Fat Smitty displays a mouth-busting Fat Smitty Burger at his popular eatery on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

The West's
Best Hamburgers

From the editors and readers of Out West Newspaper, the newspaper published from an RV motorhome.

Many of these burgers were tasted by the editors of Out West has they traveled in their motorhome. To keep up with the staff's travels these days, be sure to read RVtravel.com, all about RV travel in the USA.

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ALASKA

Anchorage

Well? Alaska IS in the West! When in Anchorage, a must eat burger comes from the Arctic Road Runner. They have two locations; Arctic Blvd. (The original) and Old Seward Highway just south of International Airport Road. My personal favorite is the Kodiak -- 1/2 pound of burger, a slice of ham, cheese, japaleno peppers and just about any other fixin' you want. They have about 20 different burgers. You will find one you like. -- DAVE THOMPSON

Note from editor: I had an excellent Halibut Burger at the Arctic Road Runner. The restaurant started years ago in a travel trailer and today is a very popular fast food joint in Anchorage. The burgers I saw looked delicious.

ARIZONA

Willcox

Rodneys in Willcox, Ariz.,. IS along I-10 east of Tucson about halfway to the New Mexico border. Go downtown to historic Railroad Avenue. Rodney's is located between the old Palace Saloon and the Rex Allen theater. Rodney's is also known by the locals for great barbecue. -- BETTY HUTCHISON

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CALIFORNIA

Auburn

The hamburger at Iketa's Fruit Stand is delicious. For a surprising treat try a low-fat Emu Burger. The bird may be ugly, but the burger ain't. Iketa's is right along I-80 just east of downtown at the Forresthill exit. -- THE EDITOR

Berkeley (and El Cerrito)

Fat Apple's has some darn fine burgers at either location with great meat, buns cooked on site. And you can add to caloric catastrophy by ordering a large order of good fries and an olallieberry milkshake. -- CHARLIE BLOOMER

Chico

Best Hamburger by far is at the Burger Hut.  -- DOUG JENSEN

Cupertino and Sunnyvale

Kirk's Steakburger is especially superb with the grilled onions. You really can't enjoy a Kirk Burger without french fry/onion ring combo and a shake. -- CHARLES McCOOL

Davis

The Murder Burger at the Murder Burger Drive Inn is thick, juicy and tasty, and just a few yards off I-80. Murder Burger's motto is "So good, to die for." Regionally famous. -- THE EDITOR

Fort Bragg

Corrine's Fish Grotto at Noyo Harbor has the largest burger in the West -- impossible for one person to eat at a single sitting. Do not leave the burger unattended or seagulls will try to carry it away. -- NORM DELUCCHI

Hayward

The best burger here is VAL'S which was started in 1958 and still has all the same neon signs, open beam wood ceiling, booths, soda jerk equipment and open barbecue where you can watch those BABY (1/3 lb) burgers, MOMA (1/2 lb) and PAPA (1 lb) very lean burgers being barbecued. They have steaks, fries, malts, sodas and sea food. You get the feeling you are living in the '50s. VAL'S is at the intersection of "B", Kelly & Center St., and open Tuesday through Saturday -- JIM GEBEL

EDITOR'S NOTE: Val's manager, Theo Vourliotis, wrote to inform us that Val's was named Best Burger in the West in 1992 by Sunset Magazine.

Jackson

You've just got to try "Mel and Faye's" across from the fire station. All the burgers are super good, the fries fresh and crisp, and the shakes delicious. -- RICHARD FISHER

Los Angeles & the area

Tommy's Original is the creme de la creme of greasy burgers. A must visit when in LA. Classic motto -- "We are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day; we clean the grill when we close." -- CHARLES McCOOL

My favorite has always been "The Burger That Ate L.A." on Melrose Place in Los Angeles. The restaurant is in the shape of a huge 2-story burger. Bar stools are shaped like pickle wedges and suspended above your head is an enormous tomato slice suspended from the top bun! The counter where you eat is between the two buns which act as the floor and the ceiling. The burgers are big, juicy and cheap! My other favorite is in Washington, D.C. at Mr. Smith's on M street in Georgetown! --ALEXANDRA BRYK CARDARELLI

In Pasadena, the best burger is Topps -- beats the pants off In-N-Out. Down the 110 freeway into L.A., it's Fatburger that reigns as King. Tommy's is good stuff too. -- BRENT S. GOODWIN

Manteca

Try Rotten Ron's. The burgers are extra-sized and juicy with all the trimmings. Hard to eat one! Don't irritate Ron though. He may get huffy and not serve you or shut down the grill and go home. He has other stuff but his hamburger is like the old style old timers remember. He is located on Mellon Ave which is East of South Main. --WALT NEWCOMB

An unsigned letter in February, '98 advised: Sad to notify you that Rotten Ron's has thrown in the towel and is no longer in business. I'm among the many disappointed customers that relied on him for a real old fashioned hamburger. Walt Newcomb also confirmed the place has closed.

Mendocino

Mendo Burger in Mendocino has the best burgers.  My son Aaron goes to Mendocino High School and craves them every day. -- KIRBY

Ocean Beach

Hodad's has sold under 99 billion. Look on Newport Ave and be careful about pulling into a seemingly empty space to park -- you wouldn't want to knock over a custom Harley. People with small mouths order the mini or do the "Light on onions, light on tomato, light on pickles" routine. These suckers are thick! If you're tall, watch out for the surfboards overhead. If you wish, dine in the front end of a VW bus. -- TOM LINTON

Ono

The Ono Burger is at the Ono Store & Stopping Place (just down the road from Igo). Ono is about 17 SW of Redding and the store is right in the middle of town. Our family gave the very-juicy burger a five-napkin rating. This is one of the very few places locally where you can get a tasty burger and a cold draft beer. The store also has an assortment of photos and ranch odds and ends from the early days including brands from local ranchers on the walls. -- BOB RICE

Palo Alto

Kirk's Burgers is right downtown within walking distance of Stanford University. This is the original Kirk's. My father went there when he was college age and started taking me when I was about 5 or 6. I'm now 43. Big, juicy, ground chuck burgers are barbecued right in front of you. Then (if you want it) they throw on a thick slice of the best cheddar cheese you ever tasted. There's no atmosphere really, you walk in the door and get in line The smell of the burgers cooking is unbelievable. After you get your burger and pay, you proceed to the condiment area. Personally, the burger and cheese is so good that I hate to mess it up with any extra stuff. -- CHRISTIE BUNDY

Pasadena

I think Lucky Boy Hamburgers on Arroyo Parkway are the best. Always cooked to order, big ol' burgers with cruchy lettuce and drippy sauce. It looks like they haven't changed the decor since around 1970. There is a walk up window and patio seating, too. There is plenty of parking even though it is across the street from Trader Joe's Market. If you know Trader Joe's, you know they usually run out of parking spaces. But Lucky Boy has never run out of hamburgers. -- ABBY DIAMOND

Stop by family-run Burger Continental for one of the tastiest burgers you'll ever have. We've only been there once, but dream of going back to get our hands on their Kefta Burger, a glorious piece of beef with a bizarre blend of spices lending it a slightly greenish tint, stuffed inside a pita with mounds of feta. -- JILL AND JUSTIN

Riverside

Farmer Boys has great fresh burgers made any way you want. Plus killer onion rings and zucchini sticks. -- Benjamin L. Meeker (9-00)

San Diego

On Interstate 15 at the Hwy 76 off ramp. In north San Diego County. Nessie Burger located next to the AM PM gas station. Burgers are very large, juicy, with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and all the fixings. -- L. YOUNG

Boll Weevil's half-pound steerburger has to be SD's best burger. They bring it out straight.You "build" it at your table from the condiment tray. -- CURT HARTZELL

San Francisco

The best burger in the world can be found at Joe's Cable Car Burger on Mission Street at Silver Avenue. Joe grinds his own chuck daily, and boy, is it worth it. No burger can compare, I assume because most people aren't grinding their own. Don't miss this San Francisco treat. Great fries, rings, and shakes, too. And, every visit you collect points toward Joe's Cable Car merchandise!! -- THE HOUSE OF BLUE PUFFERS

Hamburger Mary's has very good burgers but the atmosphere adds to the enjoyment. -- CHARLES McCOOL

Seaside

Del Monte Express in Seaside -- "Home of the Five Napkin Burger." -- CHARLES McCOOL

Sonoma

Babe's Burgers is on Highway 121, which connects the Napa and Sonoma valleys in the heart of the California Wine Country. Most tourists pass it by due to its peeling paint a

Rule number one of burger eating: Never eat a burger that contains diesel! Yuch!

nd cinder block construction. Not so with us locals. The burgers are big and juicy and the fries are great. It's "real" food in the sometimes "chi-chi" Wine Country -- no wine snobs here! -- DICK ASHFORD

Winchester

The best burger by far in So. Cal is at the El Dorado Bowling Alley on Manchester Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd. It's big and juicy and absolutely delicious. I like it with grilled onions and they give you plenty. I'm making myself hungry. I think I'll have one for dinner. -- MARY KRAVITSKY

California, general

Without a doubt 'In and Out Burgers' has the best fast food burgers in California. It's one of the highlights of any trip back to California. -- ROBERT MINKUS

Editor's note: The In and Out Burger bumper stickers are popular, but in an abbreviated form: some customers delete a few letters for a new message "IN AND OUT URGE."

COLORADO

Colorado Springs

Conway's Red Top, voted one of the "Best Burgers" in the United States by AAA. The Conway family has owned this business since the 50's serving a GIANT burger that "lives up to it's name". There are three locations in Colorado Springs -- DAN SANTISTEVAN

Ouray

It's been two years snce we were there, but it's not on your list and it showed no signs of disappearing, so ... Try Papillon's "Construction Burger. Don't know what they put in it, and you can have anything on it you wish. It's huge, and it's good! And ya might even run into Bill Frie, a.k.a. C.W. McCall, who was known at least once to lean up against a 10 or more year-old Wagoneer (they don't call 'em that anymore) and jawbone with a couple fellas from Back East. JOHN A MESSEDER, JR.

Sadallia

Bud's Bar has THE "burger." No fries, though. Sadallia is just off I-25 at Castlerock and northwest just a few miles. Folks come from far away to this little bar for this great burger. It's served with a bag of chips or two bags if you order the double. A double and a beer costs about $6. You should try a buffalo burger some time. Some are like old leather and others are to die for. -- JOHN (no last name given).

IDAHO

Boise

The Dutch Oven has quite a burger; not only does it have excellent taste but you get to discuss WWII bombers and horse racing with the owner/cook. You can try to order something from the menu, but you better take the burger (served with fruit salad) that was thrown on the grill when you walked through the door. -- JACK D.

Coolin, Idaho (Priest Lake)

One of the best and certainly the biggest burger I have ever seen is at Bishop's Marina & Resort. This thing is the size of a 10" plate and must have a full 1 1/2 pounds of meat. It tastes so good you will kill yourself trying to eat it all. The fries are cut there and large, too. It is simply the best for a hamburger lover like me. -- JIM HENROD

Moscow

Here's a good burger, not for how it tastes (it's okay, but not award-winning) but for its name: The Slurp and Burp Burger, served at the Slurp and Burp Tavern. -- THE EDITOR

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KANSAS

Winfield

Van's Burger Station is a tiny place where you order to take out (only) burgers and chili.Van's has been in existence for at least 40 years and is still going strong through several family generations. The meat is prepared a certain way and people come from everywhere to taste this American delight. I can't recommend this place enough. I've been going there for 40 years myself.and I live 1500 miles away! -- PHILO GLENN WOODDELL

MONTANA

Hamilton

Before you make a decision on the Best of the West Burger check out Nap's Grill. The big, thick, juicy burgers are hidden under a mound of grilled onions and mushrooms and served with more fries than the average bear can eat. Nap's is on N. 2nd St., second block north of Main St., one block to the west of U.S. 93. Check it out! -- WILLIAM WOLPERT

Missoula

The Missoula Club has outstanding burgers. -- RIGER WERNER

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NEVADA

Lake Tahoe

In its 1999 "Best Of" issue, Nevada Magazine honored the Hard Rock Cafe inside Harvey's Casino and Hotel at South Shore Lake Tahoe as home to the best burger in northern Nevada.

Laughlin

You can get a great burger in the Ramada Express Hotel and Casino in its Dining Car Restaurant. It's big and juicy with lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc. -- G. C. AUSTIN

Pahrump

In its 1999 "Best Of" issue, Nevada Magazine named Archie's as home to the best burger in rural Nevada.

Bernalillo

I had to add our local favorite restaurant for their burger. It is The Range Cafe and their Range Burger, ground sirloin topped with ham, cheese and green chile. They make their own buns too. This is really a great restaurant. MATT

Magdalena

Tray the Magdalena Burger at the Magdalena Cafe, U.S. Hwy. 60 Westbound . The burger includes green chile, cheese, bacon, and at least a half pound of beef, plus all the fixin's with a side of real homemade fries using real-live potatoes. Good price, too. The "Magdalena Burger" is so good it will make you gag yourself for settling for an "Owl Bar" burger [editor;'s note: see below]. -- JAMES AND LINDA BURSON

San Antonio

The Owl Burger at the Owl Tavern is New Mexico's best burger hands-down, made with juicy beef and fresh local chile. Don't miss it. Another good burger, across the street, is Manny's Bighorn. The green chile from either burger will clear your sinuses. -- THE EDITOR

Update (11-97) from reader Larry Dove: "I stopped by the Owl Tavern four months ago. They spruced the place up some..darn! The green chile was still great!! "

Santa Fe

The green chili cheese burger at Bobcat Bite (just outside town) can't be beat -- a thick, juicy buger with chili that's just plain flavorful. The best part of a Bob Cat burger is letting the burger juices and chili drip on your plate where you can mix them in with the fresh homefries (no french fries in this joint -- or much else except steak, chops and hot, greasy chili, availble after the first good snow). -- BRANDIE ERISMAN

Jim Hawkins adds:

I want to affirm Brandie Erisman's vote for Bobcat Bite as the best place in Santa Fe for hamburgers. The cafe is locate near Glorieta, the church camp for Southern Baptists, who are some of the worlds' best eaters! Part of the summer experience at Glorieta is to do lunch at Bobcat Bite. About 15,000 people come to Glorieta Conference Center each year (one week at a time for conferences), and many of them have Bobcat Bite on their MUST list for the week. I've been visiting Glorieta every year for the past 25 years.

Truth Or Consequences

We stopped by the Owl Cafe in San Antonio N.M., based on its recommendation here, but it was closed on Sundays! Since we were staying in Truth or Consequences (just because) we decided to try our luck there at "Big-a Burger", which turned out to be a delightful little mom and pop burger joint with green chili cheesburgers and GREAT chili cheese fries, and KILLER malts and shakes. Not the biggest or the best burger I've ever had, but plenty good enough, and the total package was terrific. -- SADIE McFARLAND

Michael Bankson, who lives in Truth Or Consequences, seconded this recommendation (12-99)

OKLAHOMA

Meers

Try the Meers Cafe,. These Burgers are enormous, about eight inches across. They grow their own Longhorn cattle for this low fat burger. -- CHARLES M LOGSTON

OREGON

Bend

The Pilot Butte Drive-In at 9th and Greenwood (Highway 20 East) offers a 36 ounce burger, which is notable, but the place as a whole is truly notable -- lots of character and very popular with the locals. You can't beat a place with tater tots on the menu. I refer to Bend as the "City of Good Food". It's awesome restaurant per capita ratio can't be beat. -- JIM ELLISON

Fields

There are great hamburgers, cheeseburgers and REAL milkshakes at the Fields Cafe in Fields, Ore. Its about 120-miles south of Burns and 20-miles north of the Nevada line. A sign on the wall says 3300 (don't remember the actual number) burgers served since January 1, 1999, and there's another sign with a milkshake count. There's also a graph showing the numbers of each served annually since 1984 or so. It's real ice cream in the shake, which is made with a real mixer. Then the test: put the straw in about 3/4" and it stands straight up! If there are 10 people living in Fields I'd be surprised. -- B CRONIN

Hubbard

On Highway 99 at the flashing signal is The Burger Hut. Order its Jumbo Burger in a Basket with a milkshake. Also their bread pudding is out of this world. The Burger Hut is a dumpy looking place and you probably wouldn't go in unless someone recommended it. A lot of cops eat there. -- ED HAUSAFUS

Pendleton

In Pendleton, the In 'N Out Charburger is fire-grilled to perfection. Not only the best taste in the West, but you can smell them for a mile around! Don't expect to get a place to sit, though, if you go during meal time: there are only two tables and half a dozen stools at the counter. But it's worth the wait or worth eating on your own tailgate, too! -- LEE JACOBS

Sandy

Calamity Jane's has the best burgers in the West. I've eaten burgers since I was a kid, and that was 40+ years ago. My favorite; the Mean Jose: salsa, j. peppers, quaq., sour cream, and I add a slice of pepper jack cheese. All burgers come in three sizes. Chocolate marshmallow burger? They have it. -- DENNIS DUFLOTH

TEXAS

Jacksboro

The world's best hamburger is still at Herd's Hamburgers. It's on your way from the courthouse out the road to Wichita Falls, or Henrietta. The present owner is the son of the founders: Jess and Mary Herd. They began the little one-room hamburger stand back in the '40s, or even maybe the late '30s, and it's been in operation ever since. Thousands of satisfied customers would agree that Herd's is the BEST anywhere! -- JIM HAWKINS

Fort Worth

You can enjoy great hamburgers at Billy Miner's. Actually, I would say that they are the best burgers in Texas. Try the 1/2 lb. Billy Burger, the Regular Burger or the Sundance Burger. These are Texas-size hamburgers with all the fixin's. Located downtown at 150 W. 3rd Street, Sundance Square -- DICK McMULLIN

Odessa

Wilsons Corners,12 miles south of Odessa, has the very best burgers in Texas! They have a deli called Jabber Jaws. Try one of the burgers and it's all over. -- UNSIGNED

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UTAH

Huntsville (Salt Lake City vicinity)

The Shooting Star Burger at the Shooting Star Saloon is an awesome meal -- the best burger we've found in our travels. Cook Heidi won't reveal the ingredients, but a big ol' German sausage is included along with the beef patty. Yum. By the way, the Shooting Star Saloon is home to the Stuffed Dog On The Wall. See it to believe it. -- THE EDITOR.

A reader named Phyllis added: The burger has knockwurst, hamburger, the usual complement of tomato, lettuce etc and I can't really remember what all. The snow skiers love it in the winter and the water skiers in the summer. And many people with hearty appetites can't finish a whole one at one sitting.

Alden

The best burger you will ever eat is at the Crossroads Bar & Grill. It has a western atmosphere & one of the owners Paul or Cheryl will be there to entertain you. Who needs comedians when you have these two? The burger that people drive for miles for is a half-pound of cow with ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and some secret seasonings charbroiled to perfection. Served with fresh cut fries or one of their home made salads. After you eat one of these you will be back again. -- THE GROUCH

Clarkston

Best burgers in these parts are at the "Come Inn" cafe between 5th and 6th street on the Diagonal in Clarkston. -- PETE

Please add the "4-10 Drive-In" on U.S. 12 in Clarkson. The "Billy Burger" is fantastic. They also have the best curly fries I have ever had. Drive-in has been in open since 1950s and has changed very little over the years. Still has the car hops, etc.-- CAROL ROGERS

Coulee City

The Coulee Co-Op (gas station mini-mart) gets my vote for serving one of the best burgers in the West. Its Hawaiian burger with ham, swiss cheese and pineapple, served after a day of fishing is a feast. It is now on my list of things to do in Washington along with the fishing. -- DON CAMP

Discovery Bay (near Port Townsend)

Discovery Bay is on the Olympic Peninsula on U.S. 101 at the intersection of state route 20 to Port Townsend. You can't miss Fat Smittys, a cafe with huge woodcarvings outside (in the likeness of Smitty and his wife). The three-patty Fat Smitty Burger is surely one of the ten top burgers in the West, and all for $5.50 which includes a huge pile of tasty fries. My guess is that most folks cannot finish one because it's so huge! -- THE EDITOR

Index/Gold Bar

Zeke's Hamburgers in Zekesville (Hwy. 2 between Gold Bar and Index) gets my nomination. These hamburgers are huge, have all the trimmings in quantity, are extra juicy, and just plain taste great. you gotta try the onion rings, too! -- Dave McHenry

Long Beach

John Hahn, a columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reported in a recent issue that the Coral Drive Inn serves a 16-inch Tsunami Burger. At $26.95, he wrote, "it's probably the best burger deal this side of the Columbia River." He reported that before the Tsunami Burger came along, the biggest burger in town was the $15 Family Burger at Mary Lou's Tavern. -- THE EDITOR

Jonathan and Karen Cox commented: "The Tsunami Burger is 5 pounds with all the fixings and feeds 8-10 people.You can also get one gallon of fries."

Metaline

For what it's worth, the Ranger Deluxe at Moe's Burger Inn is among the best burgers I've found. What's more, the place has absolutely no atmosphere. Diners can sometimes see a mountain goat on Mount Linton. The rest of the time there's always Moe. Name a topic and he'll grump about it on cue. It's great fun. -- JOHN CRAIG

Mount Vernon

The last time we visited, the Chuck Wagon Drive Inn offered about 150 different kinds of burgers including those named: Hog, Shrimp, Oyster, Buffalo, Clam, Prairie Dog (huh?), Hawaiian, Piggy, Chicken Wagon, Buffalo, Halibut, Cranberry Sauce, Chedder Cheese and the Big Sue (four patties). I opted for a Potato Burger and it was awesome. Check this place out. -- THE EDITOR

Olympia

My vote for Best Burger in the West is Olympia's own Big Tom's Drive-In. They sell a Big Tom Burger, which is a double meat and cheese, everything on it burger with a special delicious sauce they call 'Goop.' For 25 cents, you can get extra 'Goop' on the side for dipping fries. The restaurant is a drive-up window only...and has about the square footage of a modest tool shed. -- JOHN PAGET

Puyallup

No burger list is complete without an Earthquake Burger at 4112 S Meridian. The burger is the size of a dinner plate. -- GEORGE C

Raymond

A Willy Burger is 3- 1/4 lbs. meat patties, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, special sauce on a sesame seed bun. Any why you want it made. Willapa Willy's Chilli is operated by Everett "Tiny" McVey at the Raymond, Washington Tourist Center. He says, "If there is'nt any juice running off your elbows it's not right!" Information and entertainment are free of charge. -- ALEX ORKNEY

Ridgefield

The best burger in Clark County is Don and Jo's Deluxe Burger, w/ cheese and onions please. It's a traditional burger made from scratch -- a "remove your watch and rings" burger because the juices run down your arm. -- RON AND MELISSA BISHOP

Shoreline (Seattle)

Just north of Seattle in Shorline is a small restaurant called Suni's, run by Greeks. They make the Suni Burger amoung others. Its large with everything on it and comes with steak fries. I used to devour it, but as I age it takes me a little longer..I also like their chicken ceasar salad. Other sandwiches are the blue cheese burger, New York steak sandwich (takes me two days to eat in halves). Suni's is at NE 180th and 15th NE. -- BOB HAWK

Yakima

Minor's Burgers is located in the south end of town and offer several different delicious burgers. They were just a walk up and order place for many years but now have inside dining where you can order and eat inside. They still have picnic tables outside and very ample RV parking! -- JOHN MOORE

Zekesville

Zeke's Hamburgers (on Highway 2 between Gold Bar and Index) has huge hamburgers with all the trimmings in quantity. The burgers are extra juicy, and taste just plain taste great. And you gotta try the onion rings, too! -- DAVE McHENRY

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WYOMING

Bill

If you can find Bill (pop. 2) , then you'll have no problem finding a burger at general store/Post Office (the town's only business). The burger is nothing fancy -- a bun, meat and some sauce, but it tasted delicious. Maybe it has to be with being in the middle of nowhere (on state route 59 north of Douglas). It's been awhile since I tasted this burger; maybe it's not so good anymore. Let me know if you find out -- THE EDITOR

Jackson

For good burgers, Billy's Burgers in the Cadillac Grill redefines the term. Thick, absorbent bibs are de rigeur. -- WYOMING STATE TOURISM

BLAST FROM THE PAST

In early 1991, we inducted the following burgers into the OUT WEST BURGER HALL OF FAME. The ratings are from zero to five -- five being an absolutely awesome taste adventure. Some of the truly bad burgers gained entry solely because of their excellent names.

We rated the burgers on several factors:

• 1. The name of the cafe. Odd names scored points.
• 2. The name of the burger. Odd names scored points.
• 3. The ambiance of the establishment. Odd ambiance scored points.
• 4. The taste of the burger. The better the taste, the higher the rating.
• 5. The aftertaste. The longer the aftertaste, the lower the score. For example, the aftertaste of the Earl Burger from Miss Piggies Cafe lasted through two counties, tasting more like Spam with each mile.

THE BURGERS

• Murder Burger, Davis, Calif. TASTE: ***
• Space Age Burger, Space Age Coffee Shop, Gila Bend, Ariz. TASTE *
• Logger Burger, Family Restaurant, Joyce, Wash. TASTE ***
• Earl Burger, Miss Piggies Cafe, Tygh Valley, Ore. TASTE: None
• Bronto Burger, Dinosaur, Colorado: TASTE: **
• Spa Burger, Fountain of Youth, Calif. TASTE: *
• Star Burger, Shooting Star Saloon, Huntsville, Utah. TASTE: ****
• Buckhorn Burger, Manny's Buckhorn Tavern, San Antonio, New Mexico. TASTE: ****
• Feed Lot Burger, Feed Lot Restaurant, Canyonville, Ore. TASTE: **
• Drag Rider Burger, Betty's Feedbag, Pahrump, Nev. TASTE: **
• Big Burger, Big Burger Drive In, Drain, Ore. TASTE: ***
• Big Mac, Everywhere, USA. TASTE: *

1999 update: The Shooting Star Saloon still has the best burger. Burger joints from this list that we believe have bit the dust are the Big Burger Drive In & Miss Piggies Cafe. The Family Restaurant in Joyce, Wash., has changed names and we don't know if the Logger Burger is still on the menu. The Space Age Coffee Shop in Gila Bend burned down, but has been rebuilt.

©2002 by Out West Newspaper

Do you have any comments or update information about this story? Please e-mail Chuck Woodbury.

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