​FOOD

The Best Burger Quest

Having lived all over the country I've made it my responsibility every new place I go to try all the burgers the area is known for. I try other stuff too, but I really love a great burger. My only rules are that I order whatever the house special or popular burger is and I make no adjustments... I trust the chef.

1. South Gate Brewing Co - Oakhurst, Ca

The top spot belongs to a small brewery in Oakhurst, Ca. It attracts an odd mix of hipsters, bikers, and tourists but everyone is always fun & friendly. For a little place in the foothills they really get a burger right with the perfect mix of gourmet, yet simple. The BBQ burger is just otherworldly. It's one of the few burgers I've ever come across that is a struggle to finish given the portion size, there is no skimpin' by the chef on this bad boy. They use their own Deadwood Porter BBQ sauce, ample toppings, and throw it on a freshly made sweet roll... absolute winner and absolute king of flavor town. They also offer tours of their brewery in action and I definitely recommend it, especially to walk off that burger you just ate (if you're even able to finish it).

2. Minetta Tavern - Manhattan, NY

Minetta Tavern in New York is one of those places that's so hyped up that you almost expect to be let down once you get there. Fortunately for me the opposite happened and the burger somehow exceeded my already overblown expectations. This falls more into the gourmet burger category, which admittedly isn't my favorite... but you can't deny the excellence. This place is expensive, noisy, crowded, and absolutely worth a visit. Coincidentally this place also has some of the best bone marrow I've had as well, definitely go for it.

3. Bun Huggers - Flagstaff, AZ

There's something to be said for simplicity. This place has been around since the 70's and was founded by people who have lived in Flagstaff since the 40's. The decor looks like a cheesy pre-manufactured "antique theme", except for the fact that all those things ARE shit picked up by the family from yard sales over the past half century. Everything is fresh here and you see everything happening right before your eyes. Once it's cooked they hand it to you and you dress it up to your liking at the big condiment bar. No gimmicks or precision garnishment, just pick your meat and watch it cook. This self proclaimed "workin' persons bar" is so simple that it doesn't even have a website... in 2019, unheard of right? What it does have is perfectly simple, delicious burgers.

PHOTOGRAPHY

It may not happen often, but every now and again I take a photo I'm proud of