New Mexico Bison Burger - Ted's Montana Grill - Bolingbrook, IL

So apparently I have developed a small following of burger fans through this burger blog. Fortunately they are close friends of mine and not just some random burger stalker. After my most recent post I started receiving requests to "Burger Up". So Phone calls were made, Facebook messages were sent, and texts were beamed through the air to determine a place and time. We finally decided on Ted's Montana Grill in Bolingbrook. Ted's has quite a variety of burger designs and offers them in either beef or bison. During this lunch we talked a bit about this blog and how I should procede with it. We're thinking about adding a rating scale. We're not quite sure yet as the criteria for each level of rating, or how to express the rating, but watch for it. It should be coming soon.
The nice thing about going with friends is that we can all try something different and then discuss our own preferences. One person ordered the Chili burger (knife and fork burger all the way). Another got the "Spikebox", looking for a little heat. One person got the "Kitchen Sink". That had a little of everything, but I ordered the New Mexico Burger. ( I'm really trying to broaden my pallet with the toppings) The New Mexico Burger is a hand packed, in this case bison patty served with monterey jack cheese, anaheim peppers and guacamole. This is then placed on a kaiser bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle and red onion. This seemed to be a good combination, however I couldn't really taste the anaheim pepper. The guacamole was very good, fresh and buttery, but very chunky. It seemed good for the burger, but I would want it smoother if I was eating it with chips. (but I'm not eating it with chips so what does it really matter) I don't think you can ever go wrong with jack cheese. It melts so smoothly and has a wonderful mild taste that I think complements any burger. The bison patty though really stood out in this burger. It is a bit richer and sweeter than beef, and is leaner. Because of that I order bison at medium. It was very juicy and tender, and not overly dense. (being that it is a handpacked burger) I could taste salt and pepper on it, and also Ted's secret seasoning. Shhhh. it's a secret. Don't tell. This patty was flat top cooked and therefore had a great crust seared onto it. What I really noticed was how fresh everything was. Ted's grinds there meat daily and cooks to order. By the look of the guac, I believe it was made when they put the order in, and the tomato tasted like it was fresh off the vine.
As a group we had mixed feelings about our orders. Some were a bit disappointed, I think some were confused (the Kitchen Sink) and I thought mine was good. We were all able to agree however that we left with our stomachs full. All in all though, it was a good time with great friends.... and a decent burger.

Condiments

 So what do you want on your burger? That there is the million dollar question. Well not really a million bucks, but it is quite important to the burger experience. With out condiments and toppings it's just meat on bread. Not very original. But it's usually how you dress it that makes it unique. Yeah some restaurants have a high quality burger patty, or a fancy bun, but put some cheese and ketchup on it and you've got a whole new thing there.
It seems that tradition would have us putting ketchup, mustard, american cheese, dill pickle, tomato and onion on our burgers... but that's just the beginning. Some people like mayo, or miracle whip. Others would zing it up with A1 sauce. Makes it kinda "steaky". Melissa loves the mushroom and swiss burger (which sucks for me because I don't like swiss cheese so I can't finish her burger for her). I've become a big fan of the "western" style or BBQ burger. Cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Mmmmmm. Add bacon and fried onion strings and I'm at a loss for words.
The hamburger is a canvas and we are the artists. The pallet of condiments and toppings are endless. Just about anything in your fridge can go on the burger (just about). I mean, the Big Mac has "special sauce". It's essentially thousand island dressing. How about a Hawaiian burger. Spam, pineapple and teriyaki sauce.
The hamburger is a work of art just waiting to be created by you and me. Have fun with it.  Enjoy your creation and don't be afraid to tell others about your masterpiece.

Cheezy Beef Burger-Roundheads-Downers Grove, Il

 My primary reason for doing this blog is to share my thoughts on the hamburger. There are so many unique burgers out there I just felt that I needed to share them with everyone.
 This burger is no different. This is the Cheezy Beef Burger from Roundheads Pizza Pub in Downers Grove Illinois. Roundheads is a little sports bar at Woodward and 63rd st. They've got great service and a comfy atmosphere, plus they have like 20 TV's going with sports on. If you don't like watching the Sox, ask them to change the channel. They're always willing to accommodate. Whatever your sporting pleasure is, they'll put it on for you. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the owner is always there working alongside his staff.
But lets get to the burger. The Cheezy Beef Burger is a 1/2 pounder topped with Italian beef and smothered with a cheddar cheese sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. You can get sauteed sweet peppers or hot giardiniera on it as well. It's served on a soft bun. Almost too soft as it soaked up the juice from the Italian beef. The hamburger patty was cooked perfectly and was super juicy. The beef was fall apart tender and full of that wonderful Italian beef flavor. Unfortunately the overall flavor profile was somewhat flat. The taste of the burger and the beef kinda merged together and I found it difficult to taste the difference between them. (still tasted good though) The sweet peppers were a good change in texture, but they had a funny flavor to them. It was like I could taste the pan they sauteed them in. I'll try the giardiniera next time. I had saved some red sauce from the cheese sticks we had and added that to the second half of the burger. This was a hit! The red sauce is the key. It changed the flavor profile dramatically. I could now taste the beef separate from the burger and it softened the odd taste of the peppers. All of the flavors suddenly stood out on their own.
All together this was a pretty good burger, maybe not the best I've had, but I would get it again.
It comes with fries, a small side of cole slaw and baked beans.
I would say give this one a shot, but get a side of the red sauce on the side. I think you will be happy.

The Uncle Joe Burger - Uncle Bub's - Westmont, Il

So here we go. I wanted to kick off Joey's Burger Blog with just the right one so I went with the Uncle Joe Burger from Uncle Bub's BBQ in Westmont. Uncle Bub's has been in Westmont now for 14 years and have really incorporated themselves into the neighborhood. They are fully active in the community and really have that family atmosphere that is often overlooked in restaurants. They specialize in slow smoked pulled pork and St. Louis style ribs. But their menu goes way beyond that. They also have some great sides like natural cut fries and deep fried macaroni and cheese balls. But let's talk about the burger.

When they opened they had a bacon cheeseburger (and still do) which was a great burger, but no Uncle Joe burger. My parents had made a trip to Kentucky and had a burger down there that had smoked pulled pork and BBQ sauce on it. Upon arriving back home they went to Uncle Bub's and ordered one as a a special request. It quickly became a hit. So much in fact that it became a regular on the menu and became their top selling burger. For giving them the idea Uncle Bub's decided to name it after my dad. That's why it's called the Uncle Joe Burger. 

This is a 1/2 pounder cooked the way you like (I like mine medium well) with your choice of cheese. They then add a heaping pile of pulled pork and pour on a little BBQ sauce. (You can add more of their homemade sauce at the table) You get lettuce, tomato, and homemade pickles and it's served on a soft burger bun. 

You can always get extra of their homemade pickles from a small pickle and pepper bar.

This is such an amazing combination. The smoky, slightly salty pulled pork together with the little bit of char on the grilled burger is mouthwatering. Add some cheddar and grilled onions and then some more BBQ sauce and you have the perfect hamburger. Even at medium well this burger was juicy enough to have it run down my arm. 

It's not healthy, that's for sure. You can get their garden burger if you want that. But holy cow this is one good burger.