseburger for $2.99 (including fries and a pickle). You can order the dressings and toppings ala carte, mine has lettuce, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Tomatos and Onions are also available.

The burger patty itself is approx. 1/3 pound. You get 2 strips of generic bacon, a small hunk of iceberg lettuce and the condiments are alternated above and below the patty. The result? Actually, a decent burger. The meat is a little overdone due to the way they cook it, but the bun is nice and chewy and the toppings are fresh and flavorful. The fries are standard Sheri's/Denny's fare, but for under 3 bucks, what do you want? Oh, and the drinks are free.

See, their nefarious goal is to get you in the door so that you'll throw a 20 into the machines as you wait for your food, and that $2.99 bacon cheeseburger just became a 23 dollar sandwich. But you are smarter (or luckier) than that, right?




Dotty's #3
2055 SE TV Hwy
Hillsboro OR 97123


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Georgia: Vortex (Atlanta)




PDX Gwailo bypasses the sharp chest pains:



The Vortex, Atlanta, GA, has been on my “must………..stop………………eat” list for a long time. Underground whispers, street rumors, gossip have long been around about the famous “Double Coronary Bypass Burger”, a legend if there ever was one. One-half pound of sirloin, topped with two fried eggs, four slices of America Cheese, five slices of bacon, and the bun? Glad you asked. A singular delicious grilled cheese sandwich taking the place of each bun half. Yep, two grilled cheese sandwiches for buns.

Confronted with the option of devouring this monster, could I? Would I? Should I? Well, turns out at the last moment, someone said “try and onion rings”, and I knew I couldn’t do the Double and the rings at the same sitting, and when would I be here again?

So it was the ordinary Coronary Bypass Burger, which forgoes the grilled cheese(s) for a regular bun, is missing one fried egg, 1 strip of bacon, and 1 slice of american processed cheese food.

It was incredible.



Bonus Pickle!

Vortex
Three Locations
Atlanta, GA


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Georgia: Central City Tavern (Atlanta)





PDX Gwailo is all over the place, now in Georgia:



Anytime a restaurant stewardess tells me “Sure, y’all can substitute tater tots for fries”, I’m happier than a pig who’s been rejected for the BBQ pit. Central City Tavern was no exception; while they offered a variety of semi-uniquely decorated burgers, I opted for the blue cheese, which had a nice mix of dressing and seriously chunky real blue cheese. Most curiously, bacon was NOT an add-on, in fact, there was no bacon on the menu at all. Non-distinctive bun, fine, just nothing special.

It was a great burger, not in my top 10, but certainly the best burger I had in Atlanta that day.



Bonus Pickle!


1801 Howell Mill Rd #400
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404)351-1957


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Southeastern USA: RaceTrac






PDX Gwailo worries us, but is taking some for the team:



RaceTrac Petroleum is a chain of over 500 gas stations across the southeastern US. Like many retail chains, RaceTrac has discovered the beauty and profitability of “house brands,” and has followed suit with their ready to heat and ready to eat sandwiches. The RaceTrac double cheeseburger, 5.5 ounces, and 99 cents, exceeds the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is taste, appearance, and value. All that stands between you and a late night gas station burger fix is 30 seconds in the microwave. RaceTrac’s microwaves are even idiot-proof, with pre-programmed settings for the various sandwiches.

RaceTracs have a great condiment bar, so you can dress your burger to your liking.



RaceTrac
all over the Southeast


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Capitol Hwy Deli Market





I can only think Hypoglycemia was involved, but who is too judge, someone has got to do the duty and PDX Gwailo obliges:



At first blush, your fear is probably that this is going to be a non-meat story. T’aint so. It is, however, about an “alternative” burger, one that might be as close as your corner, like it is mine.

Pre-cooked somewhere west of Wherethehellisthat? Ohio, flash-frozen (one hopes) and shipped to a corner mini mart, office vending machine, or aircraft carrier near you, the Big-Az burger with processed American cheese slice, boasts a full 9.65 ounces of flavor on a sesame seed bun, all for less than $3.

It comes sans condiments, allowing you to decorate at your whim. My choice, as pictured, is pickle, onion, mustard. And some potato by-product from Lay’s that I had around the house. If you think the bun looks kinda squished, you’re right. My fault.

This particularly delicious delight requires some home preparation, obviously. I get the best results by doing the bun and patty separately, or at least for different lengths of time. Your mileage may vary.

I know, I know, you’re asking “gwailo, how did you discover such a tasty morsel?” Well, you see kids, my significant better 2/3rds doesn’t care for ground beef, in any form or fashion, so I am compelled to seek the manna of the gods outside of my domestic environs. My connection for the Big-Az is the corner liquor store, @ Pomona and Capitol Highway, spitting distance from my house. To reduce my carbon footprint, I limit my burgers to those within walking distance.

And avoid places that promise “locally harvested sustainable beef.” I abstain from sustain. I won’t be on the planet long enough to care.

I know you are dubious. But these are honestly better than any fast food burgers, with the exception of Fatburger and In N Out, both of which have not graced Portland with their presence. It has always struck me as odd that Fatburger is owned by a Portland company, but doesn’t have an outlet here.

Perhaps a tea party is in order?



Capital Highway Deli Market
11102 SE Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
(503)245-1676


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Friday, April 10, 2009

Burger Skills: Hamburgers VS Art



Painting with burger grease. Level up!


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Pause: UPDATED 04.10.09

UPDATED: 04.10.09



She wants to be known as BurgerBooty and we will oblige.


I’d just about had my fill of grey wet bone-chilling weekends so this Sunday afternoon I decided to be pro-active about “beefing” up my cheer. I got out my newly compiled Portland Hamburger Wish List and headed out to Pause on Interstate to check off my first PH goal. In the relative quiet of late afternoon, I got comfy at the bar and ordered up their near perfect “Everyday Special” – two sliders, one blue cheese and bacon and the other Tillamook cheddar with a lovely dab of special sauce, fries and a pint of Stone Brewing Company (San Diego) ale or soda all for a mere $7. The beef is amazing. As listed in earlier postings, Pause grinds their own beef daily. And it’s juicy flavorful Strawberry Mountain aged chuck. The plump little 2 oz. sliders were a beautiful medium rare and drippin’ pink juices on my plate - which I eagerly sopped up with soft fresh bun. Yum. Fries are wonderful, hand cut, lots of good potato, nicely crisped and accented with just the right amount of crunchy salt. Homemade pickles and pickled onion garnish add a warm homemade touch. No photo of my meal, I devoured it on the spot. But here’s a photo of my friend’s ½ lb. bacon cheeseburger which was more than I could handle on a Sunday afternoon.

Gotta say it. Before I made it to the second burger on my PH Wish List, I had to go back for a repeat yesterday. It was every bit as luscious as I remembered. They were having trouble keeping Stone on tap, so subbing Lagunitas IPA which is a bit hoppy for my taste. So, I savored my Everyday Special with an lovely glass of Ninkasi Spring Reign (not included in the $7 price). The Pause that really refreshes!





UPDATED: 01.21.09



PattyDaddy likes:

Lunch today was delicious! I hit Pause at least twice a month. Best burger I've found North of Burnside. They still grind their own beef and serve it with a smile. Juicy, flavorful, and still only $8 with very good fries. You can tell this burger is made by someone who cares. Bottomless lemonade was $2.50.


UPDATED: 11.22.07




Burgers, softening up your favorite social lubricant:
WhopperChomper & ToastedBun attempt to counter the effects of a full day of wine tasting with a stop at Pause before the winery trek begins.

WhopperChomper went the traditional route 1/2 lb burger with all the trimmings & Tillamook Cheddar ($8). Massive burger, massive flavor. Glad I went with the big burger, I was able to keep partying well into the night after the wine tasting trip... ToastedBun ate the sliders & didn’t fare so well.

ToastedBun opted for the 2 sliders ($5) with a side of fries (. “The sliders came with a special sauce that was quite tasty!”

Sadly, that didn’t prove to be enough to defend ToastedBun’s full-day onslaught of wine tasting. If you’re going to drink all day, get the regular burger. If you’re only going to drink for part of the day, you’ll be fine with the sliders. :)


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ORIGINAL POST: 9.14.07






"Hamburgler" and "RarePattie" found some delicious hamburgers at Pause in North Portland (that pic might just find its way to Girl's Eating Sandwiches)

"RarePattie" went straight for the gut, a 1/2 pounder with Bacon and Blue Cheese for $10.00. The "Hamburgler" had the "Everyday Special" which was two sliders, one cheddar, one bacon-blue cheese, fries, and a beer for $7.00. Happy stomachs.

The fries were especially good as well. Special Bonus Pickle! (some mustard infused pickle I think like at Castagna).

Pause
5101 N. Interstate Ave.
Portland, OR 97217
(971)230-0705


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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Chicago: Billy Goat Inn








We never seem to keep up with BurgerBlogger and BurgerHoover:


Burgerhoover and I took a culinary/djing trip our to Chicago. We shared a burger at amongst the hotdogs, Italian sandwiches, pizza, Pierogis and other Polish delights. The place for the burger was The Billy Goat Tavern, where Saturday night live filmed a bit with John Belushi.

The quote from their website is pretty much describes the positioning of this Tavern; "Ordering at the Billy Goat may go something like this: "Cheezborger! Cheezborger! You want doublecheez?!? Who's next!?! WHO'S NEXT!?!" If you take more than one second to answer: "Don't look at the menu, look at ME! I order for you - DOUBLECHEEZ!" If you only feel like a single: No. DOUBLECHEEZ!!!" If it's the end of the week: "It's Friday, doublecheez for everybody! It's payday! Triplecheez for the big guy!" Want French fries with that? "No fries - CHEEPS!" Thirsty? "No Pepsi - COKE!" To drink: "Coke or Diet?!" "

And that's how it went, we walked in and guy greeted us by saying, "You eating here?. Sit on that side. order the Doublecheez." We ordered and the burger was plain and dry. two meat patties with cheeze on a bun. We hooked up the condiments and went to town on it... A bit later the fellow that greeted us came by to ask where we were from..... We were being serious tourist taking pictures and reading everything on the walls..... Then the fellow came back with two souvenir kitchen hats for us and took our picture to add to the dork folder.

Back to the burger..... it's plain, to the point, does the job of nourishing you and you leave with a full belly, but more importantly you leave with another experience that will bring happiness when recalled. Specially if you have a couple steins of the dark beer.

Big up the billy goat massive...



Billy Goat Tavern Original
Near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building
430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level
Phone: 312-222-1525


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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Palm Springs: ACE Hotel / King's Highway









BurgerBlogger and BurgerHoover like to document their burgers (just imagine how many pictures they would have if they had a kid?):


Burgerhoover and I were told about the ACE hotel in Palm Springs by our homegirl Connie W. we had to check the burger from it's restaurant "King's Highway".

We had the Amigo Burger, a handmade Burger with Tillamook cheese and the tastiest bun..BUT what made it the best is the grilled tomato and how fresh everything looked and tasted ,like the lettuce and the sprinkles of parsley on the garlic fries.

Another really really good addition to the menagerie of southwest flavors were the pickled onions, I remember these onions from mexican dishes my mom makes. These tasted like they were cured in lime juice which gave the burger that extra fresh zippy zing. They were perfect with the burger...

We rate the Amigo burger very highly. As well as the experience at the Ace hotel (and swim club) probably the hippest place to be in Palm Springs, so full of details that require a different post.

We'll be staying there again.. So if you are going to Coachella this year this will be the place to stay, if not for the choice of pools, the BIG BOY size mini bar, private fire place or burger then stay for the taste of home in the hungover mornings. STUMPTOWN COFFEE served in a french press and all.



Ace Hotel Palm Springs
701 E. Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760)325-9900


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