Best Burger in SOWAL?

**DCollins** · 06-24-2012, 09:34 AM

I tried to find this post everywhere and couldn't find it. So I made a new one. What is everyone's vote for best burger in SOWAL?

I would have to cast votes for Red Bar and Shuckums (even though I know they are in Bay County!!)

**groveral** · 06-24-2012, 09:50 AM

lots of good ones, but my go-to is Flip Flops

**Teresa** · 06-24-2012, 10:45 AM

The best burger I've had in a while is at Pickles in Seaside! But, I love several other burgers around town such as Stinky's and Good Apples!'

BTW, a good burger requires a side of excellent fries and that isn't always what you get. See above for some places that offer excellent combos. There are some great burgers in town that I just don't go for because of the crappy/coated fries served with it.

**beachmouse** · 06-24-2012, 10:48 AM

If you're going to cross county lines, the outpost of Tucker Duke's at the bowling alley in Destin might be worth a try. Love their other location in Valparaiso.

**RTR** · 06-24-2012, 11:59 AM

hurricane oyster bar has a good one

**Teresa** · 06-24-2012, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by RTR

hurricane oyster bar has a good one

its next on my list. I know their fries are good...

**Iris** · 06-24-2012, 02:38 PM

We tried the one at Good Apples but was not tops on my list. I think the pattie was pre-cooked and if not it cooked really fast and the bun was too healthy for a burger. Probably really good for the healthy type people. We haven't tried Pickle's because I am not a fan of grass fed beef, it is too strong for my taste. I like Angus ground chuch (80/20). The closest to what I really like is at 98 BBQ. The burger is pretty good, not fancy, a regular bun!, and great hand cut fries with NO coating or seasoning. Village Market would be right up there because of their burger but their fries drag it down. I would rather frozen crinkle cut than those coated things. Smiling Fish serves up a pretty good burger, but here comes those coated fries. I will try and find the burger post so they can be merged.

**Teresa** · 06-24-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Iris

We tried the one at Good Apples but was not tops on my list. I think the pattie was pre-cooked and if not it cooked really fast and the bun was too healthy for a burger. Probably really good for the healthy type people. We haven't tried Pickle's because I am not a fan of grass fed beef, it is too strong for my taste. I like Angus ground chuch (80/20). The closest to what I really like is at 98 BBQ. The burger is pretty good, not fancy, a regular bun!, and great hand cut fries with NO coating or seasoning. Village Market would be right up there because of their burger but their friesdrag it down. I would rather frozen crinkle cut than those coated thing. Smiling Fish serves up a pretty good burger, but here comes those coated fries. I will try and find the burger post so they can be merged.

funny how we expect different thing in a burger. Apples had a terrific burger when I had it. I thought it was angus, but can't remember. and their crinkle cuts are terrific but I could use a few extra on the plate.
98 BBQ has too much seasoning for my taste, but definitely love the fries along with a great BBQ sandwich.
Love Smiling Fish burger and/or grouper sandwich (but the fries - no).
LOVE Village Market grouper sandwich more than anything!

You should try Pickles (when they are not too busy). Outstanding burger and the fries are equally wonderful!

Local Catch has a very good burger but I can't do the fries. Good side selections though.

I really like Red Bar burger and the fries are iffy. Great onion rings though!

I had a great burger at Great Southern. They don't serve fries, I don't think. But they have roasted potatoes and other delicious sides (not the same as a good fry, I agree).

I really want to try Johnny McTighes burger - saw one the other day when I was there eating fish and chips (with malt vinegar). they have terrific hand cut fries.

I will miss the burger & fries at First Note Cafe since they have closed.

**Iris** · 06-24-2012, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Teresa

funny how we expect different thing in a burger. Apples had a terrific burger when I had it. I thought it was angus, but can't remember. and their crinkle cuts are terrific but I could use a few extra on the plate.
98 BBQ has too much seasoning for my taste, but definitely love the fries along with a great BBQ sandwich.
Love Smiling Fish burger and/or grouper sandwich (but the fries - no).
LOVE Village Market grouper sandwich more than anything!

You should try Pickles (when they are not too busy). Outstanding burger and the fries are equally wonderful!

Local Catch has a very good burger but I can't do the fries. They have other excellent sides.

I really like Red Bar burger and the fries are iffy. But still love my Red Bar. They do have terrific Onion Rings!

I had a great burger at Great Southern. They don't serve fries, I don't think. But they have roasted potatoes and other delicious sides (not the same as a good fry, I agree).

I really want to try Johnny McTighes burger - saw one the other day when I was there eating fish and chips (with malt vinegar). they have terrific hand cut fries.

I will miss the burger & fries at First Note Cafe since they have closed.

It is funny! LOL. I ask 98 BBQ for salt only and they do it. I don't like seasoning on my fries either. I also hear that Fens has a great burger, made of sirloin and two 4 oz patties, so I can take one off.

**Teresa** · 06-24-2012, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Iris

It is funny! LOL. I ask 98 BBQ for salt only and they do it. I don't like seasoning on my fries either. I also hear that Fens has a great burger, made of sirloin and two 4 oz patties, so I can take one off.

Fens is on the list then!

**DCollins** · 06-25-2012, 02:45 PM

I am looking for a great, fresh not frozen burger personally. Great fries are a definite plus. I usually only come for a few days at a time unfortunately so I try to get as much seafood in as possible. But coming for a full week starting Saturday and I am definitely going to want to a good burger. I'll want to try Flip Flops I think for sure and I've never been to Smiling Fish cafe so I want to try that as well.

My Top 10 restaurants in SOWAL in order (so far):

1. Cafe 30-A
2. Red Bar
3. Village Market Cafe
4. Hurricane Oyster Bar
5. The Local Catch
6. Bud and Alleys
7. Wild Olives
8. The Great Southern Cafe
9. Fish Out of Water
10. Shades on the Loop

**DCollins** · 06-25-2012, 02:47 PM

Dang it, forgot one. Old Florida Fish House and take off Shades!

**Teresa** · 06-25-2012, 06:27 PM

Very good burger at McTighes today! Of course the fries rock.

**Teresa** · 06-25-2012, 06:28 PM

Never heard of this beachmouse! Will be on the look out.

**Scooter** · 06-26-2012, 07:46 AM

No offense Teresa, but Pickles burgers are disgusting!!!!! Red Bar gets my vote!!!!!!

**southof30A** · 06-26-2012, 01:46 PM

Coram's

**Teresa** · 06-26-2012, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Scooter

No offense Teresa, but Pickles burgers are disgusting!!!!! Red Bar gets my vote!!!!!!

I definitely would have agreed with you a few months ago - overpriced and tasteless. have you had the new and improved version? all new menu and wonderful stuff... delicious burger with hand cut fries.

Check out the SoWal.com home page story below - from May 2012. Check out the new Pickles - may be a tad crowded this week!

Pickle's in Seaside is All New and Aiming High

**Teresa** · 06-26-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by southof30A

Coram's

agreed. a very good diner burger with crinkle cuts.

**southof30A** · 06-26-2012, 05:02 PM

Grilled bun and crinkle cuts are hard to beat.

**abolla** · 06-27-2012, 06:10 AM

House of Klaus next to Hurricane Oyster Bar has a great burger!

**rheffron** · 06-27-2012, 04:27 PM

Publix has Frozen White Castles that are awesome. I miss the fresh ones !

**spartan1** · 06-27-2012, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Teresa

I had a great burger at Great Southern. They don't serve fries, I don't think. But they have roasted potatoes and other delicious sides (not the same as a good fry, I agree).

Great Southern is a perfect example of a place with a great burger, but less than average fries. It's usually better just order a different side.

**tmdempsey** · 06-28-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by abolla

House of Klaus next to Hurricane Oyster Bar has a great burger!

House of Klaus has GREAT burgers...never frozen and ....just off the chain!!!! They are good....Great Daily specials too....I am a regular and its delicious!

**Teresa** · 06-28-2012, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by tmdempsey

House of Klaus has GREAT burgers...never frozen and ....just off the chain!!!! They are good....Great Daily specials too....I am a regular and its delicious!

It is a different kind of burger, but very good. meatloafy. They have terrific fries too.

**Iris** · 06-28-2012, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

If you're going to cross county lines, the outpost of Tucker Duke's at the bowling alley in Destin might be worth a try. Love their other location in Valparaiso.

Tried Tucker Duke's it today. It was really good. They have 8oz burgers($5.95) which are a little large for us and they had no problem splitting it. We didn't venture out and have one of their specialty burgers but surely will the next time we stop by. AND they only use salt and pepper...no mystery ingredients. It was perfect. The bowling alley was not crowded and it was a pleasant change.

**Beach Runner** · 06-28-2012, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by spartan1

Great Southern is a perfect example of a place with a great burger, but less than average fries. It's usually better just order a different side.

I'm not a fries connoisseur, so I'd much prefer another side. I love the turnip greens as a side with my burger at Great Southern and the slaw at Flip-Flops (a touch of mayo, a touch of vinegar, not sweet, and well-seasoned with celery seeds).

I always make sure I order medium well to I get a juicy burger. Except the bison burger at Ted's Montana Grill which tends to be dry, so I order medium.

**DCollins** · 07-13-2012, 12:35 PM

I was down in SOWAL last week to get a chance to try all the burgers mentioned on here, but unfortunately there just was not time to try all these places!! I did get the chance to go to pickles and try theirs. The burger was amazing as were the fries. The fries were so crispy and golden brown. They serve beer which was a plus too! My fiance' said it was one of the best burgers she had ever eaten!

I'm coming down again for my bachelor party labor day weekend and I want to try to get to McTighes to try their burger one day. We are staying in Gulf Trace in Grayton so look out!

**Iris** · 07-17-2012, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Scooter

No offense Teresa, but Pickles burgers are disgusting!!!!! Red Bar gets my vote!!!!!!

Scooter, don't know when you had your last burger at Pickles. We finally went to check out the new burger and fries and still not really excited. The meat had a pretty good taste for grass fed, but the texture was too dense for me. Happy there were no mystery ingredients in the burger. The Masada Bakery bread was a little overwhelming for the burger. The fries were pretty good but not near as good as Edward's. They were a little limp and not real hot. But they were the real deal. I commend them for their effort, but they still have a way to go to justify $17.50 for a regular size burger, small fry, and 16 oz coke, including tax and a 2 buck tip. I'll try them in August or September when the crowds die down.

**seagrover** · 07-17-2012, 08:32 PM

Had an awesome burger tonight at Local Catch.

**Robert D** · 07-18-2012, 07:46 AM

Pickles is very good. I also like Great Southern.

**pcbequalsheaven** · 07-18-2012, 03:06 PM

Biker burger has my vote, followed by any of the tops locations. Those burgers are awesome, although McGuires in Destin makes some delicious burgers as well.