[eat] Great Burger Joints
Burgers are one of life’s great mysteries. How can something that comes off a grill at your local mega-chain burger joint share the same name as the epic tower of juicy meat and toppings that comes from the dear little greasy spoons that dot our city? Now, I understand that my little list may offend some of you. The howls of “How could he not include…?” fill my mind as I write this, but I hope that this will be an ongoing series – a quest for the perfect burger and there are many more for me to taste.
Smash Burger (3570 N. Woodlawn St & 1220 N. Rock Rd in Derby) – Generally, I’m anti-chain restaurant, but this deserves a look. Huge hunks of beef with toppings that are as fresh as they are delicious. These burgers are a little on the pricey side, but worth the cost and the calories. Don’t miss the Smash fries covered in olive oil, rosemary, garlic and other bits of yumminess.
Jack’s Coffee Shop (6154 S Hydraulic) – This is as opposite of a slick chain restaurant as it gets. To say this is a dive would be fairly accurate. Keep your eyes peeled for this establishment, as it is housed in a squat, little brick building with very little signage. Don’t come expecting a huge selection – there are only 4 items on the menu – a hamburger, a cheeseburger, a large hamburger and a large cheeseburger. THAT’S IT. Burgers can be served with grilled onions, but I believe those are the only veggies in the place. The size options are a bit misleading. Really, I think a half side of beef and a full side would be more accurate. These burgers are massive and will not break your budget. Lunch for two was under 12 bucks and that was with two cans of pop. Each order is served with a complimentary bowl of potato chips.
TJ’s Burger House (1003 W. Douglas Ave.) This is a nicer place with ample seating located in the up-and-coming Delano district. The burgers and fries are all homemade and more than you could ever hope to eat. During my first trip to this Wichita institution, I was really hungry and ordered a double burger with the works. Now I like to eat, but this was far more than I could get around. The tater tots with cheese, bacon and sour cream are truly a cardiovascular surgeon’s worst nightmare, but will make your taste buds sing. The burgers are excellent and will worth a trip. This is a very popular spot for the downtown lunch crowd, so it may take a bit longer to find a seat and get your order during lunchtime, but it’s well worth the wait.
Sport Burger – 134 N. Hillside St. Another dive extraordinaire. This burger stand is, I’m guessing, half the size of some of our editors’ closets. If you have issues with personal space, use the drive-thru. There are a few stools inside and it’s good fun to sit and visit with the cook while the burgers are made, but you will become very close with your fellow patrons. Their fries are top-notch and this is truly a Wichita institution.
So that’s it – my list of recommended burger joints in the ICT. I’m on the hunt for Burger Quest, Part Deux, so leave a comment and let me know what burger I should sample next.
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I am not a fan of TJs Burger House. We got the worst service imaginable there! I love hole in the wall burger joints, but I refuse to go back there!
TJ’s service is… quirky. Last time I was there, the young daughter of one of the servers was zooming around the restaurant on Heelys, which I’m curmudgeonly enough to think ought to be illegal anywhere.
But I expect a bit of quirk with my burger, frankly. The king of quirk has got to be Timbuktu (which, in Andover, you may or may not consider to be “in the ICT”). They make a pretty compelling argument that quirkiness correlates directly to burger quality.
A really good place for burgers is The Burger Stand at 17th & Mosley.
(http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Burger+Stand+17th+and+Mosley+wichita+ks&sll=37.715356,-97.327658&sspn=0.006688,0.009645&g=17th+and+Mosley+wichita+ks&ie=UTF8&hq=Burger+Stand+17th+and+Mosley&hnear=Wichita,+KS&ll=37.715346,-97.327658&spn=0,359.997589&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.715246,-97.327658&panoid=ibfPhomS9WNkuiBJojq7kg&cbp=12,284.8,,0,-8.4)
They also have AMAZING fries. :)
You hit all my favorite burger places and gave me one new place, Jack’s, to try. Great job.
Although, I don’t live in Wichita, I do visit now and then. Tim knows of what he speaks. Ha ha, I raised him and he was always a great one for saying what he liked or didn’t like that was on our menu. He has never taken me any place in Wichita that wasn’t top notch. MMMMM….. can’t wait to try some of these burgers.
MMMMmmmmmmm……Jack’s.
I’ve heard Oasis has some tasty burgers, but I have yet to try them.
hello! What about Bionic Burger?
Bomber Burger gets props from me on awesomeness for both taste and atmosphere (the owner insults you and is overall grumpy which rocks).
Jack’s North Hi Carryout has great burgers too.
I have to add Dolci and Joe’s to this list too because they are just freaking to die for!
Bomber Burger +1
Annex Lounge. Then Bomber. No need to look beyond.
I agree. Bomber burger. I get a kick out of watching all the shiny clean people eating there, trying not to net their elbows touch the greasy walls. You really do have to be careful though. You could probably stick a small child to the walls if you threw them hard enough…
One of the best burgers in town can be found at Bill’s charcoal grill at 29th and Arkansas. They are only open for lunch on the weekdays and dinner on Friday.
Nice article with the exception of one thing, you failed to mention the BEST burger in town…that award (hands down) goes to Bomber Burger! I highly recommend nothing less than the double!
My brother and I did a dive-burger tour this past summer. My favorites: Sportburger and what is missing from the list: West Street Burger. Oasis burgers are great also.
Timbuktu burgers in Andover are rad. And I hate to admit, but I have weekly cravings for Red Robin’s Whiskey River BBQ Burger…
I’m on a diet at the moment so it maybe a while before I get back to this list but oh my goodness am I looking forward to it *drool*
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