best burger in denver?

[floyd]

i dont care whether its a fancy spot or not, but where have you eaten the best burger in denver? i have only seen recommendations here for City Grill and Cherry Cricket... any others? Thanks!

[GroovinGourmet]

My experience is limited, but the burgers at Jack N Grill are quite fine. The beef is ground on site if I am not mistaken, and they will cook it rare.

[davebarnes]

No rare burgers. I have asked for medium rare and always get medium well to well. It is that fear of e-coli.

[dhedges53]

I have to say, it's not a fancy burger, and it's takeout, only. But, Grandpa's Burger Haven has the best "old style" drive-in type burger I've eaten in Denver. The inside of the buns is toasted, the outside is a little greasy, and they put what I like on the burger. It's located on the West side of Federal around 1st Avenue.

[Booger]

Grandpas is very good. Beware of the double. They are huge, and a lot to eat.

Capital Grill is supposed to make a real good burger, and it is a (realtively) good deal (for an expensive steak house). I haven't had a burger there yet, but plan to. It is a good way to eat at an expensive reataurant, and not spend a ton of money.

The burger at the Denver Chop House is really good also.

People swear by Griffs Burger Barn (on Broadway right by I-25). I liked it, but didn't think it was anything too incredible.

[dhedges53]

There was a time when there were 7 or 8 Griffs Burger Bars around Denver, and they had a great burger. There are 2, that I know of, that are left. The one you mentioned, above, and one in old Downtown Arvada. It wouldn't surprise me if the ones that are left are under different ownership.

[ColoradoFun]

My favorite is "My Brothers's Bar" in the Platte River area next to REI.

[Booger]

How could I have forgotten My Brothers Bar? It is great.

[Pampatz]

I've had burgers at all the places mentioned, that they are all good. But - my favorite is the Hillcrest Grill at 3rd and Holly in the Hilltop neighborhood of Denver. Their burgers are big and juicy with a lot of different add-on toppings. My favorites are balsamic onions, swiss cheese and basil mayo. Yummy.

[Veggo]

Interesting.... obviously not kosher, but isn't that inside the Eruv in Hilltop?

[aka_zoe]

Veggo: It is in the eruv but certainly not Kosher. But then again so is Gunther Toodies.

If you are looking for a kosher burger we do actually enjoy the burgers at the East Side Kosher Deli. They aren't gourmet but if you order them medium they aren't bad. We don't keep kosher but family members do so that is what we will order if we go there.

GastroNaughty: we heard Cheeburger Cheeburger was really dirty and not worth going to so I appreciate the word of confidence, we mean to go there and don't. Also thanks for the good vote of confidence on Smashburger as well!

[Veggo]

aka zoe: working with Mike and Marcy from the East side kosher deli to extend the eruv while I was the city manager was a delight because they are such wonderful people. I helped with the Eruv in Mexico City when I lived there in the 90's, which was 100 times more difficult, partly for being danish. But we have kosher in Mexico.

[gastronaughty]

Hillcrest Grill closed several months ago. It's new incarnation? Locanda del Borgo, an Italian restaurant.

As for best burgers, I love Smashburger, Burgers-n-Sports, Old School Burgers, Cheeburger Cheeburger, CityGrille and 1515 Restaurant.

[aka_zoe]

I had a lunch appointment today in Cherry Creek. I was at Prime 121 on Clayton Lane. and ordered the burger. I could only eat half because honestly it was so big but delicious and seriously wanted to save half of it for tomorrow for lunch.

I also would recommend the burger at the Chop House it was one of my favorites for many years, substitute the french fries for their house made mashed potatoes.

There is also a new burger place called Smashburger on Kentucky and Colorado Boulevard that recently opened but that I haven't been to. I would love to hear any feedback from anyone that might have tried it.

[IslayMan]

Check out Jason Sheehan's review in this week's issue of Westword.

[jtc]

I like Old School for cheap eats and 1515 for upscale. Mustards Last Stand is also very good. As far as national chains go, Lone Star does a great juicy burger.

[trojanav]

Smashburger, hands down. Absolutely awesome burger

[oryza]

cherry cricket is kind of overrated as far as quality of burgers go. It's a fun place and part of the popularity are that the burgers are customizable. In my opinion, burgers should be made with thick patties of quality steak, well-seasoned, and properly cooked to a temperature of your desiring; lettuce and tomatoes should be crisp and fresh and fries must be excellent as well, whether thick steak fries or thin and extra crispy.

Mel's in Cherry Creek has awesome burgers. But of course, if you go there, why not have something nicer of the menu, if Tyler is still chef there... or, that reminds me, Brix might be a good place too.

McCormick's downtown has good burgers (only come cooked well, though). But, during happy hour, it's 1.95, and that's a fab deal.

[ColoradoFun]

What place serves a burger that is not "customizable"? If you took the lettuce off would they take the burger away? Like a soup nazi of hamburgers?! That would actually be awesome.

Just kind of an FYI Mel's closed down several months ago in Cherry Creek (they later opened in South Metro and apparently are going to open another one where Montecitos is located) Also, if you are referring to Tyler Wiard (sp?) the former chef at Mel's he has been at Elways 2-3 years.

[oryza]

whew, time flies... I used to work at Fourth Story, before he left, then last I heard he went back to Mel's. Had no idea he went to Elways... but then, I haven't been working in the Denver restaurant world either. I boycott Elways just by virtue of being irked by the brand... but I may change my mind, just because TW's cooking was something else-- an art

Customizable in reference to Cherry Cricket isn't so much about leaving off lettuce or anything, but about putting chile, jalapenos, and other random stuff on it... like pizza by way of analogy. Another place that does that is Cheeburger (a small chain throughout the US... mostly east coast I think)

[Booger]

5 Guys Burgers (which is new in town) is very customizable. They have a roster of 30 ingredients that you can add to any burger free of charge.

I haven't been in Denver, but frequented some of the original restaurants in their chain on the East Coast (DC and Baltimore). Their burgers are very good (but I am influenced by all the extra toppings, as that is something I tend to dig).

[wadilaw]

Smashburger on south Colorado Blvd. came out of nowhere and is, consistently, the best burger in Denver. Vying for second would be Fatburger and Cherry Cricket.

[jcattles]

Cherry Cricket is a favorite. You can pretty much top it with anything you want, from basic cheese to cream cheese and green chiles. They also have a pretty good selection of berr. I've been going there for years and have never been disappointed. (except for parking)

[Heyteacher]

I don't eat beef but the turkey burger at Fuddrucker's is one of my favorites.

[plumber55]

Anyone try Chicago Mikes on Arapahoe and I25? This is one of my favorite burger joints and their fries are better than McD's (I think). They are a little pricey for what you get, but really good.

If you're into Italian Beef, theirs is out of this world.

[RobynS]

Where at Arapahoe and I-25?

[Batman007]

Great post idea! Who doesn't like burgers? Communists? Actually I think they do.
No one has mentioned Rodney's Colorado Burgers? They have a pretty good list of ingredients to choose from and also have buffalo burgers. The burgers were very juicy and just greasy enough to taste great. To top it off, they have sweet potato fries, and they are delicious. Try it out.

[kindageeky]

My top 10 has JCB at My Brother's Bar on top ...
http://www.gastronomicguesswork.com/2...