Best Burger in Seattle
Was reading citysearch the other day, and was going through it's list of “best restuarant” for the different categories... Some of the choices I agree with. Some of my favourites are not on there. Since I happened to stop by and have a burger at what I remembered as 'best burger joint' thought I'd put something up with *my* choices :)
And no, I haven't had a burger from every place in the city - it is likely there's one better. If you know of one, let me know.
Best Burger in Seattle:
Edgewater Hotel bar (67 lounge or something like that - cleverly named for the fact the edgewater is on pier 67). The burger is good-sized hand-shaped patty (not just a meat-puck from the freezer) that has been perfectly grilled when I've had it. It doesn't hurt that the fries here are quite nice as well. It's a bit pricely, but is a step up from the usual burger you'd get at TGIF, Chile's ClaimJumper, most resturaunts around. Worth the extra dollar or two. All-in-all, it's the closest thing to the best burger I've found yet - from the Cheshire Inn (pub adjacent to the Cheshire Lodge in St. Louis). Bonus points for the location - since you're on a pier you have a great view of the water and boats going by, etc. Double Bonus points if you're hungry during happy hour - the time I had it then it was ~$4
Honorable Mention:
McCormick and Schmick's (citysearch review): Burger is a bit above normal, but the real value of it is that McCormick's has a generous happy hour (starts early and often) and the burger and fries are two bucks then. Definitely far better then the equivelently priced fast-food burger+fries you'd get in comparison. Three locations in seattle, all have the same happy hour special.
Palace Kitchen (citysearch review): Burger is top-notch with good fries. Comes on a specially made hamburger plate that has the different parts (meat, bun, lettuce, etc.) on a seperate tower of goodness. Dan claims this is the best in seattle but hasn't experienced the bliss that is the edgewater burger.
Does the job in a pinch:
Rock Bottom Brewery
Pyramid Brewery
Paddy Coynes Irish Pub - new irish pub in south lake union. Scores extra points for serving it on a really nice sandwich roll instead of a hamburger bun
Red Robin - claims to be gourmet burgers. a number of different burgers that some of which are fairly creative...
Cheesecake factory - have to admit that I broke down and had one in Hawaii and it was one of the nicest burgers I had in a long time. I'm suspecting that the rest of the chains are of similar quality...
Don't Bother:
Pike Place Pub - it doesn't help that their beers aren't particularly good either.
Wolfgang Puck Cafe - yes, this went out of business in Seattle but if you ever come across one please skip this and try the weinersnitzel.
Chili's, TGIF, Applebee's. - All of these purport to have excellent hand-made burgers. overpriced for what they are.
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Updates:
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4/18/05 - copy & paste from 'articles' to a new 'posts' category on Seattle stuff. Update the price of the Edgewater burger. It is $4 during happy hour.