My favorite burger has finally met a true competitor. In fact, this may now be my favorite burger. No, but now it's a close second. It pains me to say that my loyalty to Ray's has been shaken. The B Spot is a Michael Symon creation and he is a GENIUS. I'm TICKED it's in Ohio...that's sooooo farrrrr awaaaaayyyyy (yup, I'm a whiner). It's actually a good thing a plane ride or 8 hour car ride stands between myself and this place. If it were closer, I'd likely abuse Cheeseburger Sunday....and gain 30 lbs.
On Superbowl Sunday, our server Madeline greeted us with a smile and took our order. Soon after a towering, colorful beacon arrived accompanied with a shiny tin pail of fries. I had no idea what I was about to experience, and it changed Cheeseburger Sunday for the better...forever.
I'm talking a delicious burger. I fell in love. I could exaggerate on this, but it wouldn't be enough. The B Spot Eton, located on Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere, Ohio, is an quintessential example of a cheeseburger. B spot has a limited menu, burgers, brats, and bologna. When places have a concentration, it makes complete sense they get it right. Symon has nailed it. I complemented my bacon, pepper jack burger, cooked medium (you know it) with Lola fries. Geeez, WHY DO POTATOES SOAKED IN HOT GREASE TASTE SO INCREDIBLE? Lola fries are thin cut, and a splendid balance of sea salt and rosemary, not greasy or soggy. A burger's best friend, done absolutely right.
Now as a dietitian I should tell you I opted not to get bacon, cheese, and fries; and that I ate half, asked for a box, and took it home to enjoy later. If I told you that, I'd be lying. They do have alternative sides and dishes such as salads and tomato soup, which without trying I can't stand behind. I'm sure they are great. But I didn't eat spinach salad and baked chicken all week to skip out on the glory of bacon and cheese. Get real. Everything in moderation and I'll moderate for bacon, anytime, anywhere.
If you're needing more on your burger, as some of you who add everything in sight often do. They offer an array of additives such as jalapenos, pickles, tomatoes, peppers each seasoned and pickled, and ready for your picking. The jackpot of additions is the six pack condiment tray on each table. The "coffee BBQ sauce" is icing on the cake for burger and fries. I never dreamed of something so delicious, it puts ketchup to shame. Tomato, meet coffee bean (and whatever secret ingredients they add). Your union makes me happy.
We overindulged that day with toasted marshmallow chocolate and vanilla bean shakes. As Dietitians, we are embarrassed. As humans, it was heaven. Eating here at 1pm limited my ability to consume anything later at the Superbowl Party, but it did not stop me from watching my Giants bring home the championship!
This day also cemented Cheeseburger Sunday into something more than an excuse to eat terribly on Sundays. My best friends convinced me that as the bar continues to be set higher and higher on finding the best burger we know, and my sometimes witty commentary on random events has been lacking, uniting these each week might be just what the world needs. Their encouragement and coaxing has prompted the official start of the Cheeseburger Sunday chronicle you're now reading. And even if it's just the 3 of us that read it, it'll still be a great idea in 50 years when we'll need to blenderize cheeseburgers into our tube feedings. ;)
Many thanks to the B Spot staff that tolerated us that day, we often make a scene and they were beyond welcoming. So, if you're in the Cleveland area, make it manditory to stop by one if the 4 locations. It will be WELL worth it, trust me.
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The Best Burger Ranks:
1. Ray's Hell Burger - Arlington, VA (New Jack Zing)
2. B Spot - Woodmere, OH (Bacon Cheeseburger)
3. Ted's Montana Grill (Bison Cheeseburger)
Cheeseburger Sunday (Honorable and Not-So-Honorable Mentions):
Mulligan's (Manchester, VT), Teds (Storrs, CT), Schmedley's Pub (Willimantic, CT), Jeds (Bowling Green, OH), Easy Street Cafe (Bowling Green, OH), Five Guys (everywhere), Mister Day's (Arlington, VA), Elevation Burger (Falls Church, VA), Clare & Don's (Falls Church, VA), Good Stuff Eatery (Washington, DC), Rocky's (San Diego, CA), The Spot (Galveston, TX), Kildare's (Philadelphia, PA), Guppy's Good Times (Conshohocken, PA), Great American Pub (Conshohocken, PA), P. Brennan's (Arlington, VA), Zaitzeff (New York City, NY).
Cheeseburger Sunday Tryouts (Next up, suggestions welcome!):
Washington DC: Shake Shack, Bobby's Burger Palace, Black & Orange, RFD, Billy Goat Tavern, BGR,
Virginia: The Counter, Foster's, Joe's Burgers, Big Buns Gourmet Grille, BRB, Clyde's, Hamburger Hamlet
NYC: Corner Bistro, Burger & Barrel
Boston: Craigie on Main
