The Cheddar Style Burger at Cook-Out, Charlotte, NC

Cook-out is a chain of fast food restaurants in the South with more than 100 locations in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Cook-out features items that you'd typically find at an outdoor cook-out- burgers, dogs, chicken, BBQ and more. Most locations feature a double drive-thru with outdoor seating and many locations feature dine-in seating as well.

Cook-Out

If you are craving a burger you must first choose the size- either their 2oz. small ($1.19), 4 oz. regular ($2.39), 6oz. Large ($2.59) or 8oz. Huge ($2.79), then choose one of 4 distinctly different styles of toppings:
"Cook-out style" ($.65) with homemade chili and slaw, mustard and onions.
"Out West style" ($.65) with BBQ sauce, bacon, mayo, pickles and onions.
"Steak style" ($.65) with A1 sauce, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
"Cheddar style" ($.89) with cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onions and mayo.

The Cheddar Style Burger at Cook-Out

On this day I went for the small cheddar style burger. The beef patty came well done with nice BBQ flavor imparted by the char-grilling. The gooey processed cheddar cheese and sweet sauteed onions slathered and covered the smoky bacon. Although there was a bit too much cheese (I can't believe I would ever say too much cheese)- the burger was pretty decent and reminiscent of the Wendy's cheddar portobello melt, but at a fraction of the price. The entire bill- including the burger and a soda came in at a bargain price of $3.22 all taxes in!

Cook-out offers a decent burger at a great value and a menu that is sure to deliver whatever you might be hungering for. I'll be going back.

Aburgeraday rating: 6/10

The Kobe Beef Burger at Burger Bar, San Francisco, CA

The Burger Bar is the brain child of famous chef Hubert Keller- executive chef and owner of San Francisco's critically acclaimed Fleur-de-Lys restaurant. With locations in Las Vegas, NV and San Francisco and planned expansion into Beijing and Mexico City, the Burger Bar appeals to upscale diners looking for an unpretentious casual burger with the flair of a 5-star chef.

The elevator in Macy's whisks you up to the 6th floor Burger Bar

The San Francisco location is across from Union Square in the Macy's flagship store where you take an elevator to the 6th floor to get to the restaurant. Once you get there, you are presented with a spectacular view of San Francisco's Union Square- so make sure to ask for a window seat!

Get there early to get premium seating overlooking San Francisco's Union Square

Menu items include various burgers including the basics all the way to the over-the-top Rossini Burger- A kobe beef burger stuffed with braised short ribs topped with a lobster tail, shaved black truffles, truffle sauce served on an onion bun ($60).

I tried the Kobe beef burger ($16.50)- medium rare, topped with American, caramelized onions and house made aioli all served on a ciabatta roll. The burger was cooked perfectly and came out with juices running. The patty was loosely packed and was held together by the American cheese. The Kobe beef delivered a whollop of beef flavor and could be one of the most flavorful burgers I've had. The beef flavor was strong- almost gamey- something that you don't get from straight chuck and makes the meat get noticed in your burger. It also had good fat content but wasn't too greasy. Caramelized onions delivered added sweetness and the garlic aioli rounded things out.

The Kobe beef burger at the Burger Bar

The Burger Bar won't disappoint when it comes to burgers- they know how to make a great burger and they do it well. The Kobe beef burger is one of those burgers you'll love and always remember 'cause it's just downright good and it tastes different enough to be memorable.

Aburgeraday rating: 8/10