September 20, 2008
Ray’s Hell Burger
Rating: 3.5 Oinks
After hearing the rumblings through town about the “best burger” in DC, we felt it was our civic duty as FDP’s to find out for sure. Foregoing previous FDP outings that usually include getting dressed up (as well as we are able), we decided this night should be about staying in. And sleeping over as it turned out. This would not just be a mission to try the so-called best burger in town, but also the first official FDP slumber party in honor of Melissa’s new apartment. Air mattress? Check. Champagne and homemade brownies? Check. Footie pajamas? Check. Stockpile of embarrassing girly movies? Check. Now we just needed the burgers.
Ray’s Hell Burger is owned by none other than the beef expert behind Ray’s the Steaks and Ray’s the Classics. A couple of us have tried (and failed) on several occasions to get into the elusive Ray’s the Steaks, but it’s a bit of a gamble. The restaurant is small and does not take reservations making it difficult to get a table without some serious stealth maneuvering. We have not totally given up on getting in eventually, but Hell Burger seemed like a nice alternative to finally be able to try some of Chef Michael Landrum’s beefy creations. Hell Burger is located in the same small strip a couple of doors down from Ray’s the Steaks in Arlington. It is very unassuming and we didn’t even notice a sign to mark the location; the line nearly out the door was a good indicator, however.
The small space is packed with tables for 2 and 4 and a couple of tall café tables for standing if no seating is available. And there is really only one thing on the menu—the burger. Not just any burger, but 10 ounces of prime beef as is proudly stated on their chalkboard menu. The burger can be prepared simply grilled, blackened or au poive to the temperature of your choice (we recommend medium rare) with a great selection of delectable cheeses and toppings. The cheeses range from the classics American and Swiss to more exotic choices like Aged Danish Bleu, Mustard Seed Gouda and Double Cream Brie. Additional toppings include Applewood Smoked Bacon, Guacamole, Grilled Peppers, Sherry-Sautéed Mushrooms (our recommendation!), Roasted Garlic and even…Foie Gras. Clearly, they are not messing around here. Sides are also available and include Buttered Corn on the Cob, Mac-n-Cheese and Potato Chips. Given the shear mass of the burgers, we opted to keep it simple and share some chips and corn (although the mac-n-cheese looked really tasty and will need to be sampled at some point!).
Each burger is grilled to order and after a short 10 minute wait in line, we headed back to the home-front with our giant burgers in tow. Each of us opted for the simply grilled burger and our choice of topping varied slightly (though I think we all decided to get the smear of roasted garlic which was delicious). After some initial pondering about how best to eat the massive burgers, we opted to cut them in half and do our best not to dribble them down our shirts. Bibs may be a good idea for next time.
So what’s the final FDP verdict? I can safely say that the phrase “This is the best burger I’ve ever had” was uttered several times by all of us. The burgers are huge, juicy and the topping are delicious--I can see Ray’s quickly becoming a burger-fix necessity. One word of warning—be sure to go hungry! The rest of the night proceeded with the requisite girly conversation, drinking, and even a visit from the upstairs neighbor who yelled at us for being too loud. Overall a great way to break in a new apartment and by far one of the best burgers in DC.
Ray’s Hell Burger
Rating: 3.5 Oinks
After hearing the rumblings through town about the “best burger” in DC, we felt it was our civic duty as FDP’s to find out for sure. Foregoing previous FDP outings that usually include getting dressed up (as well as we are able), we decided this night should be about staying in. And sleeping over as it turned out. This would not just be a mission to try the so-called best burger in town, but also the first official FDP slumber party in honor of Melissa’s new apartment. Air mattress? Check. Champagne and homemade brownies? Check. Footie pajamas? Check. Stockpile of embarrassing girly movies? Check. Now we just needed the burgers.
Ray’s Hell Burger is owned by none other than the beef expert behind Ray’s the Steaks and Ray’s the Classics. A couple of us have tried (and failed) on several occasions to get into the elusive Ray’s the Steaks, but it’s a bit of a gamble. The restaurant is small and does not take reservations making it difficult to get a table without some serious stealth maneuvering. We have not totally given up on getting in eventually, but Hell Burger seemed like a nice alternative to finally be able to try some of Chef Michael Landrum’s beefy creations. Hell Burger is located in the same small strip a couple of doors down from Ray’s the Steaks in Arlington. It is very unassuming and we didn’t even notice a sign to mark the location; the line nearly out the door was a good indicator, however.
The small space is packed with tables for 2 and 4 and a couple of tall café tables for standing if no seating is available. And there is really only one thing on the menu—the burger. Not just any burger, but 10 ounces of prime beef as is proudly stated on their chalkboard menu. The burger can be prepared simply grilled, blackened or au poive to the temperature of your choice (we recommend medium rare) with a great selection of delectable cheeses and toppings. The cheeses range from the classics American and Swiss to more exotic choices like Aged Danish Bleu, Mustard Seed Gouda and Double Cream Brie. Additional toppings include Applewood Smoked Bacon, Guacamole, Grilled Peppers, Sherry-Sautéed Mushrooms (our recommendation!), Roasted Garlic and even…Foie Gras. Clearly, they are not messing around here. Sides are also available and include Buttered Corn on the Cob, Mac-n-Cheese and Potato Chips. Given the shear mass of the burgers, we opted to keep it simple and share some chips and corn (although the mac-n-cheese looked really tasty and will need to be sampled at some point!).
Each burger is grilled to order and after a short 10 minute wait in line, we headed back to the home-front with our giant burgers in tow. Each of us opted for the simply grilled burger and our choice of topping varied slightly (though I think we all decided to get the smear of roasted garlic which was delicious). After some initial pondering about how best to eat the massive burgers, we opted to cut them in half and do our best not to dribble them down our shirts. Bibs may be a good idea for next time.
So what’s the final FDP verdict? I can safely say that the phrase “This is the best burger I’ve ever had” was uttered several times by all of us. The burgers are huge, juicy and the topping are delicious--I can see Ray’s quickly becoming a burger-fix necessity. One word of warning—be sure to go hungry! The rest of the night proceeded with the requisite girly conversation, drinking, and even a visit from the upstairs neighbor who yelled at us for being too loud. Overall a great way to break in a new apartment and by far one of the best burgers in DC.
1 comment:
I too have tried to get in to Ray's the Steaks and failed (with Kate... maybe she is just bad luck! kidding, Kate!). Good to know there is something out there for us poor schmucks who can never quite make it in!
PS. Kate, we are going for burgers when I come down!
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