The September Results
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Friday September 25th, 2009
H&O
Restaurant
– Pensacola, FL
- 432-1991
$5.95 Cheeseburger
Final Score: 6.06Map
Since 1942 The H&O Restaurant has been serving the very best soul food available in Downtown Pensacola. Over the last 65 years they’ve welcomed a number of honored guests such as Rosa Parks, Don King and local Champion boxer Roy Jones, Jr. Although we’re nowhere near as famous as the aforementioned, today was our turn to visit the H&O.
As we took our seats we enjoyed some Marvin Gaye on the juke box and sat back to enjoy a tall cold glass of sweet tea. The food at the H&O is true southern comfort food; fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens and delicious grits. Everything on their menu is reasonably priced- and the portions are very generous.
When we asked the gentleman behind the counter what size the hamburger patty was- he replied “We just grab a handful.” My best guess is that the burger is a minimum of ¾ lb. and once finished- dessert isn’t even a remote possibility. Our Tour members were a bit disappointed that they’d saved no room for banana pudding- but after all, we were here for the burger.
Unfortunately for the H&O- this tour wasn’t about comfort food or Marvin Gaye- this visit was about the burger, and the burger only. Although large in size, the burger is otherwise somewhat disappointing. The produce was good and the bun was adequate- it was the patty that cost this burger a high score. From the first bite you can tell this patty is really more of a meatloaf. The patty is dense and served well done. Few Panel Members finished the entire burger. Most ate half of the burger, and then chose to finish the generous portion of French fries.
The burger finished with a final score of 6.06. If we had been evaluating some of their terrific soul food- I get the feeling this place would have scored a perfect 10. But sadly, we came for the burger.
We’d recommend this place to anyone who’s downtown and looking for some great comfort food. The food here is the variety that Grandmother used to make. It’s served in generous portions- and at very affordable prices.
The H&O Restaurant is home to good people,
great food and an
average burger. Give them a shot sometime- but if you’re looking for
the area’s absolute best burger- check back with us next week as the
Tour….rolls on.
25.09.
Friday September 18th, 2009
Bonefish
Grill
– Pensacola, FL
- 471-2324
$9.90 American-Style Kobe Beef Burger
Final Score: 8.88Map
It was the subject of much controversy. Even our Panel Members were divided.
Should the NWFL Burger Tour visit a location that’s only open for dinner? The Burger Tour has traditionally been a lunch hour quest, and we struggled with whether or not to even consider a “Dinner only” establishment.
We’re talking about sampling burgers that aren’t available at lunch time. These restaurants don’t even open for lunch, some not until 4pm or later. These are the things we wrestled with. But should any of that make a difference? “Taste ONLY” has been our mantra. Shouldn’t we continue to let taste be our only criterion?
When our conventional wisdom ran out, we turned to you- our fan base, our support and our reason for this entire project. We let you decide by casting your vote on our website.
The Poll ran for an entire week: “Should the Burger Tour visit a restaurant that’s only open for dinner?” You’re answer: 63% of you voted “YES, the best burger in our area may in fact be one that’s only available for dinner.”
So, we listened. We took your advice and we did it. We visited a place that doesn’t open until 4 pm- The Bonefish Grill in Pensacola. And guess what- we’re glad we did.
Sure, we could have proven a point. We could have refused to rate this burger because they’re not open for lunch. But for Pete’s sake, this is a nationwide chain- it’s not their fault that they don’t open until 4 o’clock. Even so, I can tell you now having tried the burger- if we would have passed on this place- we would have only hurt ourselves. We would have missed eating one of the best burgers around and done each of you a disservice. This is a burger that was instantly agreed by the Panel to be “The Best Burger from a chain restaurant, anywhere, period.”
The patty is made of “American-Style Kobe Beef.” What exactly does that mean? Well, the staff at Bonefish can give you the official textbook answer about where it comes from and how it’s processed- but in short: It’s amazing! It’s rich in flavor, tender and juicy. The patty is wood grilled and served with a slice of melted cheddar cheese on top. This patty was agreed to be without a doubt the juiciest one we’ve had on the Tour thus far.
The burger comes served on a “Brioche Bun” (loosely translated: buttered bun) that at first glance appears to be thick and dry. You discover however at first bite that much to the contrary- the bun is soft and fresh. It does exactly what a bun should do- it keeps your fingers from coming in contact with the patty and vegetables while providing a rich buttery taste.
As for the vegetables- this is a National chain- the veggies are probably shipped in on a truck, right? Wrong- they’re delivered by a local produce company- which explains why the tomatoes were perfectly ripe and the onions were sweet and delicious.
As you finish eating this burger the Server politely asks if you’ve “saved room for dessert?” And you feel like telling him “No thanks, bring me another burger.”
Sure, we could have skipped the Bonefish. They’re not open for lunch, so we could have crossed them off the list and “stuck it to the man.” But since this tour is about taste and taste alone- we agreed to evaluate this burger just like we would any other burger. Having done that, we’re here to tell you; this is one of the best burgers around, period. Even if you do have to wait until 4pm to get it- it’s worth it.
With a final score of 8.8 - the Bonefish Grill Burger has secured the #2 spot on our Tour thus far.
I know what you’re thinking- Why go to a seafood place and get a burger? But trust us- we’ve never lead you astray before. Go there for dinner and resist the urge to order some of their delicious seafood. Get the burger instead- you’ll be glad you did. If you insist on ordering seafood- get their “Bang Bang Shrimp” as an appetizer and the Burger as your entrée.
As for us- we’re going to continue our Quest. We’re
still on the search for our area’s absolute best burger- so join us
next week burger fans, as the tour…..rolls on.
18.09.
Friday September 11th, 2009
Mesquite
Charlie's
– Pensacola, FL
- 434-0498
$6.99 Cheeseburger
Final Score: 7.50Map
Mesquite Charlie’s is the type of place you walk in and immediately think to yourself: “I should be ordering a steak.” Long known for serving some of the best beef around- we arrived to sample their burger rather than the steak. After doing so- we can proudly tell you; Mesquite Charlie’s may be known for their steak- but the burger isn’t bad either.
The half pound, hand formed patty could honestly be called a steak burger. Rich in flavor, this patty is the highlight of the meal. With two slices of cheese melted over the top- the taste of steak is met perfectly with the flavor of good ole’ American cheese.
The produce was average. It wasn’t the worst we’ve had on the tour- but it went unnoticed, and certainly didn’t heighten the flavor of the burger in any way. The one thing that kept this burger from receiving a top score was the bun. The burger is served on a thick Kaiser roll. The taste of the bread is fine, and the bun was toasted nicely- but due to the sheer size of the roll- it was removed or picked apart by several panel members.
Some judges commented that if this burger were served on a smaller, softer bun- it would easily be a top 3 Burger.
Although the burger received high praise from some- others were less impressed. Again it would seem that consistency was the issue. One Panel member commented that his burger was exceptionally juicy- while another complained that his burger was too dry.
All things considered, this is a great place to get a burger. There are certainly no wild frills at Mesquite Charlie’s- no mechanical bulls, singing waitresses, or cheesy gimmicks- just beef, and we’re fine with that.
Give this place a shot if you’re in the area and hungry for a burger. We recommend filleting the top of your bun in half as one Panel Member did. Use what portion you don’t eat to feed a flock of seagulls.
Check back with us next week as the Tour rides again.
We won’t give up until we’ve found the absolute best burger in our
area- that’s our promise.
11.09.
Friday September 4th, 2009
Hub Stacey's
– Pensacola, FL
- 469-1001
$6.49 Cheeseburger
Final Score: 7.00Map
Hub Stacey’s is a sandwich joint across from Seville Square in Downtown Pensacola. They’re known primarily for their salads and sandwiches, and they’re frequented by the downtown Pensacola lunch crowd. The staff is friendly, the environment is great, and their burger really is pretty darn good.
The Burger at Hub Stacey’s has all the winning elements; Great patty, nicely toasted bun, fresh produce and melted cheese- The only negative comment about the Burger was that the condiments are applied in massive quantities. Sadly, it was a comment made by every Panel Member- and it couldn’t be overlooked. It gave some of our judges the impression that they were eating a “Mayonnaise and Mustard Sandwich.”
This is a fine burger- but when you order it- ask for the condiments on the side. We’re not talking about a “little too much mustard” or “a bit heavy on the mayo” We’re talking about condiments that are so overdone that they completely overtake the taste of a Burger, and nearly ruin it.
Please note- I used the word “nearly.” The excessive condiments “nearly” ruined the Burger. Fortunately the outstanding fresh produce, generous patty, and soft sesame seed toasted bun were still enough to salvage a respectable final score of 7.0
Who knows, with a little less mustard- this Burger may have been a contender.
We’d
recommend this place to anyone. Great people, good food, and a terrific
location make Hub Stacey’s a great option if you’re downtown looking
for a great place to eat. But, if you’re searching for the absolute
best burger in the land- you’d better check back with us next week when
the Tour….rolls on.
04.09.
