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• What's the best 'gourmet' burger in Central Ohio?  The Columbus Dispatch Weekender is putting it to a vote.     
• Best 'gourmet' Burger  

 The contenders... Although I have eaten at a bunch of thesese I have only had a burger at Gahanna Grill, Thurman Cafe, Max & Erma's and Red Robin, so I vote for Max & Ermas.  

 "Barley’s Brewing Co.

 Brazenhead Irish Pub

 Cap City Fine Diner

 The Clarmont

 Digger & Finch

 Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus

 Gahanna Grill

 Marshall’s Restaurant & Bar

 Max & Erma’s

 Red Robin

 Ringside Café

 Ted’s Montana Grill

 Thurman Cafe

 None of the above. Enter your own choice below."

 "NIGHT LIFE Crowd could be craving burgers, Brooks" is also from the Columbus Dipatch but these are not gourmet burgers.

"The third version of the Arena District nightclub booked by PromoWest Productions — which also schedules concerts in the Basement, the Newport Music Hall and the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion — will marry a well-known fast-food chain, White Castle, and music."

c. 2006 Columbus Best Blog

Susan Childress from Louisville is  "the best of the best White Castle hamburger makers according to Yahoo!  

Congratulations to Susan, her official title is  "2006 fastest griddler of White Castle."

"Regional champs from the 12 White Castle operating areas met to compete for the title of Fastest Griddle Champion -- the best of the best when it comes to preparing White Castle hamburgers. The contest took place at the White Castle home office at 555 West Goodale Street in Columbus, Ohio. All hamburgers prepared by the Fastest Griddle contestants were donated to Faith Mission in downtown Columbus."

"Also, a new recipe book, By the Sackful: A Scrapbook with Recipes from 85 Years of Craving, has been published with recipes from 15 years of Crave Time Cook Off recipe entries. The book is available online at www.whatyoucrave.com and on www.Amazon.com. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the non-profit group, Turkeys 4 America, Inc. All Cravers are encouraged to tap into their inspirational energies and invent a great new recipe. Entries are due by July 6."

Based in Columbus, White Castle was founded in Wichita KS ( one of Columbus Ohio's cowtown sisters.  Coincidence?)  

2006 is the  companies  85th anniversary.  Happy Anniversary White Castle.

Copyright 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe

This morning on Good Morning America  I heard a story about Consumer Reports Magazine rating restaurant chains....  I went looking for the story but could not  resist  instead a story about the best burgers.   

The four "sit down  and someone will wait on you" chain restuarants burgers which were rated by Consumer Reports Magazine were The Capital Grille , Ruby Tuesday, Outback Steakhouse (danger if you are reading at work... music....), and Hard Rock Cafe.  Two  of the four are represented in Central Ohio, Outback and Ruby Tuesday.....  The best burger,  rated Excellent  according to Consumer Reports.... The Capital Grille's burger is not represented in Central Ohio.  

"Price: $11.50
Weight: 10 1/2 oz.
Calories: 845
Fat: 47 g
Sodium: 945 mg

Very beefy and flavorful pan-seared patty. Juicy, tender, and ­well-seasoned with sweet onion and bacon bits mixed into the meat. Served on a lightly buttered roll topped with caramelized onion bits"

Too much $, too much meat, too many calories IMHO. The other three restaurant chain's burgers were deemed "Very Good" by Consumer Reports.

Columbus,  Ohio Home of:  

Max and Erma's - Erma Burger, Garbage Burger etc.

Wendy's -Dave Thomas' Square Burgers

White Castle - Sliders

Dublin Ohio based Wendy's is in the news.  Wendy's is going to start using "healthier" oil to deep fry their chicken and french fries according to Columbus Business First. 

Another story in Columbus Business First is that  Beef O'Brady's is coming to town.   Now there's a name that catches my Cowtown ear.  Actually there already is one Beer O' Brady's in Pickerington, a second is coming to Hilliard.  Hamburgers?

 
Copyright 2006 Columbus Best Blog and Maureen McCabe