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One of America’s most beloved entrées, a scrumptious burger extends beyond the dollar menu at your local fast-food joint.
Dating back to 18th century Germany, the term ‘hamburger’ was derived from the word ‘Hamburg Steak.’ New Yorkers later wrangled German sailors by advertising steaks cooked in the ‘Hamburg style,’ hence the American hamburger was born.
Selecting the right hamburger can be quite the ordeal, and mastering the art of the gourmet burger is often an immeasurable feat. Molding an ideal patty — one that will put gourmands into a food coma — takes the hard work of a skilled chef. Crafting the perfect burger could lead the way to foodie ecstasy.
It was a tough job but akronlife accepted the challenge and tasted five burgers from some of the area’s most celebrated and successful eateries. Join our hamburger hijinks as we discover which patties are among the best in town.
Save the Fish Burger Bar, North Canton
The Edmund Fitzgerald
Positioned between Belden Village and The Strip sits Save the Fish Burger Bar. The restaurant’s star burger takes Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Edmund Fitzgerald porter and combines it with the traditional American hamburger, delivering beauty on a bun.
Topped with honey-cured bacon, smoked Gouda cheese, lettuce, fried green tomatoes, their own tug boat cheese sauce and a side of sweet hot pickles and wave chips, The Edmund Fitzgerald is a no-brainer for burger aficionados looking for something out of the ordinary.
If you enjoy your burgers juicy, then you’ve come to the right place. The meat is tender, and the handcrafted artisan bakery bun isn’t overwhelming. The fusion of toppings is a mouthful; the cheese and fried tomatoes give this burger its zing. Come to Save the Fish with an empty stomach because this baby will fill you up by the final, satisfying bite.
Bacchus Lounge, Peninsula
Cheeseburger
Hidden behind the upscale Russo’s Restaurant in Peninsula is a little gem known as the Bacchus Lounge. Order their 8-ounce burger — made from fresh Black Angus chuck which is ground daily in their kitchen — and thank us later.
Griddle-cooked and seasoned with their own mystic bayou rub and zesty special sauce, this cheeseburger is served on an equally enticing brioche roll. Fresh hand-cut French fries accompany the sandwich, with the usual lineup of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on the side.
This “plain” cheeseburger is far from mediocre. The rub and sauce complement the exceptional flavors of this traditional burger. Choose American, Cheddar, Mozzarella or Blue Cheese to give this burger the flair you desire. A plateful of thin-cut, well-salted fries add a well-deserving final kick to your taste buds.
Pub Bricco, Akron
Fried egg over easy, bacon and American cheese on a Kaiser
Without some guidance, you might get lost in the land of Merriman Valley restaurants. Be sure to make your way to Pub Bricco to try this burger. Topped with an over-easy egg that explodes yolky goodness all over the bun, this is sure to please. While it lacks the array of toppings found on most gourmet burgers, it most definitely makes up for it in taste and flavor. Simple and delightful, this burger is not to be missed.
In place of the 8-ounce beef patty, you can substitute a chicken breast, turkey burger, veggie burger, grilled salmon, crab cake or two 4-ounce beef sliders.
A must-taste: Salty and greasy — but in a good way — an order of Pub Bricco’s thinly-cut homemade chips are to die for.
The Rail, Akron
Crouching Burger, Hidden Bacon
The fine folks at The Rail in Summit Mall pride themselves on locally sourced beef for their uniquely concocted burgers. These burgers have a certain avant-garde feel, thanks to the “mad-scientist” chefs who create them.
For a sampling of one of their best creations, take a stab at the Crouching Burger, Hidden Bacon — the most original meat creation ever found between two buns. “Sloppy” and “messy” are two words you normally don’t like to hear when it comes to food, but in the case of this burger, you couldn’t have it any other way.
The pork shoulder and bacon make this burger shine but the inclusion of a crispy wonton and The Rail’s special sauce makes this think-outside-of-the-box patty something truly exceptional.
Flip Side, Hudson
Green Eggs and Ham Burger
Nestled in the First & Main shopping area, Flip Side has the makings of all that is holy: Burgers. Craft Beer. Good Vibes. What more could you ask for?
Each Flip Side burger contains a succulent seven ounces of Ohio-raised, premium grass-fed beef. Prepared by the chef at a mid- to mid-well cook, this allows for, as they put it, “the perfect combination of texture, flavor and temperature.” The result? A juicy burger that never gets greasy.
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll order the Green Eggs and Ham Burger. A house sauce made from basil and mayonnaise adds distinction to the burger while the inclusion of a fried egg is a subtle, but effective, addition to the overall taste. Prosciutto and crispy Parmesan add a burst of flavor. The warm spinach is an intriguing substitute for the monotonous lettuce you tend to find on every burger elsewhere. This one is served on a toasted, special recipe brioche sesame-seed bun with lettuce and tomato on the side.
