Best Burger in NOLA?

[Bill Hunt]

OK, the Yo Mama thread got me to thinking about burgers in the City. I was a big fan of the old Ruby Red's, across from the Mint on Esplanade. Never quite got into Ground Patty, and have had ups n' downs at Port of Call. After Ruby's, I really liked the old Audubon Tavern II's burgers, but I think they, like Ruby's, are gone.

Who serves up the best burger in NOLA? I don't think I want to limit it by price, so the sky's the limit. PHX has been beseiged by a half-dozen "gourment" burger joints over the last 9 mos. with about six more to come. Anything really happening on the "burger scene" in NOLA? What are your favs, and why?

Food for thought,
Hunt

[texasredtop]

One of the best burgers I've had was at the old Lee's in Metairie. The new one, in the new location (post-K) is nothing like it IMO. It might not even be the same people. But I gave it a shot just in case. Wasted meal.

[rg3825]

Every spot mentioned in this thread does something extremely well. For burgers though, it is POC. Nowhere else will you find a patty this thick cooked so evenly through. That's the thing. It is so perfectly pink from edge to edge and in the middle. Cooking at The Grill in Athens, GA I cooked tens of thousands of burgers. I do not know how POC cooks so many patties so perfectly.

I've lived all over. People will tell me I have to try this place and that. Usually they mistake a good burger for good toppings. Truffle oil or shallots or green chili may be unique, but they don't make a burger great - shape, size, quality and cooking method do.

Port of Call may be the best burger in the country. Yeah, I said it. They chose the right cheese too - sharp enough to tell it is cheddar and not made of rubber, then grated it and piled it high. Brilliant.

[Bill Hunt]

Great points. The cooking technique is definitely part of the equation. I like what would be called rare, or med-rare, depending on the kitchen, but with a charred crust on the patty. As you say, tough to do, even when one is at the grill, and only doing two patties, let alone many.

I tried POC, when Ruby's was in full swing, and then again, when Audubon Tavern II was doing some great burgers, so I probably rated them down a bit, due to personal preferences. Still, look who is still in business - POC. Gotta' give them another go - definitely.

Hunt

[collardman]

Hamburger. Ground beef. What makes the "best burger". We can probably point out the faults of the worst. But the best?
Flavor. Juiciness. Good bread. A dozen places can do that. What differentiates them? At least a half dozen can have the finest beef as starters.

With something this relatively simple do we get down to personal preferences?

[Bill Hunt]

<<With something this relatively simple do we get down to personal preferences?>>

Absolutely, but then that is to be said for much, related to food.

For me, it's the right combo of quality meat, seasoning, cooking technique, bread, quality of condiments and cheese. Having hand-cut cast-iron skillet fries is a plus. I am not a fan of the variations on frozen fries, though some ARE better, than others.

In Phoenix, we have a wealth of "gourmet burger" restaurants, but only a very few do anything worthy of the sandwich, beyond just offering oddities for toppings, and sauces.

Now, speaking of sauces, I am a big fan of BBQ sauce on my burger, and Bud's was near the top, but that WAS 30 years ago. Have no idea how good, or how bad, that might be now. I keep a half-dozen BBQ sauces for MY burgers, and when I can find it, Bronco Billy's Bacon Chipolte is my choice. I warm it a bit.

I have tried to dissect the old Ruby Red's, and Audubon Tavern II's burgers, and cannot quite put a finger on what made them so great for me. The same goes for the long-gone Maxwell Plum on Burgundy (?), and then the Phoenix CC Men's Grill version. There are factors that elevate a burger from the mundane to the great. It's sort of like a US Supreme Court Justice's comment on pornography - "I know it, when I see it."

I also question why some folk love one burger, but not the one that I hold in great esteem. Got to be personal tastes. It is probably what one grew up with, and in my youth, there were no McDonalds, no Burger Kings, really nothing of that sort - yet. They did not come until later. I grew up with Wimpy's (a Popeye the Sailor character) burgers, that were done on an ancient griddle, and rather small, by current standards. Larger than Crystal, and White Castle, but still fairly small. I have no idea about the patty source, but they were preformed, and separated by waxpaper. The buns were Colonial white, so nothing too Avant-garde there. The toppings were very limited, but those little burgers were good. Now, not even close to the old Bud's, and certainly far from Ruby's, POC, and Audubon Tavern II's. That is my "frame of reference."

Hunt

[kevin]

Was Maxwell Plum's on Burgundy part of a national fine-dining chain, if my memory serves me correctly ?

Thanks.

[Bill Hunt]

The location that I recall was either Burgundy, or Dauphine, at about Conti, or maybe Toulouse, or St. Louis, and was rather a bar, that did some nice burgers. Maxwell Plum was Riverside on the street, right at the corner. They were set up like a pub, and were not "fine-dining," even by the standards of the times. I am trying to recreate their interior, but there are too many pubs, that are clouding it. I recall the bar, sort of an L shape, on its side, and the jukebox was to the right. The door was on the Upton-Lakeside corner, and I only recall the bar stools - no booths, or tables, but could be confused, as it has been decades.

I DO remember the very good burgers though.

Hunt

[miffy504]

Capdeville has the most amazing burgers in town (http://www.capdevillenola.com). I actually got goosebumps!

I also really like Tru Burger and Company Burger.

[travelbuff]

I really like Company Burger. Their fries are fantastic as well.

[N.O.Food]

Company Burger is good, but it annoys me that you can't get lettuce, raw onions, tomato, etc. Because of that, their burgers have no contrasting textures--just a consistently mushy, albeit tasty, mass of bread, meat, sauteed onions, and cheese. It's not a deal-breaker, but personally, I like some crunch with my burger.

Martin Wine Cellar still has the best burger I've had around here, but Tru, Company Burger, and High Hat are all good additions to the burger scene. I also had a tasty burger from GB's the other night while sitting at the bar at Madigan's.

[Big Easy]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that quintessential New Orleans institution Bud's Broiler, where "high quality meat and glowing charcoal make the difference."

Nothing satisfies like Bud's after a night on the town and nothing cures a hangover better than two Number Ones with onions. My mouth is watering just thinking about scarfing some down while sitting at one of their funky picnic tables.

[Bill Hunt]

Ah, Bud's Breawerler [SIC].

They were once a favorite of ours, but did slip a bit. Locations changed, and we have not been back in some years (decades?), but they WERE near the top, and nothing "gourmet" about them. The City Park location was a "must do," after a couple hours of tennis on the old clay courts. Fond memories, to be sure.

Need to give them a try again. Thanks for the reference. B-I-:L used to ship be Bud's BBQ sauce in a big jar, almost every year.

Hunt

[fat harry]

FYI, Ruby Red's is open in the old O'Henry's at Baronne and Common (or is it Gravier). Still making a damn fine burger. Tru Burger on Oak is good but very salty. Company Burger is very good.

[rouxdauphine]

Thanks! I've seen the Ruby Red's and wondered if it was the same. Are there peanut shells on the floor?

[Bill Hunt]

The peanut shells might be missing. Cannot recall the mini-chain now, but there was a burger/steak group, that got hauled into court, over peanut shells. They had to quit serving peanuts in the shell, at all of their restaurants. That was maybe 12 years ago, so the peanut shells might be history.

I was so very happy when Ruby Reds finally gave in, and offered Cheddar Cheese on their burgers - then they too soon disappeared - or so I thought.

Hunt

[kibbles]

i work very near the Ruby Red's...ive walked by the window dozens of times but i must admit i have no desire to try it, despite enjoying restaurants of all levels (had POC last night for the countless time). to me the place looks uncomfortably stuck in the '80s -- checkered plastic table cloths, national brand condiment bottles sitting at every table, "$5 margarita" drink specials taped to the window, etc... id always assumed it was just another mom & pop painting by numbers and wouldnt last.

have i got it all wrong? whats the appeal?

[hazelhurst]

I have not tried it and really am nto inclined to do so. I seriously doubt it is any descendant of the one on Esplanade which was lots of fun and quite good.

Bud's was a decent place when I was at Tulane but I have not darkened the door in years

[Bill Hunt]

Wow! Are you kidding an old dude there?

We just stayed nearby, and walked all about, but I missed it. Had we seen it, we would have given them a go.

Thank you for the H/U.

Hunt

[travelbuff]

I found Bud's to be truly awful. But I heard all about the glory days, and sorry it's gone so far downhill.

[kibbles]

if i understand Bud's Broiler correctly there are several locations and each run differently. i tried one as well but didnt think much of it. if theyre all the same id have to attribute it fond childhood memories...

[nolawinelover]

To me, Cowbell, hands down, best burger (with bacon and fried egg)...

Yo Mama's PB bacon burger would be next...

Haven't been to Company Burger or Truburger yet...

Port of Call is horrible...living off past glory only in my opinion...

[tiffsta6715]

COWBELL! Best burger for sure. Get the onion compote.

[rouxdauphine]

Also a real sleeper contender -- Avenue Pub!

[Bill Hunt]

That is a new one to me. What makes it a "contender?"

Going back, Audubon Tavern II was up near the top of my "long gone, but not forgotten" burger list.

Thank you,

Hunt

[rouxdauphine]

Avenue Pub's burger is made with angus beef freshly ground inhouse, cooked to order, to perfection (we like it rare, so that's always a test of a burger chef's mettle). The bun is a sort of square shaped ciabatta toasted just enough to give it the perfect tooth and temperature to complement the sublime beef (and the day we enjoyed it, blue cheese) lurking beneath. A vast beer selection and a friendly, knowledgeable bartender doesn't hurt either!

[Bill Hunt]

That sounds great! I am a little more toward "Medium Rare," but that can differ from location, to location.

Now, if they have a good Zinfandel (or maybe a few really good Merlots), then I would be "in my element."

Even with dozens of "gourmet burger restaurants," plus Phoenix Country Club's Mixed Grill here, the ultimate are the ones that come off of my Lynx, but that is not really fair in a restaurant thread.

Thank you,

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

I have got to do a side-by-side with an old fav, POC, and Cowbell. Sounds great!

Thank you,

Hunt

[N.O.Food]

Old thread, but I just had a burger at Martins in Metairie. Still the best, imo.

[Bill Hunt]

Glad to see that this oldie still has legs! Was it really 2007, when I posted that? Wow!

"Gourmet Burgers" are "all the rage" in many large cities around the US, and some ARE better, than others.

I need just enough time, back in NOLA, to explore some of the new burger options mentioned here. Hope that happens soon.

Have not done POC in ages, but they WERE pretty good. Way back then, they were at about my # 4 position, but their "betters" are but history, and culinary memories to me.

Back in Phoenix, some of the new, high-end burger restaurants are doing good things, but none can touch my "old standby," Phoenix Country Club's Men's Grill (now Mixed Grill). Still, lot's of new great burgers, coming to town.

Hunt

[ssumrall]

There have been MANY new burger places open up over the last year or so. Port of Call once was a great burger but I think Port of Call has gone WAY past its prime and the wait simply is not worth what the burger has become. Yo Mamma's is currently the best with the La Petite Grocery on Magazine being my second favorite: (www.lapetitegrocery.com

)

-----
Port of Call
838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

La Petite Grocery
4238 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

[JazzyB]

POC still gets my vote. MVB was good but the wait outside, then inside was just too much. Yo Mama's is good but IMO, no POC. Luke's is big but merely ok. Good fries though.

-----
Yo Mama's
727 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[kibbles]

POC's entry hasnt changed over the years. besides my own opinion, the two long-time bartenders of 20 years say the same. they still grind their own meat, shred their own cheese.

Yo Mama's? standard fare, very little of it fresh. the "last time" for me was being served cold, soggy, pasteurized diced bacon on the Peanut Butter Burger (which was a favorite). when i asked them to at least heat up the bacon, they simply nuked the entire plate. amateur fail.

but i do put "gourmet burgers" in another category -- i really enjoy Luke and Meauxbar for those.. often youll see a pork-beef blend, brioche buns, etc. but definitely a different price point.

[rouxdauphine]

I still enjoy POC but don't do it often because as a local I refuse to stand in line. So about once a year I go around 3ish in the afternoon and do it if we can conveniently slip in, sit at the bar and indulge.

Yo Mama's has awesome burgers. Most recently tried the peanut butter version. Was skeptical until a friend suggested the comparison with beef sate. Tried it and enjoyed it. One thing-- be sure you ask that they warm the bun. The burger is good enough that a too cold bun stands between it and burger bliss.

A block toward the lake from POC, Buffa's blackened burger is very tasty.

POC seals the deal, however, by their serious chargrilling which to my mind is the nirvana factor in a burger.

-----
Yo Mama's
727 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[gastrotect]

I really like the Luke Burger at, of course, Luke. It's on the pricier side ($16 I think), but I find it to be a cut above. I'm partial to Yo Mama's over POC myself as far as those two go. All in all though, it doesn't seem like there is much of a "burger scene" so to speak.

[kibbles]

no burger scene? with POC, Yo Mama's, Buffa's, Snug Harbor, Lakeview Harbor, and Swamp Room all vying for Best Burger awards, not to mention the higher-end bistro burgers at Meauxbar, Luke's, Marigny Brasserie and others, im not sure how that could be true...

-----
Lakeview Harbor
911 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Swamp Room
5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006

[gastrotect]

Maybe because our other food is so top notch the burgers just take a backseat, but I feel like other cities feature greater variety and ultimately greater quality than NOLA. I guess I feel burgers are a big deal other places and I'm not sure that's as true here.

[kibbles]

if you say so! but my time in minneapolis, chicago and san diego havent left much of a burger impression on me - theyre no POC. :)

btw, new burger menu here -

http://www.capdevillenola.com

got a very good write-up:

http://www.blackenedout.com/2010/04/i...

[kevin]

How is Yo Mama's Burgers?

[nikinik]

Jackson (bacon chipotle burger is out of this world)
Port of Call
Swamp Room
Beach Corner
Avenue Pub

-----
Avenue Pub
1732 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

Port of Call
838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Swamp Room
5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006

[richardhorner]

Down The Hatch in the LGD has a great selection of interesting combinations. I've never been disappointed there. Also, they have great sides and drinks specials.

[Littleman]

Would Stanley's make this thread today? Mighty good burgers.

[Bill Hunt]

Interesting. I have only done Stanley! for breakfast/brunch, and did not consider their burger. Since wife has always been in meetings, and has missed them on two trips, maybe we can work them into the upcoming trip, and I will go for the burger, over the Eggs Stella!.

Will report,

Hunt

[mikey]

What about the Lee Circle/ Uptown area? I seem to always return to Fat Harry's for burgers. They are grilled with shredded cheese and very good. You can also eat outside and watch the foot traffic go by. Herbsaint used to serve the greatest burger. I miss it.

[jmk504]

my choices for best burgers are the following:

1.) POC (FQ)
2.) Yo MaMas (FQ)
3.) Shimmy Shack(RR)
4.) Phils Grill(Metairie) <---awesome deep fried burger

[Bill Hunt]

Thanks for the comments. Very interesting X-section of opinions.

We'll be in NOLA over the week of the 4th, and I will take a copy of the recs. with me. Right now, all of the evenings are booked at "the usual suspects," but lunch is open for most days. Plan on doing the Camilia Grill-reborn, for breakfast one day, and hope to get to the Quarter for one morning at The Coffeepot.

I'll report back, when the dining is done, and I return to the Summer in The Valley of the Sun - Phoenix. I only wish that I had more "private time," away from family, to do some good notes for the reviews. Maybe next time.

Hunt

[innominate]

clover grill is pretty good. i can only endorse port-o-call if ya like a thick but dry burger. i dont like my burger well done. just not my preference. medium at the most for me. i still say yo mamas is the best in the quarter of the ones i've had. i've heard good things about lakeview harbor and beachcorner but haven't tried em myself yet.

[funkjester]

Port of Call, always great, never had a bad burger, but I don't dig the fake Bacon Bits, either; still, as long as you can deal with the...ahem...local flavour...at Clover Grill (i.e. drag queens belting out show tunes from the jukebox) that sometimes erupts, Clover Grill and their mushroom burgers grilled under a hubcab give Port of Call a serious run for the money, no doubt. Not to be missed!

[angel816]

Cafe Freret in Uptown makes a great burger. I can't remember the name of it right now, but their specialty burger is to die for! Mushrooms, bacons, cheese, grilled onions... it's not for the faint of heart.

[kpangaro]

I love Port of Call for the insane cocktails and really just the hell of it, but I cannot remember the last time I got a burger there that wasn't about 5 minutes past well done. When I ordered Medium rare.
I am not a huge chain fan, but, in a pinch, you can get a damn good burger at Gordon Biersch.
And for a truly decadent and dirt cheap option, head to St. Bernard Parish for the deep fried burger po boy-style from Crabby J's. Sooo wrong, but sooo good.

[agulledge]

Hunt - I had a great experience at Port of Call. Now that Kpangaro mentions it, it was a bit on the done side - but still really juicy and really, really flavorful, so nothing a Neptune's Monsoon couldn't cure...OK my only gripe with the food was that I don't recall FAKE as in ARTIFICIAL Bacon Bits on the baked potato. Could they have just cooked up some bacon slices and crumbled them - why would that have been so hard? I don't recall the Bac'O like experience from last visit several years ago. Who the heck cares - in the end, it's a great burger! Just wanted to warn you about the bacon issue...

I've heard, yet not tried, Clover Grill's burgers - so you might check that out. Still, you can't beat Port of Call - the great music, lively bar, and really great burgers! Good luck and let us hear if you make any great new finds! :) Cheers

[Kingrover]

I agree with kpangaro... I used to love Port of Call, but the last couple of times I went there, the burgers were overdone and barely warm. I'd try other places like GB's on Carrolton before I go back to POC. I do love the potato's though. The Neptune's are amazing too.

[batt730]

How is Coops place not on this list?
The Blue Tomato on Old Jeff in Harrahan
Joey K's

[Guy Caballero]

I second Coop's, also Liuzza's By the Track serves a pretty good one- hardly the best thing on their menu though.

But my real recommendation on this matter is a place called the Beachcorner, right by the cemeteries on Canal St. The atmosphere is incredibly cheesy, but the burger is just as good as Port of Call, there's never a wait, and it's quite a bit cheaper.

[Shiloh]

I'll second Liuzza's by the Track. Great burger but, yes, hard to order it given the rest of the menu. I'll also second Blue Tomato and add Bywater Barbecue--horrible barbecue, great burger. Served on a bun that has the consistency of a dense, chewy French Bread, but shaped like a hamburger bun. The caveat is I haven't been since the storm.

[gginnola]

I agree with the Beachcorner recommendation. I like them better than Port of Call. I also like Lakeview Harbor and Oscar's on Metairie Rd.

[lilbraud]

Blue Tomato BEST in Jefferson area by far, been going there ever since it opened, luckily I live about .5 miles from it :) they are good people and NEVER dissappoint!

Metairie- I'm surprised no one said Swamp Room--- not to mention their sweet potato fries, mmmmm

New Orleans--Port of Call hands down the BEST burgers in town!! Can't go without having a yummy monsoon either, after one you will be feeling really nice....

-----
Blue Tomato
4401 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121

Swamp Room
5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006

[kevin]

did you mean crabby jack's for a deep fried burger? i thught it's in jefferson parish not st. bernard?

[Philly]

Crabby J's is in Chalmette; which happens to be the parish seat for St. Bernard's parish. Not sure what you're talking about?

[kevin]

my bad i thought you were talking about Crabby Jack's on Jefferson Hwy, is Crabby J's somewhere else. thanks.

[Hungry Celeste]

I went to Crabby J's for the first time this weekend...it's a neat little joint. Part doughnut shop, part seafood market, part poboy shop. I wouldn't drive across town to eat there, but if you're in Chalmette, it's worth a go.

[Adrienne]

Don't forget snug harbor... same people as port of call but no wait!

[steveds]

Not to mention being the unquestioned best jazz club in the city! (but, for some reason a terrible wine place...always has been, and I suppose it always will be)

[JazzyB]

Yeah, but for some reason the burgers at Snug just don't taste as good as POC. Same goes for Lakeview Harbor. As for the Beachcorner, the burgers are big and cheap with no wait, but left me wishing I had gone to POC.

-----
Lakeview Harbor
911 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

[collardman]

Since this has been revived, two ex-Orleanians came to town last week and stayed in an apartment down the street from POC. They tried to "go home again" with mixed results. Bignets were still a big hit but POC's burgers weren't. They thought you got a "handful" but it was a lot of dressing and not the meat they remembered.

CP was acceptable but they really liked August, Herbsaint, and NOLA, three restaurants that weren't around when they were living here.

-----
Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[Bill Hunt]

That is sad to hear. Back in my days, POC was pretty good. Over the years, they have gotten great recs. here, so I assumed that they had improved over the decades. Guess that I missed the heyday.

Thanks,

Hunt

[hazelhurst]

Missed this on the original run-thru. I ha ve not had a sit-up-and-take-notice hamburger ANYWHERE, even outside New Orleans, in years. I used to like the Port of Call ones like everyone else and at one time, when Nick ran the kitchen, the fat Harry's stuff was good, although that might have been becuase it was 4:00 in the morning. I practically had a charge account at AT II.

I have not thought of Ruby Red's in years...first went there in the 1960's....

-----
Port of Call
838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Ruby Red's
1525 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey, LA 70058

[kibbles]

nah dont sweat it, bill, POC is still an amazing burger. just took my meat-loving, restaurateur father there last week and he was very impressed, again. even Roadie (helluva bartender) noted the meat was especially good that evening.

the "dressing" on a POC burger is certainly a mountain (cheese, fresh RED tomato, fresh thick-cut white onion, lettuce), but it is the meat and the potato that make the whole package. theyre perfected the art and as a sometimes-weekly patron i must vouch for it.

[cor]

You can't go wrong with:

Port of Call (Quarter)
Yo Mamas (Quarter)
Lakeview Harbor (Lakeview)
Camellia Grill (Riverbend)
Houston's (Metairie)

[JGrey]

I'm partial to GB's (Maple at Carrollton). They were better pre-K, but they are still large, ground fresh daily, and hand formed. I was disappointed in my burger at Camellia, I'll stick to breakfast food there from now on.

If you're looking to make your own, the very best beef I've had is from Whispering Pines Farm at the farmer's market.

[sirvelvet]

Port Of Call is still the best in town. Anywhere perhaps . . . However, other good choices are Lakeview Harbor (on Harrison), G&B at River Bend, the Alibi Lounge and Clover Grill in the Quarter. Yo Mama has a variety of options, but their burgers aren't as good as the others mentioned.