Dishin': Burgers at the Top and Bottom of Queen Anne

Three weeks in Asia gave us a burning desire for a burger, but a snowstorm put out the flame at Flame, so stuck on foot, we settled upon Hilltop Ale House to satisfy our craving. We've liked Hilltop since back when its non-smoking days mattered most, and we appreciate the neighborhood feel. The menu hawks the hormone-free nature of the burger, which comes on a baguette with sautéed onions and peppers along with mustard and mayo. Pretty good, especially with a side of tabouleh (our preference over chips), though a little skimpy for $9.95.

For the sake of contrast, we later wandered down the hill to remind ourselves of the Dick's experience. A mere $1.70 buys a Special burger, complete with lettuce, mayo, and chopped pickles; fries run an additional $1.40. We love the cheap menu. (The only thing over $2.00 is the Deluxe burger, and you can't get much for five cents these days, but Dick's gives you a choice of onions, ketchup, or tartar sauce for your nickel.) We love the speed of the fast food. We love that it's, well, Dick's. But while they tout fresh, never frozen, burgers (the finest, they say, but notice that Hilltop's burger is brown, while Dick's is fast food grey) and potatoes, we left with that usual uneasy feeling in the stomach. It's all part of the experience, eh?

So, we'll still need to get to Flame. And once we journey beyond Queen Anne, Lunchbox Laboratory is tops on our list to try. But where else would you recommend for the best burger?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jay in Food on January 9, 2009 12:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Kel

I like Two Bells and Maggie Bluff's hamburgers

Adam deB

Norm's in fremont actually makes a mean burger. Lunchbox Lab is amazing, but one of those 2x/year places because it's Over The Top.

KingBoo

Personally, I think I am convinced that nobody around Seattle or the surround area truly knows what a good hamburger tastes like so most places recommended fall fall short of the mark. Lunchbox is good, and a few other burger only places around the city, but for the most part these lists end of always seem to think that Red Mill is the best. They cook a mean West Coast Burger, but I'm looking for something a little big meatier in my burger and less salad on top. Most hamburger purists agree that it's a burger cooked to medium rare (hopefully 80/20 ground chuck), with onion, and pickle, with choice of cheese (American seems to be preferred), and whatever condiment you prefer. The bun should be a squishy type close to a potato style. Usually toasted and coated with a very light smear of mayo to help keep the burger juices from soaking all the way through.

Yes, I love hamburgers and seem to be a bit picky about them, but it helps to create a standard to judge by.

Personally, I do not think you can call any burger joint "great" if they ue frozen, pre=formed patties, and it always seems these burger lists include places tht do that.

If you like burgers check out A Hamburger Today on the seriouseats.com website, or check out George Motz "Hamburger America" site and book for the best places in the country to get a burger. You'll see a trend in what Im' talking about among both places.

Jay

KingBoo, I largely agree with your assessment, and I love the seriouseats-related websites. Thanks for writing!

ChrisB

Flame is OK, the service is prompt, but it's otherwise pretty nondescript.

Simonian

Do try Lunchbox, but be sure to show up hungry. They make pretty amazing burgers, and it would be really great if they survived the current economy, which isn't guaranteed by any means.

fdg

Well Red Mill is an obvious one. For Queen Anne, Stell's down 3rd near SPU also has really good burgers. Flame is ok, have had good experiences there.