Nothing quite defines American food like a good ol’ fashioned hamburger. No matter what your preference is or which toppings you may choose, there is likely a burger for everyone. With “National Hamburger Day’’ coming up on May 28, we folks over at Columbuzz thought what better way to celebrate than to share some of our favorite burger joints around town.
Warning: your tummy may start growling by the end. Happy burger eatin’!
Jill: Bareburger
When I’m in the mood for a good burger, lot’s of places come to mind, but my most recent favorite is Bareburger on High Street. I’m generally pretty classic when it comes to burgers– rarely do I venture out from the usual bun, beef patty, lettuce, tomato, mustard and ketchup. But Bareburger’s organic approach and unique selection of burgers inspired me to switch things up. Their Wiki Wiki burger is wild boar, gouda, duck bacon, chickpea, onions and pineapple relish on a brioche bun– and it’s fabulous! This burger gives you the familiar burger-experience, but with a totally new flavor, and the pineapple relish adds a nice, sweet touch to the overall taste. If you’re wanting to try a new take on an old classic– check out Bareburger!
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://463-n-high-street.bareburger.com/
Gabrielle: The Crest
When I start jonsin’ for a good burger, there are so many lands that pop up in my head as options for me to dine at. However, one place I can’t ever deny a good burger from is The Crest. This spectacular little place has a wide array of a menu options that range from sweet little delicacies, to tasty burgers. In regards to the burger options on this menu, the taste varies across the board on your selection. If you are in the mood for a tasty treat that offers a good cheese, a crisp lettuce, and a sweet meat sandwiched between two pieces of bread; look no further than The Crest. With the guarantee of satisfied customers each and every time you dine, you won’t go wrong. The Crest offers a selection that won’t steer you wrong. Cheers to that!
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://thecrestgastropub.com/
Lindsey: Ethyl & Tank AND Bar 145
Sorry, guys. I can’t choose between two burgers so I’m going to cheat a little here.
Although I’m more of a pizza, wings or tacos kinda gal, I’ll try a burger once in awhile. The burger that I currently am in love with is the Ohio Bison at Ethyl & Tank. Yes, I’m in love. It’s so great for my damn soul. It’s not easy to eat, but I don’t notice as I inhale the uncontrollable mess that lies in front of me. With guac, red onion, lettuce, tomato and cheddar beer cheese on brioche, how can you resist such beauty and flavor? And for under $10? That’s my kind of burgain.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.ethylandtank.com/
And if you’re looking for a burger that’ll change your life, here it is — the Bison Burger from Bar 145. What’s on it? Oh, just an all natural bison, baby spinach, shaved Parmesan, tomato puree, Dijon, pretzel roll AND a fried egg. I’m drooling just thinking about it… If you put an egg on my burger, then you’ve won my heart. So thank you Bar 145. You have my heart — when should we make it official?
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.bar145columbus.com/
Ryan: The Thurman Cafe
A blog featuring the best burger places in Columbus, Ohio would not be complete without mentioning The Thurman Cafe. The Thurman Cafe is home to a monster of a burger called the “Thurmanator,” which was featured on an episode of Man v. Food. The Thurmanator burger is 24 ounces of beef, three cheeses, ham, mushrooms, bacon, tomato, lettuce & hot peppers on a bun. I’ve tried eating this burger in one sitting and simply couldn’t handle it. For those who finish, they usually have a prize or contest of some sort you can enter to win fun prizes. If a monster burger isn’t your thing, their Thurman Burger is pretty delicious, too.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXkPabyzvB4]
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://thethurmancafe.com/
Amy: Max and Erma’s
While I may not be much of a burger connoisseur, I do have one special burger in my life, and that is the Sunny Side Burger from Max and Erma’s. I know, I know, it’s a chain restaurant. But it’s cheap and delicious, and that’s pretty much all you can ask for. The Sunny Side Burger is very simple, just a juicy beef patty, cheddar cheese and some bacon, topped off with an egg cooked sunny-side up. I am an absolute sucker for a burger with a runny egg. There’s just something exhilarating about taking that first bite. There’s mystery (“When will I get to the yolk?”), there’s danger (“Will it burst all over my shirt?”), and of course, there’s delicious (“I hope it never ends”).
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.maxandermas.com/
Travis: Northstar Cafe
Think of all the things you want a hamburger to be when it is cooked: crusty on the outside, moist and perfectly medium on the inside and packed with flavor. Northstar Cafe’s Classic Cheeseburger provides all three things and accomplishes it consistently, which, to me is the most vital part. Every ingredient — brisket and chuck ground in-house daily, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle — while separate, come together harmoniously. All the essentials that make up a perfect hamburger, no extra fluff, just great beef and fresh toppings done right.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.thenorthstarcafe.com/
Matt: B Spot & Five Guys Burgers & Fries
I’ve been grilling burgers for quite some time, with my initial grill training, also referred to as broil training, taking place at Texas Roadhouse. This experience, coupled with many, many years on the home grill, leaves me with quite a preference for good burgers. I have two burger joints that you must visit, and two burger combos that you can thank me for later.
B Spot -N. Hamilton Rd. in New Albany
The Porky, served on an amazing bun, topped with pulled pork, coleslaw and BBQ sauce — this burger is bursting with flavor. Go for the Mid-Well middle and be sure to visit the pickle bar while you’re waiting. You can not go wrong with the sweet & hot pickles. A close second is the Lola burger, served with a sunny side up egg on top, which is always a good idea.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://bspotburgers.com/
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
Considering they are primarily a burger joint, I would expect an amazing burger. The unusual thing is, they actually have amazing burgers. Go for this heart string tugging combination and be sure to grab a few extra napkins! Bacon Cheeseburger with ketchup, mustard, pickles, hot sauce, green pepper, grilled onions and jalapenos.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.fiveguys.com
Sean: Hungry Monkey Food Truck
I don’t know about you, but when it is time for me to get a burger I’m all in! Any thoughts about how what I am eating will effect my girlish figure have been tossed out the window. In a time where I have given up any concern about my diet or caloric intake; I want to make the most of my lapse in judgement and it is during this time that I find myself standing in front of Hungry Monkey food truck.
As I wait in line smelling the sweet aroma of the “King Kong,” the “Mr. Myagi” or their amazing mac and cheese, my taste buds begin to ripen with anticipation and I find myself wiping a small trail of drool off of my chin. Just like Willy Wonka’s Violet Beauregarde, I can almost taste and feel the juicy burgers in my mouth.
At last, it is my turn and I fumble my words with all of the succulent options ahead of me. My eyes scan the menu and find a home on the “Wyatt Earp” which consists of a grilled bun, 1/4 lb burger, Swiss cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, sweet slaw, and “a lil’ too much RayRays hog-pit sweet barbecue sauce!”
They begin making my meal and the excitement builds. When my burger finally comes, I run off to unwrap it like Ralphie with his Red Rider BB Gun. Hungry Monkey food truck makes me feel like a kid every time I eat their burgers. It can’t get any better than that.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://www.hungrymonkeyfoodtruck.com/
Lauren: Tillfare
This is a hidden gem of Columbus called the Till Veggie Burger. Currently my favorite non-burger burger includes a blend of rice, beans, oats, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, shiitakes and more topped with a housemade vegan Cheese Whiz sauce.
To see their hours and menu, check out their website:
http://tillfare.com/
And that’s all, folks! Agree with our comments on the best burger joints? Leave your feedback below or tweet at us @ColumBUZZ614!
