BEST BURGERS Vegetarians, beware. We’re going to talk here about the all-American hamburger. Specifically, we’re going to talk about where visitors to Maine can find the very best burgers, those juicy, fat-dripping, artery-clogging, charbroiled, bun-busting, gotta-have-’em, flesh-eater’s objects of desire. Ask a food critic, and you might get a recommendation for a gourmet burger flavored with caramelized onions and topped with Trappist cheese (Nocturnem Draft Haus, Bangor). Ask a dockworker and he may send you to a food truck that sells “Mainah Burgers” loaded with cheddar, bacon, sautéed onions, apple slices and homemade maple mayo (Mainely Burgers Truck, Scarborough). Consult TV’s Food Network and you will be told to go directly to the Owls Head General Store for a “Seven Napkin Burger” sporting American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. After participating in an Eater Maine survey of food critics’ picks for best burgers—see below for some of the results that are posted online—food writer Nancy Heiser told us, “I haven’t tasted many burgers on the review circuit, but I do have another to add since that write-up. White Wolf Inn’s (Stratton) hand-formed, 8-ounce, cookedto-order burger is quite good, and grateful Appalachian Trail hikers dig into one of several varieties, offered with a big selection of condiments and sauces.” Heiser chose two burgers for the original survey. One was the wagyu beef burger at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport. The other was the less
expensive “hand-formed, juicy-greasy beef burger served with garlic on a dark pretzel roll” from LFK in Portland. When we asked Islesboro food critic Sandra Oliver to name her favorite burger, she mentioned not one but three. “My favorite burger may not be the best burger in Midcoast or Camden, even, but I really like stopping at Scott’s Place. I personally like the bacon cheeseburger.” Added the Bangor Daily News writer, “Darby’s in Belfast does a great job with burgers, too. The last time I had one, it was big, juicy and on a really quality bun.” Her actual best, best burger, though, she says, is the one her “main squeeze” makes from ground chuck. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the more popular “best burger” recommendations. A-1 Diner
Gardiner
Armory Lounge, Regency Hotel & Spa
Portland
Bag & Kettle
Sugarloaf
Don’s Lunch Coach
Westbrook
Fat Boy Drive-In
Brunswick
Great Lost Bear
Portland
Harmon’s Lunch
Falmouth
Rapid Ray’s
Saco
Rollie’s Bar & Grill
Belfast
Roy’s All Steak Hamburgers
Auburn
Ruski’s
Portland
Ryan’s Corner House
Kennebunk
Stone Dog Café
North Windham
When Pig’s Fly
Kittery
Famous for SEAFOODS Since 1927
PLACE
Family Dining & Full Bar Pine Point Road, Scarborough • 883-6611 www.facebook.com/KensPlace1927 Open Late March to Late Fall 173