Category: Hamburgers

Arlington Heights, IL – Gabutto Burger & Santouka Ramen

Some great friends of mine here in Portland started a Japanese inspired hot dog cart, called Domo Dogs. It was great. But I had never heard of a Japanese burger (except in my trips to Japan, of course). I saw this place a couple trips ago in the Chicago area and resolved to try it… Continue reading Arlington Heights, IL – Gabutto Burger & Santouka Ramen

Home Cookin’ – Fatburger Frozen Hamburger Patties

Fatburger is a fast casual hamburger chain, which was launched and is headquartered in Southern California.   The original restaurant was opened by Lovie Yancey in 1948, and was called “Mr. Fatburger” for the first several years. Until recently, the chain has been mostly California-centric, but a limited amount of growth has come from international franchises.  … Continue reading Home Cookin’ – Fatburger Frozen Hamburger Patties

Barrington, IL – Couple of Stops

As my daughter approached grade school age, we looked around the spacious San Fernando Valley for a facility adequately challenging for her – having found none, and with daily smog alerts that made it nearly impossible for children to play outside, we packed up the house and went in search of Norman Rockwell-ville. After a… Continue reading Barrington, IL – Couple of Stops

Algonquin, IL – Chubby’s

Chubby’s, in the NW burbs of Chicago, is a ‘mom and pop’ style burger/dog/Greek fast food place.  They serve above average quality, cooked to order foods.   It’s always amazing to me that independents can survive these days, but at noon,  at least, this place is fairly busy, and like most suburban eateries, is surrounded by… Continue reading Algonquin, IL – Chubby’s

Moose Lake, MN – Gampers Family Fun Center

When I was a kid, “Moose Lake” only meant one thing – that’s where the state loony bin was.  Today the facility is a medium level prison for men.  I guess there are probably some loonies there still.   Located 44 miles south of downtown Duluth, (110 miles north of Minneapolis) on I-35 (and US… Continue reading Moose Lake, MN – Gampers Family Fun Center

Duluth, MN – Fitger’s Brewhouse and Grill

The Fitger’s Brewing Company of Duluth, Minnesota, operated continuously from 1881 to 1972, making it Duluth’s oldest continuously operating business.   Through astute business acumen, Fitger’s was one of the few breweries in the country that operated through the entire period of prohibition, manufacturing soft drinks, candy, and other products. Times change, and owners did too.… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Fitger’s Brewhouse and Grill

Algonquin, IL – Fradillio’s

Fradillio’s is another locally owned “hot dog centric” food establishment in the far northwestern ‘burbs of Chicago.  Featuring the best in local suppliers, Fradillio’s offers hot dogs and polish sausage from Vienna Beef, and Italian Beef from local favorite supplier Devanco. I went with a bacon cheeseburger, cooked on the charbroiler, with a great bun,… Continue reading Algonquin, IL – Fradillio’s

Small Town America – Fest Food

Few things I appreciate more than some family out slinging ‘hash’ at small town festivals, county fairs, and the like.  Today’s occasion was a ginormous flea market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, held several times over the course of the summer. (dates).  Reminded me of one Mrs. Burgerdogboy and I stopped at in Central Washington a couple… Continue reading Small Town America – Fest Food

Home Cookin’ Test – Extra Value Frozen Beef Patties

I’ve  reviewed a lot of these frozen patties, and to date, I’ve liked Ball Park brand the most, even though they are a ‘heat and eat’ product, not a raw patty. Extra Value is an economy brand, manufactured by the Holten Meat Company, outside of St. Louis. I bought a package of a dozen quarter… Continue reading Home Cookin’ Test – Extra Value Frozen Beef Patties