Finding the Best Hamburgers in Oklahoma City - Continued

Up this point, most of the burgers I sampled for the search were ones I had previously tried at some point but had to refresh my memory for the sake of review. One recommendation I hadn't yet tried offered my first opportunity for a new experience, and it turned out to be a positive one. Several e-mailers and "soonermagee" on the discussion forum said I had to try Barry's Grill.

"Old-fashioned" is a good name for them, I think, as they remind me of those great grill burgers you can find at a good roadside diner. The restaurant itself on North May is about as simple as you get. The wide-open, rectangle room behind the mirrored glass is filled with booths and tables with nothing but salt and pepper shakers on top. There aren't servers here, so make your way to the long counter on the east side to place an order. Then watch your hamburger hit the grill right there.

The burgers themselves are flavorful but thin, not overly juicy but certainly not dry. I recommend one of the doubles if you're hungry. Buns are buttered and slightly toasted, and toppings are fresh and plentiful, in the case of the onion burger, maybe even too plentiful. Get a round bacon disc rather than strips, and add the thick, fresh-cut fries that could perhaps be cooked a bit longer, particularly for the bigger ones.

Pros:

• Great, old-fashioned grill taste
• Not greasy
• Fresh, plentiful toppings

Cons:

• This certainly isn't a place you go on a date night.
• I wish I would've ordered a double because the patties are a bit thin for my tastes.

Verdict: I was quite impressed with the burger quality of Barry's. Similar to Ron's without the grease, it's a definite contender for my top 10, a quick and simple hamburger with nice flavor.

Another place that would mark a new experience for me was the oft-recommended Edmond joint Flatire Burgers. No doubt popular because of its location across the street from the University of Central Oklahoma, Flatire has quite an interesting and unique corrugated metal decor.

It was a quick stop for me, so unfortunately I wasn't able to sample the quality of the service or atmosphere. But then again, this search is primarily about the burgers, right? Well, I probably wasn't as impressed with them as some of you readers. I thought Flatire to be good, it but it didn't blow me away either.

Meat quality is solid, and I liked how there was plenty of substance even without ordering the double. Buns are fairly plain and uninspiring, as are the fries, but the burgers themselves are cooked just right, tender with just the right amount of juiciness. The cheese was tasty, not lost as it can be on so many burgers, and the menu has a nice variety of specialty burgers such as the 3-way Chili Burger and the "Flatire Blowout" that includes an egg and a special burger sauce. I didn't get that adventurous on this trip but was able to sample the onion burger. The onions were a bit too thick and moist for my taste.

Pros:

• Great meat quality, cooked perfectly
• Melted cheese really adds to the flavor
• Plenty of unique burger options

Cons:

• Very basic bun and somewhat bland fries
• Other than cheese, toppings aren't as good as I've had elsewhere

Verdict: Flatire was one of the more recommended stops on my tour, so my expectations were fairly high. Like that movie that everyone talks about and you don't get to see until it comes out on DVD, I have to admit some letdown here. The burgers are quality, no doubt, but aren't likely to join my list of the city's best.

Next, I want to revisit something I touched on when reviewing Johnnie's back on page 1. The concept of that strong charcoal-grilled taste. I've already received some notes telling me I'm nuts for not liking it that much. In my opinion, though, it's just like anything else. It can either be acceptable or too overdone for my tastes, as evidenced by next couple of stops.

Earl's Rib Palace was one of the most recommended burgers by About.com readers. I've been to Earl's many times, of course, reviewing the BBQ and even naming it one of my favorite uniquely OKC restaurants. But I never really concentrated on the burgers until this search.

The first thing I found was that very same fire-grilled flavor. In the case of Earl's, I found it to not be overpowering at all, just a slight background flavor hint in an outstanding burger. The Earl's hamburgers are nice and thick, incredibly filling with plenty of cheese and a tasty, toasted bun.

Pros:

• Thick and filling meat patties
• Slight, not overpowering outdoor grill taste
• Plenty of cheese and toppings

Cons:

• I ordered mustard on this one but didn't get much of it
• French fries were disappointing to me

Verdict: I've ignored the burgers at Earl's too long, I guess. Unfortunately, on this particular visit my french fries were woefully undercooked and disappointing, but the burger itself would have to be classified as a definite entry into my eventual top 10 list.

Continue to page 3, however, to see an example of when I think that charcoal flavor can go too far...