People always send me lists of things like “The best…” and ratings other people have done on places in town and out of town. One such list had a place called Bub’s Burgers, which had been happily existing without our business for at least four or five years in a corner of the world we hadn’t frequented since our son left Jesuit.
That was nearly twenty years ago, and a lot has happened since then, particularly in this stretch of Banks toward the cemeteries. The area at a glance convinces me it is not my scene, so it surprised me when I got a call from a caller to the show whose age does not comport with her hipness. It is her favorite burger.
Since her contributions to the show are always good and her taste is on par with mine (despite her advanced culinary sense of adventure,) I became curious about the place.
Since at least fifty percent of my dining experiences these days can be classified as hit and run, I did not give the menu at Bub’s the attention required. I tried to order on the phone for my drive-by, but no one picked up. When I went inside I was surprised by the size of the menu. A line was forming, so I went with the first choice which is highlighted with a box: The Bub’s Burger. This I expected to be a classic burger, though in hindsight I can’t imagine why. This is a 21st century version of a hamburger joint.
All around me were arcade games and very transit-waiting-room booths. This was not a classic burger place.
It turned out that the Bub’s burger was delicious, regardless of the lack of classic ingredients. It was two patties done in Smashburger style with melted American cheese on a mundane bun. The meat was seared on a griddle with slivers of griddled onions sharing the space in the bun. And housemade pickles, of course.
The patties glistened with that melted beef grease look that slickens the outside of the bun. This factor alone makes for a mighty tasty burger, and that is exactly what this was.
I also ordered fries, which used to be housemade. In this current labor market post-COVID, they are frozen but still very good shoestring fries.
Had I just looked a little farther down the menu (which turned out at second glance to not be that daunting) I would have seen the classic burger I wanted, updated with Bibb lettuce and housemade pickles.
I’m surprised at how much I like this place. It is clean and charming in a raffish way, and the guy at the window is efficient and friendly. He even comes out to deliver your burger to you, instead of yelling your name. Nice touch.
I look forward to my next burger there. And the next…
