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Health & Fitness

The Best Burgers

A list of the best burgers in our area. Did your favorite make the cut?

I’ve assembled a list of my favorite burgers in our general area.  A justification for all the burger joints I’ve been frequenting?  Perhaps.  Let’s just call it research.  Here’s the results, broken down into two categories and listed in alphabetical order.  These are my top four of each.  Why only four?  I don’t know.  Maybe I need to do some more research…

Fast Food Type

5 Guys Burger and Fries – Voted Zagat’s best burger two years running.  And for good reason.  You have a bit of a drive as Renton is currently the closest location but new stores are opening soon in Lakewood and Puyallup.  Whew, that will save us some time and gas money!  They keep it simple with just burgers, hot dogs, and fries.  Build your masterpiece from the extensive list of toppings…all free.  The fries are fresh cut from the bags of potatoes stacked around the lobby.  The regular size fries are enough to feed 2-3 people.  All-you-can-eat peanuts while you wait in line are a nice touch.

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– Bonus points for being here in Gig Harbor.  Or is it Purdy?  Whatever.  It’s the closest one on my fast food list.  I’ve only been here twice but both times found it to be a good solid drive-in style burger at a decent price.  Sometimes I just crave a burger like this.  The fries were nice and crispy.  I recommend a side of tartar sauce, an extra charge but worth it.  We haven’t tried the milkshakes but it looks like the kind of place that would have a good one.  The décor is pretty plain but it’s clean.  Or just get your food to-go and head down to the beach area on the Purdy Spit if you want a great view.

Patty’s Burgers and Milkshakes – That Patty must be a sweet girl (you gotta be a fan of my favorite movie to get that one!)  Well, she can make a mean burger, anyway.  I love the burgers almost as much as the 50’s-on-steroids décor in this place.  Every time we come here we see at least one person tackling the gigantic 7 patty Cake Burger that is the size of, well, a cake!  The drinks come in huge frosty mugs and the milkshakes are delicious.  They have an extensive menu but I haven’t had any desire to stray from the burgers.

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Pick-Quick – Hands down, this is my family’s favorite.  There is always a huge line, no matter what time of day you get there.  That’s speaks volumes.  The burgers and fries are excellent and they have the biggest milkshake flavor selection around that I’m aware of.  My daughter loves the chili cheese fries and I think they have excellent homemade potato salad.  There is outdoor picnic table seating at the Fife location, the only one I’ve been to.  They are closed for December and January and accept cash only.

Gourmet Type

Blazing Onion Burger Company – So many choices…everything from a classic All-American Cheeseburger to an exotic Thai Peanut Burger.  I went through a period of trying a new burger each time I went but have now settled on the Turkey Burger.  It’s well seasoned and surprisingly moist…not your average turkey burger!  You can sub the turkey patty, chicken breast, or veggie patty on any of the specialty burgers.  The bottomless fries are excellent but I recommend the sweet potato fries or the onion rings.  And don’t forget a side of the BOB sauce for dipping.

– I’ve mentioned them a time or two in but this one’s worth repeating.  If you’re looking for something that’s not on a bun, this isn’t the place for you.  But for the rest of us, this little hole-in-the-wall place with an odd seating arrangement is burger nirvana.  Fresh baked buns shipped from across the street (really!) nicely complement the freshly ground beef.  The Gorgonzola Avocado Burger is my personal favorite.  You have to try the beet chips.  Luckily, they have samples available before you commit to a whole basket of them.  If these aren’t your style, they have wonderful shoestring fries with herb seasoning.  Chicken burger and portabella mushroom options for non-red meat lovers.   

Leonard K’s Boat House Restaurant and Lounge – Located in the adorable town of Allyn, Leonard K’s has an adequate burger selection on their menu but it’s the Kobe Beef Sliders with grilled red onions and cheddar cheese that make me flip.  Three little tasty sliders with a side of crispy fries for $8.99.  Not too shabby.  No extra charge for the incredible waterfront view.

 – And speaking of great views, the Tides Tavern is the place to go when you don’t have kids in tow.  All of their Tides Burgers are available with the option of substituting a patty of PALMS Ranch beef.  Grass fed, organic, and local (as in Gig Harbor!) beef for just $1.50 more.  Do it!  You can taste the difference.  Unless you order the St. Louis burger.  Than you just taste the aggressive bleu cheese.  I’m not a fan of the thick steak fries.  Nothing personal, I don’t like that style.  I get a side salad with creamy homemade Thousand Island dressing and I’m happy. 

Did I forget your favorite burger?  Or maybe I left it off deliberately!  Leave a comment about your favorite burger destination and make a case for why it should have made my list.

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