I caught word that the Food Network was doing a "Best of/Most Interesting Burger in Wisconsin" for it's June/July issue. Actually every State. Here is a link so you don't have to go waste money on a magazine. 50 States 50 Burgers. Of course here I will be talking about the burger picked as Wisconsin's "Best/Most Interesting."
Let me start off my saying that Food Network contacted Doug Moe, writer for the Wisconsin State Journal. George Motz has used him as a source, as have I. Well they could not use Doug because he was not a "Food Critic." Are we not all critics of food! They wanted to be consistent across the country with their sources so they use food editors and critics. Here is Doug Moe's article, Brat Burger
The Burger chosen for Wisconsin was from the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. The Burger is called, The Great Dane's Brat & Bacon Pretzel Burger. That's a mouth full and so is the Burger. It is interesting. Here is what is printed in the menu:
A one-third pound U.S.D.A. choice ground beef patty and a one-quarter pound bratwurst patty grilled with caramelized onions and topped with applewood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles and tomato. Served on a pretzel roll with a side of Peck's Pilsner mustard. $9.75
The pretzel roll was the best part of this Burger.....Burger, it was a Monster. Now in Wisconsin Bratwurst or "Brat" for short, should look like a sausage link...NOT A PATTY. We just had Brat Fest over the holiday weekend in Madison WI. They did not serve Brat Patties. I was thinking this Brat Burger would have a Traditional Brat spilt lengthwise and put on top of a Burger. We use to have something like that where I work. We called it a Turtle, because the Brat/Burger look like a Turtle... with the bun the Brat stuck out a little and look like a Turtle poking its head out. Sorry side tracked.
I order it and get some fries, you get a choice of sides. I order my Burger, medium.
Well my Burger comes and it is huge!! I open my mouth as wide as I can and try to take a bite. The first bite mostly pretzel. Everything is starting to slide around and making it hard to eat. Let me tell you this, by looking at the patties it was hard to tell which was which. They looked a lot alike. Which is bad. I had no pink in the burger patty oh wait that is the brat patty. The burger patty has no pink either. You want to take a bite to get all the flavors to blend together with the burger but it is hard. I don't even remember tasting the bacon. I remember seeing it though. Well I finish the beast, the Bartender ask "How it was? I wanted to say "I can name you 10 Burgers off the top of my head that are better then that." All I said was "Good." That was a stretch.
This is one Burger I will not have again and will tell people not to have. This Burger just did not work well. Too much of this and too little of that. What this and that is I don't know. Everything did not blend well as I said. All I can say is the Pretzel Roll was the best part of the sandwich, I said that before didn't I. Maybe to get a point across.
Have you Burger lovers notice a scary trend??? Gourmet Burgers, Non-Traditional Burgers. Look at some of the national chains like Red Robin etc.... What is happening??? What happen to ordering a juicy Bacon Cheeseburger or a juicy hot Hamburger made right in front of you!!! Some chains have it right, like Five Guys. If you want to experience Hamburger America folks... you got to go to the Ma and Pa Joints!!!
Time to get on my soapbox, oh wait I am already!
Now here is a little word to the Food Network. Leave your little office in N.Y. City and go out in the real world. Get out there and try some Ma and Pa Burger Joints. They usually make the best Burgers and are hell lot cheaper then the Build a Monster Burgers. Don't phone it in or email it either Food Network. I am sure some of the places listed in the 50 are great Burgers. They may even be Ma and Pa Joints but I doubt you even had one bite of them. I love going out to research Burgers. Sure I stay regional but hey George Motz travels this nation why can't you. On runs I meet nice people. I hear great stories. I take family and friends with me on Burger runs and they love it also. So next time you do a list Food Network try leaving your own zip code! You took a swing and missed big time for the State of Wisconsin best/most interesting Burger.
Sorry I had to do that. OK I will get off my soapbox now.
I have decided to try some research at some of the chains/fast food. I have done Five Guys and Culver's is big here. Don't worry I will still be doing the Ma and Pa Joints. Actually doing a run this weekend, end of May. I just have to see why a trend towards chains/fast food?? It may be fast but is it good?
3 comments:
Is the pretzel roll an option for all their burgers, or do you have to get the brat patty/beef patty abomination to get a pretzel roll? If so, that's a shame. Kuma's in Chicago does it right--pretzel roll standard on all burgers. I am a devotee of the pretzel roll for burgers--it really holds together well, for one thing, so it's great for monster burgers with tons of stuff loaded on.
Dave, yes I caught word of the event but will not be able to get there. I like Brew with my Burgers!! Coburn I did not see another burger that came with the Pretzel Roll. I liked it a lot and I know George Motz likes it. I was wondering if I can get some Pretzel Rolls from them for myself... so I can make a good Burger! Keep putting down Burgers guys!!
You can get pretzel rolls at Woodmans.
As for the chain restaurants, I actually love Houlihan's burgers. They cook them to whatever temp you want (most chains just allow med. well). They are juicy, big and delicious.
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