Honolulu’s Greatest Burgers
May 28, 2010 by Jo McGarry
Filed under Featured, Main Course
Not that you really need an excuse…but these last few days of May provide a perfect opportunity to eat a burger or two more than usual.
As National Burger Month concludes, we’ve been on the lookout for some special burgers at city restaurants. Yes, they’re a little pricier than your average fast food patty , but what do you get for the extra dollars? Grass fed beef, locally sourced greens and tomatoes, imported Irish cheese, and even a choice of bison, buffalo or ostrich. With space limitations it’s impossible to print a complete list of Honolulu’s greatest burgers – but here are a few firm favorites to get you started.
Ed Robles, at The Counter invites all to celebrate National Burger Month.
The Counter Burger
When a burger joint is dedicated to serving 100 per cent Angus beef that’s hormone and antibiotic free, then it gets my vote. At The Counter, the menu holds the key ingredients to about, oh, 300,000 combinations of burgers. The concept is as fresh as the market greens, corn, roasted peppers and tomatoes that make up some of the endless toppings for beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burgers.
Rarely is the same burger made twice in one day, but if you’re someone easily intimidated by too many choices – then head for the Signature Burger list. It’s hard to beat the Counter Burger – a ground beef burger topped with Tillamook Cheddar, lettuce , tomato, onion, pickle and red relish.
The Counter Burger
Irresistible sides at The Counter include fried dill pickle chips, and the colorful ‘Fifty-Fifty’ combos fries and sweet potato fries, fries and onion strings or sweet fries and onion strings.
The Counter Kahala
4211 Waialae Avenue
739.5100
www.thecounterburger.com
Grand Tiki Burger
You might not expect to find a great burger on the roof top of a hotel in Waikiki, but the Tiki Burger has been a hit with locals and tourists alike, since the restaurant opened. Tiki’s uses Maui Cattle Company ground beef in their 1/2lb patty, served on a toasted sesame seed bun stacked with sweet onions, sliced pickles, iceberg lettuce and sliced roma tomatoes.
The Grand Tiki is $12, and for an extra $4, you can double up and get yourself a full one-pound of ground beef on a bun. While you’re there, you might want to try the locally inspired Fried Green Tomato Sandwich; thick slices of Waialua-grown tomatoes fried in cornmeal and topped with goat cheese and island papaya salad.
Bunless Burger - at The Counter you can build it your way - with or without
a bun.
Yes, it’s a hassle to get into Waikiki – but oh so worth it once you’re there.
Tiki’s Grill and Bar Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
2570 Kalakaua Avenue
923.8454
www.tikisgrill.com
d.k. Steak House Burger
It seems like a given that a steak house would be the perfect place to have a burger – and that’s certainly true at d.k. Steak House in Waikiki, where prime beef and local tomatoes and crisp romaine on an onion bun round out this succulent, juicy, 3/4lb burger. There’s also a mini burger on the kids menu that offers the same amazing flavor (and comes with fries, a drink and dessert for just $12.95).
Grand Tiki Burger.
You could argue that chef/owner D.K. Kodama, who also owns The Counter, is the current burger king of Honolulu.
d.k. Steak House Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
2552 Kalakaua Avenue
931.6280
www.dksteakhouse.com
Kiawe Grill Super Prime Burger
Since opening his first burger joint on North King Street almost 10 years ago, Jason Chong has built a steady following of those devoted to the flavor that kiawe wood and slow grilling imparts. The burgers at Kiawe Grill are infused with a subtle smokiness that makes them unique in Hawaii.
Kiawe Grill flavors it's burgers with kiawe wood burning stoves at three
locations in Honolulu.
And while the casual restaurants (there are now 4 locations) offer Korean style sides along with a range of plate lunch combinations – it’s the burgers that prove most addictive. The Kiawe Grill Super Prime Burger – 10 oz of perfectly grilled meat on a bun with iceberg, tomatoes and onion – will help you understand why people rave, but there’s no better place for those looking to reduce their fat and cholesterol intake; Jason is just as happy to grill you up a burger made from bison, venison or ostrich.
Kiawe Grill
1311 North King Street
841.5577
www.kiawegrill.com
The Alley “Handmade” Burger
At The Alley, there’s a popular catering menu that includes most of the restaurant’s signature dishes as well as local favorites like spare ribs, kalbi short ribs and kalua pork, so you can have their special dishes delivered to any event. You can even have your bowling games catered.
How about an Ostrich burger? Kiawe Grill offers exotic meats as well as
kiawe grilled bee
But if you go to Aiea Bowl just for the burger, you’ll find an incredibly tasty, juicy, hand made patty served on a simple sesame seed bun with shredded lettuce and mayo. Cheese is optional, either way the flavor is fabulous. You can eat while you’re bowling, hang out in the casual dining area that’s been tastefully refurbished or call your order in and pull up outside the take-out window. Go for the bowling, but don’t miss the burger.
Aiea Bowl
99-115 Aiea Heights Drive
488.6854
www.aieabowl.com
Nico’s Double Cheeseburger
He might be famous for serving fish fresh off the dock, but Nico Chaize serves a mean burger too. It’s billed as one of the ’staff favorites’, but Nico’s burger is well known to foodies who travel the island in search of good grinds.
Local Burger. Building you own burger - like this home made effort - is
easy if you use quality local ingredients. Hauula Tomatoes and North Shore Cattle Company Beef make up this colorful burger.
The double hand made cheeseburger is topped with simple lettuce, tomato, onion and cheddar cheese and oozes flavor. Best to try and catch this burger either before the lunchtime rush, or after. Since appearing on Diners Drive Inns and Dives just a few weeks ago, this harbor’s edge haven is busier than ever.
Wolfgang’s Classic Prime Sirloin Hamburger
If there’s one burger you should try before the month ends , it’s this one at Wolfgang’s. For only $10, you get a juicy prime sirloin burger served on a freshly baked sesame seed bun topped with American cheese, tomato onion and lettuce. The complete meal deal comes with steak fries, onion rings and a complimentary soft drink .
The Pineapple Room's popular burgers are a big hit at lunchtime
The offer , from one of the city’s classiest steak houses, is only good until May 31st, so don’t waste a moment. After the May deadline, the lunchtime burger returns to its original price (with drink $19).
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zweiner.
2301 Kalakaua Avenue
922.3600
www.wolfgangssteakhouse.net
Pineapple Room Burger
Whether you choose your burger the classic old-fashioned way, or as a more contemporary bun filled with all of Pineapple Room’s style, there’s no doubting the local influence on these outstanding burgers.
Sliders are the new way to eat burgers - these pulled pork sliders are from
newly opened SOUL on Waialae Avenue.
The ‘Old Fashion’ offers kiawe grilled Maui Cattle Company beef with sautéed onions, mushrooms cheddar cheese and mustard mayonnaise, while the Pineapple Room Burger has onion rings, bacon, cheddar cheese and a creamy avocado salsa. Just as you’d expect from chef Alan Wong, both are perfect examples of their genre!
The Pineapple Room
Ala Moana Center
945.5529
www.alanwongs.com/pineappleroom
town Burger
Home made bread, house made pasta and locally sourced ingredients are staples at town, Kaimuki, So it only makes sense that their burger would be worth a taste.
Irish cheddar made with Guinness - part of the Blarney Burger at Murphy's
Local beef (North Shore Cattle Company grass fed), local greens and tomatoes give this burger all the flavor it needs. Nothing fancy, nothing over the top, just classic, locally grown ingredients in an unbeatable combination.
3435 Wai’alae Ave.
35.5900
www.townaimuki.com
Blarney Burger
You’d expect to find a pretty good burger on the menu at a bar and grill where freshly made local beers are on tap and the menu includes entrees like corned beef and cabbage and Gaelic steak, and the burgers are kicked up at Murphy’s by the addition of Cajun spices, or Irish cheese. The Irish Burger is topped with imported Cashel Bleu cheese, its companion Blarney Burger boasts a unique cheddar cheese made with Guinness and flown in from the Emerald Isle.
Teddy's Original Bigger Burger. House made 'super sauce' is key.
For those who enjoy tradition, Murphy’s also serves a classic cheeseburger.
Murphy’s Bar and Grill
2 Merchant St. Honolulu
www.gomurphys.com
Teddy’s Original Burger
An annual award winner for ‘best burger’, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers provides an uncommon level of culinary comfort with its exceptional burgers. From soft, floury buns to freshly made 100 per cent ground chuck patties, Teddy’s has perfected the art of the burger and its all-important accompaniments – fries and shakes. The #2 Bigger Combo offers a 7 oz burger with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion on a soft bun stacked with ’super sauce’.
With a 1950’s diner theme and a menu that offers wide variety (veggie, chicken, turkey and fish burgers are permanently on the menu), Teddy’s is the ultimate, go-to neighborhood spot when burger cravings hit.
Monthly specials are worth checking out (don’t miss the barbecued pulled pork burger this month), and the extra thick milk shakes are a treat for all ages.
Koko Marina Shopping Center Hawaii Kai 394.9100
Kailua Village Shops 539 Kailua Road Kailua 262.0820
Waikiki Grand Hotel Kapahulu Avenue 926.3444
