Boston's best burger?
I'm going to be in the Boston area very soon for business and some pleasure.
The critical thing at the top of my list, even before lining up a comfortable hotel room, corralling friends, sightseeing, shopping, and etc, is getting a good burger.
And by good I mean, TREMENDOUSLY good.
Where is the BEST burger I can find? Money isn't necessarily a consideration, but I don't want to pay $30 for some frou-frou abomination of the good grease-and-cheesy. I need quality, I need my tastebuds to wilt in ecstacy, I need my arteries to raise the white flag in perfect surrender.
Whereabouts would I find some of your prime beef product?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
By 453545354535
on May 3, 2011 09:09 AM
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Where are you staying? Where are you coming from and what burgers do you like there? Context always helps. The link below should provide you plenty of info to start.
http://www.chow.com/search?query=burg...
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So many strong opinions on this topic, myself included.
For me you can't go wrong with:
Craigie on Main
Toro
Harvest
Flat Patties
Radius
Eastern Standard
and on and on..
www.bostonburgerblog.com
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Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Flat Patties
81 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
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This is a great list. Can't go wrong with any of these. I love the Craigie burger for the burger itself and its beefy flavor. I like Radius for the burger as well as the flavors that go along with it (crispy onions, aged cheddar, horseradish mayo). Finally, I like Toro's burger (midweek lunch only) for the flavors that accompany it when its ordered messy (aioli with cotija cheese and espelette powder slopped on top). Sel De La Terre makes a pretty awesome burger too.
Overall, if you want a fancy meat-centric burger go to Craigie. If you want a fancy burger with great flavors, go to Radius. If you want a ton of flavor on a less impressive burger, go with Toro (also only 8 bucks).
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Sel De La Terre
776 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199
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Nice work on the radio today! You were particularly diplomatic when discussing burgers that are "not for you".
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thanks! I was doing my best...but they kept asking about places I hate!
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It must be hard to only like 10 or so burgers in Boston.
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I don't agree that I only like ten. I can run-off at least 20 or so I would recommend. Maybe more of a reflection of Boston burgers and less about my snobbiness.
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I don't get that sentence construction. Do you like most burgers everywhere else? Again and again we hate on our city on this board. It makes visiting here such a bummer.
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I'm not hating, if anything I'm defending our city. I think there are plenty of worthy burgers here, it that bums you out it shouldn't.
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I don't get your sentence construction. Do you live here or are you visiting? In any case I don't agree that rchudy hates on our city, but rather loves burgers and seeks the best among the many available options.
To the topic, I finally had the Radius burger tonight and I can cross it off my bucket list. In future I'll be drawn to Radius not for the burger but rather for dessert and sherry which I know is fantastic. The burger was fine, at first I was really into it, but after a few enthusiastic bites it was a burger topped with crispy onion strings and horsey sauce. Good, but fortunately I won't be craving it as it's available just a few dangerously short blocks away. Sel de la Terre at Long Wharf is, to me, still more interesting for its smokey and spicy flavor contrast, and fine burger texture. I look forward to trying the many other burgers on the list.
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Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199
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Rats! I've been dying to try that Radius burger and now it sounds like I'm the last one in the pool! I will admit it's only to cross it off my bucket list too and it doesn't sound like I should burn rubber to get over there.
I actually had a yummy burger at Tavern on the Square in Porter watching the Celtics this week, and a piss-poor one at Gargoyles last week. So it goes to show you, you never know where your next great burger will come from!
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Make sure you read through rchudy's blog ( linked in his post, above)with his archived reviews of all places burger in boston. Very well written and informative.
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you are being way too kind. when are we meeting up for a burger?
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My absolute favorite is Craigie, with the caveat that tomatoes are in season.
My general day-to-day favorite is Russell House Tavern. IMO it ranks right up there with many of the other notables, but it comes with a big hunk o' fries and only costs $11.
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Russell House Tavern
14 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
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I think this is one of those frequently asked questions that merits a clarification now and in the future:
There are two basic American types of burgers, with many variations thereof, and it matters which you think is better:
1. Thick, rounded patty (more classic in the East) - this is a burger that is often best served medium rare and can therefore be made with somewhat leaner mixes of beef (and therefore quality can vary a lot more)
2. Flat patty (more classic in the West) - this is a burger that is by design is cooked more or less through but is usually made with fattier cuts of beef so it's still juicy anyway.
A lot of burger wars are conducted unnecessarily between fans of either camp - what's more important are the quality variations *within* each type, if you've got a decided preference between them.
For example, I grew up with the first type, and only settle for medium rare in that type, but have learned over the years that I really prefer the second type (I am particularly a fan of the Patty Melt).
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Very good point, it's important to be clear what type of burgers you're discussing. The best guide I've seen is from A Hamburger Today: http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2...
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The most notable local purveyors of flat patties (my preferred style as well) are Flat Patties, Uburger and Tasty Burger, which for some reason I still haven't gotten around to actually trying yet.
Flat Patties and Uburger are roughly equal for me in terms of quality, although I think my ideal would be a place that served a Flat Patties burger with Uburger's fries and frappes.
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Flat Patties
81 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Uburger
636 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215
Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
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What are your thoughts on Whataburger, Jenny ? Tasty is not far off from that.
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My favorites right now:
Back Bay Social Club
Radius
Sel de la Terre
KO Prime
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Middlesex Lounge
Toro
And maybe in that order.
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As a native Texan, don't screw with me on this topic, which I hold very close to my heart: Tasty Burger is like Whataburger? Seriously?
We were looking at finally checking out Lucy before our last BSO date of the season tomorrow...this might change.
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Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
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Heh. I had a feeling that might catch your attention. They are reminiscent of the Whataburger style, but I also order mine in that fashion (ie, dressed in that Texas style). It's not gonna take you home, but I think you will enjoy it. Go to Lucy first though. ;)
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Jenny O, you should try Tasty Burger...you might just find that Flat Patty/Uburger combination you're looking for. My new favorite "fast food/flat patty" burger in Boston.
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Perhaps you could add Green Street's burger to that flat-style list? Double burger Big Mac style with Russian dressing, plus bacon. But the potato chips that come with it are not to my liking.
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What type of frappe do you recommend Jenny O from Uburger? I've tried 2 there - 1 hit (creamsicle) & 1 BIG miss - the chocolate. Chocolate frappe seemed to consist of Hershey's syrup, milk, Hershey's syrup, ice cream .......... & Hershey's syrup. Had to actually thow it away since it way WAY too syrupy - you couldn't even taste the milk or ice cream. I usually will have to tell a place (including what used to be my old standby Brigham's) to only put 1 squirt of syrup in since a lot of places load up on the syrup, which hides the flavor of the ice cream - or masks the tase of cheap ice cream (or milk that's going bad).
I'll have to give them another shot some time, especially since the creamsicle one was so good (& not too sweet).
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Get the black and white: chocolate syrup/vanilla ice cream. It's the easiest way to avoid chocolate overload. I'm also a fan of the straight strawberry frappe.
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Does Red Bones make a burger? Oh, man, how I miss...
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On Sundays...and it's crappy.
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anyone try the burger at the Butcher Shop?
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rich, the new Aragosta on Battery Wharf lists a kobe burger w/ short rib (in patty or on side?-i have no idea). Pick a nice day to be by the water! btw, isn't it true that 'kobe beef' is , like champagne in france, only found in japan; if it's raised in the states it'll be called wagyu or other?
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I almost went on my birthday, did the Rialto burger instead...that was a mistake.
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rich, wanted to make sure you saw Slim's take on aragosta; sounds like you need to NOT try that burger!
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/783850
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I remember it sounding good on paper, but we've been fooled by that before.
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OC, I'm confused. I don't see any mention about the Aragosta burger on the MC thread you linked to.
Sensing had a Kobe (Waygu) burger special for lunch at $5. Great fries and a mediocre salad made it hard to beat.
I mostly cook my own burgers, and the highlight of Waygu is a high fat content..great in a steak, Waygu burgers seem sort of pointless to me; just grind in more fat to non Waygu, the capers, Dijon and shortrib do have some appeal to me to try.
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9,
I'm with you.DIY is all i've ever done here at home in Boston. I've made wagyu burgers but they didn't do anything special for me. So the meat is cut off the shortrib and combined with your other chuck before chopping/grinding, you think?
Oh, slim didn't mention the burger at Aragosta; but what he did mention would not lead me to going there to try their burger.(that's what i meant in my post to rich.)
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Pizzeria Posto in Davis Square has a nice burger made with shortrib and sirloin. It's served on a brioche bun with some pretty tasty pickled vegetables.
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Pizzeria Posto
187 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144
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Lineage in Brookline also has a great burger.
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Do tell us what you tried and how it was!
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The Bristol Lounge - a classic burger.
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Bristol Lounge
200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
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Ashmont Grill in Dorchester has an excellent burger.
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Ashmont Grill
555 Talbot Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
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When was the last time you had their burger? I went about 6 weeks ago and was not satisfied. A few years back I would have said they had a very good burger, but the latest wasn't a masterpiece by any means. It resembled an overcooked hockey puck. The carpetburger at The Gallows is great. I heard unpleasant ratings about The Gallows recently, but I had the carpetburger about 2 months ago, and it was fantastic.
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Last summer. Maybe I was lucky.
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Another great burger to add to the list of Boston's "best" contenders... a friend gave me a hot tip that the hamburguesa at Estragon is worthy. And it sure is.
Described as 8 oz Kobe burger with Tetilla cheese, fried onions and french fries, this hamberguesa arrives perfectly medium rare and juicy. I don't typically LOVE cooked onions on my burger, but these crispy onion strings added a nice textural counterpoint to the meat and tangy cheese. The bun is sturdy but soft, and stood up to the meaty juices just fine. Meat itself was pretty aggressively seasoned (might have been a tad salty) but very flavorful. Is it really genuine Kobe? Who knows, it's genuinely yummy!
When discussing burgers at Spanish joints in town, this compares favorably to the messy burger at Toro, although I like them both. I also hear Tico does a good one, so that's on the list too. Buen Provecho!
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Tico
222 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
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mmm...at least $18, I assume?
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$14.
Add bacon or fried egg for $1 or Serrano ham for $2. I think the bacon or ham would take this over the line to salty town, but the egg might be nice.
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nice!
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I have tried the Radius burger and it is excellent. I thought The Bristol Burger was nothing special at all and the $21 price tag is ridiculous. The fries were also nowhere near as good as at Radius.
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Hands down, for hamburgers and all their food and atmosphere, The Gallows on Washington Street in the South End. Amazingly fabulous and fresh! Fun place too!
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Had Flat Patties over the weekend. I couldn't have had a worse experience. I've had most of the big name burgers in Boston and this wasn't much better than McDonalds.
Cold, stale bun, medicore toppings, poor fries. I haven't disliked a burger like this in a long time.
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Where did you end up going and how was the burger?
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Based on the review on Boston Burger Blog, got the Burger at jm Curley on Friday night. Great meat flavor, right amounts of salt and fat (read: a lot). Definitely deserves to be on this list.
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