The August Results
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Friday August 28th, 2009
Surf Burger
– Pensacola Beach, FL
- 932-1417
$8.50 Surf Burger
Final Score: 6.31Map
As you climb the giant staircase to The Surf Burger at Pensacola Beach- a variety of things flashes through your mind: Will the meal be worth the climb? Will I ever reach the top? Is there oxygen available if I do reach the top? As you finally reach the summit- you’re met with the sound of reggae music and the conversation from patrons dining on the outside deck.
Located directly on the sound side of the Gulf of Mexico, our panel agreed that the view from Surf Burger couldn’t get much better. Sadly, the burger could have.
The “Surf Burger” is described as “A 1/3 lb. 100% fresh ground chuck patty on a Kaiser roll with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and secret sauce” (Thousand Island.)
The 1/3 lb. patty was the best part of this burger. It was rich in flavor, and topped with a slice of melted American cheese. Served medium well- it was overcooked according to some Panel Members.
The produce was praised by some, and set aside by others. The tomatoes were perfectly ripe- but were sliced thin and limited to one slice per burger.
This burgers biggest flaw: the Kaiser roll, it overwhelms you. I can’t remember the last time I thought to myself “That was a nice Kaiser roll.” The truth is, a Kaiser roll makes excellent packaging material, but should never be used as a hamburger bun. Some Panel members commented that if this same burger was served on a softer, simpler bun- their score would have increased one full point.
So, after a day of sun bathing, surfing or lounging
around Pensacola Beach- this would be a great place to meet some
friends, sit outside and have a Burger. If that’s your idea of a great
weekend- give this place a shot. If you’re more interested in locating
our areas #1 Burger- check back with us next week, as the Tour rolls
on.
28.08.
Friday August 21st, 2009
The Fish House
– Pensacola, FL
- 470-0003
$9.00 Barracks Street Burger(with slight modification)
Final Score: 8.94Map
Welcome to the Fish House. The view is amazing, the wait staff is charming, and the seafood is top notch. As for the burger, well, let’s just say the view is the 2nd best thing The Fish House has to offer.
Quite honestly, this is the burger that we’ve spent the last six months searching for.
It’s the burger that every home Chef sets out to make- simple, cooked perfectly, juicy and flavorful. Frankly; if you don’t enjoy eating this Burger- you just don’t like hamburgers.
The half pound Black Angus patty isn’t greasy- but it’s far from being dry and has excellent flavor. It was topped with American cheese and the best tomatoes we’ve had yet on the Tour. We’re told that “Tomato Joe” from Navy Point furnished the tomatoes- and to him, we’re extremely grateful.
The burgers arrived at our table, and within minutes- some Panel Members were whispering to each other “Best Burger yet.” One judge even proclaimed “This is the Best Burger I’ve ever eaten, period.”
When you’re finished eating this Burger- you’re not left with an “I can’t believe I ate that entire burger” feeling. Instead- you’re met with an “I want to eat another one of those” sensation.
This was the first Burger on our Tour to receive a perfect score of 10 from one of our panel members. An outstanding patty, rich with flavor, amazing produce and a perfect bun- it’s hard to improve on this Burger.
Toward the end of the meal- some speculated whether or not the outstanding young Chef (Chris Chattman) had gone above and beyond to prepare these burgers for our Judges. When asked- Chris “Chatty” replied that if any customer should ask for that burger by name (The Burger Tour Burger) he will gladly prepare it for them.
Chatty explained that is wasn’t really much different than the Burgers he prepares every Tuesday and Thursday- the only exception was that instead of Swiss cheese- we requested ours topped with American- and he did sauté the onions rather than serving them raw.
At the end of the meal- our Panel decided that we should meet for lunch at the Fish House every Tuesday and Thursday- I don’t believe anyone would grow tired of eating this Burger, ever. And when you visit this place- be sure to order the “Grits a Ya Ya” and save room for a treat from their talented Pastry Chef.
This is generally where I recommend joining us next week as we continue our search for the area’s best Burger- but I’m beginning to think- I may have just eaten the area’s best burger. Of course, that won’t keep us from trying again next week- who knows- there may be a perfect 10 out there waiting for us.
So, join us next week Burger fans, as the Tour….rolls
on.
21.08.
Thursday August 13th, 2009
Grover's
Fingers and Wings – Pensacola, FL
- 477-7172
$5.95 Cheeseburger
Final Score: 6.38Map
Sure it says “Grover’s” on the outside- but on the inside, it’s the Tastee Freeze. The walls are cluttered with “Big T” paraphernalia, and the fried pickles are an exact match to the ones we’ve come to know and love at our own neighborhood Tastee Freeze.
Having said that, the burger isn’t bad- it’s what you’d expect from a Tastee Freeze; a frozen patty (thought by some to be a Bubba Burger) topped with average produce, on a nice soft bun. The only real complaint was that the condiments (ketchup and mustard) were applied quite liberally by the kitchen staff before being served. My guess is that whoever prepared these burgers likes ketchup….a lot! In fact, they may eat it by the bowl on their lunch break.
Once again the matter of consistency was discussed. Some burgers were served with the cheese melted nicely on top- while many others were delivered without the cheese- a simple oversight by the kitchen- but the solution was to unwrap a Kraft Single and place it on top of the fully prepared Burger. This allows no time for the cheese to melt and become one with the burger.
Was this the best burger in all the land? Certainly not- but if you happen to be standing on the corner of Highway 90 and Davis- and you think to yourself “Where can I get a milkshake, fried pickles, burger and a pint of ketchup?” this is the place.
That being said, check back next week as we
continue our quest- with your help- to locate the absolute best burger
in our area.
13.08.
Friday August 7th, 2009
Lost Treasure Grill
– Perdido, FL
- 453-0011
$7.25 Cheeseburger
Final Score: 6.88Map
If the Black Pearl ever sails into Perdido Bay and Captain Jack Sparrow walks ashore- his first stop will probably be the Lost Treasure Grill on Blue Angel Parkway. Home to good food, great people, and some of the Gulf Coasts most loyal patrons- the Lost Treasure Grill (LTG) has become the preferred restaurant of thirsty Pirates everywhere.
Now, I shouldn’t have to remind you that on this Tour- we’re concerned with one thing and one thing only; TASTE. With taste as our only judging criteria, I have to tell you that the Burger at the LTG does taste good, but not great (sorry Peg Leg.)
The Burger at the LTG starts with a hand formed patty (which is a plus) but has very little seasoning or flavor. It’s served on an untoasted sesame seed bun that many thought to be dry. The tomatoes on the burger were excellent, but they were accompanied by average lettuce and run of the mill onions. The cheese (which can often make or break a burger) was very mild- and went unrecognized.
As the 8 Panel Members sat and ate their burgers- they discussed “Consistency”:
Consistency is something that we all aim for in life- but truthfully, being consistent is sometimes difficult; especially in the food business. I point this out because today- One of our Panel members bit into a Burger that was cooked perfectly, charred on the outside and pink in the middle- while another Panel Member’s burger lacked the char- and was pink throughout. These Panel members bit into two completely different Burgers- and they naturally administered completely different scores.
Most Panel Members enjoyed the Burger- but no one was doing cart wheels.
So,
if you wear an eye patch- and you’ve got a parrot perched on your
shoulder- you’d probably fit in nicely at the Lost Treasure Grill.
They’ve got good food and great people. If it’s the Area’s best burger
you’re searching for- check back with us next week as this tour….rolls
on…
07.08.
