TALLAHASSEE, FL (#WTXLDigital) - In a recent story WTXL Tallahassee shared of the new Magnolia Grove Development, we received several comments talking about the large number of burger joints in town. So that got us thinking, how many specialty burger restaurants are there in Tallahassee?
We found 6 restaurants devoted to just burgers; 3 of which have opened in the last 6 months. Here is a list of those 6 restaurants and a few of the interesting patty and bun creations that grace their menus.
1. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews- 1498 Apalachee Parkway
Red Robin commercials have been playing in Tallahassee for... well, what feels like forever. It wasn't until very recently though that you could try their famous creations without driving out of town. The restaurant chain boasts burgers such as the Bleu Ribbon Burger which has, "...tangy steak sauce, chipotle aioli, Bleu cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and crispy onion straws." If blue chesse isn't your thing, there is the Banzai which is, "Glazed in teriyaki and topped with grilled pineapple, Cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo..."
2. Smashburger - 1380 Village Square Blvd
Smashburger's website makes the claim that the literal "smashing" of their burgers is what makes them unique, "The perfect smash is the secret. The right amount and type of meat against the perfect amount of heat, for just the right amount of time, locks in the juices." While it sounds like an interesting way of cooking them, they have burgers with pretty distinctive toppings too. The Truffle Mushroom Swiss is exactly what it sounds like, a burger topped with, "Truffle mayo, sautéed crimini mushrooms & aged Swiss on an egg bun." Its Classic Smash is also available for someone not looking to try something too new; its topped with, "American cheese, Smash Sauce, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, pickles & onion on an egg bun."
3. Grub Burger Bar - 3425 Thomasville Rd
Grub says they bake their buns every hour, grind their meat every morning, serve all burgers medium-well, and will add a fried egg to any burger for a dollar. On their menu, the Lockhart Legend has a little photo of the Dr. Pepper logo next to it. Why? It's topped with, "Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, housemade Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, two hand battered onion rings, and sliced dill pickles." Just in case you didn't catch that, it's topped with Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce... The menu is full of fun names such as the OMG which is topped with, "Texas chili, Grub skinny fries, cheddar cheese, chopped onions, and mustard."
4. Vertigo Burgers & Fries - 1395 E Lafayette St
Vertigo has been in town quite a bit longer than 1 through 3 and is the only restaurant on the list that isn't a national chain restaurant. Their namesake burger is a beef-burger topped with a, "...fried egg, applewood bacon, griddled jalapeños, sharp cheddar, and vertigo sauce." Beef isn't the only type of meat that can top your bun though. They have burgers made of lamb, duck, quinoa, chrizo, and the Creole Spin is even made with shrimp and topped with, "creole rémoulade, pickled okra slaw, and sliced tomato."
5. Five Guys Burgers and Fries - 1872 Thomasville Rd - 3499 Thomasville Rd
The Five Guys menu is original in the fact that it's one of the only burger joints that isn't trying pigeon-hole you into a pre-designed burger. No fru-fru names, no nonsense. You tell the cashier if you want your burger to be normal size or "little", whether you want cheese or bacon, and then what toppings you want on it. And they have free peanuts. That's pretty cool too.
6. BurgerFi - 1817 Thomasville Rd
BurgerFi's pitch is to bring customers in through its environmentally minded menu. It say the cows used to make the burgers are never given hormones or anti-biotics and each restaurant is made "according to environmentally sustainable best practices." Its chairs are made from Coca-Cola bottles and the tables are upcycled milk jugs or wood pallets. The BurgerFi Burger is a double angus burger and comes with, "lettuce, tomato, BurgerFi sauce." If you're not into meat they do have an alternative called the VegeFi which is a, "crispy quinoa + fresh-cut veggie burger," topped with, "white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, BurgerFi sauce on a multigrain bun."
There are so many other restaurants in Tallahassee with great burgers and we want to hear what some of your favorites are. Head over to Facebook and tell us about your favorite burger.
