I have concluded...

[Zoney]

That "Smashburger" is the very best.  You must try their "Truffle and Swiss" and the 'Smashfries" are the best fries on the planet, french fries cut thin and seasoned. yummmmm.



Are ya hungry yet?

[Devil 505]

I've never heard of this place, but now I want it.

Damn you. 

[Skuzzy]

They are okay.  We have a local burger place, which I like better.

[Zoney]

They are okay.  We have a local burger place, which I like better.

That is where I shall take you to lunch then someday my friend

[Skuzzy]

That is where I shall take you to lunch then someday my friend

Been there, done that and they are fine.  I just like this other place better.

The guy takes ground sirloin, which is really a little too dry for a burger, but then grounds up smoked brisket into the sirloin.  Flash fires it on a hickory fired grill.

He uses a butter roll for the bread.

It is quite tasty.  Reminds me of the burgers Dad made.

[Hungry]

The local Portillos has the best hamburger, I remember when the old man Portillo operated out of a wagon in the back of the shopping center parking lot here in town, now its a local multi store chain

And yes I would gladly pay you "next" Tuesday for a Hamburger today

[Zoney]

Been there, done that and they are fine.  I just like this other place better.

The guy takes ground sirloin, which is really a little too dry for a burger, but then grounds up smoked brisket into the sirloin.  Flash fires it on a hickory fired grill.

He uses a butter roll for the bread.

It is quite tasty.

I meant the local place is where I would want to got to.  Chain restaurants are nothing compared to most of the local favorites

[Skuzzy]

Smashburger is a chain.  We have one here, unless you are talking about the one on University in Fort Worth (oops, that location closed), in which case I have already been there, several times.

I agree, chain restaurants cannot compete with a local burger joint.

[Zoney]

Yes sir, I do realize Smashburger is a chain.  I was expressing interest in your personal local favorite that you go to, not another chain burger joint.  Good as I think smashburger is, it will not compare to many "homemade" burger joints.

[Wiley]

Been there, done that and they are fine.  I just like this other place better.

The guy takes ground sirloin, which is really a little too dry for a burger, but then grounds up smoked brisket into the sirloin.  Flash fires it on a hickory fired grill.

He uses a butter roll for the bread.

It is quite tasty.  Reminds me of the burgers Dad made.

Was doing ok until I read this.  Now I am hungry...

Grew up on 1/3 beef, 1/3 pork, 1/3 venison hamburger.  That's what tastes "right" to me.  Although bison is a close second.

Wiley.

[Shuffler]

When I grill I use ground chuck. I was in the meat business for years. I dealt with and cooked for several teams over the years. Now I just sharpen knives for a few teams. Those all nighters were fun but rough now days.

 I make thin patties then chop onion, bell pepper, cheese (for some of the patties). I sprinkle some onions peppers, cheese, a little brisket rub, and a touch of teriyaki on a patty. I then take another patty and place on top and seal the edges. Grill those on the pit with just a touch of salt and pepper.

With burgers you always want to cook the meat thoroughly. It is not like a steak where you can safely sear it and be done. Ground meat mixes the outside with the inside. This means anything that was on the outside is also inside now and therefor needs to be cooked till done. No pink at all.

A steak can be seared and eaten safely as the outside only needs to reach about 160 degrees to be safe. It can be bloody and rare on the inside.

For buns I have found that Kings Bread makes buns too. Kind of sweet and really adds a kick to the burger.

[FBKampfer]

Gotta go with 40% brisket point, 40% pork shoulder, and 20% lamb leg, fresh garlic and sweet onion to taste. And then a bit of my chipotle cherry sauce on top, and a buttermilk bun.

[Zoney]

Gotta go with 40% brisket point, 40% pork shoulder, and 20% lamb leg, fresh garlic and sweet onion to taste. And then a bit of my chipotle cherry sauce on top, and a buttermilk bun.

[Mano]

Salmon burgers at Nations are pretty good too.   

 

[Brooke]

OK -- best chain-restaurant burger?

I'd like to try Smashburger.  I haven't seen them around the Seattle area.

We have Five Guys, Fatburger, and Red Robin (to name only places above, say, Wendy's in the burger hierarchy).

Supposedly a Habit Burger is coming up here.

I've eaten at In-n'-Out.  I like them, but not sure if I'd rank them higher than the above.

There are ones better than all those, but they aren't chains.  For example, Tipsy Cow near where I live has several locations, but they aren't in other states as well, so I don't count them as a chain.

Actually, I guess I'd say my favorite is . . . White Castle!  Yeah, I know they are an acquired taste like smoking.  I don't count them as being normal burgers.  They are their own thing.  It's like saying your favorite car is a motorcyle.