Burger Time!!

Via magazine (the official travel publication of AAA) recently published a feature highlighting the best burger in each of 8 western states…Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

The article, “The Best Burgers in the West,” declared that the best ground round in the State of Utah is to be found at Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville.

The oldest continually operating saloon west of the Mississippi is a local favorite and a must-stop destination for any visitor to the Ogden area. The burger that won the award, The Star Burger, consists of two beef patties with melted cheese and a Polish knackwurst stacked on top.

The Star Burger washes down well with any of the beer on tap, but becomes even more enjoyable if you drop a few quarters in the vintage jukebox and queue up some Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, or early Dolly Parton.

You didn’t hear this from us, but if you bring your own egg in with you, the cooks will fry it up and add a bit of bacon to your Star Burger, creating a secret, off-menu gut bomb they like to call The Porn Star.

Save a few quarters for the pool table or violate Federal law and deface a dollar bill with a Sharpie and add it to the several thousand others that cover the ceiling. Point is, have cash at the Shooting Star, since that’s all they accept (they have an ATM on site in case you forget).

While we fully agree with Via’s choice for Utah’s best burger, the Ogden area has a few other places that burger lovers should also check out.

Warren’s Craft Burger

The name of this place in the heart of downtown Ogden on Historic 25th Street pretty much says it all. These guys don’t flip burgers or make burgers….they *craft* burgers. Their menu is far too extensive to profile in this blog, but you can peruse the menu here, and you’re sure to find several burgers that will make you anguish over your decision. This author’s favorite? The Morning Glory…but I’m a sucker for a fried egg on anything.

In addition to the vast array of gourmet burgers, Warren’s has a huge selection of beers and a full bar menu. You’re likely to stumble into live, acoustic music played tastefully by local artists a couple of nights per week.

Lighthouse Lounge

The burgers at this 25th Street bar are worth trying on any day that ends in “y,” but do yourself a favor and hit the Lighthouse on a Monday, when all burgers go for $5.

If your itinerary has you downtown on a Tuesday night, you’ll enjoy your burger as you listen to local poets reading their own works at Poet Flow. If it’s Wednesday, bring in your favorite record and Paddy Teglia will cue up an entire side during Vinyl Night. (If you came to town without your record collection, hit Lavender Vinyl across the street.) Thursday nights kick off four days’ of live, local music with Ogden Unplugged. Friday and Saturday nights are typically larger touring groups. Saturday and Sunday, the Lighthouse features a Bloody Mary Brunch and more live, acoustic music.

Burger Bar

Hardcore fans of the show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives” will want to hit The Burger Bar. This old-school drive-in has been a landmark in the area since 1956, and little has changed since it first started operation. Any of the “Ben” burgers (named after Burger Bar founder, Ben Fowler, and not the iconic Ben Lomond peak just to the north) will satisfy…the mini-Ben, Big Ben, Double Ben, Triple Ben…well, you get the idea.

In addition to flavorful ground beef, the Burger Bar has unique offerings such as buffalo and elk burgers, and typically features an “exotic meat of the month.” At this writing, it was a Texas longhorn burger.

Everything at the Burger Bar is made to order. No heat lamps. Be sure to pair your burger with a huge milkshake, available in dozens of flavors. TIP: All of their fruit-flavored shakes are made from fresh fruit.

Rocky Mountain Burger Bus

Jump on Facebook and look up “Rocky Mountain Burger Bus.” Follow them. Then follow them to wherever they’re set up. This gorgeous food truck posts its schedule on Facebook and has earned a loyal following among locals.

Owners Ben D’Hulst and Kristy Mahoskey are obsessive about sourcing, grinding, and mixing only top cuts of beef fresh daily. Again, all burgers are cooked to order, but every one is worth the wait. Not to worry. The bus cranks out great classic rock tunes on external speakers to make your wait more enjoyable.

Bottom line: There is no reason to settle for a “number two value meal” at a fast food chain if you’re looking for a great burger around Ogden, Utah!

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