To Try List (burgers)
September 13th, 2007
Mooyah (Plano, Texas)
Lee Harvey’s (Dallas, Texas)
Keller’s Drive-in
Adair’s in Deep Ellum
Club Schmitz
Hole in the Wall
Charco Broiler on Jefferson down in Oak Cliff (steak)
If you have a place we should add, please leave a comment!
Next time you’re in Los Angeles, over on the west side, you’ve got to try The Apple Pan. It’s a local legend since 1947, but their burger recipes go back to 1928. It’s a single, U-shaped counter in the same building they opened, and they’ve kept it exactly the same all these years. The menu seems sparse, but every item is a winner.
They have two burger varieties: “Hickory” - beef patty with a slight smoky flavor, served with ‘hickory sauce’ (spiced ketchup); and “Steak” - beef patty served with red relish. I get the Hickory Burger with cheese (Tillamook) and sweet pickles.
They have GREAT fries (get ‘em well done, if you like), but no rings.
They’re also known for their pies, which are fresh-made daily right there in the back. Apple, of course, the most popular, but their pecan and pumpkin pies are probably the best I’ve ever tasted. Ever. You can get your pie ‘a la mode’ with a very heavy vanilla ice cream (Danish, 35% cream), which makes it even better.
The first thing that hits you is the atmosphere there, but the food totally knocks you out. The place is always packed, and I’ve seen quite a few celebrities there over the years (it is L.A., though).
This is probably more than you were looking for, but I really think you should check out The Apple Pan the next time you visit L.A.
Comment by Chris Kim A — April 6, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Cali and Neal,
If your Big Trip takes you to Traverse City Michigan (up north) you have to try the best burgers around here. It’s a 50’s drive-in called “Don’s Drive-in”. It’s a real 50’s place.. My Folks went there in the 50’s while they were in High School. They are still there and still great! Here is the link to the Road Food writeup on it:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1170
See you guys in Vegas!
-Mike
Comment by Michael Dell — June 24, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
2 for you:
Five Guys burgers. Started out local in Northern Virginia, and is now spreading rapidly down the Mid-Atlantic into the Carolinas.
http://www.fiveguys.com
The focus is (as it ought to be) on fresh, high quality ingredients. They make arrangements with local bakeries for the buns…and in most stores the have a sign which tells you which town the potatos being used that day are from. Great stuff.
The Beacon Drive-in, Spartanburg, SC. A 40’s era greasy-spoon diner gone wild. Tired of hamburgers? Try the ‘Outside’ sandwich, trust me. The onion rings are the ticket here, and the sweet tea is to die for. At one point in its history, the Beacon was Lipton Tea’s largest account…single location, town of 55 thousand or so…you do the math there. Feeling really hungy/brave, order your sandwich ‘a-plenty’.
Comment by Russ — December 27, 2008 @ 9:08 am