Many moons ago, I ran a poll asking what the best pizza was in Peoria. Well, the responses were varied which basically meant not one pizza fit all. People love or hate the cracker thin crust like Agatucci's and Monicals, so not a clear winner there, and deeper styles such as Peoria Pizza Works Chicago Style, aren't enjoyed by the masses either.
Now, there is a poll on PJStar.com on the best burger in Peoria. As stated somewhere on the web, it gives you a few choices and other, but I can't find where you can add a write-in candidate.
Rewind many years ago...well, about 19. Even though a budding culinarian/chef, I never gave much thought to burgers. However, while attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, there was much fanfare about a place called the Raccoon Salon, in nearby Marlboro, NY, regarding its burger. Eventually I had to try one. It was (and still is) a behemoth weighing in at 12 ounces. All I remember is how awesome it was.
Back to present day and the poll. First off, two of the places mentioned aren't in Peoria...one in Kickapoo (Ludy's) and one in East Peoria (The Burger Barge). One is the highly touted national chain, Five Guys, Kaydee Kats (which is actually the Heights) and a downtown bar named Ulrich's Rebellion Room.
Ok, I've never had the burger at Ulrich's. If it is what Sully used to serve when it was Sullivan's then it is about an 8 ounce Black Angus Ground Chuck Burger. Maybe it still is, maybe not. Out of the rest of them, my favorite goes to the Barge. Can't say Ludy's has overly wow'ed me from the two I've had from there. Five Guys and Kaydee Kats isn't why/how I think of burgers. Here is what I mean. The first game of the new NFL season is on. You fire up your grill. You chill the beers. The guys come over. Now do you make some big meaty burgers or do you make a lot of smaller burgers with lots of different toppings? I don't know about you, but I want to eat a big, meaty burger to sink my teeth into, not a lot of toppings to make it a big burger. If it takes 2-3 burgers to make a 1/3 or 1/2 pound weight burger, why not just make one 1/3 or 1/2 pound burger? To each their own I guess.
After "The Barge", I'm a fan of the Gebby Burger at Schooners on War Memorial Drive. I've never had a bad one. After that, I don't really eat too many burgers while dining out as I know from being in the food service industry so long, the myriad of pre-formed, frozen burgers available in various shapes, sizes, etc. that Lord knows what you would end up getting and besides that, I always look for the most unique thing on the menu.
So, leave a comment on what/where you think is the best burger (no limited choices here) and why. Once again, as with the pizza, Bob's Burgers somewhere in Utah doesn't count...we can't go there if we haven't tried them. Local, ya know....30 mile radius or so.
6 comments:
The best burger, hands down, in Peoria is in our backyard, made by my husband. Otherwise, I don't eat them often. I do remember years ago getting a solid one at Sully's on Adams. I'm not sure if they are still the same presently. The most remarkable thing about theirs is that they are cooked to order, which is rare. Because of this, my burger came out especially juicy with just a hint of a pink interior.
Beignet's has a good burger with a smoky ghost pepper sauce. Khaki Jack's also has a good one with jalapeno bacon.
Chef, I have posted this a few times on PDC, but have you ever had a burger at Silver Dollar in the Heights? I feel it tops the barge. There are no crazy named burgers, with fried eggs, etc, but a good solid burger, with the typical toppings one would expect. The kitchen is also only open during lunch. Some of the lunch specials are great too.
You like a big, greasy burger, this is the place for you!
dc61920
Well, I have had nothing but bad experiences the last 3 times I went to the Burger Barge. First, time, the bun on my burger was so old, it fell apart completely. The second time, the service was so slow, I thought I was going to have a birthday there and when the food arrived, it was wrong. We just shut up and ate it anyway least another hour wait. The 3rd and my final time was awful. Undercooked food and cold. I shutter when someone suggests the Barge. As for a good burger, Richards on Main.
You know, now that I think about it, Khouri's on University has a heck of a cheeseburger.
I heard 101.9 FM Springfield talking about asking people to call in favorite local dishes and then having a voting contest to determine the best dish using a playoff style format. Sounded like fun and lime something someone like you might be curious about so thought I'd share :-) -Scott
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