As I expected, the list received plenty of disagreement, many residents claiming I didn't know what I was talking about. And now, a glutton for punishment, I embark on yet another OKC food hunt.
This time, I go looking for the best hamburger in Oklahoma City. I'll do my duty to the About.com readers and scour the city's best burger joints based on your recommendations. And by the end of the quest, my waist line willing, I'll utilize my expertise to compile a list of my favorites.
As with pizza hunt, I'll begin with my disclaimer of tastes...
- While I certainly enjoy a unique gourmet hamburger from time to time, for the most part I'm a simple burger man.
- Give me lettuce, tomato, cheese and mustard, and I'm more than happy to taste the burger quality.
- I generally prefer my hamburgers with just a tiny bit of pink, what many places call medium or medium well.
To kick us off, I'll start with a well-known OKC establishment, Irma's Burger Shack. I posted my full review of Irma's, and obviously, I'm a big fan. The comfortable, casual atmosphere is perfect for a quick lunch or a family night out, and the burgers are top notch.
Pros:
- The "No Name" burger is made from local organic beef and has great flavor
- I liked the temperature contrast of the shredded cheese, not melted when the burger is initially served
- Good side item quality
- Affordable price
Irma's was a good place to start my burger hunt recap, one I was quite familiar with. Another similar OKC hamburger spot in that regard would be Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler, possibly the most well-known burger joint in the metro. Originally established in 1971, it has even appeared on TNT's OKC-set television series "Saving Grace".
With multiple locations around the metro, drive through service and the "Express" restaurants with car-hops, Johnnie's feels a bit like a fast food place. Luckily, it has far better hamburgers than any fast food staple.
Not overly greasy but still juicy, the burgers are charcoal grilled and have a very distinctive flavor. Even the regular-order burgers are of good size, but if you're really hungry, there are doubles as well. I particularly enjoy the unique Johnnie's sauce and large amount of cheese.
Pros:
- Good size and texture
- Cheese is plentiful
- Love the Johnnie's sauce
- Casual, family-style atmosphere
Along with Johnnie's and Irma's, I received a number of recommendations for Ron's Hamburgers. Oklahoma City residents gushed over the no-frills presentation and gut-busting chili burgers of Ron's. I responded to many that honesty forced me to admit Ron's was one of the first places I thought of when deciding to do this list. I grew up in Tulsa and can remember having a burger and a frosty mug root beer as a young kid.
Today, my stomach can't so easily handle the more adventurous fare at Ron's such as the "Jumbo Chili Cheeseburger" or the "Big Daddy" with fried onions and plenty of cheese. But it's no matter. Even the simple options are some of the juiciest and tastiest burgers around. There are multiple locations in the metro, and you won't find much in the way of dining room decoration at any of them. The places are simple, and food is served in a red plastic basket.
Pros:
- Fantastic juicy taste
- Love the chopped bacon in place of traditional strips
- Large variety of burgers, sides and other dishes
- Far from a fine dining experience
- Don't go on a weak stomach day
Continue to page 2 for reviews of Barry's, Earl's and Edmond's Flatire Burgers...
