The 2021 Burger Tour Final Results

This past year’s Burger Tour was quite the undertaking. The roster of “to-be-had” was massive. The list was 102 restaurants deep. These included burger-specific restaurants, diners, casual dining, and more. The list was compiled from suggestions from readers, listeners, friends, and things that I was wanting to try.

I wasn’t alone in this. Street Team Steven was a sponsor of this tour. He accompanied me to a large portion of the restaurants. We talked and conferred but all the ratings were mine.  My wife, Stephanie, went with me for several of them, as well. The same went for her, too. She had some say but the rating was mine to make. My friend Jeff Davids sponsored one of the burgers, too.

To recap the tour, we started this on March 22, 2021 (which oddly enough, is a year tomorrow), and it ran until the week after Thanksgiving. Yes, there were 102 to choose from but I didn’t get to all of them. I couldn’t (and really shouldn’t) have more than 3 or 4 a week. I had to have some breaks. Some that were missed were ones that I really wanted to get to but just didn’t for whatever reason, whether for proximity, convenience, or honestly, desire. Not that I didn’t want to go to some of them but because there were others that I felt I needed to try more. The ones that I missed outside of the Winston-Salem area were because of the distance. The ones outside Winston that I did have were ones that I was either working in that area on an outside project or Steven and I went there together.

I’m going to remind you of the 2019 Burger Tour results. It was the Top 10 burgers in the area. Starting from the 10th and counting down:

10. Small Batch
9. Max Burger
8. West End Cafe
7. Cin-Cin Burger Bar
6. Canteen Market & Bistro
5. Food Freaks of NC Food Truck
4. Zito Pizzeria and Grill
3. Social. Southern Kitchen & Cocktails
2. Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream
1. Boone Doggies

Of those 10, three are no longer in business at all (Zesto, Social. Max Burger); two have changed their concepts (Small Batch, Canteen); one was a food truck that isn’t out much but has a brick and mortar (Food Freaks); and four that are still doing what they were doing, mostly. The “mostly” I’ll talk about in a bit.

These burgers were different kinds of burgers going up against each other. The list had specialty burgers, pub burgers, diner burgers, weird burgers, and so on.  This year, I decided that to be a contender for the list, it was going to have to be a “standard” ingredient burger. That means, as close as possible, it was going to be cheese, mayo, pickle, tomato, onion, sometimes mustard. Perhaps some shredded lettuce if that was the lettuce style, no whole-leaf iceberg or other leaf lettuce were allowed but I did allow spinach as a substitute. If there was a burger sauce like a “special sauce” or Russian dressing type thing, we used that instead of the mayo. The difference wasn’t really noticeable in the grand scheme of things. Some of the ones on this year’s list are pub burgers, others are diner burgers. Pub burgers are usually around 7-8 oz. Diner burgers are generally 3-4 oz. Some of the burgers are fresh beef and some are frozen. I have found that I don’t mind frozen beef as long as the final product is seasoned well and done right.

For this year, Steven and I devised a system to allow me to put a numerical rating into six different categories. Those categories were “Flavor,” “Quality of Ingredients,” “Presentation,” “Aroma,” “Order Correctness,” and “Overall Happiness.” It wasn’t a straight, across-the-board weighting, either. Order correctness and aroma were 5% each of the total rating. The presentation was 10%.  Quality of ingredients 20%. Flavor 25%. Overall Happiness was 35% of the rating. Because, to me what I felt while eating it, the enjoyment of the burger, and the ambiance in which I was consuming it matters a lot to me. After all, the whole purpose is the experience, at least to me. All of those categories equal 100%.

For this year’s final list I expanded to a Top 15 and really, that’s a misnomer because Nos. 10-15 are basically tied and mostly interchangeable.

There are some that we couldn’t put in the contention for the official ranking because of several factors; some of which are chains (smaller or otherwise), specialty burgers, availability, etc.

Here are the burgers I did get to:

4th Street Filling Station, 601 Burgers and Brews, 6th & Vine, A Slice of Napoli, Allen’s Dairy Treats, Antojitos Las Delicias, Big Burger Spot (Greensboro Guilford College Area), Big Burger Spot (Kernersville), Big Burger Spot 2 (Greensboro Battleground), Bobo’s Deli & Grill, Boone Doggies, Cafe Arthurs, Cagney’s, Campus Gas, Carolina Ale House, Char’s Hamburgers, Cin Cin Burger Bar, Culver’s, Dari-O, DB’s Grill, Earl’s, Food Freaks, Foothill’s Brewpub (Downtown WSNC), Foothill’s Grill & Tap (King, not related to the brewery), Frank’s New York Style Pizza and Subs (Rural Hall), Grandma Ruby’s, Greek Guys Grill, Hero House, Hop’s Burger Bar WSNC, Hot Dog City, Joe’s Take-Out (Clemmons), John Brown’s Country Store and Grill (King), Johnny B’s Grillhouse, Kermit’s Hot Dogs, King’s Hot Dogs (Rural Hall), Little Red Caboose, Local Artisan (which is currently closed), Mama Zoe Michaels, Mojito (Mojito Burger), Mozelle’s, Mr. Barbecue, Munch Box, Nicks Old-Fashioned Burgers (Welcome), P.B.’s Takeout, Papa Lee’s Grill (currently closed), Piedmont Aviation Snack Bar, Pine Tree Tavern, Putter’s, Quiet Pint Tavern, Rudy’s Cafe & Catering (Greensboro), Small Batch HP, Thunder Road, Times Square Pizza (now The Pizza Place), TJ’s Deli (Parkway), Tuning Fork Provisions, Twin Peaks Restaurant, Wake Mart – Exxon (4100 Cherry), West End Cafe, Willow’s Bistro, Young Cardinal Cafe, Zito’s Pizzeria & Grill, and Zoe’s Kitchen (Trenwest). 

Here are the places I had on the list but did not get to:

66 Pizza, 801 Southern Kitchen and Pancake House (Advance), Beef-Burger (Greensboro), Brick Oven Pizza (Clemmons), Burger Supreme (truck), Davie Tavern, Diamondback Grill, Doss’s (Kernersville), East Coast Wings, Grey’s Tavern (Greensboro), Hop’s Burger Bar GSO, J Butler’s, Jeffery Adams, Kickback Jack’s, King’s Crab Shack, Krankies, Lone Star Burger (High Point), Mayberry Ice Cream, Midtown Cafe, Milners, Mossy’s (Clemmons), Old 64 Diner, Old Richmond Grill, Pfafftown Kitchen, Porterhouse Burger Co (High Point), Riverbirch Lodge, Sir Winston, Small Batch WSNC, Sweet Potatoes, The Katherine, The Loop Restaurant, Tipsy’s Tavern (High Point), Tucker’s Grill (Hornytown), Twin City Minis (truck), Villa Grill (Clemmons), Whatyasay Burgers (truck), Zoe’s (Old Walkertown Rd).

As I said, some of the ones I couldn’t get to were a matter of location and convenience. I had to go to many of these in-between work and lunch hour times, so I couldn’t get to a lot of the outlying places unless Steven and I were making a trip out of it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to try them. It just wasn’t in the cards this time around.

On this tour, I am sorry to say that I had some of the worst burgers I’ve ever had in my life. I am not going to mention who they are because I’m about building up my local food establishments, not tearing them down and I think that for the most part, these restaurants offer a lot of good outside of the not-so-good burgers on their menus or they just so happened to have a burger on the menu but they specialize in other cuisines.

There are some that we couldn’t put in the contention for the official ranking because of several factors; some of which are chains (smaller or otherwise), specialty burgers, availability, etc.

Before we get to the list, I want to go over some honorable mentions and/or explanations.
*Diamondback Grill, I did have a specialty burger but not their regular menu burger so I couldn’t count that. Plus, being as they are a sponsor of mine, I wouldn’t have included them in the rankings. This way there was no claim of favoritism given to that. The same goes for Mojito Latin Soul Food where I did have their Mojito Burger.

Two of the last lists’ Top 10 were left off this time.
*Food Freaks couldn’t count because their menu specifically and explicitly says there are no lettuce, tomato, or pickles available. So, it can be a specialty burger, which we had the Godfather and Puff Mento, but still not in compliance with the rules this time around.
*Zito’s Pizzeria scored a 90 and would have pushed numbers 10-15 out of the list altogether. However, because the burger isn’t conspicuous on the menu and she doesn’t have beef all the time (she uses it for the meat sauces and such), I couldn’t count it. But, if you’re going there and want a burger, call ahead to see if they have the beef they need for it. It’s worth it if they do have it.

There are a few “chains” that could have shown up in the top list, but because I’m narrowing the list to “local independents,” I chose not to include them on the list proper, but here’s how some of the stacked up:
*Culver’s rated a 91. It’s one of the best burgers in town, actually, and Vikram is community-minded and wants to be involved. Give them a try, and… cheese curds.
*Dairi-O. Yes, I know they’re local but they have more than three locations and are a little bigger than I’d like for the “local” aspect. They rated an 89 and I really like their double cheeseburgers. I have been several times for “unofficial” burgers. I do suggest you try them if you haven’t.
*Twin Peaks. They were better than I expected and had a score of 84 which would tie the 15-10 spots but, they’re part of Fat Brands which includes over 2000 restaurant locations worldwide.

So, here it is. I’m going to start from #15 and count down. I reiterate that numbers 15-10 could have been any number, so just because one is #11 doesn’t mean it did better than the one before it, I just had to put one somewhere. The numbers in parentheses are how that location rated out of a possible 100.

#15 — Nick’s Old Fashioned Hamburger (84)
Street Team Steven went here to try not only the burger but the tenderloin sandwich, too. I will be 100% upfront here, I’ve had better burgers from Nick’s than we did on this trip. The ratings were for this trip, no matter how much I’d had before (and I have had Nick’s several times). Even with that, though, it was still a strong burger. Mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, and cheese. We had not only a single cheeseburger and the tenderloin sandwich, but a double burger. I think that Steven and I both agreed that the double was the way to go.  Had I had this on the 2019 tour, they probably would have been in the top 10. Nick’s is in Welcome at 6999 Old US Highway 52 (just past North Davidson High School).

#14 — Big Burger Spot – Kernersville (84)
The two Greensboro locations did fairly well, too (one at 80 and the other at 79), but the K-Ville location won due to the “overall happiness” rating. The experience was better here, not that it wasn’t before the onion rings were spectacular, too and that adds to the experience. The burger, though, was solid. All three locations were solid, actually. I think part of it was the owner actually made the burger there. He just so happened to be in that day. Stephanie and I ate there on the way back from Greensboro, where I was working for the day. Mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, mustard, ketchup, cheese. Pub burger with diner burger personality. The experience was more “diner.” Big Burger Spot, 803 Old Winston Road, Kernersville.

#13 — Hero House (84)
This was recommended to me by my friend Paul Jones and while I have eaten at Hero House before, it has been a long, long, long time. Mostly because it’s on Stratford Road and can be a pain to get in and out of. I just went for a late lunch and missed most of that traffic. But, I’m so glad Paul put me on this burger. It had this great under-flavor of onions like many diner burgers have and many others should have. Mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, cheese. Hero House is a great family-owned business, too. They do good work. 914 South Stratford Road, WSNC.

#12 — West End Cafe (84)
Here’s our first return burger from the 2019 list: the Cheeseburger Grinder. West End Cafe does everything well. I’ve never had a bad meal there. GM John McLemore introduced this to me in 2019 and I returned to it this time, too. This is a burger patty formed in the shape of a rectangle and topped with Thousand Island dressing, spinach (instead of lettuce), tomato, onion, pickle, American and pepper jack cheeses on a hoagie bun. It was a darn fine burger. A bit messy, but delicious.  West End Cafe is at 926 W 4th St., WSNC.

#11 — Antojitos Las Delicias (84)
This was a bit different and a wonderful surprise. A Mexican burger.  My Facebook friend Sarai’s mother owns this restaurant and had mentioned that they do a burger. I had to try it. So, in addition to mayo for this, they have avocado as a spread and it added a whole different dimension to the burger. I’m not sure which cheese they use, but it was really good. Here’s a pro tip for you: just get a single patty, you won’t need a second one. Trust me.  Antojitos Las Delicias is located at 1521 E 5th St in WSNC. and is take-out only.

#10 — Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro (84)
The Chef’s Double from Chef Jay Pierce. Let me tell you this burger was one huge mess. In fact, it would have rated higher but it was falling apart from so much stuff happening with it. All that, though, and it was delicious, worthy of a higher placement but the “Overall Happiness” factor took a bit of a hit. Two smashed Brasstown beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, American cheese, pickles, onions, on a brioche bun. Mozelle’s is at 878 W 4th Street in WSNC, just two doors up from West End Cafe. Never a bad meal there, either. Mozelle’s always does amazing work.

Okay, so here we go into the Top 9, where most of the ratings were different.

#9 — Young Cardinal Cafe (86)
The YC Burger, a pub burger with a 6oz. ground beef patty, onion aioli, pickle slices, sliced tomato, cheddar cheese. I do wish that there was a cheese option that wasn’t cheddar, as I don’t like cheddar on my burgers, but this was white cheddar, which melts a little better so it wasn’t a deal killer. The onion aioli was a bit messy but the flavors were amazing. Chefs Andrews and Swing do amazing work at YCC and I am so glad I had this one, on our anniversary, by the way. The patty was cooked just right and all the ingredients popped well together. Juicy, messy, delicious. YCC is located at 424 4th Street in WSNC.

#8 — King’s Hot Dogs (87)
King’s Hot Dogs was on the monster Friday trip that Stephanie and Steven and I took to King and Rural Hall. We tried four burgers that day. Steven and I split all four so we really only had two whole burgers. Anyway, with the break and travel in between, we were getting loaded up pretty fast. This was the last one that we had that day and truthfully, I didn’t want it and didn’t enjoy it. It was way too much to try at once and while I don’t usually give second chances, this wasn’t King’s Hot Dogs’ fault. It was mine. So, I went back, on my own to give it a fair shake. That was a darn fine burger and I’m so glad I went back. Double patties, mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, and lite mustard. King’s Hot Dogs is located at 1009 Bethania Rural Hall Rd, in Rural Hall. The picture is from the first trip.

#7 — Greek Guys Grill (88)
This was another surprise. This is almost certainly a frozen patty. But, this is the perfect example of taking a frozen patty and making it taste delicious. Stephanie and I stopped after going to her mom’s for the nightly check-in. It wasn’t on the list but I saw it on the menu and decided to give it a shot. It was seasoned so well and the ingredients so fresh, that it made me go, “mmm” out loud. Stephanie had one, as well and she agreed with me. It was a double diner patty, mayo, pickles, tomato, onion on a sesame seed bun, which I generally don’t like, but the seeds were sparse and not in the way and not distracting. When we drive by here going to her mom’s, I think, “man, I could go for a Greek Guys’ Burger.” Greek Guys Grill is located at 2545 Somerset Center Dr, WSNC.

#6 — Piedmont Aviation Snack Bar (88)
Another huge surprise for me. I had seen it in passing and didn’t know if it was actually open. I had noticed it on the DoorDash menu, as well. I just didn’t know much about it. I saw a friend talk about it and decided to jump in there and try it. It’s another situation of taking a frozen patty and making magic with it. Much of the score here is from my enjoyment from eating it, but I cannot take anything away from the flavors. The seasoned grill with years of use along with fresh ingredients and proper seasoning on the patties is certainly magic. It was a double diner patty, mayo, pickles, tomato, onion. I have said this a bit in the last few months, but PASB is a hidden gem in this town and we need to make it less hidden. You won’t be sorry.  PASB is located at 3820 N. Liberty St, WSNC. The reason this got #6 is that it had no category below an “8” rating.

#5 — Hops Burger Bar WSNC (89)
This was a definite surprise. Anyone reading this and having been in WSNC for the last 3 years is probably questioning why it was a surprise. Well, in 2019, Hops Burger Bar had just opened. There was a lot of hype that I didn’t really understand, and in some ways still don’t. But, when Steven and I went for a burger, it was underwhelming, to say the least. This time around, with time to season the grill and the employees, they were able to knock it out of the park. While we had two burgers, “The Spicy Goat” (with goat cheese, applewood bacon, sweet and spicy jelly, and lettuce) which we got just to try, and the “Hops Classic.” The classic came with American cheese, applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Now, I can’t remember what it was but something was wrong with our order. Either it was supposed to not have lettuce on it and did, or something was left off that was supposed to be on it. In the ratings, I nicked it a bit for that. But, my silly self didn’t put down what it was. But, I will say, Steven and I were both very pleased with the Hops Classic. Hops Burger Bar WSNC is located at 901 Reynolda Rd.

#4 — Mr. Barbecue (89)
When I did my rankings in 2019, I had said that this would have been my #3, but a devastating fire closed the restaurant and led to its rebuild in early 2021. Mr. Barbecue has risen to my top 4 even if they don’t have the “Jumbo-sized” burgers that they used to have. This is always a solid burger, almost what a diner burger should be, frozen or not (which I’m not sure it is frozen). And, probably a good bit of it is that I just enjoy eating at Mr. Barbecue. We did without it for a period of time and that was harsh. I always get mine, mayo, pickles, tomato, onion. It’s my comfort food. Mr. Barbecue (and Miss Fried Chicken) is located at 1381 Peters Creek Pkwy, WSNC. Mr. BBQ eeked out Hops because the order correctness was a 10 for BBQ and 9 for Hops.

And here is the TOP THREE!!

#3 — Joe’s Take-Out (90)
Here we are, top three. Joe’s Take-Out in Clemmons was a “double” so to speak because I had scoped it out prior to the tour’s start. But, nonetheless, Steven and I tried three burgers when we went, the BBQ Burger (which was a specialty burger with BBQ sauce, cheddar, and an onion ring), the OKC Burger (cooked on top of onions, mayo, pickles, tomato, and light mustard), and the Smashed Joe’s Burger. The latter was the one that counted for this. It was mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, and mustard, with cheese, of course. The seasoning was really, really good, the ingredients were very fresh and you could taste it. The onions were crisp, the tomato juicy but not too, pickles crunched and the patty was perfectly smashed. It was a really good burger and it is well-deserving of the #3 spot. Joe’s Take-Out is in the Tanglewood Commons Shopping Center across from Tanglewood Park at 4124 Clemmons Rd.

#2 — 601 Burgers and Brews (92)
This was probably the biggest surprise for Steven and me on the Burger Tour ’21. We had no expectations and even joked about some of the menu items, expecting it to be a mediocre experience. We could not have been any more wrong. What we got was popped in the mouth with burger magic. We had two burgers (split between us). One was the misnamed, Smash Burger, which should be called “smashed” burger because unlike a traditional smash burger that has two smaller patties that start in a ball and are smashed onto the grill, forming a good crust and char, this was a burger that was smashed onto the grill after being assembled; bun and all. Now, while we laughed at it (we’re not proud), we stopped laughing and were pleasantly surprised at the flavors. Double patty, pimento cheese, Candied Bacon, and smashed grilled on a Brioche Bun. But that wasn’t the “official” burger. The official burger is called “Old Glory” and Steven and I still talk about this burger when we meet up for lunch. American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, mayo, and we added onion. Y’all… this burger was near perfection. Properly seasoned and juicy patties, crisp pickles, wonderfully plump but not messy tomato, and a little more lettuce than I wanted so I removed some but that didn’t at all impact the burger. To top it off, the sidewinder chips, which are puffed-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside french fries shaped like little half-moons were the bombdiggity. I can’t believe I just used that word, but oh well. The restaurant is located at 2203 N US-601, Mocksville. It would probably be worthy of the top spot, except…

#1 — Boone Doggies (99)
The reigning champion returns and kicks butt on retaining its title. I went in knowing that Boone Doggies was going to be hard to beat. I’ve eaten there several times since 2019 and every time, it’s heaven in my mouth. There were some good contenders on the list, but none of them, no matter how hard they tried, could knock Boone Doggies from atop the mountain. Smash burgers, the way they were meant to be with amazing flavor, char, and crust. We had three burgers, but only one of them counted. These are the same three burgers we had in 2019 and we just wanted to revisit to make sure all was right in Burgerland. First, the two that didn’t count for ranking but counted in so many other ways. The Rock, with mayo, homemade BBQ sauce, bacon, grilled onions, and American cheese. Oh, yes. The Peacock, with mayo, homemade pimento cheese (made by Drew’s father), bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Yes, again! But the one you need to know about, in relation to this list, is The Grandfather. This is the classic burger. Two smashed patties, mayo, pickles, tomato, onion, shredded lettuce, and love. I’m not at all religious but this almost makes me find the Lord. This is 100% everything a smash burger or any burger, in general, should taste like and be. The rating should actually be 100 but, I did take a half-point away because I had to drive so far to get there. But it was worth every mile. Boone Doggies is located at 566 E Main St. in Yadkinville. Update: Boone Doggies has announced that they will be closing their Yadkinville location at the end of the month, but they will be concentrating on their Mocksville Location, which has all the same things and then some.  That is at the Colin Creek Golf Club:
2251 US Highway 64 East, Mocksville.

There you have it. The Man Who Ate the Town’s Burger Tour ’21 recap. Which of these is your favorite? Do you disagree with me? I welcome comments and friendly discourse. I don’t want to hear that the list was biased because as with 2019’s list, we learned that it very much IS biased. It’s my list, with my rating, with my opinion, with my blog, and my podcast. So it is my bias.

I had a great time doing these burgers, but I have a doctor’s appointment this week and I doubt he’ll share my jubilation. So, Street Team Steven, my wife, Stephanie, and I are looking for the next “tour” for 2022. I think Cheesesteak has been mentioned, but I’d like to hear thoughts on other tours we could do. Burritos, tacos, pizza, subs, sushi (although that can get expensive), and so on. Throw them at me.

Thank you, as always to Street Team Steven for supporting this blog and podcast and being a fun food partner with my wife and me. Thank you to Mojito Latin Soul Food and Diamondback Grill for your support of my efforts. Thanks to the listeners of the podcast and readers of this blog for your valuable support.

The Re-Emergence Part 10

We are working on Saturday to get everyone caught up. There has been a lot going on, so if it says “today” chances are it refers to yesterday, May 22. But, all should be current, which means not all restaurants are opening just yet beyond takeout/curbside/delivery. Plus this update has two more of the Michael Family Restaurant Group’s restaurants listed. That’s exciting. I love them. Here’s part 10.


From Mama Zoe Michael’s and Yamas’ Facebooks:

Our dining room is open and we are so excited to serve our community! We will reopen our dining room operation on Friday, May 22nd at 5:00 PM with 50% capacity. We will resume our business hours from Sunday 8:00AM-2:30PM Monday-Saturday 8:00AM-8:00PM
Please be patient with us during this transition period and as we adjust to new operating and safety procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the safety of our customers and staff we have made some changes, here is what’s new and what to expect during phase 2.
-Curbside and delivery services will resume
-Employees will continue to wear mask and gloves at all times
-Employees will continue proper hand washing and sanitizing
-Meticulously cleaning
-We will be doing daily employee health screenings before each shift
-Tables and chairs will be set 6 feet apart.
-We’ve rearranged our dining room to accommodate social distancing requirements
-Tables, chairs, menus and other common items will be disinfected after every use
-Customers will be asked to maintain 6 feet apart from each other
-Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the restaurant for guests
-All condiments have been removed from tables
Thank you so much for your continued support! We can’t wait to serve you once again!


From Mi Pueblo Mexican Grill’s Facebook:

We are happy to announce that we will reopen indoor and outdoor dining starting May 22nd at 5 p.m.! We are taking all the necessary precautions for our employee’s and customer’s safety. We will reopen at 50% of our capacity. You can also take advantage of our spacious outdoor patio seating at most locations. We can’t wait to see you all again! Thank you for your support during this time.


From Midtown Cafe & Dessertery’s Email:
We are still trying to process the reality of the world today. As a small, family-owned business, we knew this would not be easy. We have spent the last couple of months testing new recipes, re-assessing, and looking at how to grow and improve. We are working hard to evolve to what is going on in the world today so we can continue to serve you, our community and our employees, even if it may look a little different than it has in the past.
On behalf of the entire team at Midtown Cafe, we want to say thank you for your continued patronage during this difficult time. The amount of support you have shown over the past few months has meant so much to our Midtown Family.
With that being said, we are happy to announce we will be reopening our dining room starting Saturday, May 23rd. We will be open daily from 8 AM until 8 PM. We will also continue to serve you through takeout or curbside if you wish. Additionally, we are offering our full menu.
Due to the required seating capacity we encourage customers to visit during the non-peak hours of 8 AM-10 AM and 2 PM-5 PM.
We are creating an environment where it is safe and comfortable for everyone. We have put safety procedures in place which include:
  • Providing face masks for all employees
  • Practicing social distancing and limiting the number of customers and employees in the building
  • Offering curbside service
  • Increasing cleaning and sanitation
  • Adding “safety” staff members to assist in sanitation processes
  • Sanitizing every menu, tables and chairs after each use
  • Abiding by the state’s capacity restrictions
  • Putting hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the restaurant

From Milner’s American Southern’s Facebook:

A quick hello to all of our friends and Milner’s family:

We remain open for curbside pick up Tuesday – Sunday from 4p – 8p. We want to thank all of you for supporting our family business over the last months and for helping us spread the word.

Like all of you we are excited to expand our offering and we miss seeing you here at Milner’s and we miss providing the special experience we’ve worked hard to create here. We are chomping at the bit to get after it!

Many have asked over the last several days our plans to reopen and we thank you for your excitement.

Bottom Line: We aren’t ready quite yet.

We have our eyes on Friday, June 5th as a tentative target day.

We would love to be open today but there are many steps we need to take and business decisions to consider before we move forward.

First and foremost is the safety of our families, employees and our customers. We will be spending the coming weeks continuing to make sure we have every tool in place: training sessions completed, PPE equipment for staff, and sanitizing products to create the right conditions for a safe environment.

Simultaneously we have to make sure that Milner’s remains financially viable and make adjustments for 50% capacity.

There are so many things to consider and this decision is not made lightly. We are excited about our restaurant friends who are opening today and wish for them all success. We remain vigilant and will continue to update our progress.

In the meantime: Check out our website gotomilners.com for the current menu.

Two ways to order:

Call the restaurant 336-768-2221 after 12p to place an order and pay over the phone. Call early and avoid peak call times.

Or, download the Swipeby App to order and pay online beginning at 3:30 each day. It’s super easy and doesn’t cost anything to use.

Thanks for taking the time and for your support. Feel free to ask questions in the comments.

All of our best,

Stay safe, lean in!


From Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro’s Facebook: (retyped for style)

Happy Phase 2 Friday! Since Governor Cooper’s announcement on Wednesday at 5:00 PM, every restaurant in NC has been scrambling to figure out a business plan for Phase 2. We would like to share with your how Mozelle’s will navigate this landscape over the weeks to come. We will continue to offer curbside pick-up, takeout and delivery. Additionally, Phase 2 allows anyone who would like to dine at our sidewalk tables, which are appropriately set apart in compliance with social distancing guidelines, to do so. This means you can eat your takeout 15 minutes fresher with that Stag’s Leap Chardonnay, watching the sunset over West End. We look forward to resuming table-side service outdoors on June 1 and we are actively devising a plan for indoor dining that both complies with state guidelines and ensures the Mozelle’s experience.

With all these changes, the one thing that restaurants can’t do is provide intimate dining experiences, so we will continue to offer Mozelle’s At Your Table Wine Dinners and we even have a “date night dinner up next week. It features the Latin flavors that you have come to know and love from our “pre-COVID” brunch menus!

Edit: You can find more by visiting the Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro website found HERE.


More to come, stay safe WSNC!!!

Mozelle’s Presents “Mozelle’s At Your Table”

In this “Now Normal” where restaurants are having to be innovative and try different avenues of creativity, Mozelle’s and Chef Jay Pierce are presenting “Mozelle’s At Your Table.” (336)703-5400. Here is the email that was sent:


Dear Mozelle’s Friends + Family,

You usually receive this email when a wine dinner is on the horizon, but these are not normal times. as we continue to provide our comfort food for take out, curbside pick-up and delivery, we are observing up-to-date safety guidelines because we care about the health and safety of our staff and our community at-large. we are now set up for online ordering directly on our website. We also offer delivery via DoorDash food delivery and soon with UberEats. whenever possible, please use our own website, which results in more of your dollars staying in our community.

We have heard that there is a lot of confusion about the City of Winston-Salem’s “stay at home” order that goes into effect this Friday, March 27. Restaurants that provide to-go meals (as well as grocery stores and pharmacies) are deemed essential businesses and are therefore exempt from the order. We will be here preparing your favorites and we hope that you will allow us to provide a little comfort (food) in such an uncertain time.

By way of burying the lede, as some of you know, we had a wine dinner scheduled Wednesday, April 1. Due to the circumstances, we are unable to have it here, so how about we do to at your house?

presenting…

Mozelle’s at Your Table:

Vajra Wine Dinner with Chef Jay Pierce

First course:
Gnocchi, spring peas, morels, hazelnuts, cultured butter + lemon zest
Luigi Baudana Bianco Dragon
Piemonte, Italy 2018 (bottle)

Second course:
Porcini + chèvre ravioli, black truffle + mushroom dashi
Vajra Barbera d’Alba
Piemonte, Italy 2017 (bottle)

Third course:
Eggplant Parmigiana, San Marzano tomatoes, fennel-arugula salad, aged balsamic vinaigrette + two-year Parmigiana-Reggiano
Vajra Nebbiolo Langhe
Piemonte, Italy 2018 (bottle)

Fourth course (optional):
Peach fried hand pie + elderflower panna cotta
Vajra Moscato d’Asti
Piemonte, Italy 2019 (half-bottle)

Dinner for Two (3 courses) $150
Additional Dessert Course + $25

Pre-order by Monday, March 30
call (336) 703-5400 or order online www.mozelles.com
choose pick up april 1 or april 2

We are setting up a Mozelle’s YouTube channel, that you can tune into, with course by course videos of Chef Jay explaining reheating pointers and his customary wine and food talks.

One last gentle reminder, our wine and beer list, on our website, is newly updated with discounted prices. Don’t hesitate to check it over and add a bottle, early and often.

Our current hours are as follows:

Sunday – Thursday lunch menu 11:30a – 3:00p. dinner menu 3:00p – 7:30p
Friday + Saturday lunch menu 11:30a – 3:00p, dinner menu 3:00p – 8:00p

Mozelle’s at Home

spicy collard greens + bacon
mac + cheese
creamy succotash
cheese grits
tomato bisque
$8 / pint $15 / quart

pimento cheese
$8 / half pint $15 / pint

edamame hummus
$18 / pint

mini tomato pies (25 count)
$60

whole tomato pie
$40

coconut pie
chocolate pie
$35

336.703.5400

Local Restaurants Offering Takeout/Delivery/Curbside

These are the restaurants that have reported to me that they are offering Takeout (T), Delivery (D) or Curbside Pickup (C). Please refer to their Facebook pages (the links provided) as anything can change at a moment’s notice. Some of these places had released statements before and I have included the links to those posts in which I published the statements. This list will be ever-changing, too, as I find out more info.

Stay safe and wash your hands!

Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro: (T, C) 11-7p (336) 703-5400

Slappy’s Chicken: (T, D)  — (336) 761-0268

Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream: (T, D) — (336) 793-5548

Skrimp Shack: (C, T, D) — (336) 331-3026

1703 Restaurant: (T, D) — (336) 725-5767

Carolina Ale House: See this post.

Xcaret: (C) working on it. (336) 955-1345

Wine Merchants/Vin 205: See this post.

Omega House: (T) presumably — (336) 724-5262

East Coast Wings: (T, D, C), Brent from the Peters Creek (336) 784-6700 and Reynolda (336) 293-4422 locations said they were. Country Club (336) 659-9992. Not sure of the others.

Camel City Coffee: (T) presumably — (336) 955-2246

Tart Sweets: (T) presumably — (336) 724-5663 Tart Sweets has closed temporarily.

Acadia Foods: (T) food only. Beer, wine and groceries still available as well. (336) 331-3251

Thai Harmony: (T, D) (336) 842-5532

Wingstop: (T, D) presumably — (336) 738-0129

Mozzarella Fellas: (T, D, C) — (336) 377-7179 New hours are 11-2/5-8. In-house delivery or online services.

Black Mountain Chocolate: (C) — (336) 293-4698

Taqueria Luciano: (D, T) — (336) 755-4782

Mary’s Gourmet Diner: (C) Fri thru Sunday 9 am-1 pm — (336) 723-7239

West End Poke and Burke Street Pizza: See this post.

The Porch, Alma Mexicana and Canteen Market: See this post. Only the Porch is doing takeout, now, including the take-and-bake.

Stoked and Social.: See this post.

Jeffrey Adams, Young Cardinal Cafe and Dogwood Hops and Crops: See this post.

Salem Organic Supply is offering FREE delivery within 25 miles of downtown WSNC and free shipping. — (336) 721-4367

Davie Tavern:  See this post.

West End Cafe: See this post.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 12:00 to 9:00 Monday-Thursday and 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday for (T). Delivery (through Uber Eats/Door Dash) 4-9p customers are asked to stay in their cars. — (336) 831-0580

Jugghead’s Growlers & Pints: open 3-7 daily for Growler and sales from the fridge. Carry out only. — (336) 546-7754

Spruce Street Garden – Craft Tavern: See this post.

J and J Food Mart: (T, D, C) — (336) 283-9609.

Camino Bakery: See this post.

Mission Pizza Napoletana: See this post.

Camino Real Mexican Restaurant: (T, D) — (336) 923-0001 or (336) 210-9517

Camel City BBQ Factory: (T) 11-9 — (336) 306-9999

Ryan’s Restaurant: See this post.

Crafted – Art of the Taco: See this post. Crafted has halted ALL services, including their takeout and delivery service.

Milner’s American Southern: See this post.

Whitaker Square Pizza: See this post.

Moji Coffee and More: online sales, Swipeby and call ahead ordering, online takeout ordering! Gift cards available here. (336) 939-6654 Also… Grab-n-Go purchases of espresso and other coffee drinks, bagels, muffins, scones, sandwiches and more.

Village Juice: (D) through DoorDash, (C, T) — (336) 986-9402

Miss Ora’s Kitchen: 11-7 call ahead for curbside delivery. (336) 725-6257

Campus Gas: See this post.

DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant: See this post.

Mellow Mushroom: See this post.

Bobo’s Deli and Grill: See this post.

Real Q on Country Club: (T) — (336) 760-3457

Organix Juice Bar: See this post.

Cafe Vera Du: See this post.

La Botana: See this post.

Finnigan’s Wake: Closed 3/18 and 3/19. Takeout on Friday forward. (336) 723-0322. Opie says closed until regular business hours and services return.

To Your Health Bakery: (D, C) — (336) 618-5275

Zito Pizzeria and Grill: (T, D) M-Thur 11 am to 2:30 pm/5 pm to 8 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am to 3 pm/5 pm to 8:30 pm. (336) 765-9486

Happie Food: Delivery all day, every day. (336) 701-2911

Stonefield Cellars: Open for takeout wine only (they’ll carry it to your car, too). — (336) 644-9908

Bonefish Grill: (T, D) 1-9 every day for pickup or you can do grub hub or door dash. (336) 724-4518

Baked Just SO Bakery: See this post.

Corks Caps & Taps: See this post.

Foothills: (C, D) More details as they’re available.

Cracker Barrel: (T) (336) 712-9880 Clemmons.

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: (D) https://order.baddaddysburgerbar.com/

Diamondback Grill: (T, D) from 11:30pm-3pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm. Order from their scaled menu here. (336) 722-0006.

Katharine Brasserie and Bar: (T, C) Delivery could be soon, according to Erin Doby, F&B Manager (336) 761-0203 (note: Chef Adam said they are doing a truncated menu with lower price points).

Bib’s Downtown: (C, D) Use their website here or call (336) 722-0007.

Pacific Rim Food Truck: Truck… watch their Facebook and Instagram for where they may be. (336) 772-3051.

Food Freaks of NC Food Truck: Truck… watch their Facebook and Instagram for where they may be. (704) 299-1865.

Jimmy John’s: (C, D) Call ahead to have them come to the curb. The delivery app has a “leave at doorstep” option. Check your local listings for more details.

Krankie’s: (T) full-menu, coffee and bags of coffee. (336) 722-3016.

Honky Tonk Smokehouse: (T, D, C) 11:00-8:00, Tuesday – Saturday (336) 794-2270. Swipeby for (C) Take Out Central or Postmates for (D).

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: (T, D) Enjoy 20% OFF ToGo with promo code 20TOGO on their website! DoorDash, UberEats or Postmates (D). (336) 659-3973

Goody’s Grill: (T, C) Curbside being a drive-thru. 336-765-3100

HakkaChow: (T) (336) 893-8178

Rooster’s – A Noble Grille: (T) — (336) 777-8477

Village Tavern (both Reynolda Village/Hanes Mall): (T, C) 15% off to go and 25% off bottles of wine. (336) 760-8686 (HM); (336) 748-0221 (RV).

Cloverdale Kitchen: (C) — (336)725-4701

Small Batch: 11-8:30pm food and growler fills. (336) 893.6395 (T, C through Swipeby, D through Uber Eats)

Mossy’s: (T, C) Via their website or (336) 766-7045.

Viva Chicken: (T, C) via their website or Viva Chicken App. (336) 607-5355.

Cugino Forno: (T, D) via their website or (336) 448-0102.

Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing: (T, C) online or (336) 999-8945

Forsyth Seafood Market and Cafe: (T) — (336) 748-0793

Greek Guy’s Grill: (C, T) Drive-thru. Call ahead pick up at the window. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, full menu. (336) 794-2545

HakkaChow Asian Eats: (T) — (336) 893-8178

Vincenzo’s: (D, T) — (336) 765-3707

West Coast Wanderer, Food Truck: Truck (303) 834-5984

Intown Donutz: (T, D) — (336) 331-3414

3 Layers Cakery: (T, D) — (336) 701-0510

Little Richard’s Barbecue: (C, D, T) All Locations — (336) 766-0401

Duck Donuts: (T, C) — (336) 893-5356

Bad Daddy Burger Bar: (T, D) — (336) 893-6456

Los Toritos Mexican Cuisine: (D, T) — (336) 829-5232 DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub

The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting For

In May, I announced that I was embarking on a quest for the “best burger in Winston-Salem.” I declared it the “Summer of Burgers” and said I was looking for my top 10 burgers in town and would formulate a list from there. My wife and my doctor both grimaced when I said I was going to do this and I had to make promises as to the practice.

So, let’s review. I could only have three burgers a week with some green/healthier things in between. Toward the end of the summer, I had to have a few more to get the ones in that I needed to get in. I went to places that my readers, listeners and friends recommended. I tried to get every recommendation in but I didn’t achieve that, either by lack of funds available or just timing. A few of the burgers on the tour was sponsored by said listeners, readers and friends.

So, before I go any further, I want to thank those who did sponsor burgers for me. Daniel Butner, owner of Carrabba’s and our sponsor on this blog and podcast sponsored the Blarney Burger at Finnigan’s Wake and the burger at King’s Crab Shack. “Street Team” member, Steven McDowall sponsored the Boone Doggies trip and Thunder Road Grill burger. Steven Gallo sponsored the Krankie’s burger. My pal Jeff Davids sponsored both the Small Batch “Morning After” burger and Zesto’s “Chubby Decker” burger. Jason Cobb and Yamas! Mediterranean Street Food donated $50 for gas on the “tour.” Brandon Cassidy of Food Freaks, Chef Travis Myers of Willows Bistro, Chef David Swing of Sir Winston, Chef Antwan Hairston of Mac & Nelli’s, and my friend Dawn McDaniel with Bad Daddy’s did sponsor their own burgers. None of the sponsorship consideration influenced the correlating establishment’s standing in this list. No advantage was given for me not having to pay for them. That being said, thank you all so very much for your help and consideration in this very fun and delicious project.

Now, let’s get to the “housekeeping” stuff. I didn’t get to everyone. I just couldn’t. There is a burger in almost every restaurant, it seems. In some, those are the focus and in others, it’s just a menu placeholder. I tried to get to the ones that people were the most adamant about. I think I got most of them but just couldn’t get to all of them.

To be on this list the burgers had to be on the menu or at least mostly available. Specialty “off-menu” items or things that were made just to “wow” me are much appreciated but I couldn’t count that here. The biggest of these was Chef Travis’ first entry at Willows. Had I accepted that burger, it would have probably been top 3, but it was made for me, special, and not available all the time. Chef Swing at Sir Winston had a “special” burger that couldn’t be counted, as well, but it was darn good. In all, I had 34 burgers from 30 restaurants.

I kept a “journal” of the burgers that I had. It was a spreadsheet that I kept track of the name of the establishment, the name of the burger (if applicable), the amount of seasoning, the “doneness,” the juiciness of the burger, the type of bun and my thoughts on the burger itself.

I thought about breaking it down into “diner burgers” and “gourmet burgers.” Some have said it would be unfair to put a diner burger against a gourmet burger. I don’t see that as the case. I think it’s more unfair to impose some kind of “affirmative action” on burgers. Categorization is more of a problem than letting the burgers stand on their own, in my opinion. And that brings me to what I see as an important aspect of this list. This is my list. It’s not meant as a “readers’ choice” or a popularity contest. I respect the lists made in local publications but I feel it is just a popularity contest more than a true top list. I can’t compete with those lists and I don’t want to. I did take recommendations from others to get a broader knowledge of what is available to us. Burgers I either didn’t know or wouldn’t expect showed up and I am a better burger eater because of it. There were a lot of fantastic burgers on this list and some of your favorites will not make the top list. That doesn’t mean that those burgers that do not show up on the top list aren’t worth having. That’s not what this is about.

And it comes down to this, the list is about how I felt while eating these burgers. I love burgers and this list is representative of much joy.

So, to quote Marty DiBergi, “But hey, enough of my yakkin’; whaddya say? Let’s boogie!”

10. Small Batch

My pal, Jeff Davids sponsored this burger, which was us having a good lunch together in a place where burgers were prominent. I chose the “Morning After” burger. Yes, it’s a gourmet burger and was what I was in the mood for that day. This burger was a big patty with a fried egg, bacon, fries, pepper jack cheese and grilled onions on what I believe is a brioche bun. In addition to “Done” for doneness and “Very Good” for flavor/seasoning, my notes state: “Some of the juiciness comes from the egg, but still a very flavorful burger. Once you bite into it, you aren’t putting it down until it’s done because of that egg and the mess, but also because it’s a darned good burger.”

The Morning After from Small Batch

9. Maxburger

This was a late entry and I didn’t know much about it because it is kind of down in the boondocks (Old Salisbury/Hickory Tree Rd area). This was also my first “Juicy Lucy” even though I had heard that term a good bit. I had it with both Pepper Jack and American cheese, onion, tomato and while I usually leave off the lettuce on burgers, I forgot to order it that way, and really on a “diner burger,” that’s not a problem. I think it adds to the flavor. This was on a brioche bun.  It was a fantastic diner burger at that. Under the doneness and flavor/seasoning categories, both were listed as “perfect.” And, as the name states, it was juicy. Notes: “A really great burger which I had no expectations of. A surprise. The cheeses and fixings made this a delicious entry.”

Juicy Lucy from Maxburger

8. West End Cafe

Full disclosure, when I had the first burger from WEC just before the start of the burger tour, I was set to let that be the first one but it was a little disappointing. I talked with John, the GM of WEC and he said they had been having a bit of trouble with their grill. I told him that I was going to give him a “mulligan.” This was the only mulligan on this tour and only because I had it before the “tour” started. Now, also in full disclosure, I gave John a heads up that I was coming and he gave me recommendations, as I welcomed from all establishments (after all it is their entry). I paid for the burger and it wasn’t comped. Now, this was certainly a different burger. This was, for all intents and purposes, a burger and a half. This burger was a Hamburger Grinder with habanero jack/provolone cheeses, spinach, 1000 island and pickles. I forgot to add onions, but they weren’t needed. The cheesy/1000 island combo is one thing that made this burger a winner. It was a bit messy but delicious. “Perfect” for the doneness, and “very good” for the seasoning, the majority of the flavor came from the accouterments. Per John, “the most underrated sandwich on the menu.” Per me: “Basically 1.5 burgers, great flavors and great unique sandwich.”

Hamburger Grinder from West End Cafe

7. Cin-Cin Burger Bar

Another full disclosure moment: Cin Cin is owned by the Michael family who also owns Yamas! who did sponsor me in gas. Again, that has nothing to do with this burger’s merit which is what this is about. I had the “Speakeasy Deluxe” burger which is their “classic” burger. This is a gourmet burger that tastes like a diner burger. There is a great underlying onion flavor that I enjoy in diner burgers, this I counted in the “flavor/seasoning.” It was a very juicy burger, too. I do kind of wish that restaurants would get away from the brioche bun as the end-all-be-all of gourmet burgers, though. My notes: “A gourmet burger that tasted like a diner burger, onions-on-the-grill quality. A very good burger.”

The Speakeasy Deluxe from Cin-Cin

6. Canteen Market & Bistro

I will be honest and say that I had little expectations for this burger. I can’t explain why, either. This is a “Smashburger” with American cheese, grilled onions, tomato and 1000 Island on a bun. The burger was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The grilled onions made it more like a diner burger and I love that. The burger wasn’t a thing of aesthetic beauty but it was delicious. “Perfect” in both doneness and seasoning. My notes: “A fantastic burger. Pricey but the flavors were top notch with the grilled onions.” My only knock on Canteen isn’t a knock because I try to stay clear of opining on the prices of restaurants’ wares. That’s their business but my business what I pay. It was more than I’d expect to pay for a burger usually, but the flavors made it worth it.

“Smashburger” from Canteen Market & Bistro

 

SO! That’s 10-6. Now, for the Top 5 Burgers of Winston-Salem (ish).

5. Food Freaks of NC Food Truck

Brandon Cassidy sponsored this burger, but again, there was no bearing on the outcome for that. This was the only “actual” food truck that I got to, although there were a few that were on my “to do” list. This was also the first “official” burger of the tour on May 29. As I said in the Instagram post, “This is perhaps the messiest thing I’ve ever eaten but goodness! This is phenomenal.” It is the Wild Mexi burger which is andouille sausage stuffed into a double burger with jalapeno peppers, Muenster cheese and topped with a Sriracha chili mayo on Martin’s potato bun. This burger is huge and if you put it down, it would be all over everything. So, I recommend keeping a roll of paper towels near and don’t put it down until you’ve downed it. The flavors in this burger burst in your mouth and it’s juicy as all get out. Perfect in doneness. My notes (being my first entry): “What a burger should be.”

Wild Mexi from Food Freaks of NC

4. Zito Pizzeria and Grill

The biggest “didn’t see that coming” moment on this tour was when I ate the burger at Zito. It came as a recommendation and I was like, okay, let’s give it a shot. I had only eaten at Zito once and that was right after they re-opened. That was a pizza-kind of day. I sat down and looked over the menu. I decided I wanted a double burger and got it with cheese, onion, mayo and tomato. The flavors in this burger were amazing. It was juicy, seasoned perfectly and worthy of the #4 spot on my list. Doneness and flavor/seasoning was “perfect.” My notes: “Was pleasantly surprised at how good this burger was. Better once it cooled off a bit. Lots of flavor with no fluff.”

Double Cheeseburger from Zito Pizzeria and Grill

3. Social. Southern Kitchen & Cocktails

A beautiful chunk of filet, NY strip, ribeye and ground beef ground together into a delicious patty of perfection. “All that wonderful beef with mayo, American cheese, housemade pickled onions and housemade pickle chips on a brioche bun. Woot… and BAM!” I said on Instagram. The pickled onions were amazing. The pickle chips were also unlike I’ve had anywhere else. This could have easily been #1 on the list. “Perfect” in flavor and doneness. My notes: “A darn fine burger. Great seasoning and temperature. Made with filet, strip, ribeye and ground beef.” It is in a location far from where I usually go, but it was worth that “drive.”

Burger from Social. Southern Kitchen

2. Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream

Of course, this had to be on the top 10 list, right? You were probably looking for it earlier, huh? Well, there is undoubtedly no burger that gets as much public love from me than that of the “Chubby Decker” from Zesto. There is something about having this double burger with its 8-minute char, the mayo, ketchup, onion, tomato and melty American cheese that puts me in a great mood. It makes me happy. I love eating at Zesto, too. Algenon and his staff make it a great place to eat a delicious, always flavorful and juicy burger. Zesto is much more than its burgers but for this, the burger reigns supreme. At least at the #2 spot.

The Chubby Decker from Zesto Burgers & Ice Cream

And, then there’s #1…

1. Boone Doggies

If you notice throughout my writing of this post, I have mentioned Winston-Salem (ish) a time or two. Boone Doggies is not in Winston-Salem. Luckily for us all, it’s also not in Boone. It located in Yadkinville. Named for the fact that Drew Ausley, who started the Boone Doggies food truck graduated from Appalachian State University in, you guessed it, Boone. The truck focused on hot dogs, mainly. But, the time came to do something different and he opened a restaurant. The location is a true “greasy spoon”-type building and the dining room can get quite crowded. All that being said, you are completely remiss if you don’t make the drive there to have the burgers from this heavenly place. So, about the burger. Steven McDowall alerted me to this restaurant and took me there, and sponsored the tasting. It was an overall win-win for me. I was honored to taste not one. Not two. But three different burgers from Drew and company. I will say that these burgers were probably the best burgers I’ve ever tasted. Ever. First, we had the “Grandfather” which is their classic burger, named after Grandfather Mountain (a Boone reference). It’s a double burger with chopped onion, tomatoes, mayo and American cheese. Next was “The Rock” (another Boone reference): mayo, grilled onions they char in their homemade bbq sauce, bacon, and cheddar cheese. They even char the patty in the bbq sauce for a little something extra! Was it ever. The third is “The Peacock,” named after a chancellor at ASU that Drew had. It’s made with Papa Ausley’s homemade pimento, perfect bacon, tomato and mayo! Seared (and smashed) on the flattop and placed on a buttered toasted bun. I couldn’t pick a favorite of the three but why should I? I got to have all three at the same time. Thank you, Drew and thank you, Steven!

“The Grandfather” from Boone Doggies

“The Peacock” by Boone Doggies

“The Rock” from Boone Doggies

 

 

 

So, here you have it. MY Top 10 Burgers of WSNC (ish). I want to thank all the restaurants for their contributions to the tour and even if they didn’t make the top 10, they all are worth a try. You can’t know how incredibly hard it was to leave anything off this top list. Except for about three places, any of these could have made this list. Thank you to Mac & Nelli’s, Willows Bistro, Campus Gas, Sir Winston, North Point Grill, PB’s Takeout, King’s Crab Shack, Crafted, Earl’s, Allen’s Dairy Treats, Quiet Pint, Trade Street Diner, Mooney’s, Bad Daddy’s, Thunder Road Grill, Krankies, Mozelle’s, the Katharine and New Yorker Pizza Pasta and Wings for your burgers. My apologies to Burger Supreme, Jeffrey Adams, Athena Taverna, Hot Dog City and Sweet Potatoes for not getting to you.

It was a long-yet-short summer. It was a great burger summer. It was great eating great burgers with great friends. Let’s just say it was all great. I know some of yours didn’t make the list. I know some of you don’t agree with this list. But, that’s okay. Convince me otherwise. Tell me about your top list. Tell me the ones you like I left off. Tell me why you don’t agree with the list. I love the conversation and I love the interaction.

Now, I’m off to finding the next “tour” to take. What’re your recommendations on that?

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for listening!

Bon appetit!

The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast Episode 123

In Episode #123 proudly recorded at The Lab at Industry Hill:

Tim and Ray talk about:

  • Caitlin Weaver, former co-host on The Less Desirables podcast visits the studio and talks foodstuffs with Tim and Ray.
  • Daniel Butner and Carrabba’s is doing awesome things in the community, including the Oncology/Hematology Prom, as well as a wine dinner and this Friday, he’s feeding the road crew that’s doing the work on Old Business 40/Salem Parkway!
  • Tim will be judging a chili/stew cookoff at The Big Sip, presented by Piedmont Local Magazine/336 Events on October 5. More details including purchasing tix here.
  • Hot Dog Tasting Trolley Tour is rescheduled for October 5. You can purchase discounted tix using the code “Man5” on this link.
  • Update on Summer of Burgers Tour.
  • Food holidays and history.

Don’t forget our sponsors:

DiLisio’s Italian Family Restaurant Italian food like you’re sitting, eating in Naples. Wonderful Italian dishes from traditional spaghetti and lasagna to contemporary delights. Rich, flavorful sauces, a variety of pasta options, seafood, meat and more. Just south of Downtown and Business 40 (SOB40).

Washington Perk & Provision Company. Better than a convenience store but not quite a grocery store, in the heart of Washington Park and Downtown WSNC.

The Humble Bee Shoppe is challenging your perception of scratch made and leaving you with an experience you couldn’t possibly forget! With inventive flavor combos and a sense of artistry, The Humble Bee Shoppe isn’t your average bakery.

The Man Who Ate the Town is part of The Less Desirables Network. Give it a listen on iTunes, Stitcher, Podcast Addict and TuneIn, basically anywhere you can listen to podcasts. Or you can listen here (at the bottom of the post).

Bon Appetit!

Mozelle’s to Have Special New Year’s Eve Dinner

Chef Jay Pierce (left) and Mozelle’s owner, Jennifer Smith (photo assumed ©Mozelle’s)

Ray and I finished up 2018’s podcast schedule yesterday but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew about this awesome opportunity from Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro.

Jennifer and Jay over at Mozelle’s have put together a fantastic dinner on New Year’s Eve. It’s from 5p-7p and if you are familiar with Mozelle’s you know this will fill up fast, so make sure you get your reservations in. There is a recommended wine pairing, as well.

First Course: Your choice of either brandied lobster bisque with mascarpone panino, or wild mushroom cream soup with sherry and parmesan.

Second Course: Your choice of either wintery salad with hearty greens, crispy parsnips, roasted butternut squash, chestnuts, cranberries with a vanilla-apple vinaigrette, or bibb salad, avocado, Aleppo pepper, pomegranate arils + white balsamic vinaigrette.

Third Course: Your choice of carved prime rib with chimichurri, Brabant potato hash and haricots verts, or roasted pork tenderloin with classic shrimp jambalaya and crispy spinach, or pan-seared halibut with a Meyer lemon beurre blanc, asparagus, frisée and torn pasta croutons.

Fourth Course (dessert course): Carolina tiramisu made with broad branch whiskey, organic locally-roasted espresso, mascarpone, and house-baked ladyfingers, or warm raspberry-peach croustade with toasted almonds.

The cost of this dinner is $75 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and if you want the recommended wine pairing, that is an additional $25.

If you war interested in having this lovely feast with the fine folks over at Mozelle’s, call 336.703.5400.

Or make your reservation online with OpenTable.

Mozelle’s is a deliciously quaint, little bistro tucked in on the West End of downtown Winston-Salem.

Restaurant Week Comes to Downtown WSNC February 20-26

The 2017 edition of Restaurant Week is upon us, starting today! Like The Big Eat before it, Restaurant Week highlights the fantastic food in Downtown Winston-Salem, offered by many delicious restaurants on uniquely made prix fixe meals.  Reservations are highly recommended and if you’re not going to make your reservation, be courteous to the folks who may want your spot, and to the restaurant themselves: call and cancel as soon as possible.

You can find all the specials for each participating restaurant on the official page for the event, HERE.

According to the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership the following rules apply:

Restaurant Week Specials are dine-in only.
Restaurant Specials are subject to change, excludes tax and tip.
Please check with individual restaurants concerning food ingredients, allergens, and any additional restrictions, thank you.
Restaurant Week Specials are subject to availability.
Restaurants may run out of the Special.
If there is an error on this page, the official restaurant special at the Restaurant is correct.
Please check with restaurants prior to dining if you have questions about the Specials.
The restaurant is not obligated to provided a replacement dish.
Coupons are not accepted in conjunction with these specials. Check with restaurants for coupon policies.

The restaurants that are participating are:

6th & Vine, Bernardin’s, Bib’s Downtown, Burger Batch, Carolina’s Vineyards and Hops, DiLisio’s Italian Restaurant, Downtown Thai & Pho, Foothills Brewing, Hutch & Harris, Jeffery Adams on Fourth, King’s Crab Shack, Mellow Mushroom, Meridian, Miami Restaurant, Mission Pizza, Mooney’s, Mozelle’s, Old Fourth Street Filling Station, The Porch, Quanto Basta, Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar, Sweet Potatoes, Thai Harmony, Tokyo Shapiro, Twin City Slice, and Willows Bistro.

The Big Eat – January 31, 2017

It’s week #4 of The Big Eat and here’s what I have for this week’s lineup:

6th & Vine: Blackened Chicken over penne with a bacon, basil Alfredo sauce – $9

Bernardin’s Restaurant: Sauteed Black Pepper Crusted Jumbo Shrimp with braised white bean ragout, tarragon, spinach, crispy onion ring – $12 

Bib’s Downtown: Pulled Pork Sandwich Plate: $4.25

Bleu Restaurant: Goat Cheese Crusted Chicken Breast Nicoise Vegetables & Sweet Mustard Sauce$9.50

Camel City BBQ Factory: BBQ Sandwich Basket and Tea for  $4

Camino Bakery: half-priced cheesecake slices

Hutch & Harris: East Asian Orange Salmon 1/2 off

Jeffrey Adams: 14oz. Ribeye served with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus – $14.50

Krankies: Steak Frittes steak, fries and a salad  $9

Local 27101: 50% Off all Burgers, Sandwiches, and Salads

Mellow Mushroom: 50% off whole order pretzels, 20% off large specialty pies

Miami Restaurant & Bar: Lechon Asado House marinated roasted pulled pork with sautéed onions. Served with white rice, black beans and choice of plantain  $7

Mooney’s Mediterranean: Garden Chicken Pita OR Garden Pita w/ Choice of Hummus or French Fries $5.50

Mozelle’s: Fried Chicken with mac & cheese and haricot vert (substitutions are allowed) – $9.50

Old Fourth Street Filling Station: Shrimp-N-Grits shrimp, andouille sausage, tomato, baby spinach, chipotle cream sauce, grit cake – $10

The Porch Cantina: Porch Naked Burrito Bowl With jasmine rice, borracho beans, veggies, Mimi’s Queso, verde sauce, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños & tortilla chips.With: Chicken or Avocado – $6 | Steak or Shrimp – $7

Quanto Basta: Chicken Parmesan – $6.50

Señor Bravo: 4 Tacos de pastor marinated pork meat with pineapple,grilled onions on a chile guajillo rub served with corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, onions and hot sauce – $5.99

Spring House Restaurant: BBQ BISON MEATLOAF with creamed Spinach, Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes Applewood Smoked Bacon Demi-Glace – $10

Thai Harmony: Half Price Pad Thai

Tre Nonne: SPAGHETTI WITH MEATBALLS A one-of-a-kind, fully homemade experience. Fresh pasta and a generous helping of our special blend of meats and seasoning, served with our very own marinara sauce – $6.75

Twin City Slice: 2 for price of 1 Slices of Pizza

West End Coffee House: Brownie Sundaes and Affogatos for $4 each

Willow’s Bistro: Blackened Grilled Cafe Steak with arugula, french fried potato stick, grape tomato, horseradish aioli and blue cheese crumbles  $12.50

If you are a restaurant that is participating but I haven’t listed you here, please send me a message or call me (336)403-2076 and let me know. I want to make sure that you’re all represented for the awesome work you’re doing in bringing recognition to our town and your restaurants. These specials are dine-in only and on a “while supplies last” basis.

Go out tonight and support your local cuisine and have a great meal in the process!

The Big Eat – January 24, 2017

It’s week #3 of The Big Eat and here’s what I have for this week’s lineup:

6th & Vine: Peachy Pork Tenderloin with a peach cognac sauce – $9.50

Bernardin’s Restaurant: ROASTED ATLANTIC SALMON with Horseradish crust, spinach, sweet roasted garlic, port wine sauce – $12.50           

Bib’s Downtown: Pulled Pork Sandwich Plate: $4.25

Bleu Restaurant: Blackened Catfish with Dirty Quinoa ,Collared Greens, Crawfish Brown Butter Sauce$10

Camel City BBQ Factory: BBQ Sandwich Basket and Tea for  $4

Camino Bakery: half-priced cheesecake slices

Hutch & Harris: Chicken Pie 1/2 off

Jeffrey Adams: Southern Fried Chicken panko encrusted fried chicken, wild mushroom and bacon gravy, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts – $9

Krankies: Housemade Bolognese over pappardelle with Parmesan  $9

Local 27101: 50% Off all Burgers, Sandwiches, and Salads

Mellow Mushroom: 50% off hummus, 20% off large specialty pies

Miami Restaurant & Bar: Picadillo Minced beef stewed with peppers, olives and tomatoes. Served with white rice, black beans and choice of plantain  $6

Mooney’s Mediterranean: Garden Chicken Pita OR Garden Pita w/ Choice of Hummus or French Fries $5.50

Mozelle’s: Meat Loaf with collards and grits (substitutions are allowed) – $9.50

Old Fourth Street Filling Station: Filet Mignon grilled 4 oz. beef tenderloin, sauteed vegetables, smashed red potatoes$7.50

The Porch Cantina: Porch Naked Burrito Bowl With jasmine rice, borracho beans, veggies, Mimi’s Queso, verde sauce, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños & tortilla chips.With: Chicken or Avocado – $6 | Steak or Shrimp – $7

Quanto Basta: Chicken Parmesan – $6.50

Senior Bravo: 4 Tacos de pastor marinated pork meat with pineapple,grilled onions on a chile guajillo rub served with corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, onions and hot sauce – $5.99

Spring House Restaurant: BBQ BISON MEATLOAF with creamed Spinach, Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes Applewood Smoked Bacon Demi-Glace – $10

Thai Harmony: Half Price Pad Thai

Tre Nonne: CHICKEN ALFREDO with Our in-house fettuccini, covered in our signature creamy parmesan alfredo sauce –  $7.75

Twin City Slice: 2 for price of 1 Slices of Pizza

West End Coffee House: Brownie Sundaes and Affogatos for $4 each

Willow’s Bistro: Shrimp & Grits with smoked tomato & andouille cream sauce $15

If you are a restaurant that is participating but I haven’t listed you here, please send me a message or call me (336)403-2076 and let me know. I want to make sure that you’re all represented for the awesome work you’re doing in bringing recognition to our town and your restaurants.

Go out tonight and support your local cuisine and have a great meal in the process!