Bigger doesn’t always mean better, so if you are sick and tired of the same old, same old fast food joints why not try a true burger joint like from the days of yore. You may be thinking to yourself there aren’t any around anymore due to the big fast food chains taking over. They may not be as common as they once were, but there are some real gems you can find. As a matter of fact there are three top burger joints in Tampa alone. One of them is privately owned while the other two are franchises, but they provided better quality burgers and personal service. Now you can go and get a real hamburger as we find out the names, locations, atmosphere and menus of these three Tampa burger joints.
1.) Square One Burgers – Tampa, Florida
If you want upscale burgers that are unique have I got the place for you. Square One Burgers is located in South Tampa on Henderson Boulevard has quite the extensive menu. You can order up an Angus Beef, Kobe Beef, Ostrich, Buffalo, Veggie, Portobello or a Sashimi Tuna Steak burger with your choice of numerous toppings. They also have beer, wine, cocktails and desserts to go with your hamburger. They are owned and operated by Bill Shumate and Joanie Corneil. Laura Reiley, the Food Critic for the St. Petersburg Times, has awarded Square One Burgers the “Best Burger in Tampa Bay.”
2.) Five Guys Burgers and Fries – Tampa, Florida
Here is a regional burger franchise that is new to the Tampa Bay area. There is one that opened last year near my house, which I have yet to go to, but after reading all the information on Five Guys I can’t wait to try out their juicy burger that isn’t fancy, but will hit the spot like no other burger out there. They only use fresh ground beef. The reason being is there are no freezers, only coolers, at Five Guys so nothing is ever frozen. You’ll find their menu is trans-fat free and uses only peanut oil. Five Guys Burgers first opened in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia. In the coming decades they expanded out to the Washington DC metro-area. This resulted in a cult-like following, so at the start of the new millennium they opened franchises in Maryland and other parts of Virginia.
After 2003 to the present Five Guys has opened in 35 states. The menu is very basic with the traditional hamburger and cheeseburger, in addition to bacon burger and bacon cheeseburger. Hot Dogs, Fries, and Coca-Cola are also on the menu. You have your choice of free toppings that of course inclue the traditional mayonnaise, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, etc. as well as some other non-traditional sauces and peppers. According to Five Guys there are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger there. South Tampa News voted them the #1 Burger.
3.) Steak ‘n Shake – Tampa, Florida
This one you may be more familiar with due to their television commercials. They are a nationwide franchise with limited locations. What makes them unique are their delicious Steakburgers where the name Steak ‘n Shake comes from. This burger joint/curb service/drive-thru/restaurant has been around since 1934. The first one opened in Normal, Illinois where the owner took round, sirloin, and T-bone steaks by grinding them up into steakburger patties or pucks to be put on a hot grill. Steak ‘n Shake prides themselves with still having the finest burger anywhere in the world made from the finest steaks. Their milkshakes are made from creamy real milk that’s hand-dipped. It is always a treat for me to go to Steak ‘n Shake to get their steakburger and milkshake. Be sure to check the one out in South Tampa on South Dale Mabry across from Plant High School.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburger
http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx
