Finding the Best Hamburgers in Oklahoma City - Continued

The next stop on my burger hunt had a familiar name for me. Joey's Cafe, located on North May, is owned and operated by the same folks, if I'm not mistaken, behind Joey's Pizzeria on Classen, one that I reviewed for my pizza search a couple of summers ago. I wasn't a big fan of the sweet-sauced pizza but was optimistic after having several recommend the Joey's Cafe burgers.

The restaurant is scarcely decorated in a shopping center location, and the menu has a number of breakfast favorites such as omelets and waffles in addition to the lunchtime burgers and sandwiches. I thought all the prices were reasonable, and out of curiosity, I ordered the country potatoes in addition to my regular staple french fries. I was glad I did.

The fries are forgettable, with a non-seasoned taste that reminded me of the frozen kind. But the country potatoes are good, the slightly seasoned and crispy taste complimenting my burger. The Joey's burger, meanwhile, is impressive, with very little not to like. The meat is flavorful, similar to a Barry's taste (see page 2) only thicker. Cheese is plentiful, the bacon is crisp, and I really loved the lightly toasted, buttery bun that has some substance to it, possibly a focaccia?

Pros:

• Love the toasted, buttery bun
• Meat quality as good as it gets
• Thickness is just right

Cons:

• Don't bother with the fries; order country potatoes instead
• Why are so many of these places not open for dinner?

Verdict: Joey's is one in a long line of spots I had to take off during the day to try, since they're not open in the evening. But I'm glad I did. The hamburger itself is quite good, certainly a worthy contender for my top 10 list.

One of the most often mentioned recommendations was another spot only open during limited times, Bricktown Burgers. Hours are just 11-2 Monday through Friday, so needless to say, it was tricky for me to squeeze in the opportunity to stop by. When I finally did, I was not disappointed.

The Bricktown spot has outdoor seating, and the inside is covered in a variety of cowboy and Native American items, with a few old signs to complete the hodgepodge decor. I sat down at one of the tables in the dining area where you can see the grill, and I ordered a traditional bacon cheeseburger.

It was one of the bigger burgers I've tried so far, more than a filling meal by itself. Not only was it thick (somewhere around 3/4 - 1 inch), but the patty extended beyond the oversized bun. The bun itself was of the relatively standard sesame variety, but everything else was top notch. I loved the large bacon, juicy and flavorful meat and the crispy brown fries that tasted of peanut oil.

Pros:

• Huge, tasty hamburger meat
• Plenty of fresh toppings
• Unique Bricktown location

Cons:

• Standard, uninteresting bun
• VERY limited hours of operation

Verdict: Call this a big confirmation of the reader recommendations. Bricktown Burgers certainly has a quality offering, one of the most filling and tasty burgers I've tried. I feel I can safely say that it has secured a spot in my top 10.

Finally, after a few months of sampling burgers around the metro, far more than what I've even covered here actually, I felt comfortable in selecting my top 10 hamburgers in Oklahoma City. That is, after I tried one more spot, one that received perhaps more recommendations than any other. I had actually intended to try it early on in the process, but the limited hours forced it closer to the end. And by the time I stepped in tiny Nic's Grill at 11th and Penn, I was quite afraid I had overhyped it in my mind, that I couldn't possibly be impressed after so much praise had been heaped upon it. I was wrong.

People stood outside, hoping for a chance to get in during the few lunchtime hours, not necessarily a surprise since the place literally has a small counter and a few 2-person tables. Crowded amongst the Nic's lovers below the giant OU flag, I received my burger.

Immediately I was struck by the sheer size, perhaps the biggest I'd eaten in my search, save maybe the one at Red Prime. My mouth bit into the bun, a lightly toasted jumbo Wonder bun, then into the somewhat loosely-packed meat. Hand-formed, the patty was thickest in the middle, the meat itself not too dense and achieving a wonderful melt-in-your-mouth quality. The cheese dripped from the side, and the bacon, somewhat fatty, was piled amongst the fresh, shredded lettuce. I particularly loved the onions, fried and crispy, just to my taste, rather than the moist, almost slimy versions you might get elsewhere. By the time I was finished (yes, I ate the whole thing and even quite a few of the thin-sliced curly fries), I realized why so many made a point to mention Nic's in their recommendations.

Pros:

• Loosely packed, giant hamburger with great taste and texture
• Love the crispy onions
• Generous fresh toppings

Cons:

• Prepare to compete with others for a seat during the restaurant's limited hours of operation
• The bacon was a bit fattier than most

Verdict: Opinions vary, certainly. And I might be able to see how someone could say another metro restaurant has as good a hamburger as Nic's. However, I'm not sure I could understand a claim that there's one better. Not only will it make my top 10 list, but Nic's has a good shot at claiming the top spot.

Stay tuned as I announce my final top 10, the best hamburgers in Oklahoma City...