Another recommendation for "The Counter" (web: thecounterburger.com)... if you can make it to one of their few locations. I was a happy customer in Plano for a few months before I moved. Good meat, not overcooked, and with a wide choice of toppings. I think you'll find it good competition for Red Robin and Ruby Tuesday.
Dude, forget those above, they suck. Seriously though Ruby Tuesday's is the only chain burger that I have eaten that will not only serve it rare, the way meat was intended to be eaten. but it is also Prime. They also have one of the best salad bars I have seen.
If you ever make it out to western Montana try a place in Hamilton called Naps, they will also serve your burger rare. One of the best I have had.
@casmil226 - I agree, Logan's makes a great burger. I think it's the best thing on the menu.
Houston's and J. Alexander's also make delicious burger.
When you survey the remaining restaurants be sure to include Chili's! Chili's has excellent burgers! I can honestly say I've never had a bad burger at Chili's. Unfortunately Ruby Tuesday's depends on the location.........not very consistent between restaurants. I loved the food in Bessemer AL at Ruby Tuesday's but it was HORRIBLE at the one near Loudon TN.........
For fast food, Wendy's seems to be the best. For sit-down dining Chili's is my top pick........
I would try Max & Erma's. I know there are locations in PA but they are worth it. I am picky and while I like Red Robin you can't compare to Max & Erma's. The only other comparison was the Ground Round back in the day when they had like a WinSchulers soft cheese topping. They stopped doing it back in the late 70's and after trying them twice after the change I never would go back.
http://www.maxandermas.com/menu/default.aspx?category=Burgers
I don't know if there is one nearby, but oddly enough I think Logan's Roadhouse (it's a steakhouse) has excellent burgers. Ofcourse I don't think they would cook it MR, but I think they still kick toosh.
Please take time to review Fuddruckers. I am very picky about my burgers, and they have the best of all the national chains I've tried. You gotta love a place that actually offers a full one pound burger patty!
I too recommend Fuddruckers. I am not sure if this franchise is back east but Hamburger Hamlet is also a Red Robin level burger place.
I think its also important to add that at Red Robin you can order your burger Protein Style. They serve this as a low carb option (no bun wrapped in lettuce) and with a salad instead of fries.
I'm not entirely sure if there are other locations outside of california, but there are at least a couple lin the bay area It's called Kirk's Steakburgers. They have the most tender hamburgers i've ever eaten, and you only recieve the patty and the bun from the cook. You get to choose from a variety of sauces and condiments to put on your burger yourself.
I've been in Texas for 2 years and apparently a great Texas burger is a very thin, wide, well-done cooked piece of meat, and sometimes topped with tostadas or beans, etc (man, that's funny!)...definitely not my "thing". However, even though MOST of the folks in Texas don't seem to know much about great burgers (for god's sake Whataburger is the most popular burger chain here and they are awful). There is a really good local place that just opened up calleD BIGZ Burger Joint. Although most locals will slam the place because it's owned by a popular local gourmet chef and it caters to the local Hummer yuppie crowd, the burgers here are thick (each patty is 8 oz), cooked perfectly as a burger should be just as the menu says "with a little pink inside unless requested otherwise" , juicy and very, very tasty. It actually gives Fuddruckers, which is by far and away one of the best burgers you can get ANYWHERE, a run for its money.
Although I can't endorse Steak 'n Shake (I've tried them at two locations and they were average burgers to me), I do give a thumbs-up to Fuddrucker's. Several people mentioned that they used to be better (I agree) but they still can make a good burger.
One place I haven't seen mentioned is a chain that's mainly in the South (but expanding) called Backyard Burgers. I've been to two locations and one is better than the other but both offer a tasty burger. They use Angus beef and the toppings are always fresh. A regular cheeseburger is delicious but you can also get a 'Black and Blue' burger that has a blue cheese topping or a portobello and Swiss burger that is excellent. They have a website with pics of some of their offerings. Just search 'Backyard Burgers' and you'll find it. They have other menu offerings that aren't included on the website.
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