Pub 42 - New Hope, MN - BBQ Cheddar & Bacon

So for you folks who know the area, this is where the Sunshine Factory used to be located.  The place still has the same welcoming open feeling that the old ownership had.  I decided to go with the suggested burger from the bartender.  I got to order it the temperature I wanted.  I decided to go with Med-Rare (just to change things up a bit).  It definitely was cooked to order.  It was very juicy with just the right amount of pink inside.  I would definitely eat this bad boy again but would not say it is worth a 30 minute drive to have (for anyone pondering if they should make a special trip).  

Price: $10.95

Burger: 8/10

Bun: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Overall: 7/10

Website

The BBQ Cheddar & Bacon. Cooked to order (which it definitely was cooked Med Rare as asked). Very good burger. Not the best I have had on my trips but still worth eating again. The fries were not so great (I like crispy ones and these were soft ones...)

Outtakes Bar & Grill - New Hope, MN - Bacon Cheeseburger

Well this was an experience... I bought a Groupon for this join.  I ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger made to order and asked for Medium.  The first time they brought out the burger it was BURNT and it had Jalapeños on it.  I said something immediately to the bartender and he brought it back to get remade for me.  The second time was better but it was more Med-Rare than Med (which again I am ok with).  Another problem though, it still had the taste of Jalapeños.  I am assuming they either did not clean the prep area well enough or the grill itself.  The burger was pretty spendy once I added cheese and bacon ($2.50 on top of the regular price) and then another $2 for waffle fries over chips.  I probably wouldn't have paid for the waffle fries if it weren't for the Groupon (although their waffle fries were very good).  Either way, the non-Jalapeños bites of the burger were pretty good but I probably will not be going back.

Price: $11.49

Burger: 4/10

Bun: 6/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Overall: 5/10

Website

Buffalo Tap - Savage, MN - El Diablo Juicy Lucy

So let me start out by saying I do not like Jalapeños so this burger was done from the start when I saw it (my own ineptitude kept me from reading the ingredients before taking the waiters suggestion).   I decided I would take the Jalapeños off, which made the burger very good.  It was quite hot so I imagine my weakness when it comes to the hotness of Jalapeños would have made me cry with one of those on there.  I would not get this exact burger again (because of my dislike for Jalapeños, not for lack of tastiness)  but I would definitely get another Juicy there.  The cheese oozed out and made it so I could get some on my fries.  It was cooked very nicely, sometimes places are prone to overcooking Juicy Lucy burgers so they did well in that aspect.  I will definitely have to eat here again and try another one to get my true judgement of the Buffalo Tap.

Price: $12.99 (with fries)

Burger: 9/10

Bun: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Overall: 7/10

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The Nook - St. Paul, MN - Bronco Burger (Burger of the Month Special)

This was my third trip to the Nook this year.  I saw their burger of the month and thought I had to try it.  This concoction is a Juicy Lucy with bacon and cheddar cheese inside of the burger with an onion ring and honey BBQ sauce on top of the burger.  As I have stated before, I was not much of a fan of onions before but thought I would leave the onion ring on the burger.  It worked out quite nicely with the mixture of everything else.  This was a good burger but I have had better ones at the Nook.  We got to sit downstairs again but this time sat at a table, not nearly as welcoming when sitting at a table as it is sitting at the bar chatting with the workers.

Price: Not sure but I think it was $10.95... could be wrong

Burger: 8/10

Bun: 7/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Overall: 7/10

Website

Wild Bill's Sports Saloon - Maple Grove, MN - Wild Bill's Works Burger

This burger was adequate at best.  I had a toss up between this and other burgers on the menu but was nudged in this direction.  I would never get this burger ever again.  The meat was dry and overall did not taste like the highest quality.  I would say don't waste your time heading there for a burger (or if you do go on their burger night which I believe is Mondays...).  The guy who waited on our table made the trip worth while though.  He was cracking jokes left and right, gave us a signal for if we needed anything (simply putting the Ketchup on its side... genius!).  I would say he deserves a trophy but the food... not so much.

Price: $9.99

Burger: 4/10

Bun: 6/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Overall: 5/10

Website

Culver's - Champlin, MN - The Culver's Deluxe Double

So I had to rate my favorite true fast food burger I have had thus far.  The Culver's burgers are leaps and bounds ahead of their fast food counterparts.  You can tell these are made fresh for you and yes this does mean you may have to wait 5 minutes but definitely worth it!  If you need some greasy goodness that you can get quick, this is a good one to choose.

Price: $7.59

Burger: 8/10

Bun: 6/10

Atmosphere: N/A - Ate at home

Overall: 8/10

Website

Gabe's Rinkside Bar and Grill - Blaine, MN - Double Cheeseburger

So Eric and I decided to stop here to show Tori (who is from Arizona) what Curling is (this has window seating to live curling at the arena).   They have a Monday special where a single patty is $5 and a double is $6.  I figured for $1 I would definitely go for the double.  The burger itself was very small.  I am glad I got the double for sure (maybe a small person would be content with a single...).  This was greasy goodness though.  It went down quickly and had a very good taste to it.  I would definitely come back for the food but also to watch curling (if you haven't been there yet I would suggest doing it).

Price: $8.45 (Monday special $6)

Burger: 8/10

Bun: 6/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Overall: 7/10

Website

The News Room - Minneapolis, MN - Build Your Own Kobe Burger

I chose to get the build your own Kobe burger on this trip.  There were many different choices (some of them costing more to add than others...) so I thought about taking this in for a combinations lesson in my classroom (yep, nerd alert).  I chose Cheddar cheese, a Basil Aioli, Lettuce and Pickles.  I got to order it the way I wanted to I chose Med-Rare (I went with Eric who ordered it Med so I wanted to see if they cooked them differently).  When I got it, you could definitely see the difference in our burgers.  Mine was more pink and extremely juicy.  This burger was awesome (although I think the Basil Aioli was a bit overpowering).  The downside, you have to go into the heart of downtown Minneapolis which I for one dread doing.  So when you go, take into account you will have to pay for parking (unless of course you work downtown and go during lunch).  I would recommend this highly!

Price: $11.95

Burger: 9/10

Bun: 9/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Overall: 9/10

Website

Shaw's Bar & Grill - Minneapolis, MN - Shaw

In the description for the burger, they say this is a three napkin burger.  They were not joking!  I think I actually used 4 or 5 napkins but thats just being technical.  This burger has sautéed onions (which I usually dislike), bacon, american cheese, mayo, lettuce, and shaws signature sauce.  It was a messy delicious mixture.  I would definitely go back for another.  On top of a great burger, the fries were small and crispy which was an added bonus (although they cost me and extra $0.50).  

Price: $8.45

Burger: 8/10

Bun: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Overall: 8/10

Website

Wagner's Drive-In - Brooklyn Park, MN - Double Cheeseburger

Driving home the back way to avoid traffic I saw this old drive in and saw that there were cars there (for the life of me I thought they were closed down even though I have driven by the place tons of times).  So I pulled in and ordered a Double Cheeseburger and Fries (the fries are $1.79).  It was pretty quick (not like ordering McDonalds but faster than a sit down restaurant).   I would compare this to Lion's Tap (no not as good but a good comparison).  It was pretty cool with the change of environment sitting in my car while eating a meal.  I would recommend stopping by if you are ever in the area.

Price: $5.29 (Burger alone)

Burger: 7/10

Bun: 5/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Overall: 7/10

Website