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The Filling Station And Garage Bar In Downtown Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (4)
Monday, October 26th, 2009

I don’t know my way around Downtown Miami very well which is where The Filling Station is located. I’m also bad at following the directions of the GPS, it seems to take too long to respond (I can just hear that voice in my head “calculating route”). Between my sense of direction and usage of a GPS, I was pretty happy that my friend and I were able to locate The Filling Station without much hassle the first time we visited.

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The Filling Station Sign - You can't miss it

Originally the Filling Station was much smaller but over the course of the last couple of years they’ve expanded hence the addition of the name, Garage Bar. Luckily, its expansion has not hurt 2 of the many things I love about it, its character (Filling Station theme) and service.

Howard's Big Mack Truck

One of the first things I noticed here was the walls with pictures of customers who had ordered Howard’s Big Mack Truck. The burger is a really great Double Cheddar Burger topped with Onion Rings so it could be difficult for some of you light eaters. What’s weird is that it wasn’t only pics of people who had eaten it but also those who only ordered the burger. I guess that’s a different way to do things! Order that burger and I guess you’re guaranteed to get your picture on the wall (I’m not too sure if they’re still doing this but I am up on the wall).

As a matter of fact, if you do go, look for our picture. Even though my friend suggested against it, I ordered the tater tots covered in cheese, bacon and jalapenos (which were good) plus an order of buffalo flavored wings to start with. The wings, what can I say are on point. I awarded them with Best Wings for 2010 at my annual Burgie Awards.

Burgie Award Winning Buffalo Wings

There’s also a whole slew of Burgers & Sandwiches with catchy names to order from. Two of my favorites are Steve’s “Respect” Mobile (Burger topped with Pulled Pork, Cheddar, Jerk BBQ Sauce) and Bev’s Benz (Chicken Sandwich with Fried Mozzarella & Marinara served on Garlic Bread).

Steve's "Respect" Mobile

Bev's Benz

If those weren’t enough there’s Hot Dogs, Phillys and even dare I say the dreaded “S” word, Salads. You can’t go wrong hitting up the Filling Station, trust me I know. And now to get your hunger pangs a goin’, here are some more pictures:

Chili Mac - A Daily Special I had one time

Hog

Malibu Bleu

Is there any dessert? Well, you can get some fresh baked cookies. I guess that counts, doesn’t it?

Fresh Baked Cookies

They’re open every day for lunch and open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday but closed on Sunday. I only mention this because once upon a time there was no Dinner or Saturday service:

Mon – Thu: 11:30AM – 9:00PM
Fri – Sat: 11:30AM – 10:30PM

Go Downtown and Eat from:

The Filling Station
95 SE 2nd St, Miami, FL
786-425-1990

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Almost Famous Mel’s In Marco Island, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Almost Famous Mel's Sign

Almost Famous Mel’s was probably one of the best places I ate at last year. I didn’t really take pictures because at the time, the birth of the Burger Beast site was a few months away. I spent all of last week at Marco Island so I decided to eat here again a couple of times with my family so I could: 1) Enjoy its greatness and 2) Take some pictures.

Outdoor Area

Outdoor Area

Who are we kidding? I just wanted to eat here again. Once my wife Marcela and I arrived in Marco Island the first thing we did was head out to Mel’s. I wanted to order one of their Hot Dogs but since it was after 4pm (no Wieners after 4) , that wasn’t going to be a possibility. We ordered the “Throw Down The Gauntlet” which I tried last year and loved (on the original post I couldn’t remember its name, it wasn’t even on the menu yet).

The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is plate of fresh cut Fries with Nacho Cheese, Jalapeños, Pulled Pork and Chili. We also ordered the Wings but this time there were a variety of sauces available: Mel’s Way, Big Jon’s, Hot & Happy, Honey and Frank’s Red Hot. We were brought a sampling of all the Sauces and a few pieces of Cornbread with which to try them.

Cornbread

Cornbread

The Mel’s Way, Big Jon’s and Hot & Happy all tasted pretty similar but we went with Big Jon’s because it had a nice mix of BBQ and heat, the Cornbread was pretty good too. The Wings were good but nothing special. I decide to order the Michigan Burger (slab of Ham and Jack Cheese) and Marcela goes with the Burnt Ends (Burnt Brisket Ends and Ham).

Burnt Ends

I still think the Burnt Ends is the best thing on the menu (and I still think that Mac N Cheese is pretty lame) followed by a close second of Throw Down The Gauntlet. The Michigan was very good and contained no Burger at all which was weird, it was like a giant Ham and Cheese sandwich.

Michigan Burger

Michigan Burger

Two days later I was back with my sister Michelle, this time before 4pm. I was able to order the Chili & Cheese Dog and the Tex Mex Burger (Chipotle Sauce, Bacon and Cheddar). While we’re discussing with the waitress my previous time there, I mention the Michigan Burger. She tells me that it indeed should have had a Burger in it (well that makes sense). She mentions this to Mel, who comes to our table to apologize for the mistake, very nice guy by the way.

Chili Cheese Dog

Chili Cheese Dog

Tex Mex Burger

Tex Mex Burger

That Chili & Cheese Dog was so smothered in Chili we had to use a fork and knife to eat it. It was great but the taste of the Dog was way overpowered by the Chili. The Tex-Mex Burger was really moist and tasted way better than I remember last year. I notice the Menu mentions that it’s never frozen Angus beef which I think last year’s Menu did not claim.

Original Post 10/13/08:

Not far from where I was staying in Marco Island is Almost Famous Mel’s South Beach Smokehouse-BBQ. Not very original as far as decor goes but when I walked in I felt like I was on vacation and as if I should be hearing Bob Marley over the airwaves, instead I had to settle for some guy trying out his favorite tunes on his guitar with cheezy keyboard accompaniment. We ordered a new appetizer created by Mel(the owner) which name escapes me at this moment (Fries with with Chili, Pulled Pork, Nacho Cheese and Jalapeños).

Fries

Chili Cheese Pulled Pork Fries w/Jalapeños

And even though by looking at it you might think it looks disgusting it tastes pretty amazing, the Pulled Pork was outstanding. We also ordered Bo’s Chicken Wings (Wings drenched in Frank’s Red Hot) which were just average. I ordered the Big House (Burger with Bacon, Mushrooms and Cheddar Cheese) and thought it was ok considering this was a “Smokehouse” the Burger did not have a strong smoky flavor. The sides I had were Mom’s Mac & Cheese (If this is mom’s mac and cheese, I’ll take an order of my dad’s mistress’ mac and cheese) and Crispy Fried Onion Strings (pretty good and a large portion). The waitress also brought a piece of their Corn Bread drizzled in Honey Butter…..uh yeah, delicious. Marcela had the Burnt Ends (Crispy Burnt Brisket Ends & Ham), now these little fellas were stunning. The Burnt Ends were probably the best item on the menu and it’s a real shame because I really thought the Burger was going to be sensational.


Almost Famous Mel’s South Beach Smokehouse-BBQ is CLOSED
657 South Collier Boulevard, Marco Island, FL
239-394-7111
Hours: Everyday 11:00 AM-11:00PM (kitchen closes at 10:30)

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Clarke’s In Miami Beach, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Clarke's Sign

A few people had mentioned  that Clarke’s has the best Burger on the beach. A few weeks ago my friend John and I were going to go check it out but other plans came up. Now that we find a gap in our schedules, we decide “It’s Time”. Clarke’s is not very big but it does have a nice relaxing look inside. As we “peruse” (that’s right, a big boy word), as we peruse the menu, John can not control himself so we order some appetizers.

Let’s start with the Macaroni and Cheese (we’re told it’s a large portion, I prefer to be warned if it’s a small portion), the New York Pretzel, and the Buffalo Chicken Wings (served with Blue Cheese). And then John out of nowhere decides to throw in an order for the Black Angus Beef Chili.

Mac N Cheese

Mac N Cheese

New York Pretzel

New York Pretzel

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Black Angus Beef Chili

Black Angus Beef Chili

Not that I was complaining. Where do I begin? The New York Pretzel , tasted just as you might expect it to but the Mustard was the real deal here, great stuff. The Wings are in the same boat, good but the Blue Cheese was the star in this dish. I’m not kidding, that was some really good Blue Cheese. The Black Angus Beef Chili was wow, awesome, as was the Macaroni and Cheese. When there was just one bite left of the pretzel I suggested to John he might want to dip it into the Mac N Cheese, which he did. He felt that although it did taste good, the Mustard was way better for it.

When it came to Burger time, there’s only one burger on the menu but you can add different toppings to it. John ordered his Clarke’s Burger with Cheddar & Bacon whereas I ordered mine with Swiss, Cheddar & Bacon.

Clarke's Burger with Cheddar & Bacon

Clarke’s Burger with Cheddar & Bacon

Swiss, Cheddar and Bacon

Clarke’s Burger with Swiss, Cheddar and Bacon

In hindsight I should have gone with Blue Cheese on my burger. Two thing that stuck out, the Bacon was nice and crispy and the fresh cut Fries were really good. It’s a good Burger but best on the beach? I guess that’s for you to decide.

P.S.: John couldn’t finish his burger, here is a picture of his last bite.

John's Last Bite

John’s Last Bite

Clarke’s
Facebook: Clarke’s
Twitter: @ClarkesIrishPub
840 First St, Miami Beach, FL
305-538-9885

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Ye Olde Falcon Pub In Davie, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (4)
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Ye Olde Falcon Pub Sign

Had I discovered this place when I was younger I would have appreciated it more. The name alone would have drawn me out to drink and eat here. I’m a sucker for places with interesting names and this is no different.

Ye Olde Falcon Pub Door

It really didn’t take too much hard selling on my part to get my friend Ed to come along with me. As starters we order the Cheddar-filled Jalapeños, Lord Nelson’s Nest Of Nachos (great name) and 10 of their Hot Wings. I did not like Lord Nelson’s Nest Of Nachos but I did like the Chili on it because it had a very distinct taste.

Poppers

Poppers

Ye Olde Falcon Pub Wings

Lord Nelson's Nest Of Nachos

Lord Nelson’s Nest Of Nachos

Ed who is a Nacho-aholic did not like it all. The Wings were good, just pretty much what you would get at any neighborhood bar. Same thing with the Poppers, but the side of Warm Salsa on Tortilla Chips with melted Cheese was the best thing we had , it should be it’s own starter. Ed decides on the Belly Buster Hot Dog with Cheese and I see my opportunity to order something else I like strictly for the name, the Cara-Cara Burger.

Belly Buster Hot Dog

Belly Buster Hot Dog

Ed’s dog was good and it was lost in a sea of cheese within the bun. My Cara-Cara Burger was an interesting concept. I really couldn’t taste all the flavors ( Bacon, Ham, Swiss Cheese, American Cheese & Sauteed Onions) which is a shame and the Burger itself was nothing particularly new.

Cara-Cara Burger

Cara-Cara Burger

I did like the Fries, who doesn’t love a dinner fry? Overall it was a standard affair with an interesting character (our waiter) who looks like he should have been in Trainspotting , which could be cool thing if this is your neighborhood bar.

Ye Shall Drink At:

Ye Olde Falcon Pub
2867 South University Drive, Davie, FL
954-424-0300
Hours: Mon-Sat 11AM-4AM, Sun 12PM-4AM

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Skyline Chili In Sunrise, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (9)
Thursday, April 16th, 2009

I know a bad omen when I see one. As soon as I open the door to Skyline Chili there was a Pepsi machine looking directly at me. I mention this to my friends Carlos and Derrick as we are seated, Carlos is a Pepsi fan so it falls on deaf ears. Derrick nods in agreement (although I did see him drink some flat Coke earlier today). As we’re sizing up the menu there is one thing that I notice, pretty much everything is served with Chili. I also notice cans of their own Skyline Chili lining the window sills. After reading the back of their menu, I learn that Skyline Chili has been around since 1949 and that it is originally from Cincinnati.

Skyliner Chili Cheese Dog

Chili Spaghetti

Chili Burrito

Cheese Fries w/Chili on the Side

We decide to order the Skyliner (their specially made Hot Dog with steamed bun and covered in Onions, Chili and Cheddar Cheese) , Chili Spaghetti (Spaghetti covered in Chili, did I really need to explain that?), Skyline Burrito (Skyline Chili bean mix in a soft flour Tortilla covered in Chili and Cheddar Cheese) and Chili Cheese Skyfries (Shoestring French Fries covered in Chili and Cheddar Cheese, although ours was served with the Chili on the side).

There is one word for everything we tried and that’s bland. The Hot Dog makes me wish I was eating a Veggie Dog. The one thing that comes through in all the dishes is Cheddar Cheese (and that’s cause there’s a mound of it). If they’re famous for their Chili, I don’t get it. It lacks any real Chili flavor or good flavor for that matter. You know there’s a problem when I thought the Pepsi (I’m a Coke guy) was the best thing I had.

Reach for the Skyline:

Skyline Chili
2834 North University Drive, Sunrise, FL
954-741-3929

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Zesto In Atlanta, Georgia

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Saturday, March 14th, 2009

After our experience at Flip Burger Boutique we headed to Zesto but not before we dropped off  our friend who needed to recover after eating at two other places consecutively. John and I stepped into a rather retro looking place with the atmosphere to match. We’re looking over the menu and trying to decide what to eat. We agree to split everything we order.

All Wrapped Up

I order a footlong chili dog, onion rings, fries, a cheeseburger and a Chubby Decker. John looks over to me and asks, now why would you order 2 burgers? My reply was, You don’t come to the house of the Chubby Decker and not get one! We sit down and take a pic of everything before the xmas unwrapping begins.

Chubby Decker

Crinkle Cut Fries

After trying everything I come to one conclusion, it’s all just average tasting. The burgers (including the Chubby Decker) taste like fast food burgers I’ve had before but I just can’t seem to pinpoint the flavor. The fries are crinkle cut and good for what they are, frozen fries. The onion rings, although appearing to be fresh lacked any flavor.

Onion Rings

Footlong Chili Dog

You know what? After thinking about it the only thing I really liked was the footlong chili dog. The chili is more like ground beef with some seasoning which I don’t mind too much. Tasty! By the end of this, John and I were done, or so we thought. We remember, the Vortex was going to be our last stop tonight. Time to rest up.

Zesto
544 Ponce De Leon NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-607-1118

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The Varsity In Atlanta, Georgia

By Burger Beast · Comments (8)
Thursday, March 5th, 2009

What’ll Ya Have? What”ll ya have? What”ll ya have? Is what you hear upon entering The Varsity located across from Georgia Tech. We chose to eat inside as opposed to eating at their famed drive-in. It turns out there is Varsity Lingo one must know before placing your order. Lucky for us, it was not packed, so we didn’t have to be on our game.

What'll Ya Have?

My bud John cuts me in line and orders first. He gets some fries, onion rings and a burger. My other friend Isaac chooses a chili dog and a cheese burger. I get a cheeseburger, a chili cheese dog and 2 apple pies (one is for John). I may need a cash advance by the time we’re done eating after looking over the menu.

Onion Rings & Fries

We all felt the onion rings were really good. John claims his fries are partially raw. I’m not buying the story since he continued to eat the fries. I tried them and they tasted fine. The burger was nothing to write home about but the chili dog, now that’s another story. Man, was that thing good!

Chili Dog & Burger

I try the apple pie and realize, wow, what an odd flavor this has. I’m trying to figure out what it is and then John points out to me that I’m eating a peach pie (apparently I can’t read wrappers).

Peach Pies

By this time, Isaac has decided to get another burger and a plain hot dog. To counter him, I order another chili dog for John and I, some hot wings and finish the order off with an apple pie(correct wrapper this time).

Hot Wings

The wings were good and were one of the best things we had. John and I agree that the Apple Pie was amazing. So as I’m washing down my overindulgence with a tasty and refreshing Coke, I only have one thing left to say to the guys. When can we come back so I can get another chili cheese dog?

 

The Varsity
61 North Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-881-1706

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