On October 5, 2012, my blog turned three. For some reason, I always seem to forget that it’s my blog anniversary. That shouldn’t happen anymore since I created a yearly reminder in my calendar.
The past year has been fun and difficult. Besides having burgers in my usual coverage areas of Philly and New York, I was able to try a bunch on vacation when I was out in Seattle and Portland. After vacation in late summer, I hit a rough patch as I was overwhelmed with moving and other life issues so I thought it was best to take a hiatus. Luckily, that hiatus only lasted a month. I decided that my previous posting timetable of Tuesdays and Thursdays was just too intense for my schedule, wallet, and (probably) health, haha. Two burgers a week isn’t really a healthy habit, is it? From here on out I’ll be posting once a week, on Wednesdays.
Instead of recapping favorite posts as I did in past years, I’m going to go through some of the favorite burgers I’ve had (in no particular order):
Name: Daily Cheeseburger
Location: Daily Burger at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
A burger from a sports arena which is served on an English muffin topped with American cheese and bacon-onion jam? Yes, please. Did I also mention they’re cooked medium-rare? It’s a shame there’s no hockey season this year so I don’t think I’ll be having a Daily Cheeseburger for a while.
Name: Five Leaves Burger
Location: Five Leaves – Brooklyn, NY
When I first saw a pickled beet as a topping, I was a little skeptical. After the first bite, I was a fan. The flavor profile of the Five Leaves Burger was unique and delicious, combining sharpness from the cheddar, sweetness from the pineapple, and tartness from the beet. Easily in the running for one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.
Name: Ohayou Gozaimasu
Location: Katsu Burger – Seattle, WA
This Japanese inspired burger joint in Seattle serves their version of a breakfast burger. The meat is served katsu style, meaning tempura battered and deep fried. A totally novel idea that could have turned out poorly but in fact was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.
Name: Breakfast Burger
Location: Lucky Old Souls – Philadelphia, PA
A delicious burger with flavors of salty from the bacon, heat from the habanero cheddar, and sweet from the blueberry jam. Served on a local challah bun with homemade and local ingredients, LOS’s breakfast burger is a must try.
Name: Red Mill Deluxe w/ Cheese
Location: Red Mill Burgers – Seattle, WA
Ever had a Burger King Whopper? I used to eat these often, back when I was a fat middle schooler. The Red Mill Deluxe w/ Cheese from Red Mill Burgers in Seattle recreates that flavor profile, yet tastier and with much better ingredients. I wish this place wasn’t all the way across the country.
Name: Angus Burger
Location: Royal Tavern – Philadelphia, PA
Unlike several burgers I’ve had, Royal Tavern’s Angus Burger uses smoked gouda and a pickled longhot as toppings. Both served as delicious toppings for a properly cooked burger.
Name: Supper Burger
Location: Supper – Philadelphia, PA
Supper’s burger uses crisp country ham which adds a nice porkiness and crispness without the overplayed bacon. Cooked perfectly and served with delicious duck fat potatoes.
To further celebrate three years, I’m having my first giveaway on the blog! The folks over at City Dining Cards sent me a pack to give away.
If you haven’t heard, City Dining Cards is a deck of 50 cards, each one representing a restaurant. Each card features a $10 discount on a check of $30 or more, excluding tax, tip, and alcohol. The idea behind City Dining Cards is to promote local eating, as all the participating restaurants are in Philly and 5% of deck sales go towards The Food Trust. The decks cost $20 and can be bought at their site, City Dining Cards. Want to win one? I’ve had lots of burgers in Philly and there are still a lot that I haven’t tried. Simply leave a comment below with a Philly burger suggestion and why I should have it! The contest will close on Tuesday, October 30 at midnight and a winner will be chosen at random.
Thanks again to all you readers out there. It feels great to be back writing and eating burgers again!
Check out my second anniversary and first anniversary entries!
UPDATE: 11/1/12 – Congrats John for winning the deck of City Dining Cards! I’ll be contacting you! Thanks all for leaving your feedback!
Tagged: blog anniversary
I just had the veggie burger at farmicia, and it was oh so good, and crumbly/messy, but still very worth it. Though I basically use your blog as a Philly check list as where I should get my burger fix when the craving hits, so thanks!
Thanks for being a loyal reader, Elizabeth!
These pictures have made me so hungry. I don’t care to win necessarily, but I want to eat a lamb burger with you at Kennett Restaurant. Just say when.
I know man. I need that lamb burger!
I’m a big fan of the burgers from Iron Hill. Plus they brew some really good beers.
Happy blog-iversary. I came across your place late last year, as I began my research into our current food scene, once I finalized my move back here from the better part of a decade out in Portland and Oakland.
Beets on burgers is big in Australia, apparently, and I was skeptical at first myself, until I tried it one time at Foster Burger back in PDX. It did add a nice ‘earthy’ component to the (lamb) burger, although my own personal preference is just to keep things as simple as possible most of the time.
I really hope I can make it to Charlie’s for lunch on Saturday, although something came up and it now seems I may have to push that off a few weeks.
That fry box from Katsu Burger is awesome. I only made it up to Seattle three (or four?) times while I was out west, so I never got around to trying Red Mill. Or Dick’s Drive-In.
I definitely need to try LOS soon. Not sure why I haven’t hit it yet. Perhaps at Headhouse Farmers’ Market one of these Sundays…
Thanks! Hmm, how did I miss Foster Burger when I was out in PDX?! I would have loved to try that. Matt at LOS is serving a special version of his apple burger this weekend at Headhouse Market I believe. You may wanna check it out!
Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll have to see if I can make it down there to Headhouse on Sunday.
Foster Burger had consistency issues for a stretch, but even at their ‘worst’ they were definitely still worth checking out. I’ve heard they’re pretty solid now, though. They were about fourteen blocks from my apartment out there, and when I make it out there again I’m definitely gonna stop in for a lunch there, if even only just during a walking tour of my old Portland neighborhood (Creston-Kenilworth)…
I’m a big of Catahoula on Front & Fitzwater. Everything there is good, especially the burgers. Although I usually go with “Your Burger” and build my own (cheddar, medium rare), the “My Burger” is their signature and is pretty awesome. http://catahoulaphilly.com/food-menus/dinner-menu/ (It’s the one in the bottom left pic).
Love reading your blog!
Thanks! Been meaning to try their burger!
Oops – meant “big fan of”
While it may not technically be a “burger,” the Red Bean burger at The Abbaye is fantastic. Guacamole, cheddar, oh yes. Count me as one who comes here when I have a burger craving to find the next place to go. Still need to make it to Sketch!
Congrats on the 3 years!
And now I want a burger (or FIVE).
Dammit.
Thanks! It was great to meet you the other day, too!
Congrats on 3 years! I went to Five Leaves in Brooklyn for breakfast a few years ago for brunch and also had the burger– out of this world.
Thanks! I’m so glad you know what I’m talking about!
Congrats on the 3 year anniversary, B Lim! Your blog is one of my guiltiest pleasures (due to the fact it makes me crave red meat) and I hope to see it around for at least another 3 years.
I highly recommend you try the Ostrich burger at Sassafras located on 48 South 2nd Street in Old City. It’s the perfect amount of lean meat and fat, they have a wide array of toppings, and they always cook it to perfection. Some other favorites of mine from Sassafras are the Lamb burger and the Bison burger, but really you can’t go wrong with any one of their options.
Thanks again for running such a great blog and sharing your adventures with all of us, SJV would be proud.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin! Do you not eat red meat?
I had no idea Sassafras had an Ostrich burger. I’ll definitely add that to my radar!
Oh no, I absolutely love red meat, I’ve just been trying to lower my intake from like 5 meals a week to something more reasonable, haha. The Ostrich burger is to die for, in my opinion it’s the best type of meat I’ve ever had in a burger.
Happy anniversary! Ive yet to have it so I hope this still counts – I’ve heard really good things about the burger at Rex 1516 so that’s next on my list.
Thanks! I actually debated going out to try that one the other day!
Betty Burger at Smokin’ Betty’s! On top off the deliciously cooked beef .. you’ve got pork belly … avocado … cheese … and a fried egg. Umami to the nth degree!
Have you had the steak and cake burger at green rock tavern in port richmond? Burger with a homemade crabcake pierogie on top! Unusual and delicious
I have not. Thanks for the comment though, that sounds very interesting!
Congrats on the three years, dude! I don’t need to win anything, but my favorite burgers in Philly are (in alphabetical order): Butcher & Singer, PARC, Pub & Kitchen, Rouge, Sketch & Village Whiskey. With Honorable Mention to: Good Dog, Jose Pistola’s, London Grill, Misconduct Tavern & SPOT Burgers. Man, I gotta get out to Seattle to try that Ohayou Gozaimasu from Katsu Burger!
Thanks Lee! Definitely a bunch on your list that I haven’t had yet!
Im not sure how often you get out to Paoli but the Rauchbier burger at TJ’s, http://www.tjseveryday.com, is excellent. The burger is awesome plus the place has a great beer selection.
Been meaning to go to TJ’s, as I hear their beer list is awesome. When I finally do, I’ll remember your recommendation! Thanks!