The 5-8 Club
5800 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2648
http://www.5-8club.com/minneapolis.html
The night before Christmas Eve was warm and wonderful with friends at The 5-8 Club. The prohibition era joint was packed and surprisingly quiet. Where was the jolly laughter? The line moved quickly and we were soon seated, served with beers and a generous basket of Onion Straws - delicious. Prior to choosing The 5-8 Club research was done to confirm they served both beer and wine and you could get a traditional burger, the 5-8 Club is known for their Juicy Lucys. One of our burger eaters ordered a Juicy Lucy and said it was dry - uh oh.
Bergegories (Berger Points)
All Bergegories will be ranked 1 - 5; 5 is the Berger Best!
•Atmosphere - 3
•Burger - 3 My California Burger was very good, but the burger was very thin and small. The delicious bun outweighed the burger.
•Onion Straws - 5
•Condiments - 5
•Beverages - 5
•Service - 5
•Friends *5 *This Bergegory will always receive a score of 5 from me, Berri Berger, because the best part our burger adventures is the time spent together!
Total Weighted Score = 3.888 - Beef up the Burger
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Blue Door Pub 7/15/11
Blue Door Pub
1811 Selby Ave
St. Paul, MN
http://thebdp.com/
Friday, July 15th around 8pm was a wonderful evening standing in the middle of the Blue Door Pub with 3 wonderful friends, beer and wine in hand, with hungry burger eaters and busy servers bustling around us. I took my purse and birthday gift bag out to the car to make more room for everyone. We were seated and all proceeded to order Juicy Blucys. It appears all burgers come with melted cheese inside so it was a first for me. I ordered The Classic and wasn't disappointed nor was I over joyed and I am now writing this on July 25 after just returning from Bunny's and my thoughts are confirmed: The BDP The Classic Juicy Blucy was good, but still not as juicy and flavorful as Bunny's and a few other unmentioned burger joints in the Twin Cities area. Highlights was the great environment, friends and highlights like tater tots.
Bergegories (Berger Points)
All Bergegories will be ranked 1 - 5; 5 is the Berger Best!
•Atmosphere - 5
•Burger - 3
•Fries (or Tater Tots) - 4
•Condiments - 5
•Beverages - 5
•Friends *5 *This Bergegory will always receive a score of 5 from me, Berri Berger, because the best part our burger adventures is the time spent together!
Total Weighted Score = 4.333 If the best of the best burgers is your pursuit then The BDP comes close but not quite juicy or flavorful enough.
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog.
1811 Selby Ave
St. Paul, MN
http://thebdp.com/
Friday, July 15th around 8pm was a wonderful evening standing in the middle of the Blue Door Pub with 3 wonderful friends, beer and wine in hand, with hungry burger eaters and busy servers bustling around us. I took my purse and birthday gift bag out to the car to make more room for everyone. We were seated and all proceeded to order Juicy Blucys. It appears all burgers come with melted cheese inside so it was a first for me. I ordered The Classic and wasn't disappointed nor was I over joyed and I am now writing this on July 25 after just returning from Bunny's and my thoughts are confirmed: The BDP The Classic Juicy Blucy was good, but still not as juicy and flavorful as Bunny's and a few other unmentioned burger joints in the Twin Cities area. Highlights was the great environment, friends and highlights like tater tots.
Bergegories (Berger Points)
All Bergegories will be ranked 1 - 5; 5 is the Berger Best!
•Atmosphere - 5
•Burger - 3
•Fries (or Tater Tots) - 4
•Condiments - 5
•Beverages - 5
•Friends *5 *This Bergegory will always receive a score of 5 from me, Berri Berger, because the best part our burger adventures is the time spent together!
Total Weighted Score = 4.333 If the best of the best burgers is your pursuit then The BDP comes close but not quite juicy or flavorful enough.
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Straight from Berger's Kitchen
Well, I proved out my theory...for great burgers -really juicy, flavorful burgers- use unthawed, quality ground beef!
I fried a burger on our gas stove using the same 93/7 ground beef that had been unthawed for 3 days. The temp was med/high heat so not quite as hot as the grill test. Same salt & pepper, same slightly toasted bun with ketchup, mustard and pickles. And...I ate the same delicious burger; juicy & flavorful! I do like the flavor on our gas grill better, but this burger still rocked!
This is Berri Berger reporting for Twin Cities Burger Blog!
I fried a burger on our gas stove using the same 93/7 ground beef that had been unthawed for 3 days. The temp was med/high heat so not quite as hot as the grill test. Same salt & pepper, same slightly toasted bun with ketchup, mustard and pickles. And...I ate the same delicious burger; juicy & flavorful! I do like the flavor on our gas grill better, but this burger still rocked!
This is Berri Berger reporting for Twin Cities Burger Blog!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Home Berger Test
Still being perplexed by Main Street Bar & Grill's burger looking sooo good, but not coming through on taste, I did a Home Berger Test last night:
1) I unthawed the burger (IBP USDA 93% Lean Ground Beef)
2) I rolled and patted out a 1/3 lb burger
3) I sprinkled salt & pepper on one side (Penzeys sea salt and and ground Tellicherry Indian Black Peppercorns)
4) I placed the burger in the center of a hot, 500F gas grill.
5) After 4 min, I turned the burger, and sprinkled the cooked side with salt & pepper
6) After 8 min total, I removed the burger
7) I placed the burger on a slightly toasted plain bun with ketchup one one side, mustard on the other and pickles.
8) I took one bite and new it was a WINNER!!! TENDER, FLAVORFUL & JUICY!!!
Ok, so now let's break this down. What could the difference be?
1) quality ground beef that's cooked raw, unthawed
2) perhaps I have a special patting touch ;-)
3) love Penzeys, but I don't think the salt and pepper used made a difference
4) open flame grill
5/6) cook time - I like my burger pink/red and warm in the center, but I've had burgers with no pink inside that are still juicy with great flavor
7) I learned that I don't need a fancy bun or the lettuce, onion or tomato for a yummy burger
It seems to me that the most important part for the perfect burger is to start with raw ground beef (not frozen patties) of a certain quality. The next significance may be the cooking method - I'll do more Berger Testing.
Stay tuned burger lovers...
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog!
1) I unthawed the burger (IBP USDA 93% Lean Ground Beef)
2) I rolled and patted out a 1/3 lb burger
3) I sprinkled salt & pepper on one side (Penzeys sea salt and and ground Tellicherry Indian Black Peppercorns)
4) I placed the burger in the center of a hot, 500F gas grill.
5) After 4 min, I turned the burger, and sprinkled the cooked side with salt & pepper
6) After 8 min total, I removed the burger
7) I placed the burger on a slightly toasted plain bun with ketchup one one side, mustard on the other and pickles.
8) I took one bite and new it was a WINNER!!! TENDER, FLAVORFUL & JUICY!!!
Ok, so now let's break this down. What could the difference be?
1) quality ground beef that's cooked raw, unthawed
2) perhaps I have a special patting touch ;-)
3) love Penzeys, but I don't think the salt and pepper used made a difference
4) open flame grill
5/6) cook time - I like my burger pink/red and warm in the center, but I've had burgers with no pink inside that are still juicy with great flavor
7) I learned that I don't need a fancy bun or the lettuce, onion or tomato for a yummy burger
It seems to me that the most important part for the perfect burger is to start with raw ground beef (not frozen patties) of a certain quality. The next significance may be the cooking method - I'll do more Berger Testing.
Stay tuned burger lovers...
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Wings and Atmosphere Shine at Main Street Bar & Grill, Hopkins
Weighted Score: 4.2
Food (x3): Score 3 of 5
Kudos to the burger chef that can take an order for a medium-well burger and deliver the juice. That chef does not work at Main Street Bar & Grill, Hopkins (... or he had the night off Friday). Burger a bit dry and bland. Buffalo wings were terrific. Just right amount of heat, and packed with flavor. Best I've had in a long while.
Service (x2): Score 4.5 of 5
Very good. Busy Friday night. Always available, friendly, and helpful.
Atmosphere (x2): Score 5 of 5
Loved the red patent faux-leather booths, and the big open laid back room full of a mixed and interesting crowd. Large projection screen showing the state HS hockey tourney hid a stage that later would rock with loud, energetic 80's - oughts cover band Playback. Avoid surly Edina hockey fans if you go during a night they lose a state tourney game.
Beverages: Score 5 of 5
Premo Nordeast was delish. Made the band better!
Friends: Score 5 of 5
Good company always helps. Bring your own!
Main Street Bar & Grill Mar 11, 2011
Main Street Bar & Grill
814 Main Street
Hopkins, MN
952.938.2400
http://www.mainstreetbar.com
Bergegories & Ratings by Berri Berger
Food - 3 The burger had all the makings to be perfect (great bun, california style just the way I like it and it was pink inside just the way I ordered it). But one bite said it wasn't perfect (low on flavor and dry). I couldn't figure out why great taste couldn't be there, but it wasn't. Fries were good, but I didn't care for the beer batter type coating.
Service - 5 Fun attitude and prompt service
Atmosphere - 5 Love the red booths and brick walls
Beverages - 5 Grain Belt Nordeast!
Friends - 5 Stellar!!!
Total Score - 4.3 (weighted calculation) Likely not to return when I'm craving a fantastic burger.
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog Spot!
814 Main Street
Hopkins, MN
952.938.2400
http://www.mainstreetbar.com
Bergegories & Ratings by Berri Berger
Food - 3 The burger had all the makings to be perfect (great bun, california style just the way I like it and it was pink inside just the way I ordered it). But one bite said it wasn't perfect (low on flavor and dry). I couldn't figure out why great taste couldn't be there, but it wasn't. Fries were good, but I didn't care for the beer batter type coating.
Service - 5 Fun attitude and prompt service
Atmosphere - 5 Love the red booths and brick walls
Beverages - 5 Grain Belt Nordeast!
Friends - 5 Stellar!!!
Total Score - 4.3 (weighted calculation) Likely not to return when I'm craving a fantastic burger.
This is Berri Berger reporting for the Twin Cities Burger Blog Spot!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Matt's Bar Feb 4, 2011
Matt's Bar
3500 Cedar Ave S, Mpls 612.722.7072
http://www.mattsbar.com
•Burger 2 pts - dry, little taste
•Fries 4 pts - good
•Condiments 3 pts - no tomatoes
•Beverages 3 pts - lacking on choices with beer/wine selection (no liquor served - Matt's is family friendly)
•Service 3 pts - efficient
•Atmosphere 5 pts - all the feeling of a great burger joint
•Friends 5 pts!
Berri Berger gives Matt's Bar a total score of 25 (highest possible score 35). Due to the burger ranking a return visit is unlikely.
3500 Cedar Ave S, Mpls 612.722.7072
http://www.mattsbar.com
•Burger 2 pts - dry, little taste
•Fries 4 pts - good
•Condiments 3 pts - no tomatoes
•Beverages 3 pts - lacking on choices with beer/wine selection (no liquor served - Matt's is family friendly)
•Service 3 pts - efficient
•Atmosphere 5 pts - all the feeling of a great burger joint
•Friends 5 pts!
Berri Berger gives Matt's Bar a total score of 25 (highest possible score 35). Due to the burger ranking a return visit is unlikely.
Berger Points
Bergegories
All bergegories will be ranked 1 - 5; 5 is the Berger Best!
•Atmosphere
•Burger
•Fries
•Condiments
•Beverages
•Friends *5 *This bergegory will always receive a score of 5 from me, Berri Berger, because the best part our burger adventures is the time spent together!
All bergegories will be ranked 1 - 5; 5 is the Berger Best!
•Atmosphere
•Burger
•Fries
•Condiments
•Beverages
•Friends *5 *This bergegory will always receive a score of 5 from me, Berri Berger, because the best part our burger adventures is the time spent together!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to the Twin Cities Burger blog!
We are two couples that plan to turn our regularly scheduled "burger night" outings into THE definitive guide to finding the best hamburger in the Twin Cities area.
Stay tuned...
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