Showing posts with label cheeseburger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheeseburger. Show all posts

5/02/2013

Cheddars Restaurant - Boardman Ohio

Cheddars - Boardman Ohio (CLOSED)
Patty and I decided to try Cheddar's Casual Cafe, the new restaurant in Boardman, Ohio. (It's in the Southern Park Mall parking lot next to Chilli's) The parking area was full so we thought we would be in for a wait. We were wrong. The restaurant is like Doctor Who's Police Call Box, it is much bigger on the inside.

We were seated right away and our waiter Eric took our drink order right away. Just a few minutes and our drinks, (Mine was a Coke Zero) were on our table.

Since it was our first time there, I opted for several simple things. I went with the Southern fried chicken tenders as an appetizer and the bacon cheeseburger as the main meal.

Cheddars Chicken Strips
The appetizer was delivered quickly to our table, within minutes. The chicken was good, crisp, and enough. The fries were an added bonus.


Cheddars Bacon Cheeseburger
On entre's were also delivered in good time. The bacon cheeseburger was big, a half pound of beef, well done, with 4 full slices of bacon, melted cheese, and a very fresh bun. Fries again completed the meal. The burger was very good. Very tasty, juicy, especially with the added fries to the top of the burger.

The cost was low, 15 bucks without tip.

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 4.25 out of 5 shots and recommends Cheddar's for dinner.



LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

7/26/2012

Davidsons Restaurant Bacon Cheeseburger

Davidson's Restaurant - Austintown, Ohio
From the looks of the restaurant, it appears small on the outside but once you walk inside, there are plenty of rooms with many a tables. Don't be concerned if the parking lot is full, there will be a table for you inside.

This evening I was intrigued by one of the appetizers, the "Mini Corndogs." Yes, corndogs! There were 10 of them, dipped in batter and browned to a nice crunch. I was surprised at how good they were.


My main course was the half pound bacon cheeseburger with fair fries. The burger was well done as specified, the bun fresh, the cheese melted and thank goodness the bacon was cooked. (I hate when I order a bacon cheeseburger and there is soggy uncooked bacon on top) The burger was delicious.


The fries to my surprise, were fantastic. I am in search of the elusive "Idora Park" french fry taste and this night was the closest I came. On a Idora Park scale of 1 to 10, these fries were a 9. The texture, the taste, the look, feel, the presentation, all Idora Park like. Only thing missing was the white paper cone holder that Idora fries came in.

Completing the meal was a slice of cheesecake topped with strawberries. It was very good and ended the meal on a high note.


The reason for 4 stars and not 5, the service is a tad lacking. No offense to the wait staff, they are working hard, but they are spread to thin. Our waitress was covering an entire room, which was to much for one to handle. Management needs to add more help.

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Davidson's for dinner.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

12/30/2011

Youngstown - A&W Restaurant Last Meal


A&W Restaurant
A&W Family Restaurant located on Route 224 and West Boulevard is closing tomorrow. The details are sketchy but apparently the owners wanted to retire and attempted to sell the business but there were no takers. So, on December 31st, 2011, A&W will serve it's last mug of root beer and close it's doors for good. I believe Advanced Auto Parts purchased the property and will begin building shortly after the new year.

A&W was one of those old fashioned fast food restaurants. So old fashioned that they had car ports and waitresses would come out to your car and take your order and bring it out on a tray and attach it to your car window. Just like at Arnold's from the Happy Days television sitcom. The car ports are still there but alas, that type of service was discontinued a long time ago.

However, I remember back in my teens I would take my 68 Camaro to A&W and order up some cheeseburgers and root beer floats. The food was good as fast food goes, and the root beer was unique, a very good blend. Those were the days. But those days are gone my friends.

Patty and I went inside to order, it was not busy, perhaps 10 people sitting in the booths and two people ahead of us in line. We placed our order, I went with the double cheeseburger special. (A double cheeseburger and Root Beer for $3.49) I added a large order of french fries ($1.99) to complete my last meal at A&W.

Cheeseburger And Fries
Our meal took about five minutes to be ready and we took the tray of food to our table. As I unwrapped the cheeseburger, it didn't look at all like the A&W burgers from old. The bun was a generic bun, you can see the powder on the top of the bun. It was not buttered, not toasted, not warmed, just a plain old generic small bun. The burgers were also small, not at all as I remembered. And the taste, well, it was nasty. I liken the taste to horse meat. Patty told me to keep my voice down as I was ranting about the terrible taste. I replied, "What are they going to do, close the place down!" I choked down half the burger and left the rest in the wrapper.

I had hope for the fries. Alas, they were simple standard generic fries. No real taste to them and salty as all hell. And for $1.99 I was expecting perhaps a little more fries.

A&W Root Beer
Perhaps the root beer would be better than the meal. After all, the root beer is what made the restaurant favorite. I remember the tall thick frosty mugs they used to serve for in dining orders. That root beer just tasted fantastic. Not today's however. It was in a paper cup, and was flat and stale. No fizzle, no taste. I would think it was perhaps the worst soft drink I had the displeasure of tasting.

That was strike three for me. Patty however, said the chili dog was excellent so we have that.

Perhaps the restaurant was merely unloading what was buried back in their freezer long ago. (They never did find Jimmy Hoffa's body you know) Perhaps they didn't want to change the CO2 tanks in the soft drink machine. Who knows. Who really cares anymore. The place will be open only another 24 hours or so.

With heavy heart, because I really wanted A&W to go out of business on a high note, The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 1 out of 5 shots for the final meal at A&W Family Restaurant in Boardman, Ohio.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

11/28/2011

Metro Grill - Cheeseburger And Fries


Crowne plaza metro grill cheeseburger
Metro Grille - Chicago

I was in town during the Transworld Halloween show was in Chicago and made my hotel reservation with the Crowne Plaza. The Plaza is just a five minute walk to the convention center where the show is housed. Winning! Being in a suburb of Chicago and without a car, the dining experience was limited. The first night I opted for the hotel restaurant, the Metro Grille.
The restaurant was not crowded when we walked in. I recall perhaps ten people dining. Perhaps this wasn’t a wise choice. The hostess seated right away and brought us some water. A few minutes later our waitress took our order.
metro grill cheeseburger
Cheeseburger And Fries
I went with a safe bet, a bacon cheeseburger and fries and a diet Coke. Like Indiana Jones, I choose wisely.
In about ten minutes my order was delivered to our table.
As you can see, it was a bacon cheeseburger. Upon further inspection, I noticed the bacon was not cooked completely. It was still fatty and greasy. I could overlook that if the rest of the burger was alright. A quick glance to my left to survey the french fries, which were well cooked and standard tasting, but seriously, if you can count the fries on your plate, the portion is small.
To the burger itself. The bun was fresh, lightly buttered and toasted. The beef was well cooked, well done as I specified. It was juicy with good flavor and the cheese melted added that extra touch. It wasn’t a big burger, certainly no half pounder, perhaps a little larger than a quarter pound, but no more. Nothing special, nothing terrible, just a typical burger.
The cost of this feast was $15 dollars without tip. Let’s see, uncooked bacon for a topping, a scant amount of french fries, a less than average size burger, for $15 dollars. It should have been set at around $10 dollars, no more.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.25 out of 5 shots and only recommends Metro Grille Chicago for dinner for it’s convenience and proximity to my hotel. If you have a car, take the ride to plenty more options.

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

10/11/2011

Cheeseburger In Paradise - Orlando


Not Wasting Away
During Spring Break, Patrick, the Lead Scientist ventured to a warmer climate to soak up the suns rays and investigate several conspiracy theories the Grassy Knoll Institute is working on.

Patrick found himself at Universal Theme Park (Of course he was hard at work chasing down a hot lead concerning Amanda Bynes and thong underwear, or lack thereof)
I Like Mine With...
After a very thorough investigation, Patrick stopped for dinner at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville located inside the theme park. Although the restaurant was busy, it was not crowded and was seated right away. The waiter came over promptly and took their orders.

Of course, Patrick ordered the famous Cheeseburger In Paradise, well done, with fries on the side. A very short wait and the sensuous treat on a big old bun was brought to the table.

The burger was cooked perfect, just exactly as asked. the cheese melted but not sloppy. The tomato and lettuce were crisp and fresh, and the bun warm and toasty. Fries were an after thought, but could stand alone as they were well cooked and plentiful.

The Grassy Knoll Diner awards the cheeseburger in paradise 4.5 shots out of 5 for Margaritaville in Orlando, Florida for dinner.

I'll leave you with the lyrics to Jimmy Buffett's famous tune, cheeseburger In Paradise.

Tried to amend my carnivorous habits,
Made it nearly seventy days.
Losing weight without speed, eating sunflower seeds,
Drinking lots of carrot juice and soaking up rays.


But at night I'd have these wonderful dreams,
Some kind of sensuous treat.
Not zucchini, fettucini or bulgur wheat,
But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat.


Cheeseburger is paradise.
Heaven on earth with an onion slice.
Not too particular, not too precise.
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise.


I like mine with lettuce and tomato,
Heinz Fifty-seven and French fried potatoes.
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer.
Well, good God Almighty, which way do I steer,
For my cheeseburger in paradise.


Heard about the old time sailor men,
They eat the same thing again and again.
Warm beer and bread they say could raise the dead,
Well, it reminds me of the menu at a Holiday Inn.


But times have changed for sailors these days,
When I'm in port I get what I need.
Not just Havanas or banana or daiquiris,
But that American creation on which I feed.


Cheeseburger is paradise,
Medium rare with mustard be nice.
Not too particular, not too precise,
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise.


I like mine with lettuce and tomato,
Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes.
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer,
Well, good god Almighty which way do I steer.


For a cheeseburger in paradise,
Making the best of every virtue and vice.
Worth every damn bit of sacrifice,
To get a cheeseburger in paradise.
To be a cheeseburger in paradise.
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise.



LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL


Responses to “Cheeseburger In Paradise”


  1. Max Jackl said

    Looks tasty, a little lacking on lettuce, but good looking.

  2. Gumby said

    Buffett gone commercial. When will the insanity end?

  3. Jack Sparrow said

    It’s my favorite place when I’m in port.

  4. Aintgotno said

    every time i visit this blog i have to go get a snack

  5. Contessa Confessa said

    The pic of the margarita is what I want to see… ;)

  6. Anderson said

    I like fried onion rings as a topping, crunchy onion rings. Thats a cheesebueger in paradise.

  7. 808stevan said

    True fact: Jimmy didn’t go commercial at first. A couple of saavy ladies and a dude opened a burger joint on Maui called “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. It opened right on Front Street in Old Lahaina town. It is a very successful and reputable business (amidst many a food poisoning claim). The menu features big burgers, but none that look as good as the picture in this blog from Margaritaville. Anyhoo, they also featured a continuous soundtrack booming the CB-Paradise song about every tenth song or so. This place is so busy, I know a Wairess there who sells about $400,000 worth every year. She makes about as much $$$ as the Mayor of the island. Infact, everyone hits a similar mark in the 20 or so wait help that run the place. A big success, but they had to settle a suit filed against them by the Buff master himself to cease and desist use of his trademark sing. An out of court settlement, rumoured to be in the millions came forth and this led to Jimmy’s folks to wonder,”Why don’t we open our own burger joints?”Which they did, however, they unfortunately could not use the name Cheeseburger in Paradise because they had already licensed the name in that aforementioned settlement.

10/02/2011

House Of Blues Restaurant - Bacon Cheeseburger

Blues Menu
Walking the streets of Houston, we happened upon the House of Blues restaurant. Of course, we had to sample the food there. We entered and we were seated quite quickly. I noticed how dark it was. Ambient lighting I guess, but damn, it was dark.
The Mood
So there we are, at our table, sitting in the dark, and 20 minutes pass by until our waitress comes to our table. She asked if we were ready to place our order. Seriously! I took a look around, and there were only four tables with people at them. We were close to walking out a minute before our waitress appeared. We placed our orders reluctantly and hoped for the best.
A Blues Bacon Cheeseburger
Another 20 minutes went by and finally our order was brought to our table. (Perhaps with it being so damn dark in the restaurant the waitress couldn't find us) Sorry for the dark photo of the cheeseburger, but it was so dark.

Anyway, the burger was well cooked, the bun was fresh and not soggy, the cheese melted, and two hearty strips of cooked bacon topped the burger. Tomato, lettuce, onion, and pickles were on the side. The taste was good. Not great, not bad, but as burgers went, it was good. The french fries were plenty, cut thin, well cooked, and hot. They were good. If only the service was there, it would have been a pleasant experience. However, customer service is a big part of the dining experience.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2 out of 5 shots and Does Not Recommend Houston House Of Blues for dinner. The food was good, the service was lousy. there is no excuse for that.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

9/30/2011

Eddie’s Grill - Cheeseburger- Take Out - Geneva

Iconic Eddie's Grill
Eddie's Grill is a classic iconic restaurant located at Geneva On The Lake, in Ohio. Established in 1950, Eddie's Grill is a traditional lunch and dinner stop for thousands of returning patrons, young and old. Eddie's captured the 1950's diner mystique and hasn't changed in all the years I have been eating there. Which is about 45 years now. Anyway, on to the food critique.
Eddie's Grill Take Out Service
Last Friday Eddie's was packed, (SRO) so we decided to get take out instead of waiting an hour for a table inside. There are some nice park benches and picnic tables just across the street so we would be fine.

As you can see, I ordered the cheeseburger and fries. The cost was $6.05 which isn't bad, not great, but not bad. The cheeseburger was hot, fresh, and very tasty. The patty was of course styled old school, meaning that the patty was smashed down on the grill instead of the pre-made pre-formed patties at most burger joints. The bun was fresh, sesame seeded and not soggy. The french fries were hot, well cooked, and tasted good.

I talked to a few patrons while standing in line and everyone of them said they have been coming to Eddie's Grill for years. Every time they come to Geneva-On-The-Lake they make sure to stop at Eddie's for lunch and or dinner. Now that is a testimonial.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Eddies Grill at Geneva On The Lake for lunch and dinner.



LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

9/28/2011

Steak N Shake - Cheeseburger And Fries

Steak N Shake Double Cheeseburger
Steak N Shake Double Cheeseburger
About 15 years ago there was a fast food restaurant in Boardman, Ohio called G.D. Ritzys. It reminded me of another old time restaurant open in the 1960's and 70's, Mister Wheelers. Both Ritzys and Wheelers had some fantastic cheeseburgers and unique french fries. Steak N Shake is close to these restaurants.

I pulled in to the parking lot and found myself inside Steak N Shake. I took a seat at the counter and the waitress took my order almost immediately. Of course, I ordered the double cheeseburger and fries.

From my vantage point at the counter, I watched the grill boy take two balls of hamburger and slap it on the grill. Using his spatula he smashed them into very thin patties. A couple minutes later he flipped them over and placed a slice of cheese on top of each patty. It looked just as Ritzys and Wheelers burgers looked. A minute later, my fries were being shuffled into a cardboard box and my burger was being wrapped in a paper sack. (A good omen indeed) I paid the cashier, cost was just under $6 dollars which included a drink and drove home.

The cheeseburger was hot, well cooked, the bun fresh and not soggy, and the cheese melted. The taste was one of the best fast food burgers on the market today. They call it a steak burger, but they are all hamburger meat. The burger was juicy and tasted very good. The show string fries were plentiful, more than i anticipated, well cooked, a little salty, but very good tasting. This meal brought back memories of the old Mister Wheelers restaurant from so long ago.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends  Steak N Shake double cheeseburger for lunch and dinner.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

7/24/2011

Bob Evans Bacon Cheeseburger

Bob Evans Take Out Cheeseburger
Bob Evans Take Out Cheeseburger
Just the other day I was at Steamers restaurant and had one of the best tasting cheeseburgers I have ever had. Tempting my luck, I ordered the same at Bob Evans restaurant in Youngstown yesterday.

The service was great, the waitress kind, fast, and courteous and my cheeseburger was brought out right on time. Did I mention it was take out?

So I get home and unwrap my bacon cheeseburger with fries. The burger was hot, there was bacon, and cheese, and the burger was a half pound of beef. Then I picked it up.

The bun was soggy. Not a little, but if it were a sponge, you could wring it out. Inspecting the bacon, there were two slices, and it was half cooked at best. The cheese was melted and the burger well cooked. However, upon first bite, my expectations were quashed.

I wouldn't say the taste was horrendous, but it wasn't good at all. If you ever held a hockey puck, this had the same texture, hard, round, and tasteless. Even adding fries to the top of the burger couldn't help mask the taste. Perhaps the fries would assist in this meal.
Bob Evans Fries
Bob Evans Fries
As you can see, there were not a lot of french fries with the order. For 10 dollars, I was expecting more fries. Also note the one piece of bacon hanging on the left side. The fries were hot, not soggy, not crisp, but just OK. The taste was adequate as fries go. Nothing bad, just OK. 

The take out order was packed in a white xardboard box and the burger was inside and wrapped in a foil wrapper. The fries was strewn on the bottom.

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 2 out of 5 shots and does not recommend Bob Evans cheeseburger for dinner.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

7/09/2011

Perhaps The Worlds Best Cheeseburger

Steamers Stonewall Tavern Menu
Steamers Stonewall Tavern Menu
Patty and I visit Steamers Stone Wall Tavern often. I usually opt for the Filet or the Chicken Parm as both are excellent choices. However, tonight I felt like something different.
Steamers Rolls
Although it was semi crowded, we were seated immediately and our drink order was taken. Fresh home made rolls with plenty of butter were brought to our table. The rolls were hot, fresh, and home made. They were delicious. The rolls were a new recipe as previous dinners had standard fare rolls.
Steamers Tavern Loaded Potato Skins
Steamers Loaded Potato Skins
As an appetizer, I ordered the loaded potato wedges. Four wedges of baked potato loaded with melted cheese and bacon bits. As potato wedges go, these were standard fare. Plenty of cheese, enough bacon, and they were baked just right. i hate when they are burnt and become brittle.
Perhaps The Best Cheeseburger
Perhaps The Best Cheeseburger
This is perhaps the best cheeseburger I have tasted. And believe me, I have had a cheeseburger or two hundred. Steamers began with a half pound premium Angus beef. I selected mine well done, and it was cooked perfectly. I added American cheese and bacon as additions. The bun was big, fresh, and like the rolls, home made. I ordered french fries as a side but also as a secret topping.

Ever since I was a little kid, and we’re talking 45 years ago, I have been adding french fries to my hamburgers. (Some people know this as the Big Pittsburgh) Let it be McDonalds, Burger King, Mr. Wheelers, Burger Chef, Eddie’s Grill, Old Firehouse Winery, etc, etc. French fries complete the burger ensemble. I suggest you try this concoction on your next burger, it will be worth it. I guarantee it.

Like I was saying, this cheeseburger was the perfect storm. The taste was excellent, hot juicy, the fries doing their job combining with the bun and meat to add that extra flavor to put it over the top. The cost was $8.25 for the burger, $6.00 for the loaded potatoes, $2.00 for the side of fries, $2.00 for the diet Pepsi. $18.25 without tip.

After this entry, I must now re-evaluate the top burger choices in the near future. I will keep you posted.

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 5 out of 5 shots and recommends the Steamers Cheeseburger for dinner.
               


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1/05/2011

Lemon Grove Cafe - Youngstown - Take Out Order

Lemon Grove Take Out Cheeseburger
Lemon Grove Take Out Cheeseburger
The Lemon Grove Cafe
122 W Federal Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 744-7683
A restaurant is only as good as its service. In Youngstown Ohio, the Lemon Grove Cafe is centrally located in downtown, perfect for local business employees to flock for lunch and take out. However, customers beware when you order take out.
Joe Pesci said it best, “They’ll fuck you at the drive through.”
Back in the middle of December, we decided to try a new place, the Lemon Grove Cafe. Being that we were busy for the Christmas holiday, we ordered take-out. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, which came with one side, so I opted for the extreme chicken soup. I really had no choice, fries or chips were not an option.
We went and got our order and returned to work. I opened my white styrofoam container that held my lunch. As you can see, there was no cheese. A simple order and they cannot get that correct. Just imagine if I had ordered something special.
The cost of this feast was $7.50 including the side of soup. The price was adequate if the order would have been correct and packed right.
The burger was a half pound of beef, Catullo beef, a local meat supplier. It was adequate. It was well cooked. The taste was ok. The bun was a tad soggy, perhaps from the cup of soup that was leaking all over the container. The bacon was two strips, but alas, uncooked as you can see.
(Perhaps they could have wrapped the burger in foil knowing that a thin strip of saran wrap over the cup of soup would certainly spill on a car ride to avoid the burger from being soggy.)
The soup, called extreme chicken soup. Where to begin. First, the container needs help. Almost a quarter of the soup spilled out from under the saran wrap soaking the bun of the burger.
Second, the soup itself. No noodles, a few chunks of potato, carrots, celery, onions, and a couple slivers of chicken. Standard fare at best. Certainly not extreme. It may have been more, but alas the soup had spilled over the container and made a mess.
My first impression of Lemon Grove Cafe, well, the name says it all. Lemon. Even if they hadn’t made the mistake of an incorrect take out order, the meal was a little high priced for what you got. Seriously, no fries available with a burger, only soup or a salad? WTF!
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.25 out of 5 shots and at this time does not recommend Lemon Grove Cafe for lunch or dinner.
Perhaps in the near future I will return and allow a second chance. Time will tell.

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

11/14/2010

Old Firehouse Winery - Cheeseburger And Fries

Old Firehouse Menu
We decided to go to Geneva on Wednesday September 1st for one last hurrah for the Summer. I placed a call to Time Square restaurant to make sure they would be open knowing that most of the work force on the strip had went back to school. They assured me they would be open at 10 am and close later that evening. Into the car we went for the 90 minute drive. The photo below is what we found when we arrived. Time Square Restaurant was boarded up and closed. Apparently for the rest of the year.



Blatant Liars
The bastards lied to us. However, the Grassy Knoll Diner always has a contingency plan. Right down the corner is the Old Firehouse Winery and Restaurant. We knew they were open. They stay true to their word.
Old Firehouse Winery Cheeseburger
We made the short trek to the winery and found the restaurant open of course. Martina was our waitress and spoke perfect Russian. And pretty good English as well. She brought us menu's immediately and took our orders. I selected the "Zippo" cheeseburger. A half pound of pure ground beef, American cheese, chips and salsa. In less than ten minutes our order was delivered to our table. The cost was $8.25

The cheeseburger was cooked to perfection. The bun was fresh and warm. The taste was excellent. The beef had a unique taste and combined with the cheese and bun, it was high on the list for cheeseburger lore. I had a few chips because I also ordered the french fries.
Idora Park Worthy Fries
I also ordered a side of fresh cut french fries. The cost was $3.95 and let me tell you, they were well worth it. As you can see, the basket of fries were plentiful. They were well cooked, hot and crunchy, not burnt or soggy. I am always in search for the elusive Idora Park french fries and the Old Firehouse Winery came very close. They are the best fries on the Geneva On The lake strip. Better than Eddie's Grill, better than Time Square Restaurant. There, I said it.
Chicken Tenders
My son also ordered the Chicken Tender strips. The cost was $7.35 for the order. My son stated that they were some of the best chicken tenders he ever had the pleasure to eat. All through our lunch, Martina was very attentive which is why she received a very generous tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 5 out of 5 shots and recommends The Old Firehouse Winery for lunch and dinner.


LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL