The Grill Sergeant

Please take the quiz below.
You really want a burger, but:
a)  you don’t have a grill.
b)  you do have a grill, but it is raining outside.  Bummer.
c)  you do have a grill, but you are feeling lazy.
d)  you think fast food is gross and you still want to feel good about yourself at the end of the meal.

What did you answer? Regardless, it sounds like you need the answer to a very important question: where can I find a great burger when I don’t want to do the work?

If you’re like me, you consider a few different factors:
-taste
-quality
-price
-options (for meat, toppings and side dishes)

Luckily, from Ballston to Courthouse, there are some great choices to solve your burger dilemma.  Here, I’ll compare three of my favorites: Big Buns, BGR burger joint, and Ray’s The Steaks Burger.

Big Buns Gourmet Grill   4401 Wilson Blvd.  Sun 12pm-8:30pm, Mon 11:30am-9pm,

Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm   http://www.eatbigbuns.com/

Who can resist a place whose motto is “I like Big Buns and I cannot lie”??  Fantastic.  (There are t-shirts donning this phrase for purchase if you’d like to represent.)  Big Buns is tucked back into a collection of high-rises in Ballston, and it’s worth searching it out.

Big Buns has a build-your-own style menu, with options like blackened fish, chicken, Angus burger, or portabella mushrooms for the vegetarians in the house. There’s also the option of a wheat bun, or, if you want to go bunless, you can get a burger bowl.  You’re essentially making it a burger salad. This is what my husband ordered – with double Angus patties – and he was satisfied.

After you’ve built your base, you then can choose - for free (!) - to add great toppings like grilled pineapple, mango and black bean salsa, sprouts, and roasted red peppers.  For just a tiny bit extra, you can add an array of cheeses and specialty toppings like guacamole.  Last but certainly not least, you choose a sauce to top things off and give your burger an awesome kick.  Sweet potato and regular fries are available as sides.  BB also features shakes, malts, and floats, all with the option of sprucing  things up with a smattering of options at their DIY syrup bar. 

My only complaint was that I would have liked more of the veggies that I ordered as toppings.  The huge piece of tilapia I got (very generous portions) needed more accompaniments.  Other than that, it was all delish.   Big Buns is very well priced, the cheapest I’ve found so far.

They have outdoor an indoor seating and friendly service.  And did I mention, great t-shirts?  You other brothers can’t deny.  Big Buns is tasty.

BGR The Burger Joint    3024 Wilson Blvd., and 3129 Lee Hwy. 

Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri and Sat 11am-10pm  http://www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com/

Now with two locations, one in Clarendon and another off of Lee Highway, BGR is a great place to get a meaty, juicy burger with great flavors.  A fun twist is their featured milkshake and burger of the month.  The May menu offers the “In Guac We Rock” burger and the “Girl Scout Thin Mint” shake to send you home full-bellied and happy.

BGR also has great meat options and an extensive specialty burger menu.  Their turkey burger is blended with spices, mushrooms, and gorgonzola cheese.  They offer spicy, flavorful beef burgers, ahi tuna burgers, and when in season, lobster. 

A final rave on BGR is its side dishes and drink menu.  If you want a variation on the fry theme, try their amazingly tasty sweet potato fries or “The Green Standard,” grilled asparagus sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Mmmm, a great compliment to an already awesome sandwich.  BGR also rotates choices for beer and wine.

Because of the quality and portions, BGR is a little pricier than other burger joints.  If you really want to do it up right, it’s worth your money.  Sit outside or enjoy their great music selection indoors.

Ray’s Hell Burger   1725 Wilson Blvd.  Mon-Thurs & Sat-Sun 11am-10pm,

Fri 11am-11pm    No website

Don’t expect to go to Raise Hell Burger if you’re looking for ambiance or a warm, friendly environment to dine in.  It’s hot and crowded and you should be prepared to order in a hurry.  But there’s a reason it’s always packed and busy.  Ray’s Hell Burger is a reasonably priced, huge, beefy burger.  I might even call it a Man Burger.  Ladies, no problem, it’s totally do-able. 

The patties are not presented in a frilly way by any means, but there are great toppings to beef up your beef like sherry sautéed mushroom and fresh avocado slices.  Also, you can choose various ways to have your burger grilled, including pepper-encrusted or super spicy. I loved mine, but I’ve got to say, I only ate half and ended up with a stomach ache just because it’s just so darn heavy!  The sweet potato fries were also worth the pain.  My husband handled his Man Burger just fine, stomach ache-free. 

You can dine in or take out – Ray’s qualifies as a fast food burger place but with more quality and bang for your buck because of the portions and medium range prices.  Ray’s Hell Burger Too, located a few doors down, is a more involved version of the original Ray’s Hell, with more meat options and table service, if that is what you’re looking for.  Either way, you’re in for an experience and the enjoyment of an Arlington classic.

Enjoy!

Coming Up…

This week is Craft Beer Week.  Check out Noreen Burn’s review of what to check out: