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A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

“A lifestyle blog with a focus on my food adventures”

October 25, 2010 Boston’s Top 10 Burgers

I saw this article in the Boston Globe, who do you think has the best burgers?

http://www.boston.com/ae/restaurants/gallery/readerburgers/

After fielding plenty of mouth-watering suggestions from our readers, we asked you to tell us which restaurant is your favorite place to grab a burger around Boston. Almost 1,900 readers made their voices heard as a few old standbys got the nod, along with a couple surprises. En route, you answered the question: Who has Boston’s best burger?

Click through to find out which patty is the most beloved burger in Boston.

10. CRAIGIE ON MAIN This 8-ounce patty is made from grass-fed short rib, brisket, and flap steak, with suet and bone marrow added to compensate for the leanness of the beef. Dehydrated miso lends a concentrated burst of umami. It goes on a house-made bun along with house-made ketchup, cheddar, crispy onions, and watercress. It’s so good it has won a devoted following of people who don’t even bother to gripe about the cost anymore. 853 Main St., Cambridge. 617-497-5511. www.craigieonmain.com . $18. — Devra First ( Read the full Globe article )

10. CRAIGIE ON MAIN
This 8-ounce patty is made from grass-fed short rib, brisket, and flap steak, with suet and bone marrow added to compensate for the leanness of the beef. Dehydrated miso lends a concentrated burst of umami. It goes on a house-made bun along with house-made ketchup, cheddar, crispy onions, and watercress. It’s so good it has won a devoted following of people who don’t even bother to gripe about the cost anymore.

853 Main St., Cambridge. 617-497-5511. www.craigieonmain.com. $18.

9. RADIUS Some high-end burgers win over meat lovers with the sheer beefiness of their patties. Here, the focus is less on the meat and more on the whole package. A 9-ounce patty made from corn and grain-fed Wisconsin rib eye and chuck, it satisfies without dominating. It’s topped with horseradish sauce, cheddar, and crispy onions, and it comes on a house-made brioche bun. This burger is all about synthesis. There’s no diva in this choir. The whole thing sings in unison, and the harmonies are sweet. 8 High St., Boston. 617-426-1234. www.radiusrestaurant.com . $19. — Devra First ( Read the full Globe article )

9. RADIUS
Some high-end burgers win over meat lovers with the sheer beefiness of their patties. Here, the focus is less on the meat and more on the whole package. A 9-ounce patty made from corn and grain-fed Wisconsin rib eye and chuck, it satisfies without dominating. It’s topped with horseradish sauce, cheddar, and crispy onions, and it comes on a house-made brioche bun. This burger is all about synthesis. There’s no diva in this choir. The whole thing sings in unison, and the harmonies are sweet.8 High St., Boston. 617-426-1234. www.radiusrestaurant.com. $19.

— Devra First (Read the full Globe article)

8. B.GOOD When the owners of b.good ('real food fast') restaurant opened the first of their six Boston-area places in 2004, they started with a simple idea: Make fast-food favorites they could feel good about eating. So, how's the food? Really good ... You can choose one of four burgers - beef, turkey, veggie, or a grilled chicken breast - then mix and match toppings. 131 Dartmouth St., Boston. 617-424-5252. Two other locations in Boston, plus Cambridge, Dedham, and Hingham. www.bgood.com . $5.99. — Joan Wilder ( Read the full Globe review )

8. B.GOOD
When the owners of b.good (“real food fast”) restaurant opened the first of their six Boston-area places in 2004, they started with a simple idea: Make fast-food favorites they could feel good about eating. So, how’s the food? Really good … You can choose one of four burgers – beef, turkey, veggie, or a grilled chicken breast – then mix and match toppings.131 Dartmouth St., Boston. 617-424-5252. Two other locations in Boston, plus Cambridge, Dedham, and Hingham. www.bgood.com. $5.99.

— Joan Wilder (Read the full Globe review)7. EAGLE'S DELI This Cleveland Circle eatery is a hangout for Boston College students with big appetites. Very big appetites. One (student from a local culinary school) says he usually orders the King Kong burger (1/2 pound of meat, 1/2 pound of fries) and adds: 'You're getting change back from your $10.' (He's right; the combo is $7.25.) If that's not enough for you, there's the Godzilla burger - 1 pound of meat, 1 pound of fries. 'If you go away hungry,' he says, 'it's your own fault.' 1918 Beacon St., Brighton. 617-731-3232. www.eaglesdeli.com . $5.50. — Globe Staff ( Read the full Globe article )

7. EAGLE’S DELI
This Cleveland Circle eatery is a hangout for Boston College students with big appetites. Very big appetites. One (student from a local culinary school) says he usually orders the King Kong burger (1/2 pound of meat, 1/2 pound of fries) and adds: “You’re getting change back from your $10.” (He’s right; the combo is $7.25.) If that’s not enough for you, there’s the Godzilla burger – 1 pound of meat, 1 pound of fries. “If you go away hungry,” he says, “it’s your own fault.”1918 Beacon St., Brighton. 617-731-3232. www.eaglesdeli.com. $5.50.

— Globe Staff (Read the full Globe article)6. WILD WILLY'S BURGERS It takes 10 minutes for the burgers to be served because they are big and thick, but the kitchen is open and you can watch the grill guy flipping the patties. Burgers come out juicy with grill marks, topped with real cheddar that becomes soft and sticky. Skin-on 'country fair' fries are crisp and irresistible. And you do get your fill of rodeo here. 46 Arsenal St., Watertown. 617-926-9700. www.wildwillysburgers.com . $6.15. — Jonathan Levitt ( Read the full Globe article )

6. WILD WILLY’S BURGERS
It takes 10 minutes for the burgers to be served because they are big and thick, but the kitchen is open and you can watch the grill guy flipping the patties. Burgers come out juicy with grill marks, topped with real cheddar that becomes soft and sticky. Skin-on “country fair” fries are crisp and irresistible. And you do get your fill of rodeo here.46 Arsenal St., Watertown. 617-926-9700. www.wildwillysburgers.com. $6.15.

— Jonathan Levitt (Read the full Globe article)5. BACK BAY SOCIAL CLUB A 10-ounce patty made from dry-aged prime rib, short rib, flank, and skirt, topped with “smothered’’ onions and cheddar. A price tag of $21 for a burger? Yeah, it’s crazy. But as chef Timothy Raines says, “It eats like a steak.’’ Maybe you could just think of it as one. 867 Boylston St., Boston. 617-247-3200. www.backbaysocialclub.com . $21. — Devra First ( Read the full Globe article )

5. BACK BAY SOCIAL CLUB
A 10-ounce patty made from dry-aged prime rib, short rib, flank, and skirt, topped with “smothered’’ onions and cheddar. A price tag of $21 for a burger? Yeah, it’s crazy. But as chef Timothy Raines says, “It eats like a steak.’’ Maybe you could just think of it as one.867 Boylston St., Boston. 617-247-3200. www.backbaysocialclub.com. $21.

— Devra First (Read the full Globe article)

 

4. MR. BARTLEY'S BURGER COTTAGE When people talk about burgers in Boston, Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square, established in 1960, always comes up ... The thick, juicy 7-ounce rounded burger doesn't seem like it's too big. Co-owner Bill Bartley prefers a round patty to a flat patty. He also says that beef chuck makes the best grind ... Bartley's is cash only. The sign by the register says 'real food, real money.' We agree. 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-354-6559. www.mrbartley.com . $9.25. — Jonathan Levitt ( Read the full Globe article )

4. MR. BARTLEY’S BURGER COTTAGE
When people talk about burgers in Boston, Mr. Bartley’s in Harvard Square, established in 1960, always comes up … The thick, juicy 7-ounce rounded burger doesn’t seem like it’s too big. Co-owner Bill Bartley prefers a round patty to a flat patty. He also says that beef chuck makes the best grind … Bartley’s is cash only. The sign by the register says “real food, real money.” We agree.1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-354-6559. www.mrbartley.com. $9.25.

— Jonathan Levitt (Read the full Globe article)3. R.F. O'SULLIVAN & SON Like your burgers super-sized? With dozens of different burgers on the menu -- from the kickin' Jalapeno Burger to the flavor-packed Black & Blue -- O'Sullivan's sandwiches aren't exactly 'fast food.' The half-pound patties are so large (they're almost round when they hit the grill) that they require patience as they cook. So belly up to the bar in the middle or grab one of the tables circling the bar as you wait. As an added bonus, large, hand-cut fries arrive with your hamburger. 282 Beacon St., Somerville. 617-491-9638. rf-osullivan.com . $8.25. — Jesse Nunes

3. R.F. O’SULLIVAN & SON
Like your burgers super-sized? With dozens of different burgers on the menu — from the kickin’ Jalapeno Burger to the flavor-packed Black & Blue — O’Sullivan’s sandwiches aren’t exactly “fast food.” The half-pound patties are so large (they’re almost round when they hit the grill) that they require patience as they cook. So belly up to the bar in the middle or grab one of the tables circling the bar as you wait. As an added bonus, large, hand-cut fries arrive with your hamburger.282 Beacon St., Somerville. 617-491-9638. rf-osullivan.com. $8.25.

— Jesse Nunes

2. FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES Five Guys’ signature product will never replace a real hamburger, but as a quick, flat, superheated slab of chopped meat it’s not bad. Walpole Mall, 104 Providence Highway, East Walpole. 508-660-9850. Other locations in Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Franklin, Gloucester, Marlborough, Natick, and Randolph. www.fiveguys.com . $5. — Louise Kennedy ( Read the full Globe review )

2. FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES
Five Guys’ signature product will never replace a real hamburger, but as a quick, flat, superheated slab of chopped meat it’s not bad.Walpole Mall, 104 Providence Highway, East Walpole. 508-660-9850. Other locations in Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Franklin, Gloucester, Marlborough, Natick, and Randolph. www.fiveguys.com. $5.

— Louise Kennedy (Read the full Globe review)1. UBURGER The motto here is 'Above all burgers,' as in the German word 'uber.' But in its spot at Boston University, you could also spell it U Burger ... You won't be disappointed. These are great burgers and incredible fries at unbeatable prices. Uburger is onto something obvious but hardly done: take the junk out of fast food. 636 Beacon St., Boston, 617-536-0448; 1022 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. 617-487-4855. uburgerboston.com . $4.25. — Sheryl Julian ( Read the full Globe review )

1. UBURGER
The motto here is “Above all burgers,” as in the German word “uber.” But in its spot at Boston University, you could also spell it U Burger … You won’t be disappointed. These are great burgers and incredible fries at unbeatable prices. Uburger is onto something obvious but hardly done: take the junk out of fast food.636 Beacon St., Boston, 617-536-0448; 1022 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. 617-487-4855. uburgerboston.com. $4.25.

— Sheryl Julian (Read the full Globe review)