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We visit Bud's all the time, even though it's a 35+ minute drive. Their burgers are always fresh and juicy, the buns steamed to perfection, and our bellies full on the way out.
The burgers come with what seem to be the sweetest onions this side of the Mississippi and Pickle Chips, Ketchup, Mustard or Mayo on the side, and chips. It's perfect. It's simple. We have been visiting for 2 years now, and will continue... in fact, this week!

A photo of one of their classics can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadydangel/2865720449/

As for "My Brother's Bar" in LoDo, Denver... We tried it based on so many positive reviews, and because it's open till 1 am. The atmosphere was nice, a corner bar fashioned after a London Pub, dark wood, library-esque feeling. The burgers, however, were dry, overpriced, and flavorless. I had ordered bacon on mine, and I have had better bacon at BurgerKing. (In fact, this bacon looked like Burger King bacon, only less cooked.) The 'Novelty' paper wrapping of the burgers, served in a 'tray' with condiments was cute, but did NOT make up for the lack of flavor or quality. The burgers were also close to $12 apiece, versus Bud's Bar's $5. I'd not even recommend "My Brother's Bar" as a last resort at 1 am: You'll find better eats at Taco Bell.

I'd be afraid of what would come back, so I wouldn't send it back, but I would not go back to that restaurant again.

This is a totally academic topic for me, because I generally order a pie, and can't remember the last time I had pizza without at least one non-cheese topping. Maybe that disqualifies my opinion, as a lover of garbage pizza...

I like HeartofGlass's arguments against "cheese slice" and "plain slice", but I've also got a (totally geeky) problem with just "slice". It's just ambiguous from an information theory perspective. For example, if you say "and one slice of pepperoni" over the phone (as part of a larger order, say), it could sound like "and one slice ", if you lost signal for a moment.

"Plain" or "regular" or just "slice" as ways to denote "no toppings" are all fine with me. What bothers me is hearing "a slice of cheese." It seems to me that that implies that cheese counts as a topping, and that there are pizzas without cheese. Granted, I've seen a few things called pizza without cheese, but that's not what we're talking about here; cheese and sauce are integral parts of the pizza, not toppings. "A slice of pepperoni" make sense, as pepperoni is a topping, but "a slice of cheese" does not.

Plain slice all the way...at least in the NYC area. In New England, they have tomato pie - and a plain slice is called a cheese slice. According to the other comments (and with brother, who is sitting next to me and goes to school in Texas) plain slice transcribing to cheese slice seems fairly common in other parts of the country. Maybe due to the prevalence of fast food pizza chains, um, everywhere?

@wrain: There is no "overthinking it" when it comes to pizza here on Slice.

I think I either say just "plain" or just "slice." As in, "Can I get 2 plain" or "Can I get a slice" or something along those lines. I grew up in NY but no longer live there so now I'm probably overthinking it.

@ tdeane How did you manage not to go for their square once in seven years? Did you not know of the place?

Ciao,

Paulie Gee

I call it "a slice". If asked for clarification I say "regular". I'm from the NY side of NJ.

Huh. I've lived in the Bay Area all my life, and here I'd say "lemme get a cheese slice". If you'd asked me what a "regular" slice was 15 minutes ago, I probably would've guessed pepperoni- I don't think straight cheese is a big seller here. I can't think of the last time I had a pizza with less than two toppings.

In slice joints I have always seen just "slice" as in "gimme a slice" or "cheese slice" when it's one of those places with about ten different types of pies available by the slice - in which case I'll ask for "just a cheese slice."

@tdeane When you asked for a slice at Spumoni Gardens, what did the guy at the window say to you?

Ciao,

Paulie Gee