Monday, December 7, 2015

Culver's - Double Butterburger with Cheese (4 stars)

 
2161 Paul Jones Way
Lexington, KY  40509
Phone:  (859) 263-7777




Locations across many states, mostly in the Midwest


Time of Visit:  November 28, 2015 at 1:00 pm


My Order:  Double Butterburger with cheese
                    Onion Rings
                    Culver’s Signature Root Beer







On my way home from southern Illinois, I again passed through Lexington, so I stopped to have something from Culver’s, another chain store that we don’t have in Maryland.  Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.


Burger Rating = 3.7 (****)Oven-roasted tomatoes, savory roasted garlic aioli and fresh arugula tossed in citrus olive oil dressing on a toasted ciabatta bun. $12.99
Mind your manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Mind your manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Mind your manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Oven-roasted tomatoes, savory roasted garlic aioli and fresh arugula tossed in citrus olive oil dressing on a toasted ciabatta bun. $12.99D.G.B.™ Burger

Presentation, Overall Rating 3


The store has a fast casual format, so one can’t expect the presentation to be too fancy.  It did come out freshly prepared and the burger looked good.  Still, the overall presentation was a bit lacking.  They put my entire order (except the drink cup, which I received when I ordered) all in a basket, which was fine, but then the basket sat on one side of the tray, giving the presentation a very lop-sided feel.  It was apparent they had thrown the burger together fairly quickly.  A very average, non-special presentation, so I can’t give any higher than a 3.


Meat, Overall Rating 4


Like many Midwestern chains, Culver’s uses the smashed patty style of cooking burgers, my favorite.  The patties were cooked well, looked appetizing, were well seasoned, and had an adequate amount of juice.  They had a real good flavor and I enjoyed eating them.  However, there was a bit too much gristle in them to give them a perfect rating, so I will give a 4.


Bun, Overall Rating 4


The bun had a nice, shiny brown crust.  It was toasted very nicely and had a great flavor from a light spread of butter.  Finally, it held up really well all through my meal.  My only critique is it was probably better sized for a single patty, with two patties being a little too much meat for the bun.  It was good though, so I’ll give it a 4.


Toppings, Overall Rating 4.3


American Cheese:  Finally, a place that realizes if one slice of cheese is the right amount for one patty, when you add a patty, you need another slice of cheese.  This cheese was well melted and tasted great.  I have no complaints whatsoever on the cheese and will say they did it right, a 5.
Mustard:  They had good yellow mustard in the right amount, but it wasn’t spread around properly, so all the mustard was one side of the burger.  If it had been spread around more, it would have been perfect, but as is, only a 4.
Onions:  Nice rings of white onion, with a good flavor, there was the right amount for the burger.  However, they also were not spread across the burger properly, so another 4.
Pickles:  These were pretty standard dill pickles slices, like you would get at any grocery store.  But, they had a good flavor and added to the burger.  But again, they were piled on one side of the burger, so another 4.


Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 3


Overall, this was a pretty good burger, but it had its faults.  First of all, the burger seemed just a little too greasy, not overly juicy, greasy.  There was a good contrast of flavors and textures and the burger held up well until the end.  If only the toppings had been spread across the burger better, it would have been a more consistent experience.  Finally, there was no special sourcing of ingredients, so no bonus points there.  I’ll have to give a final total of 3.




Other Notes:


Location and Access


This store is located in a shopping center/mall on the east side of Lexington.  The complex is easy to find, but you have to look for this store, as it is set back from the main road.  There is plenty of parking.


Facilities


The store looks nice inside and out, both clean and well designed.  There were plenty of tables but no outside seating.


Staff and Service


The service is pretty good.  After ordering and taking my seat, the food was brought out pretty quickly.


Sides

Onion Rings:  These were pretty good onion rings, with a crispy batter-dipped coating.  I’m not a fan of overly thick cut rings and these were just the right size.
Culver’s Signature Root Beer:  I don’t drink much soda, but decided I needed to try this.  It is their signature root beer after all.  It was a good root beer, but I couldn’t see anything extra special about it.


Value


Altogether, this meal cost me a little over $9.  That’s not bad, but I could have had the same meal at Steak n’ Shake for a few dollars less.



Wednesday, December 2, 2015

BRU Burger Bar - Stilton Bleu Cheese Burger (4 stars)

3010 Lakecrest Cir
Lexington, KY  40513
Phone:  (859) 305-0082
Website: http://www.bruburgerbar.com/

Only a few locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio

Time of Visit:  November 21, 2015 at 3:15 pm

My Order:  Stilton Bleu Cheese Burger
                    Onion Rings w/ dipping sauce
                    Sweet Tea

                               
I drove back to southern Illinois to visit my parents for Thanksgiving and always pass through Lexington in the afternoon, so I decided to try out this small chain.  I was going to just get a basic cheeseburger (and not spend so much), but the Stilton Bleu Cheese Burger just jumped out at me from the menu.  Since I probably won’t be back here soon, I went ahead and ordered it.

Burger Rating = 3.9 (****)

Presentation, Overall Rating 4

The meal came out arranged on a white, rectangular platter.  Everything was arranged very well and had a very neat appearance.  The burger was placed on one end and the onion rings were arranged on the other end curved around the ramekin of sauce.  The only mark against it was a little too much spillage of toppings from the burger.  The food was hot and fresh and looked good.  Overall it looked good, but needed to be just a bit neater, so I give it a 4.

Meat, Overall Rating 4

The patty was cooked all the way through, with a nice brown crust.  It had a good texture and was well seasoned.  My only grumble is that it was a bit dry, so I will give it a 4.

Bun, Overall Rating 5

The bun had a nice, shiny brown crust and was just the right size and shape for the burger.  It was toasted very nicely and had a great flavor.  Finally, it held up really well all through my meal.  The bun was top notch and I’ll give it a 5.

Toppings, Overall Rating 3.8

Stilton Bleu Cheese:  This cheese was very creamy, almost a spread.  That being said, they should have spread it around better.  Overall, there was probably the right amount on the burger, but it was piled in the middle and I didn’t get cheese in every bite.  It did taste really good and stayed in the burger well, so overall, it will get a 4.
Pear-Bacon Jam:  This was really tasty and a nice addition to the sandwich, although I didn’t really taste any bacon, only pear.  The pear was in little chunks that tended to fall out, but each piece provided a nice crunch of sweetness to the burger.  Overall this will get a 4.
Fried Onions:  Another nice addition to the sandwich, these provided a nice crunch of savory flavor to the burger.  It partnered well with the other toppings and there was just the right amount.  But, again, the pieces tended to fall out, so another 4.
Spinach:  This was fresh and provided another texture to the burger, but it wasn’t very well distributed across the sandwich, so that there wasn’t spinach in every bite.  It was a nice addition, so I’ll give it 4.
Truffle Aioli:  This had a good flavor, but there just wasn’t enough of it to really make an impact on the sandwich, getting lost in the mix of flavors.  Because it didn’t really add to the sandwich, I can’t give it any more than a 3.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 3

Overall, this was a wonderful combination of flavors, with the smooth, sharp cheese, the sweet bite of pear, and the savory crunch of the onions.  However, the meal wasn’t consistent as some bites had all the toppings and others didn’t.  Also, the pears and onions tended to fall out a bit much.  If there was some extra feature, like grass-fed beef or locally sourced toppings, I would have given it more points, but as is, only a 3.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access

This store is located just off the circle around Lexington, but you have to watch to spot it.  There is quite a bit of parking, both in the store’s lot and nearby in the shopping center.

Facilities

The store looks nice inside and out, both clean and well designed.  There were plenty of table, some seats at the bar, and a few outside seats.  a bit cobbled together, but it is clean and comfortable inside.  There are quite a few tables and some outside seating.

Staff and Service

The service is pretty good.  I was seated and served quickly.

Sides

Onion Rings:  These were some of the best onion rings I’ve ever had, with a crispy beer-batter crust.  However, there were only five rings for a cost of $3, a bit high to me.
Dipping Sauce:  This didn’t taste bad, but it seemed a bit strange to me.  It was sort of a thick, sweet cocktail sauce.  I tried it, but I think the rings were better without it.
Sweet Tea:  A good, refreshing sweet tea that wasn’t overly sweet like so many people do it.

Value

Altogether, this meal cost me $20 with tip.  That’s pretty high for a burger.  The problem is that you have to order the side separately instead of it being included in the price.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Glory Days Grill - Cheeseburger Trifecta (4 stars)

1305 W. 7th St.
Frederick, MD 21702-4102

Phone:  (301) 696-1112
Website:  http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/

Several locations in the Virginias, Maryland, and Florida

Time of Visit:  September 28, 2015 at 11:45 am

My Order:  Cheeseburger Trifecta
                     Onion Rings
                     Iced Tea

 
 

Glory Days is near my workplace and it was Classic Burger Monday there, so I stopped in for another burger.

Burger Rating = 4.3 (****)

Presentation, Overall Rating 4

The food came out on a regular, diner style plate with the burger open.  Alongside it on the plate were the onion rings and a pickle spear was laying across one half of the burger.  Everything seemed freshly prepared and neatly prepared.  However, there weren’t any of the extras that would earn it a full score, so it gets a 4.

Meat, Overall Rating 4

The burger looked really good, with a nice brown crust and cooked all the way through.  It was seasoned very well and had a good flavor.  It was somewhat compacted in texture and a tad dry, so I’m going to give the meat a 4.

Bun, Overall Rating 5

The bun had a really nice appearance and fit the burger well.  It was nicely toasted and had a great flavor that contributed to the burger.  Plus, it held up all through the meal.  I’m not going to say anything bad about the bun, so it gets a 5.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4.3

Three Cheeses:  For once a burger has a good amount of cheese on it.  Of course, that’s to be expected for a burger that features the cheese.  The three cheese, Swiss, cheddar, and provolone, all looked good and were melted evenly over the patty, blending into a unified cheese layer.  I can say nothing wrong about the cheese, so it gets a 5.
Red Onions:  This was served as a single slice and I had to separate the rings to distribute them over the burger, so I can’t mark down the coverage as I did it myself.  However, there was plenty to cover and it was fresh and crunchy.  It did have a tendency to poke out of the sandwich as it was eaten, so I’ll give the onion a 4.
Lettuce:  Again, like for so many burgers, there just wasn’t enough lettuce.  There was one small piece that just didn’t add anything to the burger but a little color.  It was a good fresh piece and tasted fine.  Overall, this gets a 3.
Mustard:  This wasn’t included with the burger, so I asked for some to add on my own.  It was good yellow mustard.  Since I can’t mark down for what I added myself, the mustard gets a 5.
Note - There was also a tomato slice provided, but I chose to eat it separately and won’t judge it as a topping.  However, if I had used it, it wasn’t big enough for the burger.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 4

This burger was a consistent, balanced burger that held up all the way through.  The only thing I might have added would be the sharp bite of some dill pickles on the sandwich, but it was good anyway.  What it didn’t have was that little extra, like special sourcing of ingredients to take it over the top.  So, overall, a good solid burger, so I’m giving it a 4.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access

This place is right in the 7th Street shopping center and easy to spot.    Although it is in a large parking lot, the area tends to be busy and it can be tricky finding a spot reasonably close at lunch time.

Facilities

This building is in good shape and is set up in the typical sports bar style.  There are a few tables set up outside and you can get your order to go, if you want.  The restroom was easy to find and reasonably clean.

Staff and Service

I was seated as soon as I came in the door and the waitress was at my table quickly.  She was attentive without being annoying and responded to all my needs very quickly, even bringing a tea refill without being asked.

Sides

Onion Rings:  These were cut a little thicker than I like, but I guess many people prefer them that way.  They had the typical commercial breading, but were cooked really well and were really crispy.  These weren’t one of the standard sides, but were available with a small surcharge.
Pickle:  This was your standard kosher dill pickle spear, nothing outstanding, but a nice addition to the plate.
Iced Tea:  Your run of the mill, unsweetened tea, just something to wash down the meal.

Value

Since this was Classic Burger Monday, I got this meal for only a little over $10 before the tip.  That’s not a bad price, but the normal price seems a little high.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Rex's Downtown Grill - Burger with Cheddar (3 stars)

57 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone:  (240) 651-5278
 


Single location

Time of Visit: September 12, 2015 at 11:30 am

My Order:   Burger w/ Cheddar
                      French Fries
                      Barq's Root Beer




 
 

Since I was downtown for the In the Streets Festival in Frederick, I decided to take the opportunity to eat at one of the restaurants there.  Since Rex’s wasn’t in the middle of everything, it gave me an opportunity to get out of the “action” for a bit.  They advertise as "Straight up the BEST burger in town!", but I wasn't impressed.

Burger Rating = 3.4 (***)
 
Presentation, Overall Rating 3

This is a fast casual style restaurant and the meal came out in a paper lined metal tray.  The burger was served open-faced with the fries alongside.  The burger was obviously freshly cooked and the toppings looked good as well, but it didn’t seem any real care was used in the assembly.  Everything was neat enough, but it all just looked a bit greasy to me.  I understand it is fast casual, but a little more care in the presentation would have helped.  I’ll give it a 3.

Meat, Overall Rating 3

The patty looked pretty good, browned and fresh off the grill.  I didn’t specify, so I can’t count off for this, but the burger wasn’t cooked all the way through.  Texture-wise, it was actually pretty good and the flavor wasn’t bad.  I’m conflicted as to whether it was juicy or just greasy from the grill.  Overall, I just wasn’t that impressed, so I’ll give this one a 3.

Bun, Overall Rating 5

The brioche bun was on point for the burger.  It was appropriately sized and looked good.  It had a nice toast on it, had a good texture, and held together until the last bite.  No complaints on the bun, so it gets a 5.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4

Cheddar Cheese:  I was a nice slice of Cheddar, but it wasn’t enough for the size of the burger.  It looked like it was placed on the patty as the sandwich was assembled, not melted onto the patty as it cooked.  It did cover the burger well, it just wasn’t thick enough.  I just can’t give this any more than a 3.
Lettuce:  This was fresh and crunchy and there was actually enough to provide some extra texture to the burger.  My main complaint is that it being chopped caused too much to escape the burger as it was eaten.  Still, good enough for a 4.
Red Onion:  This was good, crunchy red onion, but the few rings provided just weren’t enough.  Plus, it was just placed on the burger and I had to separate the rings and try to spread it across myself.  Altogether, I’ll give it a 3.
Pickle Slices:  These were really tasty, sweet pickle slices.  However, there needed to be just a couple more slices, as there just weren’t enough to completely cover the burger.  I was surprised that they did stay in the burger as I ate it.  If there had been enough, this might have scored up to a 5, but the way it was, I have to hold at a 3.
Gulden’s Mustard:  This wasn’t on the burger when it was served, and I put it on myself from the bottle provided on each table.  Thus, since it wasn’t spoiled or anything, I can’t do anything but give it a 5.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 2

Too much of the toppings, mainly the lettuce, fell out during the meal, but generally the flavor was good and there was a good variety, although some bites were missing pickle or onion.  The cheese was also lost in the burger and I like to taste the cheese.  Plus, there was nothing special about the sourcing of the ingredients, I can’t give it any more than a 2.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access

This store is located on Patrick Street in downtown Frederick, so nearby parking is at a premium.  Plus, if you were driving by, it would be real easy to miss.

Facilities

The store itself is clean and comfortable inside.  I only saw a half-dozen tables in the front and none outside, but it seemed like there were more in the back (I didn’t check).

Staff and Service

The service was pretty good and they brought my food out to me in a reasonable amount of time.  Later on, they offered to refill my drink for me.

Sides

French Fries:  Soggy and not crispy at all, does anyone prefer this style?  They were cooked through, but that’s the best I can say about them.
Barq’s Root Beer:  This was typical, fountain style soda, nothing special but good when you feel like a root beer.

Value

The meal cost me $11.93, plus tax.  That’s a little high for a fast casual place, in my opinion, especially since it wasn't an outstanding burger.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Blue Moon Cafe - Chubby Burger (4 stars)

200 E High St
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Phone:  (304) 876-1920
Website: http://www.bluemoonshepherdstown.com/

Single location 

Time of Visit:  September 7, 2015 at 11:30 am

My Order:  Chubby Burger w/ Cheddar
                   French Fries
                   Iced Tea

 


I was in Shepherdstown to play a round of golf in the afternoon, so I went early to have lunch at the Blue Moon.  While it wasn’t a bad burger, it was lacking in some areas.

Burger Rating = 3.6 (****)
 
Presentation, Overall Rating 4
 
The meal came out on a white, oval plate.  The burger was placed on one end and the fries on the other, along with a plastic container of ketchup.  Everything was well arranged and the burger was well prepared and skewered with a long pick, but otherwise nothing special in the presentation.  The food was hot and fresh and looked good.  Overall it looked good, but needed that little extra, so I give it a 4.

Meat, Overall Rating 3

The patty was cooked all the way through, but needed some more browning to give it a better appearance.  It had a good texture and a good amount of juiciness, but lacked any discernable seasoning.  Because of the lackluster appearance and lack of seasoning, I have to give this one a 3.

Bun, Overall Rating 4

The bun was nice looking Kaiser roll and was probably the perfect size for the burger.  It was given a nice toast on the cut surfaces, but the crust was too hard, which tended to cause the contents to squeeze out.  Still, it had a fine taste and held up really well all through my meal.  I’ll give it a 4.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4

Cheddar Cheese:  I would have liked just a little bit thicker slice, but it wasn’t a bad amount and the flavor came through in the final burger.  It was well melted over the patty and covered it nicely.  Altogether, it is good enough to get a 5.
Lettuce:  This was fresh and crunchy and there was actually enough to provide some extra texture to the burger.  My main complaint is that it being chopped caused too much to escape the burger as it was eaten.  Still, good enough for a 4.
Mayonnaise:  This was a good tasting mayonnaise, but nothing special.  It was spread evenly across the bun, but there was just a little too much, which made things too slippery and caused toppings to escape. I have to give this a 3.
Tomato Slice:  This was a good, fresh slice and it was a good size for the burger, wide enough to cover the patty and thick enough to provide flavor and texture.  Unfortunately, it tended to slip out of the sandwich and the last third just fell out.  Overall, a 4.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 3

The different flavors came through, but between the hard bun and the extra mayo, the toppings tended to squeeze out.  The last third of the sandwich was without tomato as it fell out of the burger as well as a lot of the lettuce.  I can’t help but feel that something was missing from this burger, maybe some crunchy onion or a sharp bite of pickle would have made it better or even just some seasoning on the meat.  I do give them credit for using local, grass fed beef, and that’s a plus.  Overall, there were some really good things about this burger, but a few minuses as well, so I will give it a 3.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access

This store is located on the corner of two streets in Shepherdstown, which is a pretty small town.  However, it’s not on the main drag through town, so would not see it if you weren’t aiming for it.  There are only a few parking spots in front of the store, but a good amount of street parking nearby.

Facilities

The store itself looks a bit cobbled together, but it is clean and comfortable inside.  There are quite a few tables and some outside seating.

Staff and Service

The service is pretty casual and can be a bit slow, but everyone was very friendly.  My order was taken accurately and the food was served just as I requested.

Sides

French Fries:  These were pretty standard fries and were even fairly crispy, at least when they were brought out to me.  They did seem to cool down pretty quickly, but they had a good flavor.
Iced Tea:  A good, refreshing iced tea that they brew themselves, it was nothing special but did quench my thirst when I needed it.

Value

The meal cost me $12.72, plus tip.  That’s probably about right for a sit down meal.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Longhorn Steakhouse - Longhorn Gourmet Burger (4 stars)

5744 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
Phone:  (301) 682-6751
Website: http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/home

Many locations across the United States and a few international locations

Time of Visit:  August 31, 2015 at 12:20 pm

My Order:  Longhorn Gourmet Burger
                   French Fries
                   Blackberry Iced Tea
 

I decided to drop into Longhorn to try out their new Gourmet Burger.  Normally, the maxim is that you don’t go to a steakhouse to get a good burger, but this one was surprisingly tasty.  It certainly wasn’t a great burger, but was above average.

Burger Rating = 3.6 (****)

Presentation, Overall Rating 4

The meal came out on a white, rectangular plate with rounded corners.  The burger was balanced on one end of the plate by the fries placed on the other side.  The burger was skewered with a logo pick and a knife was placed across the plate, separating the burger from the fries.  The food came out hot and looked good, but there was a bit of messiness with splatters of grease and fry seasoning.  Overall I’m going to give this one a 4.

Meat, Overall Rating 3

The patty was cooked all the way through, but needed some more browning to give it a better appearance.  It had a good texture and a good amount of juiciness, but lacked any discernable seasoning.  Because of the lackluster appearance and lack of seasoning, I have to give this one a 3.

Bun, Overall Rating 4

The bun had a nice, shiny, golden color to it, but was slightly oversized for the burger.  Still, it had a really good texture and they had given it a nice toast.  Plus, it held up really well all through my meal.  My only criticism is the diameter of the bun being larger than the diameter of the burger, so I’ll give it a 4.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4

White Cheddar Cheese:  I was initially hoping this would add a nice element to the burger, but was quickly disappointed.  Although the cheese was well melted and adhered to the patty well, there was just not enough cheese for the burger and the flavor was lost in the burger.  I can’t give this any more than a 3.
Crispy Onions:  These had a nice crunch and tasted really good.  There was just the right amount for the burger and were spread across it well.  I was surprised that, even though they were small pieces, they stayed in the burger quite well.  I’m going to give these a 5.
Garlic Spinach:  This was cooked well, with just the right amount placed on the bottom bun.  I didn’t notice much spinach flavor, but the garlic provided a really good note in the overall flavor of the burger.  Plus, when I bit into the burger, the spinach bit through cleanly and didn’t pull out.  I’ll give this a 5 too.
Bacon Mayo:  This was probably the most flavorful part of the burger, with a rich and tart taste.  It was spread evenly on the bun.  If anything, there was probably a little too much, as it tended to drip out of the burger, making it a bit too messy.  Overall, I’ll give it a 4.
Tomato Slice:  Although the tomato seemed fresh and had a good taste, it was just too small.  It only covered about two-thirds of the burger and was just too thin.  One good thing about the small size was that it did stay in the burger as I ate it, but that doesn’t override the size.  I can’t give this one more than a 3.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 3

This burger had a great flavor, with a good balance of condiments that matched the meat very well.  It held together well from the first bite to the last.  My big gripe is that the undersized tomato and oversized bun provided an uneven experience and the cheese was just completely lost.  If it had been something special, like grass-fed beef or organic ingredients, I might have bumped it up a point, but I can’t go any higher than a 3.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access

This store is located in a small shopping center right off of Route 85.  It is easy to spot and easy to access, with plenty of parking.

Facilities

The store has a typical, chain steakhouse feel with plenty of tables, although there is no outside seating.  The bathrooms are easy to find.

Staff and Service

The staff was very professional.  I was seated and served very quickly.  The waitress was very responsive, but not overbearing with her attention.  My order was taken accurately and the food was served just as I requested.

Sides

French Fries:  These were pretty standard fries, although the seasoning was applied unevenly.  Overall, a bit more seasoning would have been good.  Like many times, they could have been crispier.  They also seemed to cool down pretty quickly.
Iced Tea:  A good iced tea with a pleasing, but not overwhelming, sweet blackberry syrup added.  It was quite nice.

Value

The meal cost me just under $15, including tax.  That’s not outrageous for a sit down meal, but it’s not the best value either, just pretty average.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Madrones Restaurant - Cheeseburger (4 stars)

7810 Wormans Mill Rd
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone:  (240) 439-4010
Website: http://madrones.net/

Single location 

Time of Visit:  August 7, 2015 at 11:50 am

My Order:  Cheeseburger
                   French Fries
                   Iced Tea

 


I am watching what I eat and have been real good all week, so I decided to take my hamburger treat today.  Madrones has been listed as having one of the best burgers in Frederick, so I went and tried it out.

Burger Rating = 4.4 (****)
 
P manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Mind your manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Mind your manners around this Black Angus patty glazed with brown sugar and topped with candied bacon, honey BBQ sauce, sharp Cheddar and caramelized onions on a toasted ciabatta bun. $13.99 Oven-roasted tomatoes, savory roasted garlic aioli and fresh arugula tossed in citrus olive oil dressing on a toasted ciabattresentation, Overall Rating 5
The meal came out on a white, oval plate with the burger served open-faced and a spear holding the toppings to the top bun.  The fries were alongside the burger with the ketchup and mustard in little metal cups.  It looked very nice as a first impression and I saw nothing wrong with it, a 5.

Meat, Overall Rating 5
The patty was thick, about one inch, but I have to say they cooked it right.  It was cooked all the way through and was still pretty juicy and flavorful.  It was seasoned well and even had a crust that had good browning, but wasn’t tough.  The texture was loose, but held together well.  Overall, a very well done patty, a 5.

Bun, Overall Rating 4
Another plus, they used a really good brioche bun and toasted it well.  My only criticism is that it wasn’t quite sized properly, being just a little too wide for the patty, so I can’t give it any more than a 4.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4
Cheddar Cheese:  The cheese was well melted and was a nice addition to the burger.  Even though the burger patty was thick, the flavor of the cheese still came through.  No complaints, a 5.
Red Onions:  The had three large red onion rings on it.  They were fresh and had a good bit.  However, With the rings all being large, they onion was not well distributed, with the outer burger getting a lot of onion and the inner bites not having any.  I guess I’ll give it a 4.
House-made Mustard:  This was a nice, whole grain style mustard that provided a nice flavor to the burger.  Since it was served on the side, I could spread it however I wanted.  Let’s go ahead and give this, a 5.
House Made Pickles:  These were really good, sort of a sweet pickle, but not quite.  The flavor was great.  But, there were only two small pickles, so only half the burger had any pickle on it.  Because of that, I can’t give any more than a 3.
Lettuce:  Like usual, there just wasn’t enough to add much to the burger, a 3.


Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 4
This was a great burger.  All the flavors blended well and no one flavor overwhelmed the others.  They burger also held together well and each bite had a little bit of everything.  But, because the toppings weren’t distributed equally on the burger and the bun was slightly off-sized, I can’t give this any more than a 4.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access
This store is located in the Wegman’s Center, across the parking lot from that store.  Once you pull onto the road from Route 26, it’s fairly easy to spot.  There is plenty of parking, although the lot can get busy, especially on the weekend.

Facilities
The store has a nice atmosphere with plenty of table, although there is no outside seating.  The bathrooms are easy to find.

Staff and Service
The staff was very professional, although my waitress could have smiled a bit more.  The hostess was quick and efficient getting me to my table.  It did take a while for my food to be prepared, so this is not the spot for a quick lunch, but it came out cooked just the way I wanted it.  The waitress did warn it might take a while.

Sides
French Fries:  These were standard fries like you will find in many restaurants.  My main comment is that they could have been cooked a bit crispier.
Iced Tea:  Pretty standard iced tea, it was could and thirst quenching.

Value
In total, this meal cost me a little over $15, including tax.  That’s not outrageous for a sit down meal, but it’s not the best value either, just pretty average.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Market Burger - Single Burger (4 Stars)

145 W Main St
Purcellville, VA 20132
Phone:  (540) 751-1145
Website:
http://www.marketburger.net/

Single Location

Time of Visit:  July 31, 2015 at 11:50 am

My Order:  Single Patty Burger
                     Sweet Potato Fries w/ Maple Mustard
                     Sprite






I went down to Purcellville to play a round on the disc golf course at Franklin Park.  While I was there, I decided to partake of what has been called one of Virginia’s best burgers.  It turned out to be a really good burger, but just short of the 5 star level.

Burger Rating = 4.4 (****)
 
Presentation, Overall Rating 4
The food comes out in a plastic basket containing the burger, fries, and the mustard dipping sauce.  Nice and not bad for a counter service place, a 4.

Meat, Overall Rating 4
My burger was cooked all the way through with no pink showing, yet was not dry.  They cook it on a flat top grill and give it that initial smash that gives the burger a nice crust.  The texture was good as well, fairly loose, but it still held together as a patty.  The only thing I might say would be to give the burger just a tad more browning, so it wasn’t quite perfect, so a real strong 4.

Bun, Overall Rating 5
For their buns, they use a local bakery and it is a good one.  It was a good size for the burger and had a great texture.  They also toast it to a buttery crunch that adds great texture and flavor to the burger.  Overall, one of the best buns I’ve ever had on a burger.  This one gets a 5.

Toppings, Overall Rating 4.2
American Cheese:  The cheese was well melted, but like usual could have used just a bit more to balance against the meat, a 4.
Yellow Mustard:  Regular yellow mustard, spread evenly, with just enough to add to the flavor but not overwhelm it, a 5.
House Made Pickles:  These were really good and sliced lengthwise so they stayed in the burger really well, a 5.
Fresh Onions:  These had a good flavor and were sliced really thin so as not to overwhelm the burger.  However, by being thin, they lost that good, fresh crunch, a 4.

Lettuce:  Like usual, there just wasn’t enough to add much to the burger, although it was a good piece of lettuce, a 3.

Balance/Taste, Overall Rating 5
This was a great burger.  All the flavors blended well and no one flavor overwhelmed the others.  They burger also held together well and each bite had a little bit of everything.  Also, kudos for having all the ingredients locally sourced.  I’m going to give this one a 5.

 
Other Notes:

Location and Access
The place is not the easiest place to find.  It’s right on the main street of Purcellville, but unless you’re really watching you can easily miss it.  It’s just a small storefront among many others.  Parking is also limited, with just a bit on the street in front, although there is a small lot across the street for public parking.

Facilities
The store is one of several along the street and is pretty small inside.  There are a few small tables in the front part of the store and some more in the back if you want to eat there.  It seems the tables are more of a convenience, as they seem to be set up more for carryout service.

Staff and Service
The staff was very friendly and professional.  When taking my order, the counter person asked appropriate questions to clarify my desires, but didn’t act like he was confused.  The food took a few minutes to prepare, but it was cooked to order and that is to be expected.

Sides
Sweet Potato Fries with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce:  These could be better described as sweet potato chips, because they were sliced into thin rounds.  Unfortunately, they weren’t cut very evenly, so some chips were thin and crispy and others were thicker and soft, with every degree between.  They did have a good flavor and the maple mustard was perfect as a dip, providing both a sweet and a tart addition to the chips.  There were also a lot of chips, more than I wanted.  It would have probably been just the right amount to share with someone.
Sprite:  The soda and all other drinks were sold in individual bottles, which is appropriate for a takeout service.  However, since I ate in the restaurant, I really missed my free refills like you get in nearly every other restaurant in the US.

Value
In total, this meal cost me $16, including tax.  That’s a lot more than I want to spend on a burger from a takeout place, no matter how good it is.  That along with the lack of drink refills left me feeling overcharged.  They do get some allowance for locally sourcing their ingredients, but it was still a little high.  Maybe if I went with someone else and split an order of fries it would have felt like a better price.