Developing The Habit for a Burger Superior to Steak N Shake
LA's fast food leaves the Midwest in the dust.
February 22, 2012 - 12:19 pm
As a Hoosier who frequented Steak N Shake regularly throughout his adolescence and college years I must salute Stephen Green for his lovely tribute to the restaurant.
And a confession: since relocating to the Golden State almost two years ago, one burger has risen to conquer all others. The Habit’s charburger achieves a heavenly balance of taste and texture with its crisp toppings, melts-in-your-mouth tenderness, and backyard grill flavor.
Does a superior burger exist?
And no one say In-N-Out! The Habit is obviously better!
I think that the best burger was the “Lake George Burger”, produced by the Lake George Inn in Lake George, Colorado. I do not know if this institution still exists, but it produced amazing burgers for at least three decades. In my own prejudiced opinion, it is the model for the “Axton Diner” in “Atlas Shrugged”.
I am puzzled, in general, that this burger discussion centers on chains. Let us hear about the perfect zen burgers from all across ‘deep America’.
The Habit Burger is better. It has bacon!
The Habit does build a meritorious burger to be sure. For another fine burger try Oinkster in Eagle Rock. Oinkster also has excellent pastrami and pulled pork, and much better fries than The Habit.
I would also highly recommend Gott’s Roadside( http://gottsroadside.com/menu/index.htm) in St. Helena California, as it has everything The Habit has, including a nice selection of wine. Given that this is dead center in Napa Valley, its a natural fit.
WINE WITH YOUR BURGER? how… cosmopolitan
pinky extended, of course
Wine is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
You’re on your own re: The Habit. Tried them once in Glendale years ago. Uninspired and bland not unlike Hamburger Hamlet. And over priced for a fast food joint as I recall.
I prefer In N Out over Habit. Even though In N Out has gotten a much saltier taste lately. Not sure it it’s them or me. My current fav is Five Guys. The cajun fries blow the doors off In N Out’s crappy shoe-string fries. No salt taste in the burger and more toppings.
However, I roll my own burger that is head and shoulders better than anything store bought. My secret ingredient? Excess.
Sorry but while the burgers at Five Guys is good … the fries are utterly contemptible. Over salted, over spiced and overly greasy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make good fries. But if doing so will repair that nonsense that Five Guys calls “fries” then by all means do so.
And just to make sure everyone understands. I’m chewing on one of these awful things as I type this. Meh. Craptacular.
Fries must be another kind of food that is highly subjective. I liked the 5 Guys fries and really like the In N Out fries.
The problem with 5 Guys is that a burger, coke, and fries should not cost $11.50.
That is just insane.
I got to think that your bad experience was a problem with that particular store. I’ve never had that experience at Habit. You just cant get good help these days.
David:
I’m the guy who was jealous of you back when you were finding all sorts of books while you walk your dog, and we conferred about neighborhoods. I live in Van Nuys, just up the road from you. I’ll agree with you that The Habit is good (though I think I prefer In-N-Out by a hair) but I have 2 other recommendations that you might want to try, both relatively close. One is The Stand, over in Encino. It’s on Ventura. Just drive west and you’ll see their sign, on the south side of the street just aft you pass the Johnny Rocket’s (which I used to go to, but I’ve never been to this one because it’s so close to The Stand).
The other place is called Bill & Hiroko’s. It’s on Oxnard between Van Nuys and Kester. The owner’s been there since 1965, and he’s pretty much a local legend. He has a sign on the wall that says: “No, you can’t have it your way. This is not Burger King. You’ll get it my way, or you won’t get the damn thing.” And trust me, his way is pretty damn good. The one gripe some people have is that he doesn’t have a deep fryer, so his potatoes are chips, which he sells in those little bags. I’ve never been that big of a fan of fries anyway, so I don’t really care. The burger is awesome, though, nothing fancy (no bacon or mushrooms, no blue cheese or anything, American cheese on good ol’ American beef, with your typical “California” toppings: tomato, lettuce, pickles and dressing, I think) and the ambiance of the location is definitely spartan (half a dozen stools in the front and a couple of dilapidated tables with mismatched chairs in the back) but the burger is genuine and magnificent, if simplicity is your thing.
I do like The Habit though. Their tri-tip is good also.
I’ve never had a Habit or In-N-Out. They’re not in my area. I’ve had Five Guys. They’re fine.
I still have to put in a good word for Jake’s Wayback Burger. I love ‘em. So far they’re only in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
David, if you’re a Hoosier, then you must know what I’m talking about when I say “Pork tenderloin sandwich.”
After leaving Indiana, I lived in Colorado for fifteen years, and now San Francisco for 27, and I have never found a sandwich to match a Hoosier tenderloin. Nor have I ever found a joint in either Colorado or California that even knew what a tenderloin sandwich was, let alone how to make one.
Oh yes, I most certainly do know “pork tenderloin sandwich” — a staple of any Indiana county fair.
In North Carolina we do pork tenderloin on buttermilk biscuits, and just thinking about it is making me homesick.
As a retired sailor that’s been to many places, I’d like to nominate Noah’s Ark in Bremerton, Washington. Get a Big Country Burger. Buy the second for $.99, then realize there’s no way you’re going to eat both. Yes, that second burger is still good cold the next day.
Chains get all the attention but it local eateries are always best.
This photo is hanging at my favorite burger grill.
http://www.jimsopenkitchen.com/Nine360/Types/photo.cfm?i=street-sign.jpg&appName=jims
Jim’s Open Kitchen in Solon Ohio
The breakfast is great but the Jimbo burger is not to be missed. The Home Fries are a real treat. Walk in and you step back in time but not in a contrived way. It is the real deal.
http://www.jimsopenkitchen.com/index.cfm
If you are ever in the Cleveland area stop in.
Ok, if any of you ever happen to wander within a couple of hundred miles of Southwestern Oklahoma (near Ft Sill), nestled at the feet of the Witchita Mountains in some of the oldest mountains in the world, look for the Meers General Store*. The best hamburger in the world. It’s huge, cooked to perfection, great toppings, absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere is incredible. All others pale
http://www.meersstore.com/
*I am not affiliated-dang it
If I’m not mistaken they raise their own longhorns right across the street where you’ll be parking.
Blackie’s in Printers Row, South Loop, Chicago.
Bacon cheddar burger, house salad. Never equalled.
Honorable mention: Fox’s Beverly Pub, Western Avenue,Beverly/Mt.Greenwood, Chicago
Bacon cheddar burger, cottage fries, cole slaw….and they’ll deliver it….sheer bliss on a working stiff’s Friday night.
I’m not a fan of chains, although In N Out isn’t bad. After trying burgers throughout most of the country, my favorites are (in no particular order) Hodad’s in San Diego, (North Beach, I think), Ocean Prime’s Kobe Burger in Tampa, and in Vail, the Larkburger at Larkspur at the base of the Golder Peak lift. None are overwhelmed with bacon, etc. although the Larkburger has a hollow on top for a pad of butter during cooking.
Sorry,
Golden Peak. Need an editer.
For the best burger on the North American continent, go to Hooligan’s Saloon in Soldotna, Alaska. Ask for the Todd’s Burger. It’s not on the menu; you have to ask for it. If things aren’t too busy Todd himself may bring it to the table.
The Todd’s burger is two large patties with two kinds of cheese and several strips of bacon, served on a sourdough roll (this is Alaska, after all) with your choice of fixings.
There is no other commercially available burger that compares.
If I have to go to California to get one, I’ll pass. We are discussing a hamburger.