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.

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!

Zebb's

Zebb's
3/4 lb "Two Fisted" Burger

****

This is the restaurant that gave me a love for burgers. It's like a classic old diner in appearance but they give you large delicious portions. It is reminiscent of Fuddruckers in that you can add your own toppings or get a burger already made up for you. I went for their biggest burger and then added a giant scoop of jalapenos, onions and pico de gallo. The fresh cut fries just add to the yumminess of the place. For dessert we had a giant hot apple rush and they brought us 3 spoons. My grandfather was so cute because he had never ordered a burger in a restaurant before and was grumbling about all the choices and the price until he bit into it. This is no McDonald's burger!!!

Dinosaur BBQ

Dinosaur BBQ
Diablo burger

****

A legend, I had to eat here when I was back in Syracuse and I wanted to complete the Man vs Food circuit (Dinoasaur BBQ, Heids & Mother's Cupboard) while I was home. The diablo burger sounds a little scary but it is very tasty and not too hot. It is more of a cajun burn and diablo sauce is good even for the spice wimpy. The mac & cheese was to die for and carrot raisin salad was a really tasty alternative side. While you are eating you can't help but notice the many dinosaur paintings throughout the restaurant. Parking is a lil rough but luckily my sister is an aggressive parker. They are spreading out across the Northeast so if  you have a chance to stop in or get some take out it is highly recommended.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes Black Angus burger
Sloppy Joes

**

I don't think I would have picked this restaurant if my friends hadn't all decided to meet there. A half pound of black Angus burger with mushrooms, jack cheese and red onions with sweet potato fries. I couldn't believe how anything that looked so tasty could have so little taste. I do have to give our waiter big props since we had about 50 people in our party & he managed to keep everything straight and brought out in a timely manner.

Kuma's Corner

Plague Bringer burger
Kuma's Corner

*****

I had read lots of good things about this place so I knew I couldn't miss out. The outside is so cute, it is on the corner of a building so I assume that's where the name came from. Inside there is heavy metal playing and lots of unique art both on the walls, the waitresses and the patrons. The beer list was as unique as the burgers so I had a hard time choosing. I finally decided on the J.K. Scrumpy's hard cider which not only sounded tasty but came in a 22 oz bottle. I decided on the Plague Bringer burger because it sounded delicious and I didn't have to worry about kissing any time in the near future. I knew ahead of time these were 10 oz burgers but I think it is 10 oz after cooking as compared with everyone else's measurements before cooking. I watched customer after customer have to box up the remainder of their burger but I knew I could handle it. Plus I had crappy food the night before so I was dying for something tasty. The couple sitting next to me said they were there from Iowa and never missed it when they were in town and actually knew Plague Bringer and had eaten their burger with them. It must be a good burger if the band it's named after approves of it. My mountainous burger arrived on a unique pretzel bun with waffle fries. Roasted garlic mayo, tortilla strips, hot sauce, fresh garlic, pepper jack, and sliced jalapenos were piled up high on it. I took a few bites as I rotated my burger, like an ice cream cone trying to get to the goodies inside. Tortilla chips were flying everywhere and jalapenos kept trying to escape. Even without all the yumminess on top, the burger itself was really delicious. I luxuriated in my burger and Scrumpy's for about 2 hrs before I decided that I could use the 6 block walk to the subway to be able to buckle my pants. Definitely a can't miss if I have to go back to Chicago.

Bandera

Cheeseburger

Bandera

***

This restaurant had come highly recommended plus it was close by my hotel so I set out to try it. First of all, I have definitely inherited my mother's sense of direction because I walked several blocks in the wrong direction before I realized the numbers were getting bigger instead of smaller. I turned around and headed back the correct direction but when I got to the address there was a private condo. I walked passed it and double checked the address. I went back and stood in front of the condo again and finally went in and asked the concierge, turns out there was more than one 535. I go back 2 doors and there is still no sign but 2 skinny doors leading to an escalator and a fur company. At the top of the stairs I finally find Bandera and decide they are going to for the chic word of mouth thing and not counting on people just popping in. I sit down at the bar as a jazz band starts playing behind me. I was surprised when the burger came out because I have never had a burger cut into 3 pieces before. It was sweet and tasty, I almost expected it to be a horror movie and them to come out and tell me I was eating Aunt Sue or something. It was tasty and enjoyable and the atmosphere made me feel like I was a hip big city girl.

Johnny Rockets

Double Rocket burger

Johnny Rockets

**.5

Decided to try to brave a burger now that my tummy was feeling better. I almost chickened out and ordered the soy burger but I figured if I was going to chicken out, better to do it in a city far away. At the Chicago airport they give you a beeper to notify you when your burger is ready. I waited in anticipation not only to try this new burger but to see if I could ever stomach a burger again. I loved the fresh onion on it but the burger was so greasy. I only slightly enjoyed it but I was glad to see I could go back to enjoying goood burgers again soon.

Ram Restaurant and Brewery

BeHemoth burger challenge
Ram Restaurant and Brewery

****.5

I had researched restaurants to check out before I went to Chicago and the Ram sounded good before I discovered the BeHemoth challenge. The menu just said "5+ pound burger, bursting with too many toppings to mention and all the fix'ns in one sitting." I thought to myself- "I think I have had at least a 2 lb burger no problem, I can do this." Then the burger actually came. It was bigger than my head! Plus it wasn't just 3 pounds of burger, it also had mayo, Anaheim pepper straws, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, Havarti, country ham, lettuce, pickle chips, sauteed mushrooms, hickory smoked bacon, mustard, corned beef, American cheese and tomato plus I had to eat the fries. I decided the best plan of attack was to hack away at it with my knife to make bite size pieces. I had actually eaten almost 2/3 of the burger in the first 30 minutes when I hit the meat wall. I spent the next 90 minutes being cheered on by family and fellow restaurant goers. Of course the last thing in the world I wanted to do was take another bite. Finally, I was able to swallow that killer last bite. I decided I might not ever want another burger. Turns out I was the first female EVER to eat the entire thing and only the 81st person chain wide to finish! Of course I walked around looking pregnant for the next 2 days & couldn't even bare the thought of red meat.

Westin O'Hare Benchmark Restaurant

Bacon Cheese burger
Westin Benchmark Restaurant

****

My first thought was wow, that's the biggest pickle I ever saw. I was quickly disappointed though because the pickle wasn't crisp & tasty, it was soft & floppy. My grandfather couldn't figure out how to get his in his mouth, little did I know but this was foreshadowing of the burger to come. It was actually a really delicious burger but for $16 a bit pricey. It is a high class hotel & a restaurant there is always going to be really expensive. If you find yourself staying there and don't feel like walking then you'll really enjoy this tasty treat, you just might have to take a loan out first.