Lucky's Burgers and Brews

Lucky's Burgers and Brews
The Chihuahua

****

I learned many important lessons tonight at Lucky's. #1 always check your camera to make sure you charged the batteries so you don't have to use your cell phone to try to capture the burger's essence.  #2  it's probably not a good idea to try a restaurant out for the first time on the night they are having a food challenge. #3 & most important Do not stand too close to the food challenge or you might get an up close look at the bucket being used. The challenge burger, the Grim Reaper, was a  most impressive burger. 4 lbs of hamburger, 1 lb of bacon, 3 fried eggs, 6 slices of cheese, onion rings and a giant bun. The cheesy tots as a side were just the nail in the coffin. No one was able to finish but a few made impressive progress. It definitely made my 7 oz burger pale in comparison. I must say the sweet potato fries were some of the best I have ever had. Very tasty, crisp and flavorful. The burger was tasty but not as spicy as I expected considering it had chopped green chilis, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise. Maybe it was the homemade guacamole that cooled it down. Either that or the 2 hour wait in the stifling heat would make anything seem cool in comparison. I look forward to trying out the restaurant again when they aren't so busy.

Marlow's Tavern

Marlow's Tavern
Tavern Burger

**

I was really looking forward to trying Marlow's burger. I had heard really good things about it and the sample food they were serving as a teaser before they opened was great. I guess I will have to try the restaurant again when they have been open a little longer, maybe they don't have their sea legs yet. I waited almost 40 minutes for a table but that is the usual for anywhere new in Forsyth county. I liked the way the had redone the inside of the restaurant. You  would never guess it used to be a pizza place. When my burger arrived, it looked good except (of course) they made my medium somewhere closer to hockey puck status. After a few bites, I decided the only flavor on the burger was apparently sealed in the outer layer, almost as if the burger had been dipped in some flavoring or rolled in some type of rub. Maybe they were so busy for opening week that the cook got distracted and dropped it in the grill. There was an odd taste, maybe it was cleaning fluid from the underneath part of the grill. I will come back again fr another try but mostly because I have a coupon.

Miller's Ale House

Miller's Ale House
Build a burger with onions, mushrooms & jalapenos

**

It is a sad burger day when the only thing good you can say about a burger is that they managed to serve it to you at the temperature you requested. I can't say the same for the other burger at our table. When the burger first came, I thought to myself "that is the biggest pile of mushrooms I have ever seen." I then realized that was my burger hidden in there somewhere. Basically it was a taste wasteland buried in onions, mushrooms & jalapenos. I thought it was impossible to mess up sweet potato fries but the dipping sauce that came with it was an unpalatable concoction of what tasted like whipped cream mixed with cinnamon. If you do have to eat here, just order the fries and think about dessert.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Five Guys
Hamburger all the way with jalapenos

***

The best part about a visit to Five Guys is the fries. I could eat the fries until my belly exploded. I always say I should share an order of fries with my dining companion but then I would have to share! The burger itself is less than memorable.  The burger is not very flavorful. I always have to add the jalapenos to have some flavor but I am always full of fries so I don't mind as much. I was going to give blood so I needed to make sure I had lots of yumminess in my tummy to keep my iron levels up so they wouldn't reject me. I fully recommend a beefy burger as prep for a blood letting but try to make it a tastier one so that it is worth it.

Joey D's Oak Room

Joey D's Oak Room
Oak Room burger

**** 1/2

The restaurant itself is very beautiful. Everything oak (I assume) and huge windows, so that it almost felt like we were eating outside. The highlight of the restaurant is their bar. An enormous lighted glass art display that the bartender has to climb a ladder to get the "top shelf" liquor. The kitchen/grill area is an huge glassed in area in the center of the restaurant. You can watch your food being prepared and smell all the delicious options. The waiter informed us that the burger would be charred on the outside to seal in juices. Juicy it was indeed! A great burger, full of flavor. The table was covered in juice that spilled out from the first bite so definitely recommend eating it over the plate. My only regret was not ordering some honey butter croissants. I had a bite of one and it was delicious too but I probably would have to eat my burger without the bun if I ate a plate of croissants as an appetizer.

Village Tavern

Village Tavern
Mustard-Pepper Burger

****

This restaurant is always a treat to visit because of the ambiance. You expect something with tavern in the name to be a little seedy. Instead, everything is very modern looking and you almost feel like you should be in a chalet in the Alps or something. The food is always super delicious. I always like the hot crab dip with little garlic toast points even if you do have horrendous breath afterward. They recently started offering sweet potato fries as a side so you know I am loving that! The fries were crispy, salty and sweet at the same time and I didn't let a single one go to waste. The burger is marinated and covered in black peppercorns with a mustard sauce so it clears the sinuses. That just means you can taste every bite that much better. I have never had enough room for dessert but they have some tasty sounding treats that I hope to try some day.

Zebb's (Take 2)

Zebb's
Jalapeno burger

****

First off, I want to apologize for the slightly blurry picture but that is what happens when you drink 2 large beers before you attempt photography. I really do love this place. It reminds me of a toned down Vortex Grill for families. Same sassy attitude, great burgers but Zebb's definitely tops them with the fresh fries. I couldn't resist and that's why you see very few in the picture. This burger is topped with all of my favorite things in life: Grilled jalapenos, crispy bacon,

sautéed onions, Pepper Jack cheese. If there was a way to throw Brad Pitt in there too, I'd be in heaven! If you are in the area, I highly recommend this place. It has been one of my favorites since high school and you have to be doing something right to be crazy busy with business for that long.

Gentile's

Gentile's
Bruschetta Burger

***

In all the time this restaurant has been around, I always thought it was pronounced "Jen-tiles" like a non Jewish person. Turns out, it is pronounced "jen-teels" or maybe my Mom was just pulling my leg. She has been known to do that. I thought the restaurant was really cute and had cleverly decorated a brick wall with window frames to give the illusion of a possible view.
First off, any restaurant that gives you fruit salad as a side with a burger should be applauded for trying to keep my cholesterol from flying through the roof.  Secondly, it was really delicious fruit and potato salad. I am easy to please, give me meat, give me potatoes and I will smile. The burger was topped with feta cheese & bruschetta (or chopped tomatoes as those of us less civilized call it). The unusual part was that it was served open face on flat bread/pita. I thought the rest was great but the bread was a little too tough and chewy to be enjoyed  but the burger made up for it. We also had some really good bread & dip that has me sneaking back to it. I will have to see what other culinary treasures they can come up with the next time I am in town.

Ted's Montana Grill

Ted's Montana Grill
Avalon burger

****

I had to try this burger because it was the Ted's version of my fave burger from Cafe di Sol with a few tweaks.  Gruyere cheese with a little bit of blue cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, garlic aoli, arugula on an onion bun. Because that wasn't enough onions, I also got a half order of onion rings. Gosh those are giant there! I really enjoyed the burger (and I was glad my purse was well stocked with gum for my breath). It still doesn't hold a candle to my fave but it is much closer and a nice substitute when I don't feel like driving 2 hours.

The Nook

The Nook
Half-Pound Burger classic

***

I was so disappointed when I first got to the restaurant because I had seen the fishbowl drinks on the menu online and been trying to decide which to order for the rest of the day. Little did I know, but they have so much alcohol that legally they can't sell it to just one person. So no fishbowl for me. A fact I was really glad of later when I actually saw one and realized how big they were. The Nook is really proud of their tots but I was not impressed. I'd rather just have a fry then a clump of battered potato but to each their own. The Nook really needs a bigger parking lot. I got there at a ridiculously early time and the lot was full about 30 minutes later. The burger wasn't horrible but it certainly wasn't anything I would go out of my way to order. Next time I am going to be in Piedmont Park I am going to make whoever is with me get a fishbowl just so I can try it. Even if they don't want to drink any of it. They can be my designated drinker. :)

Flavors of Forsyth Fest

Ted's Montana Grill
Bison Burger Slider

 ***

Pretty tasty for a small bite. Definitely the best looking and tasting burger of the festival. That isn't really saying much though. 

Construct-a-burger
Slider with cheese

**

 I had hoped for more but now I know I don't need to waste my time and tummy space going down to the restaurant. Very dull with the only flavor coming from the grill grease.

Back Yard Burger
Slider

*

I think was my biggest disappointment since my tummy used to growl every time I drove by the restaurant picturing a bunch of burgers grilling in someone's backyard. The burger seemed to be a frozen patty and maybe it was just because it was a festival slider but you would think that would be the time to really pull out all stops. Woo people in that hadn't tried it before instead of convincing them there was no need to spend money at the restaurant.

Fannie's on the Beach

Fannie's on the Beach
Burger

***

I know, I know. I should be shot for ordering a burger at the beach. I should be eating fresh seafood which is what they are known for. It's my birthday weekend and I can do whatever I want. Plus I had quite a few of Fannie's really excellent Bloody Mary's. The burger was just ok but I recommend lots of Bloody Mary's while standing on their deck overlooking the ocean and listening to whatever band is playing. If you are hungry order their pizza!

755 Club at Turner Stadium

755 Club at Turner Stadium
755 Burger

***

After my burger the night before I was a little hesitant to order another at the field. However, this was probably my only chance to be at the 755 Club and their burger description sounded good. The $13 burger was definitely better than the $9 burger. You could tell right away it was better quality meat. The fries were dusted with something sweet and were really delicious but I didn't realize under afterward it was a $2 upcharge to get fries instead of chips. Everything was really fresh. The service leaves a LOT to be desired. I am not sure how many tables she was waiting on but I only got 2 glasses of water during an 85 degree day sitting in the sun. I recommend the burger and hopefully you'll get a better waitress.

Turner Stadium concessions

Turner Stadium concession stand
Hamburger

*

I know not to expect anything great from a concession stand. You would think for $9 it would be slightly tastier but then you really can't get too hopeful. I waited in line for 45 minutes to get this burger that really didn't taste like much. At least the lettuce was fresh & crisp. I can mark this one off my list and try something else my next visit to the stadium.

Cafe di Sol (round six)

Cafe di Sol
Andy's burgers

*****

I was worried when I first heard they were changing their name to Cafe 640 that it might affect the food but so far the name change isn't complete but the menu is still all my favorites. Andy's burger is just a mouthful of heaven. I look forward to every visit and I I have even fantasized about getting one of the apartments across the street so I can eat all my meals there. Of course, I would end up looking like the girl in Willie Wonka that gets taken away for dejuicing. As usual, the food was awesome. I savored every bite. I barely could spare a taste for my friend so he could see what he was missing out on. He had been going on about the fish special he was eating until he tried the burger. I think I have created another Cafe di Sol fan. Maybe i can start a fan club. :)

Twisted Taco

Twisted Taco
Fully loaded burger

***

I braved tornado warnings to meet some friends for margaritas and tacos. Once I read the description though, I couldn't resist trying the burger instead. An 8oz Angus beef patty, with Applewood-smoked bacon, mushrooms, American cheese, pepper jack cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. The fries were dusted with seasoning. It was tasty but it wasn't the best burger ever. It was a filling meal, more food than the tiny tacos.

Longhorns

Longhorns
Steakhouse burger

***

Half-pound burger with a  toasted bun, seasoned fries. I had another hard day of hiking before hand and we stumbled into Longhorns because it was the first place we passed. The burger was tasty but it could have just been because I was starving. I usually look down my nose at chain restaurants but they do know how to make something with some good flavor.

Fado's Irish Pub

Fado's Irish Pub
Smithwick's Mini Burger

***

I needed something in my stomach to fully recover from St Patrick's day celebrating. I met some friends for drinks & appetizers at Fado's since it was probably packed to the rafters the night before. Little miniature ale-flavored beef burgers topped with Guinness mayo, pickles, onions and melted cheese were irresistible to me. They turned out to be pretty tasty also. I now know that is a restaurant doesn't have a burger on the menu, I could be happy with their sliders appetizer. Maybe skip the giant bun and eat it like a tasty meatball.

Meehan's Public House

Meehan's Public House

101 Slider

***

A tasty little treat topped with Boursin cheese, tomato jam & pickles, I thought it tasted tangy but never having had Boursin cheese before maybe it was that adding the extra flavor. I would have preferred a real burger but this little mouthful was a good start. I don't get to Meehan's very often so I thought I'd better go for this while I was there. As you can see by the finger for comparison in the picture, it really is just a mouthful.

Cafe di Sol (round 5)

Cafe di Sol
Andy's Burger

*****

Since my mother & grandfather were visiting from out of state, I had to take them to my favorite place. Of course my grandfather thought it was too loud in there but it was just typical background music playing. My family did agree though that the food was super delicious. I was bummed out because they said they had a busy lunch and were out of fries for about an hour so I had macaroni and cheese. it was tasty but I like their little skinny fries better. The burger was, as usual, a work of art. Delicious aioli sliding out the sides while the burger itself is heaven in my mouth. I kept going on about how delicious everything there is, so we decided to split dessert, Grandpa couldn't believe how giant it was. The brownie sundae is another highly recommended item from Cafe di Sol.  I never leave there without rubbing my tummy full of delicious treats.