I Will Gladly Pay You on Tuesday for a Hamburger Today

I don't know if it's just plain luck, intense market forecasting, or simply this lame foodie trying to apply economic theories to restaurant openings, but the number of burger joints popping up couldn't have come at a better time...what with the economy tanking and people tossing those silly diets to the side and embracing red meat.

The Washington Post did a nice run down of the newer burger joints in the DC area (you can read it here) that are creeping onto Five Guys territory, but are here are my takes:



Good Stuff Eatery
Opened by Top Chef contender Spike Mendehlson, this Capitol Hill burger joint has quickly taken off, often with lines out the door during the afternoon lunch rush. I have had the pleasure of having three or four late night election cycle meals here and have never been disappointed.

My first visit was less than a week into their Grand Opening, and although it was obvious they were still working through their kinks, I was rewarded for my patience with a free refill on my Blue Moon beer (which they have on tap) and one hell of a tasty burger...now that's good service.

I got the Farmhouse Burger with Cheddar and seasoned fries. The burger was very juicy, but not greasy, and the fries were crisp and flavorful. You even have a choice of 5-6 dipping sauces for your fries (and burgers I suppose). Subsequent visits have not disappointed and I am slowly working my way through the full burger menu (work colleagues have informed me that their salads are fantastic as well, but who gets a salad at a burger joint)

Bonus menu item: homemade & handmade milkshakes

Ray's Hell Burger
Owned and operated by the same folks that run Ray's the Steaks (quite possibly the best steak in greater DC), this burger joint offers enough topping selections to make any foodie's stomach growl in anticipation. The cheese lists alone reads like the back of a fine dining menu, and the various extra toppings available will not disappoint.

The burgers themselves are HUGE, no seriously HUGE. I like to think that I have a healthy appetite, but Appe Teaser and I could have easily split one. Overall the burgers were good, but I agree with DC Foodies review overall. Ray's does a damn good steak, an pretty good burger, but a horrible bun (the thing falls apart).

If I had to choose between Hell Burger and Good Stuff, I'd go Good Stuff every time.