Showing posts with label big burgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big burgers. Show all posts

Ted's Restaurant - A Steamed Gooey Phenomenon

Posted by Anonymous | Labels: , , , | Posted On Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 3:33 PM

Ted's Restaurant - A Steamed Gooey Phenomenon

Ted's Restaurant http://www.steamedcheeseburger.com/
1046 Broad St
Meriden, CT 06450-3446

THE STORY
No one seems to have the exact date but sometime around the 1950's, Jack's Lunch in Middleton, CT made it's mark on burger history. Jack's lunch was the first to start steaming their burgers. The phenomenon caught on quickly, well that is if you consider the popularity of something in the Wallingford-Meriden, CT a phenomenon. Popularity contests be damned, central CT is still serving up their ground beef sandwiches steamed and the place to get them is Ted's Restaurant. Since 1959, Ted's has served these little numbers to the adorning public topped with their famous "secret" steamed cheese.

When it came up that I would be travelling to Hartford, CT for the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, I immediately wanted to re-try visting Louis Lunch. When Burger Guru George Motz from Hamburger America reminded me that they are closed for August (WHY!?!?!) I immediately swtiched up our destination to Ted's. The burger meat and the companion cheese are both steamed in a patented device known as the "Burg'R Tend'R" by Dale Greenbacker while the home fries and onions are cooked on a flat top griddle. So it's not that they don't have the technology, it's that they refuse to make burgers on it.

THE BURGER
Ted's is right off the highway and be careful, it's easy to miss. It's a small hut attached to a house with 3 green picnic tables outside. Do not be tempted to visit Quality Time, the much larger and easier to find competitor right off the highway, Ted's is the way to go. With only a few counter stools and tables, there isn't much room for, well anything. The server will take your order at the door and then you can choose to sit, where your food will brought. It only took a few minutes before our steamed burgers and home fries arrived. Served on large kaiser roll, I got mine with bacon, lettuce, fried onions, mustard and of course the cheese, which once steamed has the consistency of hot lava.

The burger has a very unique texture and taste. The meat is thick and although it's moist, it isn't juicy. It's almost a gamey flavor but not really. The cheese is fantastic and as you can see by the photo below, very, very, very gooey. In fact, I suggest flipping the sandwich over (cheese on bottom) so you get a better taste of the melty goodness. The bacon they use is top notch and actually what made me really appreciate burger.

I wish the home fries were a little crispier but I love that the non-standard burger place has a non-standard potato side. The steamed cheese burger is almost hard to describe and it is not intended to be loved by your standard fast food burger fan. True burger fans, this is one for the books.


From: Burger Conquest
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Burger King Franchises Sue Over $1.00 Double Cheeseburger

Posted by Dr. James McSaddle | Labels: , , , , | Posted On Monday, December 14, 2009 at 3:33 AM

Burger King Franchises Sue Over $1.00 Double Cheeseburger
A Home Of The Whopper Divided Cannot Stand

For the second time this year, Burger King is being sued by their own franchisees. In the most recent lawsuit, the franchisees are suing over the $1 double cheeseburger.

On behalf of the Burger King franchisees, the National Franchisee Association has filed another lawsuit against Burger King. The Association represents more than 80 percent of the Burger King franchisees in the US.

This lawsuit is the franchisees attempt to stop Burger King from setting the maximum price for the $1 double cheeseburger that Burger King has added to their value menu. According to the franchisees, it costs them ten cents more to make the sandwich than what Burger King is allowing them to sell it for.

Burger King added the $1 double cheeseburger to its value menu to attract price-conscious customers and compete with other fast food restaurants' value menus. Burger King has had its value menu since 2002.

Twice this year, the franchisees have voted against adding the $1 double cheeseburger to the value menu. In June, the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled on Burger King's side.

The Appeals Court said that Burger King was able to contractually require their franchisees to participate in its BK Value Menu program. Burger King required all franchisees to add the $1 double cheeseburger to the value menu on October 19th.

Burger King is the world's second largest hamburger chain. Their franchise owners operate 90 percent of Burger King's restaurants.

The Association filed another lawsuit against Burger King back in May over rebate revenues from soda companies. In that lawsuit, the franchisees claim Burger King was diverting rebate revenues that belonged to them to the corporate advertising budget.

Burger King is known as the place to have it your way. The franchisees are suing Burger King over not being able to have it their way with the pricing of the $1 double cheeseburger.

Source: huliq.com

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Burgering at Bonnie's Place

Posted by Dr. James McSaddle | Labels: , | Posted On Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 10:30 PM

Bloody Mary's, Brownies, & Burgering at Bonnie's Place
West Of East Lansing's Best Known Burger

Official Rating: 3.75/5


Bonnie's Place, like many other establishments in the Capitol Area, claims to have the best burger in Lansing. But they won't tell you which one they think it is. The Western, the Southwestern,the Jerk, the Bacon and Bleu Cheese, the Aloha, and the Bonnie's are among the twenty-three burger choices available at this bar and restaurant west of East Lansing.

Located near a Burger King, a Rally's and an A&W, Bonnie's offers an atmosphere that includes a bar and accommodates those who want to enjoy their burgers with company and maybe a beer; perhaps while catching the Spartans, Lions, Tigers,Pistons or Red Wings on one of Bonnie's several screens.

They might even show Wimbledon if it's the right time of year. I wouldn't count on World Cup Soccer.

But, unlike Crunchy's and a lot of other places near campus, Bonnie's Place caters to a clientele that consists largely of the permanent and long time residents of the Lansing area, which is evident in its Sunday crowd. Many of them make their living at GM, others downtown near the state capitol, and some are are bootleggers for light recreational drugs.

Although it isn't much to look at from the outside at its location near the corner of Cedar and Saginaw, those who go to Bonnie's regularly are attracted to the warmth that is obvious when they first walk inside. A more uppity crowd might not jive with its wood paneled interior, the cushioned brown vinyl bar stools, the matching booths, and the walls lined with bar mirrors.

Bonnie's met our expectations on its interior experience by offering an unpretentious and comfortable dining experience.

Although I usually object to restaurants that serve Pepsi products over Coke, I will admit that their diner style "Pepsi-Cola" glasses were the best vessel for my Mountain Dew. I would have ordered the $3.00 Bloody Mary, which Erik and Amber rated highly, but I forgot my I.D.

"It could have been stronger, but for three bucks, I can't complain". said Amber.

"They put olives and a pickle in it, they aren't messing around," said Erik, Adding, " I was really satisfied with the three dollar Bloody Mary".

I tried a sip of Amber's cocktail for myself, and I'll say it's exactly how I like to make a Bloody Mary, which is no simple feat. Usually they are too thin, but sometimes they are too thick or just flat in flavor. Sometimes I get one that doesn't have enough ice, or one that's made with generic tomato juice and bottom shelf vodka. But Bonnie's Place got the Bloody Mary right, and next time I come I'll have my I.D.

Our server, perhaps because she sympathized with the situation regarding my misplaced driver's licence, was quick to offer refills on my Mountain Dew; which is good for you because it lowers your Sperm Count. It is, in fact, the number one contraceptive in Mexico.

Where expectations were met on the atmosphere and the quality of the drinks, there were different views on the burgers.

The server double checked every order as she wrote it down and made sure we knew that half pound burgers with toasted buns are the norm at Bonnie's.

The toasted buns are especially important, because they are very similar to the buns that Crunchy's uses, but they held the burger together better. Bonnie's also claims that they serve "steak burgers". I dislike the use of ironic quotations, but my guess is that "steak burger" isn't a term backed up by any FDA standard or criterion.

"It was at least seasoned well, and there was a generous portion of fries," said Nate, who ordered the Southwestern Burger.

He added, "The patty itself tasted artificial and processed, the texture wasn't natural, so only a '2' overall".

Erik was more satisfied with his Bacon and Bleu Cheese burger. "It had a great flavor. It was cooked right (medium) but it wasn't too greasy," he said.

He added, "Toasting the bun is key. The large portion of fries helps to improve the value of the order".

Molly also had good things to say about her Aloha Burger, which consists of green pepper, tomato, and mozzarella. She added bacon at an additional charge.

"It was an interesting enough flavor combination," she said. "The bacon was an expensive addition, about $2.00"

"They give you lots of fries, I like that," added Molly.

Amber didn't think her Baby Bonnie's Burger was exceptional. It is a quarter pound version of the half-pound Bonnie Burger, which includes American and Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and a quarter pound of shaved ham.

"It seemed to be a pre-formed patty, probably from GFS, the toppings made this unremarkable burger better," she said.

Adding, "I think I'd rather have a sandwich with just this ham".

I had a lot of mixed feelings about Bonnie's. Our server, whose name I failed to write down, was excellent. She helped us with our order, showed an enthusiasm for the food, and she made sure that we got everything we needed. She offered me refills on my Mountain Dew faster than I could drink them. I hate when I have to flag down a server for basic things, and this one did a great job. Bonnie's does well above average on service based on E.L.B.C.'s experience.

They could have given me half as many fries, but I ate them all. They were pretty damn good.

I ordered the Jamaican Jerk burger. When the server brought it to my table, Erik said, "A jerk for a jerk," which was kind of a dick thing to say.

I presumed that because I was eating jerk and that I am a jerk that he must eat dick, because he is a dick. But that wasn't on the menu. Not at Bonnie's.

The Jerk Burger was cooked in Jamaican jerk seasoning and an onion ring. It would have been better with a Red Stripe, but the I.D. issue prevented this flavor pairing.

Everyone liked the fries and the solid portions that are served; although the onion ring on my burger was tasty. It made me want to order a basket. I wanted to try more.

Bonnie's also serves stuffed olives and other goodies. This establishment would be wise to publish a menu online, perhaps on CampusFood.com.

I don't have an orthodox aversion to pre-formed patties, they can do the trick. But, Bonnie's Place claims to have the best burger in Lansing, and you just can't do that with a meat disc from Gordon's Food Service or Sysco. It makes me wonder if they serve the dreaded House Recipe Ketchup. When you're given evidence that the restaurant is skimping on something this crucial, you wonder where else they skimp and ultimately you wonder what you're paying for.

Bonnie's has a lot going for it, but they should consider a re-evaluation of its choice of meat.
That's probably good advice for us all.

On the plus side, Bonnie's serves dessert. We had a choice between Coconut Cream Pie and a Brownie Sundae. Amber, Molly, and Nate each ordered the latter. Everyone tried it and had several bites. But, most of us agreed that it was like the burger meat, pre-formed and unimpressive. This is the down side.

Nate said it tasted like it was a GFS Sundae. I felt like it tasted of the Little Debbie Fudge Brownies that I used to get for 25¢ at the gas station. Anyone with brownie mix, and a moderately priced carton of ice cream could have done better.

Bonnie's should consider baking some of its own desserts.

Bonnie's meets and exceeds expectations in so many ways. This good place to eat could be a great place to eat if they improved some of the food. Not until then will Bonnie's have the best burger in Lansing.

The best is out there, but our search continues.

Update: I tried contacting Bonnie's for more information about their burger patties, but they never got back to me. I will assume the worst. - Erik




ELBC Score Board: Overall Experience

Nate: 2
Erik: 4.5
Molly: 4
Amber: 3
David: 3

-------------------

ELBC Tabulated Numerical Burger Enjoyment Scale


Doneness: 4.25




These "steakburgers" are cooked medium well unless you ask otherwise.


Freshness/Topping Quality: 4

Bonnie's offers a lot of choices of toppings. Many of us agreed we would try a new one each time, but not all of us would go back.

Bun: 3.75

The same as Crunchy's, but toasted.

Price: 2.75

1/2 lb burgers ranged from 7.25 to 8.50, and 1/4 lb burgers ranged from $5.50 to $7.50. Making a burger "deluxe" costs 50¢, and includes mayo, lettuce and tomato. The Burger Special, which no one ordered includes a quarter pound burger with french fries and a domestic draft for $6.50.

Patty Seasoning/Flavor: 3

The seasoning and flavor was good, but the pre-formed patty was a turnoff for a lot of us, especially for a place that claims to have Lansing's best burger.

Speed: 4.25

Likability: 4.5

The service was exceptional.

Accommodation of Special Requests: 5

Appearance: 3.25

Ambiance: 3
Crowd: 3.25
Cleanliness: 3.75
Burger: 3.5
Service: 4.5
Restaurant: 3.5
Overall value: 3.5
Overall Rating: 3.25
Official Rating: 3.75/5

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West Michigan Whitecaps: Consume 4,800 Calories, Get A T-Shirt*

Posted by Dr. James McSaddle | Labels: , , | Posted On Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:41 PM

Minor League Ballpark, Major League Calories: 4,800 In Burger
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Well, at least the salsa is low-cal.

The West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor league baseball team, will be offering up major league cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories in an enormous hamburger being added to the menu this year at the Fifth Third Ballpark.

The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips, all on an 8-inch sesame-seed bun. That's a lot of dough!

The Grand Rapids Press reports that anyone who eats the entire 4,800-calorie behemoth in one sitting will receive a special T-shirt*. Saner fans can divide it up with a pizza cutter and share.

The Midwest League team is a Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

*They are out of XXXL

Source: Associated Press

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Denny's Has New Burgers; But Are They Better?

Posted by Dr. James McSaddle | Labels: , | Posted On Friday, October 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM

Denny's Better Burgers Really Are, Well, Better

Just Don't Get Too Hungry If You're Black or Gay, Because They Might Not Serve You

This week I reached out for a new Western Burger, one of five new "Better Burgers" from Denny's that are " too good to eat on the run" ... meaning too hoity-toity to pass through a drive-thru window to the downtrodden masses.


Denny's has totally upgraded its burger portfolio with these new Better Burgers, and I'm sensing an attitude from America's all-night diner, with 1,500 restaurants coast-to-coast. All of a sudden, Denny's is bragging about its ingredients and daring the burger bully boys to a throwdown. Here's news: The big deal at Denny's is quality.

Here's the Western Burger blueprint: a thick, hand-pressed beef patty, tangy steak sauce, crunchy onion thingies, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion slices on a sesame seed bun.

Total calories: 1,160. Fat grams: 65. Carbs: 79. Fiber: 4. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $8.29 (includes newfangled wavy-cut fries or hash browns or dippable veggie sticks and a Coke.)

Denny's other Better Burgers are a Double Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheddar Burger, Mushroom Swiss Burger and Classic Cheeseburger. The Classic Cheeseburger is $6.99 for the meal, and the price rises as the toppings get more creative.

I picked the Western Burger, because I'm not neutral about Swiss cheese. It's my favorite, and I love those little onion crunchies, too. More important, everything on my burger was prepared when I ordered it. Nothing was loitering under a heat lamp in a holding tank. The burger was delivered to my table exactly perfect. Hey, now that's new and improved. The drive-throughs should take note.

Whenever I hear a company brag "new and improved," I always wonder, "Exactly what was so bad about your old product?" Of course, they never answer.
Until now. Denny's is up front about it. Their old burgers ... not so good.
For example, Denny's says its new burgers are made with "100-percent seasoned beef (.5 percent salt) for a better burger experience." Its old burgers?
"They were flavored with a mixture of five seasonings resulting in an unnatural taste."

The new burgers are "hand-pressed on the grill for natural homemade texture, better flavor, and they're customized for perfect thickness." Its old burgers? "They were grilled from pre-formed patties resulting in a tighter, tougher texture and significantly reduced juiciness."

There are way more upgrades to Denny's Better Burgers. Now Denny's is using thicker, creamier cheese for a more consistent melt. The old burgers had thin slices that didn't melt evenly and didn't exactly pack a lot of flavor.

The veggie toppings are thicker, fresher and crispier. And now the bun is dry toasted, instead of slathering it with margarine, which sogged up the burger and added unnecessary calories and fat.

This is the kind of detail I appreciate as a fast food fan: Denny's burger ratio is now 33 percent meat to 67 percent bun, instead of the old, bread-heavy 25 percent to 75 percent. That means you're getting more bang and burger for your buck. I like when the burger sticks out from all sides of the bun, and I don't need to hire a Sherpa to find the meat.

Source: Houston Chronicle
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Japan's Septuplet Whopper

Posted by Dr. James McSaddle | Labels: , , , , | Posted On at 1:04 PM

The Windows 7 Whopper

This Burger Will Make Your Heart Crash Like Windows 7 Will Crash Your PC!

America may be the home of the corporate tie-in and super-sized fast food. But Japan may have just outdone the US in both fields.

In honor of Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system, Burger King has served up a seven-patty burger. This mighty monolith of meat, more than five inches tall, will only be available for seven days – and only in Japan.

The Windows 7 burger favors the early birds. Each day, the first 30 customers get the Whopper for 777 Yen (about $8.50). Stragglers must pay closer to $17. But if you feast upon one for breakfast, you’d best avoid food for the rest of the day. The Whopper packs in about 2,100 calories – more than you should eat in an entire day, according to the FDA.

Burger King and Microsoft have had cross-promotions in the past. In 2006, Burger King offered $4 Xbox 360 games featuring the restaurant chain’s King mascot.

Both campaigns are fun, yet not quite as clever as Apple’s attacks against Windows 7.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

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