New Jersey's best burgers: Where Are They Now?

[2chez mike]

The best burgers I've ever had were in NJ. I grew up there but have been living in CA for the past twenty years.

Some of the places I recall having great burgers(remember, this was 20 years ago. Things have probably changed):

What's Your Beef: Rumson
Ichabod's: Sea Bright
Hook Line and Sinker: Rumson

Various small neighborhood taverns around the state, who's names I can't recall, that had a grill behind the bar and the bartender would cook them, or in tiny kitchens off the bar; they always seemed to have the best burgers. 6-8 oz. of beef, preferably on a kaiser roll with simple toppings like sauteed mushrooms and onions, bacon, cheddar cheese sauce, bleu cheese.

So where are NJ's great burgers now? Not the fancy-schmancy stuff like expensive Kobe beef topped with gourmet cheeses and other nonsense that seems to be so common these days. Just your good old fashioned basic burgers with basic toppings.

[TomDel]

Has anyone had the $41 20 OZ. Kobe Beef Burger at the Old Homestead in the Borgata in AC?

[ebchower]

I have, only because it was comped and I was feeling hedonistic. It was good, but needless to say, not worth $40. I liked it more for the texture than the taste. I enjoyed Zinburger in Clifton just as much and it wasn't even Kobe (although they do offer it.)

Other good burgers: Smashburger, hold the seasoning. Houstons in Hackensack. Sliders: White Manna in Hackensack.

[MarlboroMan]

I had a surprisingly tasty burger yesterday at Asbury Lanes. Much better than expected considering the location. Was cooked to order, medium rare, topped with bacon, fried onions, avocado and spicy mayo. But my favorite burger place is still 25 Burgers.

[ebchower]

A lot of bowling alleys have good snack bars, especially when it's an independent proprietor leasing space from the alley.

[jrvedivici]

As long as we are on this off topic I have to say.....the China Bowl on Rt. 35 in Middletown always facinated me. Bowling and Chinese food are two bed fellows I never ever thought went well together. ( insert your best egg roll vs. bowling joke here)

[fourunder]

The Bowling Alley in East Hanover used to have a similar arrangement.....

[jrvedivici]

I think I specifically requested an egg-roll / bowling joke....c'mon Fourunder don't let me down like the Americans in the Ryders Cup yesterday!!!

Is it just me that finds Chinese and Bowling to be an odd combination??

[ebchower]

I bet they have good SPARE ribs.

[fourunder]

what does the egg roll yell when he misses the last strike for a perfect game.....you plick.

[jrvedivici]

Ebchow & fourunder that's the spirit I was looking for!!

[TomDel]

I would imagine that if they were made with real prime wagyu beef that they would have too much fat content. Personally, I prefer a burger made with ground sirloin and about a 90/10 fat ratio but you can’t cook that mix much more than medium (still pink) or it will dry out and taste like a hockey puck.

[MGZ]

I've never met a burger that could have "too much fat content". 90/10 is a bit too "diet" for me.

[MarlboroMan]

Same here. I've made burgers at home that were 50% ground beef, mixed with 50% ground bacon. Now THERE'S some fat content for you! (They were excellent, by the way.)

[MGZ]

I like ground bacon (finely diced is probably more accurate) in a burger, but I also like my patties thick and quite rare. Thus, my solution has been to get double-smoked bacon from a place like European Provisions in East Brunswick (See, http://www.europeanhomemadeprovisions... ) which can be eaten cold, if you're so inclined, and let's me get the "just warm enough" inner burger that I prefer without having any trepidations. Then again I'm pretty good with just mixing ground pork fat in with the beef I'm grinding on occasion (usually only serve that to others at the medium level though).

Not quite sure if this is the right place to mention it, but one of these days, I intend to go to EP, get the bacon and some goose liverwurst. The first ingredient will be mixed with some ground chuck and sirloin (maybe even some short rib) to form the patty. The second one will be set in the center. All I really need to make this concept fly is a true hard roll and to decide what kind of cheese should go on top (I'm open to suggestions). I have the oak for the fire all seasoned and ready to go.

[jracpa]

Speaking of Kobe Burgers, the version that they serve at Bonefish Grill is quite good. I think it is about $10 and very tasty.

[jrvedivici]

Just a FYI but it is my understanding that all domestic "Kobe" beef, steak, burgers etc. are all US imitations and not anything to do with the genuine origins of Japanese Kobe Beef. Apparently there is some glitch in international patent law in which the Japanese patent on the term Kobe is not protected here in the US which allows any meat purveyor to use the term “Genuine Kobe” even if it is domestic bred. Don’t know if you were aware of this or not.

[corvette johnny]

Correct, Kobe beef here in the US is just a gimmick. It is a shame they even call it Kobe.

JR do you know any places around here that actually serve a charcoal cooked burger? Such an old cooking method has pretty much vanished in the restaurant world (with a few exceptions like Brazilian.)

I have been recently smoking 75/25 burgers with hickory and they are so good. About 1 hour of time and you have a world class smoky cheese burger : )

[MGZ]

I'm a big fan of real wood cooking. At present, I have five or six different species available to burn. That said, may I suggest using oak when you grill or smoke beef? They love one another.

[corvette johnny]

yeah I always wanted to use post oak for brisket but never could get any locally. I am sure I can get some but haven't tried that hard to get it. I use hickory for the burgers because you can only smoke a burger so long before it gets dry. Hickory, as you know, is pretty pungent and packs a smokey punch in that short cooking time.

I have some good supplies of hickory, cherry, apple, pecan, mesquite (which I only use to enhance pecan in small quantities) and jack daniels barrel wood (which is white oak.) I still haven't tried the jack chips but might do a brisket with those. So much meat and wood, not enough time to smoke it all : )

[Mr. Bingley]

I have cherry, apple and birch which get rotated through the grill, depending on my mood.

[MGZ]

Most often, I get my wood from a guy I know who does tree removal. I usually throw him a 12 pack of Bud cans for a few stumps. It requires a chainsaw and an ax, but, Hell, it ain't barbecue if you don't have to earn it. The plusses are that he always identifies the stumps that I am not sure of and that I can cut it to the best sizes for my various cooks in the offset.

[Mr. Bingley]

I get mine from my yard and season it in the garage before loading up the WSM or the kettles.

[jrvedivici]

I love the fact you specified "Bud Cans". I don't know why but that caught my eye.
Anyway here you go guys....don't say Jr never did anything for ya's.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/zip...

[jrvedivici]

CJ....no I don't know of any such place with regard to burgers. As much as I love steak and red meat burgers just aren't really my thing. I went to Bobby's Burger Haven last weekend (my son talked me into it) and I was very dissapointed in it. Yeah when it comes to burgers I'm not your guy.

Although I will tell you similar to what MGZ and a few others are posting above when I use to serve burgers at some of my establishments I use to always "infuse" the ingrediants into the burger and cook it as a whole. Including the cheese(s) and then top it off with either the same or a different cheese as well. Burgers can be fun because there are infinite possibilities.

[TomDel]

It's my understanding that the breed of cattle is Wagyu and that they happen to come from a town, city, whatever, called Kobe in Japan. So Wagyu would correctly describe the meat as coming from that breed of cow rather than calling it Kobe where they happened to be raised. It would be similar to calling it Angus rather than calling it the name of the place where the cow was raised such as Fort Worth.

It's also my understanding that Wagyu cattle have been imported and are currently being raised in this country. Whether or not they're being fed beer and massaged as is rumored to be done in Japan is unknown to me.

[ebchower]

I guess if you have to be put to slaughter, it's nice to have at least gotten in some beers and massages.

[ELA]

Wagyu cattle are in fact being bred and raised here in the US. In a very short time, the population has increased greatly. I don't know if that trend continued, or what the current status is, but they are here. Of course they are not all the same. Some are pure or more pure, some are hybreds or cross-breds, etc. The ones that were imported, and bred here, I don't know if those lines continued or what. I do know that a lot of cross-breeding took place to get an animal that could prosper here -- climate, age, ranching, breeding, etc.

Today, depending on the source, breeder, etc. -- Wagyu can refer to various breeds of cattle. Generically, they tend to have meat that has a lot of marbling and a high percentage of unsaturated fat. Here in the US, there are some that are more pure than others -- and some of the "domestic" cattle are the offspring of pure, Japanese Wagyu and high-grade/quality Angus cattle. Some people refer to this type of cattle as a "hybrid" or "cross-bred" Wagyu.

The pure, Japanese Wagyu is often marketed and sold with the town/city name attached to it, and Kobe is an example of that.

[TomDel]

Thanks for the info. If you google wagyu, you'll find a number of sites that advertise it for sale. Whether it's the real deal or not is suspect. Forbes has an article about this issue. See http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolms...

[corvette johnny]

Kobe steak here in the US is super rare. First, it was banned in the US for a long time. Recently that was lifted. A REAL kobe steak will cost you hundreds of dollars and only a few places in the country have it or even know how to cook it. Old homestead has it but it costs hundreds of dollars and I would question how good the cut is. I am sure it is delicious but is it the best? One day I might find out.

Like giant tuna or fugu, japanese will pay out the nose for high quality meat. So I question what the quality of the kobe is we import. Yes, it all has to be inspected and pass standards, but there are different grades of kobe. My guess is that japan sends over the bottom of the barrel steaks since people in Tokyo will shell out the big bucks for the best beef money can buy.

I could explain how the kobe cattle are raised but it would gross a lot of people here out. They don't live a good life. The product is amazing though. I have had real Kobe in the tokyo steak houses and it will literally change your life!

Almost all the KOBE labeled steak here in the US is just false advertising. If you want a real steak, you pay for it and no it won't' be 80 bucks. We are talking about hundreds upon hundreds for a single steak.

Next time you get a kobe hamburger, just remember you are being taken for a ride ; )

[ebchower]

When I saw at Zinburger that the "kobe" was only $3 more than their standard burger, I knew enough to save my $3 and order the regular one.

[ELA]

I read somewhere that Zinburger had said their "Kobe" burger was a mix/blend that had Wagyu beef in it. Regardless, I think we can all be assured it's Kobe beef from Japan, LOL. That said, while it's only $3 more than their standard burger, percentage-wise that is significant. If their standard burger is $10, that's 30% more. I would suspect, if true, it is some mix/blend that uses US/domestic Wagyu beef -- which certainly doesn't make it "Kobe" beef.

The US Wagyu beef is a very generic term. As I said, Japanese Wagyu-cattle were imported here and bred with Angus cattle. The offspring is simply a cross-bred animal. Again, this was done for many reasons. Some people have adopted a generic marketing name like American Kobe Beef. No such thing. Strictly marketing.

One "common" aspect is that the US-based Wagyu cattle are fed similar to their Japanese counterparts -- mixtures of alfalfa, barley, wheat, corn, certain grain, etc. I won't speak to the beer and massages, LOL. I've had some of the "better" (relative term of course,LOL) Wagyu beef here in the US. It came from a breeder/farm/ranch in Colorado. I have the name somewhere. It was excellent -- a very high quality, very flavorful, Certainly not the "Kobe" beef I had at the Old Homestead in NYC, and certainly not the "Kobe" beef I had in Japan. Even in Japan, Kobe just represents where it is from. There are numerous other names as well (Sanda being just one) and I had some of those as well. All incredible. Very different from the US-counterpart.

[Applecheeks]

While Top's Diner in East Newark is my favorite burger, I had an awesome burger at Stella's Empanadas and Argentine Grill on Elm St. in Kearny,NJ. The burger had to be more than a half pound of beef. The burgers are made to order with the freshest ingredients. I had a Calabrese burger which consisted of mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and raw onions. On another trip there, I had a swiss cheese burger with lettuce, tomatoes and fried onion. Both were just delicious. Oh did I mention that the burgers come with an order of french fries and the cost is less than $7.00? I'm telling you it is 100% better than going to McDonalds and cheaper than a big mac meal. And the folks that work there are so very nice!

[Tapas52]

Burgers, Pizza, Hotdogs, will NEVER come up with a definitive "BEST" answer.........but, Oh how I earn for years ago circa early 70's when I used to eat in Elizabeth NJ
Steve's WHITE DIAMOND hamburgers on Bayway Ave.....(sigh) ....I still have the T shirt too...YUM

[livesNJworksNY]

I’ve done several studies of burgers, primarily in NYC, but there are some really good examples close to home; 25 Burgers in Matawan, the Pine Tavern in Old Bridge, but probably the best burger nobody knows about is 18 Burgers at Philly Cheesesteak Factory USA.. The generous patty is ¾ lb. of Angus beef, and comes in 18 versions; it is thick, juicy and cooked to order, with good beefy flavor. Yeah, 25 Burgers on 34 & Broad has a very good burger with very good fries (seating is Spartan-ish but seems clean). And while Five Guys burgers are surely among the best in fast food, 25 Burgers is definitely a cut above that. However, 18 Burgers in Philly Cheesesteak Factory is superior to both; I was so pleasantly surprised -- 18 Burgers are thicker, juicier – excellent! Their fries I’d rank VG to Excellent, just half a notch below Five Guys! 18 Burgers ($8.95 plain) comes with excellent fries and a drink included (in the strip mall with the cleaners at 79 & 516). When JG Melon, Molly’s, Beekman and Westville aren’t convenient, for burgers: Pine Tavern and 18 Burgers in Philly’s are # 1. For fries, # 1 is Five Guys, with 18 Burgers in Philly’s # 2. I’m always open to new suggestions …anyone?

[JerzeyShore]

I think they are mentioned somewhere in this post already, but another vote for Harpoon Willies in Manasquan is in order. It has been our go to place for a burger for the past year. Deliciously grilled at the bar in front of you and served with very decent fries or large onion rings or an excellent slaw which ever you prefer.

[foreverhungry]

I had one of the best burger's of my life at Rod's in Sea Girt.

[MGZ]

Though there is much about Rod's that I do not enjoy, I too have had an excellent burger there recently.

[Tapas52]

Again last night we had the most delicious burgers at the Miracle Pub in Toms River...I had the PUB GRUB burger ...with Cheese, fresh sauteed Mushroom, Bacon..lettuce, tomato on a nice big kaiser roll......wife had the California burger which she loved.....super french fries thick & crispy....This place is under the radar with a great menu and delicious Pub Food at a very affordable price.

http://miraclesportspub.com/

http://miraclesportspub.com/?page_id=835

[Heatherb]

I like the Hawke Burger at Inn of the Hawke in Lambertville (and the homemade potato chips they serve it with). Joe's Mill Hill in Trenton also had an awesome one, but I haven't been there in a few years.

[ELA]

I also had to meet a friend in Englewood recently and had a good burger at Jackson Hole.

[ELA]

Most of my experience with burgers is Northern NJ. Krug's is the furthest I go south as far as experience, LOL. Anyway, I used to think the burgers at Davey's (Locker, in Montvale) were excellent. Maybe my tastes have changed over the years, but I feel they've slipped a bit. Don't know if it's a new chef, new grill, or what, at some point in time, but they are not what I remembered. Still very good and I have no problem going there and ordering one, but not the top burger I remember. Years ago, the Iron Horse had a very good burger. Not in recent years.

JD's Steak Pit (Fort Lee) used to have an excellent burger (for lunch or dinner at the bar) off the menu. I had it a while back and it was still excellent -- the same as many years ago. Finnegan's has a good burger. Never had a problem ordering one there. I also like the Dutch House in Fair Lawn. Haven't been there in a couple of years, but I always liked it. Same goes with the Bicycle Club (Englewood Cliffs) -- haven't had their burger in several years, since the renovation, but they always had an excellent burger.

As far as the new "chains" and those kind of places -- I do think they have a place. More fast-food or similar. Quick bite, want a very good burger, etc. So, for those, I like Bobby Flay's. It's in Paramus, down the street from my office, and I like the burger. I've had many different kinds there and I like them. I also like Cheburger Cheburger very much. Excellent burger. Top notch in every respect.

[cke25]

I'd like to add that despite my reluctance to give any chain or franchise a positive review, I agree with ELA. I've been looking for a melt-in-your-mouth, juicy, flavorful burger in Monmouth County for years and have been sorely disappointed, until a Cheeburger Cheeburger opened in Holmdel. Finally a restaurant nearby that cooks a hamburger properly with high quality meat. These are the two ingredients that make for a desirable burger, not all the crazy toppings and ridiculous size. I've only been to the Cheeburger Cheeburger in Holmdel, so I cannot comment on any of the other locations around the state, but the owner/manager in Holmdel is doing his burgers right.

[ELA]

The Cheeburger Cheeburger up here in E. Rutherford on Rt. 17 is excellent!!! They are doing it -- all of it -- right. I've tried all of them here -- BuCu, Smash, Zin, and so on. I rate CC as #1 of all of them.

[LEOFONT]

YA' KNOW......the beef business has dumbed down the masses into believing what their tasting in steaks, hamburgers are the real thing.......in the last 40 years or so the meat industry has made the consumer think that the cattle their raising is the best ever !!.....WRONG !!.....today's beef is bred and raised to produce juicy steaks and hamburgers with NO TASTE !!, and to know this one has to recall the tastes of yesteryear,....when beef was a lil tougher but had a great beefy taste, and when you went into prime, it was marbled, tender juicy and BEEF TASTY !!

steakhouses delude their customers about "prime".....prime today was "choice" yesterday

......I mentioned the above to a long time master butcher and he agreed wholeheartedly.

it's all about selling a deception to the beef eating public.......occasionally one may come across

a beefy tasting cut of meat but that's rare, no pun intended.......my favorite hamburger with the ol' time taste is Omaha Steaks hamburgers,......expensive, but worth it.

[zoe111]

i agree, burger was juicy at krug's but it's not going to be of the caliber of 'mass' meat of the fifties, etc. i just needed a rec for a place near newark airport at a relatively late hr, 10pm, for a party that included non-adventurous eaters.

[Jerseygirl111]

The Sandcastle Diner in Beachwood has a burger that is freakin delicious. Don't know what they do to it, but it is the best burger around.

[scholar399]

I am a big fan of burger from the Dutch House in Fair Lawn. When the weather is nice, they have added a patio out front and sitting there with a cold beer - it just hits the spot. For someone who was looking for great wings- they have them there as well. I also like Bobbys Burger Palace- it's one of the few places that will still make me a rare burger

[Picnicchef]

The Dutch burger is terrific. They use fresh ground beef from the Swiss Pork Store across the street, so I always have it extra rare. The porch, a beer and friends? all the better!

[njmarshall55]

Frank Drahouzel would always send me across the street to get the meat from SPS on weekends. Opened the bar and did the cooking. Great ingredients always. And many people showed up just to sit with Frank and have him expound on the events of the day. A Fair Lawn landmark.

[Barbarella]

Hey.... do not see anyone responding with Pour House, in Shrewsbury my favorite , big juicy and wonderful with mushrooms and onions!!!

-----
Pour House
640 Shrewsbury Ave, Tinton Falls, NJ 07701

[rsvpnj]

New member here... As I read through all the posts I wondered if anyone would mention the Pour House too. I've only been there once in the past 5 years but used to go there a lot when my band rehearsed nearby. Burgers were always great. I usually went "Cheddar Burger" but will try Mushrooms and Onions next time.

[Heatherb]

Oh yeah, next time I'm back in Jersey and go to Red Bank, I'm gonna go there:)

[2chez mike]

Went there alot in the 1970's and 1980's. Moved to CA in 1989. Glad to hear it's still there.

[joonjoon]

No fans of Jr's Long Branch? Probably my favorite burger in Monmouth country.

[ellen4441]

Jr's fan here, joonjoon !!!!! I've enjoyed their mini-sized, but yet thick, charbroiled burgers on 2 occasions ! Plus I liked the little cardboard box it comes in...
and it's neat they try & appeal to the Monmouth College kids by having late night hours & delivery.. (it's been awhile since I was a college "kid" , but I still FEEL like one, anyway, lol )

[jsfein]

Been a while since I ate at JR's. With the weather warming, time for some JR's and Lighthouse.

[LEOFONT]

Yesterday, I purchased a box of Omaha Steaks hamburgesr, still one of the best hamburgers I have EVER eaten !!......expensive ?...Yes,.....but try them ONCE, and you'll be back for more....at medium, they are juicy and beefy tasting, and that's all anyone who loves burgers could ask for

[yogi70]

finally got over to Bucu burger in Paramus last night. Ever since the bergen record article back in feb, from Elissa Ung, about north jersey's new burger spots, ive been dying to try one of them. the article talked about zinbuger in clifton, bucu burger in paramus, smash burger (in the fancy pants mall in hackensack??) and a place in rutherford i cant remember. ill eventually try em all as i havent found a burger place that wows me up here in bergen county yet. first off ill preface this with:
i dont know the grade of the beef they use in their burger meat.
i didnt find out who their butcher or purveyor was.
i didnt ask their particular methodology of cooking the hamburger.
i dont know the meat to fat ratios.
im not sure of the particular cuts of beef they use to make the burger.

personally, dont really care.

; )

but i do know it our dinner was awesome. i had the "pig out" burger which was topped with pulled pork, jalapeno jack cheese and horseradish slaw. absolutely delicous. ( i dont know if theres a smoker on site for the pulled pork). wife had a "jersey" burger which had bacon, blue chese, cheddar cheese and grilled onions. also very very good. the fries were fine. nothin to write home about. got an order of kettle chips (vinegar salt and pepper ) and they were perfectly fried, nice and crispy with a nice tang from the vinegar. my buddy who wasnt feeling a burger (??) got a double order of buffalo wings which were surpising good. not great, as i still havent found truly great wings in bergen county but definitely good. they could have had a little more spice but i like them crazy hot sooo... the couple next to us had waffle cut sweet potato fries that looked really good, next time well give them a try. i was full from my burger and trying everyones food lol, but my wife and buddy each got a cupcake afterwards and they loved them. wife got a red velvet cupcake, buddy got a butterfinger chocolate fudge cupcake. theyre smaller than the mongo sized cupcakes you see nowadays at the new cupcake bakeries. all in all a very fun experience. i would go back, but would like to try some of the other new spots first.
couple of things: would have LOVED a cold beer with my meal, no liquor license here so a stewarts black cherry soda sufficed. also condiment wise on each table was a heinz ketchup and mustard along with chipotle tabasco, which i really dont care for. id swap it out with the regular tabasco. other than that i was extremely satisfied. also saw hot dogs on the menu.... if the wings are good who knows? maybe next time.

[MGZ]

I thought a "Jersey" burger had to be made with pork roll. I believe it's in the State Constitution.

[jodell]

'Stage Left' in New Brunswick, downtown... sit at the bar, order one of their awesome beers 7 bar burger. Fasten seat belt (bring one...)

[Tapas52]

Believe it or not I had one of the best burgers at Red Robin in Hamilton last week for lunch I ordered the "BURNIN' BURGER LOVE"..simply delicious from bun to burger & toppings...YUM

[Tapas52]

btw sorry...here is what a Burnin' Burger Love is... crispy-fried jalapeño rings, tangy salsa and spicy Pepper-Jack cheese layered on top of our cayenne-seasoned burger. It’s topped with shredded lettuce and fresh tomatoes to cool things off and served on a jalapeño-cornmeal Kaiser roll with Chipotle mayo.

[tommy]

If this is one of NJ's best burgers, then our problem is larger than I suspected.

[Spaetzle75]

Have you ever had one? I hate chain restaurants more than anyone but it is actually a pretty good burger. More than 20% fat in a burger is a greasy mess and actually kind of gross. The burger joints that are using that because it is cheaper in price and quality.

[tommy]

I don't dislike Red Robin because it's a chain. That would be an example of ignorant behavior. And I'm not suggesting you are ignorant, if that's what has the mods all riled up.

I prefer more than 20% fat.

[MGZ]

It would be ignorant to say you dislike the food at a chain because it's a chain. It is not necessarily ignorant, however, to dislike a chain because it is a chain. There are socio-economic beliefs some subscribe to that are certainly informed and thought out.

[Tapas52]

I eat...I taste...I like or not..I review...Chain or so called Gourmet... I've also been to a few burger places ...(won't mention names) with highest reviews on the CH with disappointing results also.... so my pallet remains my judge always....

enjoy what you eat!

[aerynsun]

Don't worry, it's not. I just tried Red Robin and ordered the Whiskey River BBQ burger at the Hamilton location a few weeks ago. The meat tasted no better than Wendy's. Also, the fries tasted sour. Dare I say I like Wendy's Bacon & Blue burger better if I'm going for a fast food/chain type of burger? Also, nine bucks was a tad steep for a Wendy's/McDonald's burger in disguise with really the only difference being lots of extra toppings.

[fourunder]

actually.....the size of the patty, all you can eat fries, plate and silverware, being served at a table,and the ability to have an adult beverage are just some of the considerations that factor into the nine bucks.......

[aerynsun]

a very valid point

[The Professor]

LOL.
Sounds like the Burnin' Burger Love needs all those toppings to make up for the mediocre hamburger lying underneath it all.

[starvomarvo]

I've also loved that delicious burger! And nearby, Clydz does some good work as well (no idea what their burger philosphy is there, but it sure is tasty).

-----
Clydz
55 Paterson St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

[Abner Kravitz]

The best burger I have ever had was not in NJ, but close enough - Bethlehem PA at Emeril's Burgers at the Sands. The casino is lame (unless you like cigarette smoke constantly blown at you), but the burger was out of this world. It was expensive, around $15, but it was truly unbelievable

[menton1]

Try DB Bistro NYC's burger, it's double the price of Emeril's, but it is pretty special. Has foie gras in it.

[cantkick]

Somewhat off topic, but nearby on the South Side just off Lehigh campus was Pete the Greek, whose dogs were as good as any hotdoglover has had in NJ. I've heard he's still there, but it's been longer than I care to remember since I've been there.

[hotdoglover]

Really? Can you give me more info? Such as the brand or source of dog.

[cantkick]

That was decades ago, so no. It was his sauce that made it special more than anything else.

[hotdoglover]

I haven't been to a lot of the places mentioned here or in the New Jersey Monthly article so I don't really have a large group of burgers as a basis for comparison. For fast food type places I like Smashburger and White Rose. Did you know that White Rose, White Diamond, White Mana (Jersey City and Hackensack) all get their meat from the same supplier? I haven't been to Hackensack but have heard that their burgers are leaner (85/15) than the others which are 80/20 meat to fat ratio.

For other (pub style?) burgers, I've gone to and enjoyed the burgers at Barnacle Bill's, Gaffer's Pub, the Martini Bar, and Eagans. But my absolute favorite is Krug's Tavern in Newark. I first went 2 weeks ago and have been back 2 times since. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned in this thread.

Have any of you had a burger at Krug's? I spoke recently with Pete Genovese who does the Munchmobile series for the Star Ledger. He's had many burgers mentioned here including Rossi's in Trenton and considers the burger at Krug's to be the best pub burger in the state. I'm curious as to what others think.

[fourunder]

I've been to Krug's and everyone I have ever brought there agrees it's a very good burger. The Fried Shrimp and Sauce are also great, but the for the burger, the bun could be better. It's just a standard oversized bun.

btw....who's the secret meat supplier.

[hotdoglover]

Krug's gets their meat from Ray's on Astor St. The bun is a sesame seed bun they get from Pechtor's.

[ThanksVille]

Krug's and the Linden Inn are my two favorite Jersey burgers. Been to both locations at least a couple dozen times over the past several years and their consistent, fresh, appropriately beef tasting burger simply puts any of the chain joints to shame.

Clara asked 'where's the beef'. Both Krug and Linden Inn found the recipe and serve it up consistently. Generous, affordable, very good eats. Affordable brews and convivial working man's comraderie that my family fits into with ease.

Easier to park in Linden and a much broader range of menu offerings including some respectable tomatoe pies but Krug's has an authenticity that takes me back to youth, stopping in for a well earned bar burger after a day on the construction site free of pretense and industrial truffle oil additives.

These aren't just good, they are delicious; but I agree that the buns at Krug are a bit underwhelming.

[hotdoglover]

Where is the Linden Inn?

[tommy]

I'm guessing this is the Linwood Inn, in Linden. Another place that I tried about 5 years ago and had an utterly terrible burger.

-----
Linwood Inn
19 S Wood Ave, Linden, NJ 07036

[menton1]

How's Village Grille (with the e) in Waldwick for a burger? I remember vaguely going there a few years back and that the bar area was much more desirable than the very noisy and uncomfortable main room.

I seem to recollect that the burger there was good, but not certain.

-----
The Village Grille Restaurant & Bar
71 Crescent Ave, Waldwick, NJ 07463

[tommy]

I'm not sure I've had a burger there (probably did and quickly put it out of my mind). Everything else that I've had there has been awful. It's a depressing, dingy place, with zero energy or spark.

[menton1]

Well that reminds me of Allendale Bar & Grill, of which I have a clearer recollection of it being dingy and depressing and a place I would never return to.

Finnegan's in Westwood has a good burger. They a la carte it with fries being extra, which is unusual and a little annoying...

-----
Allendale Bar & Grill
67 W Allendale Ave, Allendale, NJ 07401

[tommy]

I ended up at AB&G a few weeks ago and had what was no doubt the worst burger in the history of all burgers. This place is just a wreck.

[zoe111]

juicy burgers at a reasonable price. i love krug's tavern in the ironbound section of newark. i was looking for a place that closed late after picking up ppl from the newark airport. good pickles, luscious huge plate of fried calamari and that was only a half portion. real steak fries and friendly service from the third generation of owners. a better bun would be nice but what the heck, it's a local bar.

[tommy]

I went to Krug's about 4 years ago and wasn't impressed. Maybe I had the wrong bartender making the burger.

[cantkick]

About the fat ratio. You will most likely be happier with the 80/20 than the 85/15. The flavor is in the fat. While that's 25% less fat, it's only 5% fewer calories. It's not worth it for the loss of flavor. In fact, it might actually be MORE calories for the leaner cut, since you might make up for the lack of satisfaction by increasing quantity. (Or so some studies indicate.) In fact, my butcher says he prefers 75/25, but I think that's a little overboard.

[tommy]

Flavor is also in things aside from fat.

In fact grease doesnt taste all that great.

I'd never use less than 20 percent fat and avoid places that do.

[Curlz]

Not sure where the other posts about this went, but NJ Monthly's Feb cover story is about their burger showdown; they blind-tasted 10 burgers from around the state.

1st place: Next Door, Montclair
2nd place: Christopher's in the Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick
3rd place: Stage Left, New Brunswick
4th place: Rocky Hill Inn, Rocky Hill

-----
Next Door
556 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

[joonjoon]

Gee it sure would be nice if we still had the original link to the page. What gives, chow?

[smilingal]

http://njmonthly.com/articles/restaur...

Wonder why it had been pulled?????

[ellen4441]

I do NOT like the way they judged those 10 burgers in the latest NJ Monthly issue !!!!
Instead of going to each burger place , they had all the burgers come to THEM....
the event was held at a hotel in New Brunswick, basically cooked on the hotel grill...
(instead of being cooked in their very own burger restaurant!! )
...too much is lost on translation , by doing it that way, IMO !!!!

[RPMcMurphy]

Yeah, also strange that the 2nd place burger was never offered on the Christophers menu (and from the looks of the website, it's still not).

Bummer to rate the best burgers and not being able to eat em!

[ellen4441]

agreed, RPMcmurphy!!
Well, I'm glad that FRANKIE'S and the IRON HORSE got selected to be in the Top 10,
even though they did not fare too well in that burger "showdown" , lol ....
However, they did fare real good for ELLEN (me !!)
I know I sure enjoyed both of their burgers very much , right there at their BRICK & MARTYR locations, lol !! (and I am a very tough burger, and pastrami critic !)

[chuck98]

You can get it but you have to ask. It was $18, pretty good. The Stage Left burger was better, although I didn't get the "contest" version of the Stage Left, just the normal one.

[aerynsun]

Anyone else find it odd that the contest was held at the Heldrich Hotel and their restaurant, Christopher's, was "hosting" the contest and their burger happened to come in 2nd in NJ Monthly's Best Burger contest?

[ellen4441]

YES , it was an "odd coincidence" !!! and IMO, the NJ Monthly "burger showdown" was a lot of FLUFF !!!

[Foody4life]

We had the 4th place Rocky Hill Inn burger on Sunday. The addition of a sunny side egg and applewood smoked bacon elevated it to the gourmet burger category (if there is such a thing?)! It was juicy, tasty and we really liked the combo.

RHI also has a great selection of 17+ specialty brews on tap. We'll be back for more.

[TomDel]

I had the Rocky Hill Burger last night and agree that it was very good. My favorite is still Rossi's http://www.rossiburger.com/

[bifpocaroba]

1- Tierney's- Montclair
2- Pals Cabin
3- Zagursky's, Whippany
4- Ave Bistro , Verona

-----
Pals Cabin Restaurant
265 Prospect Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052

[coldbeer]

I decided to go to Zagursky's, but I couldn't muster up the courage to order anything but a beer.

[ELA]

I've had burgers at both Pal's and Tierney's -- for me, Pal's was OK as I remember. Nothing really memorable. Just an "OK, it was a burger, ho hum, so-so" kind of thing. Tierney's was a very good burger. Long overdue for a stop there, and a burger as well.

[Marcharlan]

So many to choose from:
For the opulent burger - both Steakhouse 85 and Stage Left in New Brunswick make gread burgers.

As mentioned by another Mosaica, (Vauxhall) Milburn NJ is well regarded for a reason.

But no list would be complete without the White Manna, Hackensack sliders and White Rose System, Highland Park burgers.

Finally, though not great from a culinary perspective, everyone should go to the Rutgers Grease Trucks at least once in their lifetime.

-----
Stage Left
5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Mosaica
2933 Vauxhall Rd, Vauxhall, NJ 07088

White Rose System
154 Woodbridge Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904

White Manna
358 River St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

[menton1]

What's the latest scoop on the debate between White Manna, Hackensack, and White Mana, Jersey City? (They are NOT affiliated)

-----
White Mana
470 Tonnele Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307

White Manna
358 River St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

[Marcharlan]

Ive not yet been to the one in Jersey City so I cant make the comparison.

That said, I was in Hackensack earlier today and can report they burgers are still good. Lots of shaved onions, cooked on the flat top on a potato bun. Pickles on the side with an order of fries.

[bgut1]

http://www.youdontknowjersey.com/2010...

[Tapas52]

White manna +1

[jiffypop]

HUGE fan of burgers at the Silver Spoon in Pequannock. It's a tiny hole in the wall - seats maybe 25 people, BYO. burgers are thick, with a great crust and done just the way you want. homemade cole slaw. yumm.

[annabelle82]

Frankly Burgers & More in Freehold! They are in the Raintree Shopping Center off of 537 (across from Moore's, behind the Hallmark store). Ralph and Carolyn make the best angus burgers, hand-cut fries, steak sandwiches, Italian hot-dogs, soups, wings, & more! In fact, I am eating a pepper & egg sandwich from them right now. I could go on and on about how amazing their food is, but there are many other reviews of their restaurant on this site. Just go there, get some great food and an egg-cream and be happy :)

-----
Frankly Burgers and more
Freehold, NJ, Freehold, NJ

[ellen4441]

agreed !!!! I love the charbroiled burgers at Frankly Burgers, Freehold, as well as their Italian Hot Dogs !!

[maryanne06]

I enjoy the best burgers at The Barnyard on Totowa Road in Totowa......great flavor and, although they use English muffins as "the roll", it definitely works. I used to like The Mason Jar in Mahwah, but I haven't been there in a while. The Barn in Wykoff used to have great burgers, but I don't like them as much since the newer owners took over the place. Bobby Flay's Burger Palace is surprisingly inconsistent. Happy New Year to all.

-----
Mason Jar
3001 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach Township, NJ 08008

[aklein]

boathouse, belmar

[Rick7]

Point pleasant Frankies Tavern makes a great burger

Anyone remember the Steak & Ale in Edison...that was a Banging burger

[rmurphy]

My picks:
Ernie's Tavern, Mercer County-The charm of this historic tavern is that the burger is the only thing on the menu at this joint!
Cassville Tavern, Jackson Township, Ocean County
Harpoon Willy's, Manasquan Twp.

-----
Harpoon Willy's
2655 River Rd, Manasquan, NJ 08736

[njfoodies]

I pass Ernie's Tavern every time we go to the Delorenzo's in Robbinsville. Just may have to check it out on a Wednesday for their burger night! -mJ

[smilingal]

right on the border - in Suffern, NY - Sutter's Mill has the BEST burgers - bacon cheese with great onion rings

[OGguy]

Bond Street Bar in Asbury Park

[tapeworm33]

I AGREE!! Bond Street Bar has the best burgers I've ever had...I go once a week and I recommend it to all of my bar customers and I work at a bar/restaurant with great burgers....eaten there about 12/15 times and its always phenomenal...and the bartenders are top notch

[JustJake]

OG, they sure are tasty aren't they? Their wings (lime/chili, or the honeythai) are outstanding as well.

[Curlz]

Next Door in Montclair is my go-to when I'm craving a burger!

-----
Next Door
556 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

[coldbeer]

Well...here it goes.

1) Copelands in Morristown
2) Stage Left, New Brunswick but haven't beent here since Bucco left
3) Barnacle Bill's, Rumson but I hate the cheddar sauce go with mozzarella
4) Charlie's Aunt, Chatham beef from Green Village Packing I know the blend, but I ain't telling
5) Food, Summit you will be amazed

BTW how many places brag about Pat LaFrieda beef....way too many for it to have any cache anymore in my opinion.

-----
Stage Left
5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Barnacle Bill's
1 1st St, Rumson, NJ 07760

[Spaetzle75]

Striling hotel in Stirling, great beer selection as well. Poor Herbies in Madison as well.

-----
Poor Herbie's
13 Waverly Pl, Madison, NJ 07940

[2chez mike]

Yes. Barnacle Bill's, What's Your Beef and Hook Line And Sinker are all within a couple of blocks of each other.

I happen to love the cheddar cheese sauce, which is available at all the places I mentioned in my thread topic.

[Papa Bing]

hook line and sinker has sunk. it is now undici

[2chez mike]

Are you saying it went downhill or went out of business?

[coldbeer]

It went out of business...renovated and now called Undici, which is an Italian wine bar of sorts...rustic interior. David Corcoran from the NY Times said they had the best prosciutto outside of Italy.

-----
Undici
11 West River Road, Rumson, NJ 07760

[2chez mike]

Sad. Barnacle Bill's was originally at the end of a small dock on the property in the mid 1960's. It was just a shack with with maybe a 4-6 stool bar and three or four small tables. I think it was only open during the warm months. The tiny kitchen served a limited menu of burgers, dogs, local steamers and soft shell crab, and fried fish. My used to take me there when I was a kid. The property that the new building is on now was the boat yard where the boats were kept for the winter and scraped and painted.

[Papa Bing]

mike - barnicle bill's is still there and still serving the best burgers around. hook line is gone.

[2chez mike]

Oops! Got them confused for a moment. Glad BB's is still there. Thanks.

[2chez mike]

I also remember when What's Your Beef was just a typical, neighborhood lunch counter/coffee shop(don't recall the name) before it opened as What's Your Beef, with the library/antique knick knacks decor, in the mid to late 1960's. The salad bar and ordering your meat by the oz. were very novel concepts, for the area, at the time.

[coldbeer]

Barnacle Bill's is certainly alive and kicking. Waited an hour for a table on New Year's day...I guess I wasn't the only one looking to shake a hangover with a Long Island Iced Tea and a burger.

-----
Barnacle Bill's
1 1st St, Rumson, NJ 07760

[joonjoon]

I just don't get the hype behind BB's....I'm so underwhelmed by the whole experience whenever I'm there...what am I missing?

[tommy]

I found the burger decent enough, but nothing too exceptional. Sort of flavorless, actually.

[coldbeer]

It's the view, the peanuts on the floor, and typically a very happy crowd.

[wereboar]

I don't get the hype either.

[TomDel]

No list of the best burgers in NJ is valid unless Rossi's of Trenton's Chambersburg neighborhood is in the top five, if not first.

-----
Rossi's Bar & Grill
501 Morris Ave, Trenton, NJ 08611

[Bossa_Nova]

+1 on Rossi's

Trinity in Keyport

[tom246]

Rossi's for sure. Best $4.95 you will ever spend. Incredible value.

[njfoodies]

Count me in as another Rossi's fan! -mJ

[jfedorko]

Ditto!

[rruben1]

Alexis Diner, Denville, NJ. I know it seems strange that a simple diner would shine, but the California Burger Deluxe is a fantastic burger. Juicy, fresh, full of beefy flavor. A great burger. Arthurs Tavern isn't bad, different texture, very beefy, too.
I had a superlative burger at Mosaica in Millburn, and it was glatt kosher. Homemade bread, homemade mayo, thin fries. Fabulous, juicy, flavorful burger.

-----
Mosaica
2933 Vauxhall Rd, Vauxhall, NJ 07088

Alexis Diner
3130 State Route 10 Ste 20, Denville, NJ 07834

[Tapas52]

Brasa's Portuguese BBQ Toms River Excellent Burger

http://www.brasasbbq.com/

Miracle Sports Pub Toms River, NJ

http://miraclesportspub.com/

[GrOlive]

I'll second both of these places. The Alexis Diner burger is great...sometimes I order it just for the onion rings. Arthurs is our first choice when we want a good satisfying burger.

-----
Alexis Diner
3130 State Route 10 Ste 20, Denville, NJ 07834

[chuck98]

Any ideas for the Edison/New Brunswick area?

[RPMcMurphy]

Can't beat Stage Left for a burger in New Brunswick.

-----
Stage Left
5 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

[tasteey]

Arthurs in North Brunswick.
Tumulty's pub in New Brunswick.
A bit further up the road is the Liberty tavern in Fords,nj
Get the pizza burger! aleged to originate at this gem.

[ELA]

Haven't been there since college, but yes -- Tumulty's.

[tasteey]

Love the giant PLAIN salad with blue cheese dressing!

[ELA]

As I said, haven't been there -- in many, too many years. Used to like the place for a more out of the way, more quiet (relative term) kind of place. Don't remember the salads but I do remember the burgers, LOL.

[tasteey]

The "salad" is a quarter head of lettuce, no more no less. lol

[Tasi]

Copeland in Morristown!

[johnlockedema]

Boom in Belmar sells nice 7 oz burgers, cooked to YOUR doneness, using Pat La Frieda custom burger mix (the owner is a cousin of Pat). And the Stagehouse Tavern in Scotch Plains also has an excellent one.

[Tapas52]

Boom in Belmar has since closed.

[ELA]

Yes, I remember it was a very good burger. Not sure about the new incarnation now, but Copeland was good.

[ChefJune]

Very good burgers in Jersey City at Light Horse Tavern and at Edward's Steak House (in the tavern room).

[menton1]

Was in Westwood last weekend so this thread gave me the idea of stopping in at Iron Horse, where I hadn't been for 10 years. Well, it will be at least that long until I get back there again!

There was something about the place that seemed unclean. that combined with a seemingly endless parade of waiters and bus help carrying cans of garbage past our table, and it was only 7:30PM! The coleslaw that they offer before the main course arrived was straight out of a tub, the processed supermarket variety. The minestrone soup we ordered was Campbell's or the like. The burger was only fair.

Finnegan's, just 2 blocks away, blows the IH away. It's clean, they have homemade soup, and the burger is better and juicier.

Iron Horse, bah humbug!

[doxy216]

I have to agree with you. We stopped going during their version of Oktoberfest.
Yuch!!! We found it dirty looking too.

[fourunder]

The Montville Inn in Montville has an Applewood Smoked Bacon & Blue Cheese Burger with Crispy Potatoes on their Lunch and Tavern menus

http://www.montvilleinn.com/

Dinallo's in River Edge also has a very good Bacon Blue Cheese Burger with Fresh Cut Fries

[ELA]

I was very surprised -- went there for a business lunch and my friend who is a regular there strongly recommended the burger. Long story short -- it was very good. Good flavor, substantial, meaty, etc.

[fourunder]

ELA.

which place did you go to Montville Inn or Dinallo?

Thanks

[ELA]

Dinallo's. It's right around the corner from my office. I used to go there a lot when it was Boodles...back in the day, LOL. I haven't been to the Montville Inn in a couple of months, and the last few times I was there, I didn't have the burger. I've had it before though.

[fourunder]

Thanks for coming back.....someone will be very disappointed to know you had an enjoyable experience there. Boodle's does bring back fond memories for me as well. The Sunday Brunch was a favorite for Bloody Marys.

[ELA]

Coming back? Well, I never really left, just didn't go, LOL. I used to go there after work, for dinner, to meet friends, etc. Was friendly with owners and staff. After it was reincarnated to Dinallo's, like with many places, things change. A few other places became the more go-to spot or whatever the case might be. The crowd changed a bit too -- got to be an "older" crowd, simply "older" than it was previously.

Why will someone be disappointed to know I had an enjoyable experience? I know several people who go there several times a week for business lunches. Since my lunch there with my business associate -- I've gone back there again and brought about 5 of my associates.

[fourunder]

Coming back?
~~~~~~~~~~~~

I meant as responding to my query. I am not affiliated with Dinallo in any way....other than being a satisfied patron.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why will someone be disappointed to know I had an enjoyable experience?

There is someone who likes to denigrate restaurants she's obviously never been too, and I have caller her out. I have recommended Dinallo's on more than one occasion and have stated I am a regular there. Very petty. And yes, the crowd is older. If you are under 60, you are truly only a baby there.

[fourunder]

btw....if you haven't tried the Sliced Steak Sandwich at Dinallo yet. give it a go. It's even better than the burger. My other stand by is the Veal Milanese over Arugula topped with the house made fresh mozzarella and chopped tomatoes. They usually serve it with an Italian dressing, but I ask for the Olive Oil and fresh lemon wedges instead. The secret house sandwich is veal and broccoli rabe....sort of like the Philly special.

Sunday is always Braciole

[NJfoodLover]

The Iron Horse in Westwood has Great Burgers they have these stuffed ones that are amazing. They were voted the best in Bergen County a few times.
There is a diner in Butler on Main Street that would give the Iron Horse a run for its money on Stuffed burgers. They are not only great tasting but they are very big and filling.

There is also White Mana in Hackensack for mini slider type burgers. Those are fabulous as well.

[2chez mike]

"There is also White Manna in Hackensack for mini slider type burgers. Those are fabulous as well."

Yeah. I saw that place on CBS Sunday Morning segment a few weeks ago. The sliders looked really mouth watering and a bargain at only 5 for $5!

[Ken H]

Agreed Iron Horse in Westwood has great stuffed burgers.

But, I'd rather go to Rutt's Hut for the deep fried hot dogs and special relish.......

[billmayo]

Iron Horse Burgers are ok, but the fries are those big honking steak fries right out of the freezer. Where is the best burger with fresh peeled fries? That's what I want.

Oh yes...a nice cold ale or microbrew would complete the perfect meal.

[tommy]

Bistro 55 fits the bill.

[billmayo]

Thanks Tommy....it's on the list. Great review of the place on your blog.

[ELA]

Was there not that long ago and enjoyed it. A friend had a burger and he liked it very much.

[phDuh]

What is the name of the diner? I do LOVE great diners. Thanks.

[NJfoodLover]

Sorry I never saw this but a year later here is your answer. It is the Butler Family Diner and Restaurant. I have been back a few times since this post and the burgers get better each time. There is a Broccoli and Cheddar Burger that is amazing!

[menton1]

Tabor Road Tavern, Morris Plains. Lunch only though.

PJ Finnegans in Westwood is pretty good.

DB Bistro in the city is the gold standard, though.