Smashburger - Newark Airport, NJ

http://www.smashburger.com/

As if I hadn't had enough burgers on my trip to Cali, I checked this one out after stepping off the plane. I've been seeing this place every time I fly out of Newark (often).  My expectations were low so I was pleasantly surprised that this was an excellent burger cooked perfectly.  It was just a bit greasy but the meat was so good, I got over it!  If you're flying thru Newark, check this place out.

Epi - Palo Alto, CA

http://cafeepi.com/

This place is a bakery so the bun for this Kobe burger ROCKS!  A solid burger. Worth stopping for!

Jeffery's- Palo Alto, CA

http://jeffreyshamburgers.com/index.php

This place is a little over-rated but the selection of fries is noteworthy!  The burger is cooked to request and done well.  Can't say I'd go back, but it was worth checking out.

Bar Breton- New York City

http://www.barbreton.com/
Not a bad Burger. A bit pricey, but hey, it' NYC!  The atmosphere is great- cool little French Bistro Bar.  Good quality meat. Fries were limp.  Worth a try but not sure I'd go back or dream about like a Shake Shack Burger!

The Gravel Bar- Ennis, MT

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gravel-Bar/161752173883305?sk=info

This is a new bar in Ennis.  It took the place of the Claim Jumper and is attached to "Banditos" which is a great Mexican restaurant.  Banditos used to be in Virginia City and has since moved down the hill into Ennis.  It's a respectable burger.  You can eat at the bar and have Gravel Bar menu or Banditos menu which is a real bonus.  It's urban cowboy cuisine!

The Bear Claw- McAllister, MT/ now known as the McAllister Bar & Grill

This place just changed hands and has yet to open the "main dining room" and is just serving in the bar.  It is the quintessential western bar that represents a Montana town.  Montana town = 1 bar and 1 post office!  It's worth the strop. It's an experience, not necessarily a dining experience!

Ted's Montana Grill, Bozeman, MT

This is a solid burger!  I got the smoked bacon and blue cheese.  The blue cheese is outstanding- creamy and salty at the same time. Cooked perfectly.  Highly recommend it!

Effie's Burgers in Lewiston, ID

I haven't been to this joint yet. This is my friend Erica who went and sent the pictures.  I mean look at the size of this thing.  I had to get it up on-line and it's now on my  "to do list".  If you're cruising in Idaho, go for it!

Frosty Freeze- Drummond, MT

This is such a classic throw back place it's as if you walked into a time warp back to 1950.  They actually have a drive-in window that I did not use because I just had to go inside and check it out.  Words won't do it justice. It's a true experience.  I got the cheese burger combo that comes with Fries and a coke $5.  Next time I'd skip the fries and just get two burgers.  It's pretty good, all things considered. And when you're in the middle of nowhere in Montana- it's pretty damn good! Tastes a bit like a good Burger King burger.   If you're driving thru Montana, you just gotta stop in!

Burger of the Month Club- NYC

http://aht.seriouseats.com/archives/2009/05/nycs-burger-of-the-month-club-botm.html

Check out their website.  They've got a great thing going on and up to date burger reviews

The Counter- California

http://www.thecounterburger.com/locations/

This is a decent burger but not one to fight for.  However, their sides are pretty darn good. Onion straws top their list with Cheese fries coming in a close second.  Skip their fried pickles- they don't hold up to this southern girl's standards!  The burger is good, not great. It's cooked perfectly but the meat just doesn't have the flavor it should. Their grilled onions are excellent as is the blue cheese.  If you haven't been- you should go just to take it all in. It's very creative and fun.

Royal Tavern- Philadelphia, PA

http://www.royaltavern.com/

This was voted best burger in PA by Food Network and it rises to the occasion.  Made with caramelized onions, smoked gouda cheese and a roasted hot pepper on top.  Sounds like it won't work but I gotta tell ya, it's damn good.  A must do in Philly.

Mother's in Federal Hill/Baltimore, MD

http://www.mothersgrille.com/

I've been waiting to go to this place for awhile.  Rated by Food Network Magazine as the best burger in Maryland.  You're suppose to order the "Heart Attack on a plate" which I promptly did. It's a DEEP FRIED HAMBURGER dipped in beer batter after being stuffed with cheddar cheese.  It's git s crunchy crust similar to good fried chicken.  It's not bad but I can't say I'd order it again.  I think you gotta try it though if you're in the area.  Pass on the chili cheese fries- the chili is good, teh fries were undercooked so they missed the boat on that! Enjoy.

What would Julia do?

Even though I'm a self- admitted Julia Child fan,  you won't find me cooking everything in her cook book and blogging about it. After all, I"m to busy eating hamburgers!  As I was flipping through my 1960 edition of Julia's Original cookbook ( a gift from my friend Will), I had to laugh at this recipe and include it within the many "Bifteck Hache" we have featured here.  Enjoy and I hope it makes you smile as well!

Taylor's Refresher- Napa Valley

This is a classic Drive In     http://www.gotts.com/   You can find it up in Napa which is the best spot to go to and a "must do" when you're in the area.  If you're desperate, there's a location at the Ferry Building in San Fran that will satisfy your taste- somehow it's just not as good as sitting on the side of the road in St. Helena and having this amazing burger.

Five Guys Burgers

Five Guys burgers- it's a pretty darn good burger for a chain. Rivals In0n0Out but they are not consistent enough from store to store.  That won't keep me from stopping there though!

Le Tub, Hollywood, FL

http://www.theletub.com/

Sorry there's no picture but feel free to click on the link and learn more about this place.  This Burger joint is the one that started it all.  I convinced my colleagues to drive an hour south of the pool we were training in to take a chance on this burger. It as ranked #1 on GQ's list of the 10 best burgers so I was pretty sure the drive would be worthwhile.  Now we go every year.  This place sits on the inner-coastal near the Ft. Lauderdale airport.   It's an open air/indoor-outdoor place with picnic tables, benches and a nice view of the water.  It's a huge burger so go hungry.  For as big of a burger as it is, they do a dam good job of cooking it to near perfection.  They offer no onion rings and if you ask they almost get mad at you.  It's cash only so have some on you.  The fries are just ok.  There are a lot of them.  It's a great experience. Just go hungry.

Hodad's, Ocean Beach/San Diego, CA

http://www.hodadies.com/

This is a Guy Fieri/Food Network "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" selection.  I lobbied my women's coaching group to pile in cars to get to this burger haven.  I was a bit nervous that they'd hate it and I'd hear about it for years.  I was very happy when I saw the place and knew instinctively that it just HAD TO BE GOOD! And it was better than that!  This is a great surf joint near the bear with lots of personality and a line to wait in. It's worth the wait. They chop their bacon and render it down into bacon patties that get put right on the burger so you never miss a bite of bacon.  Fries and onion rings are killer!  It's a must do while in the San Diego area.  Please go!  Bon Appetit and thanks to my non-red-meat eating friend Kathie for her pictures of this fine meal!