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Champions Sports Bar At The Marriott Hotel In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (0)
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

My friend Ed told me about Champions Sports Bar a few weeks ago. He had heard some blurb about it on sports radio. My friend Luis was in town from Los Angeles, so my wife Marcela and I decided to take him with us to check the place out. Champions Sports Bar is located inside of the Marriott Hotel right by the Miami International Airport.

We ordered the Champions Sampler Tower ( 2 Dozen Wings, 8 Beef and Cheddar Sliders, Fully Loaded Cheese Fries and Onion Rings).

Champions Apps

Champions Apps

Champions Apps

Luis seemed to like everything but in particular eating all the Cheese and Bacon off the fries, that mother f’er. Marcela liked the Cheese Fries the best as did I. It tasted like there was Parmesan Cheese on the Fries, pretty good addition if you ask me. The Wings and Onion Rings were pretty standard stuff as were the Sliders. The Sliders being average only meant one thing to me, that the regular Burger was either going to be Average or Really Bad. Luis orders the Miami Dog (foot long, half pound Hot Dog with Sauteed Onions, Chili, Mushrooms, Cheddar, Sauerkraut & Yellow Mustard), I order the Blue Cheese and Onions Burger and Marcela decides to quit while she’s ahead.

Miami Dog

By far, the Miami Dog was way better than the Blue Cheese and Onion Burger. Not the best Dog I’ve ever tried as the server claimed, he must not get out much. Luis seemed to love the Chili which really irked me because I drove him to Arbetter’s to try the chili and he claimed this Chili was better. I really think he was pulling my chain on this one.

Champions Blue Burger

Champion Blue Open Faced

The menu says “fresh Angus Burger” but I don’t buy it. It certainly did not taste that way, it was an average tasting Burger too. Plus I had spoken too soon, Marcela and Luis decide to order the Brownie Sundae.

Brownie

Brownie Sundae

I’m not a Brownie fanatic but I can tell when something isn’t fresh. It was served room temperature with Hot Fudge and Vanilla Ice Cream. It was an average affair just like everything else which is is a shame because the place seemed to have potential.

To Be or Not To Be A:

Champions Sports Bar (located inside the Marriott Hotel) 1201 NW 42 Ave, Miami, FL

Champions Sports Bar on Urbanspoon

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Brimberry’s Royal Castle In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (1)
Friday, August 14th, 2009

The last 2 Royal Castles left in Miami are owned by 2 different people. There is Arnold’s Royal Castle and this one is owned by James Brimberry. Carlos Miller’s excellent article on Royal Castle can give you a better overview of Royal Castle’s history (see below). Both locations are open 24 hours. Both locations also serve Castleburgers (sliders) and Feastburgers (regular sized). The Castleburgers at this location were better than at Arnold’s Royal Castle.

Some Royal Castle Sliders & Fries

They do put the buns on the griddle to warm/toast them a little and to absorb some flavor. I really liked the Feastburger. It reminded me of what Hardee’s burgers tasted like back in the 1980′s.

Feast Burger

Feast Burger Half

I think the secret here  lies in the Pickles, Mustard & Ketchup on the bottom and the Tomato, Onion and Mayo on the top. The Fast Food Holy Trinity of Sauces (Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo) can give your burger a distinct flavor necessary when it’s this type of burger.

Crinkle Cut Fries

The fries were crinkle cut, not greasy but just standard stuff. If you’re trying to decide which Royal Castle to visit, I’d suggest both. They’re 10 minutes from each other. If you’re a true burger fan, you’d make the visits on the same trip.

Burger Beast visits: Arnold’s Royal Castle

And the The Royal Castle Hamburger Chain Meetup

Brimberry’s Royal Castle
2700 NW 79th Street, Miami, Florida
305-696-8241
Open 24 Hours

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Peoples Bar B Que In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (5)
Saturday, June 27th, 2009

My wife Marcela and I had heard so many good things about Peoples Bar-B-Que that we expected to be dazzled not disappointed. The building it’s house in is a bit run down and there really wasn’t any discernible sign that I could see to let you know we were at the right place. Once you walk in, there’s a take-away area with prepared foods, the cash register and then the counter. We went up to the counter to get a menu and took a seat. We looked around and saw that some people just ordered at the counter so I’m assuming you could do either.

Marcela decides to go with some Chicken & Ribs, a side of Mac n Cheese and Mashed Potatoes. All meals are served with their Cornbread. I order their Cheeseburger and some Hot Wings with Fries. The Burger was way too salty as if it had been salted after it was cooked. It was pretty bad.

Peoples BarBQue Cheeseburger

The Wings, which were served with the Hot Sauce on the side were ok and the Fries were just plain oily.

Peoples BarBQue Wings & Fries

The Cornbread which I had heard so much about tasted very bland.

Peoples BarBQue Cornbread

Marcela’s Mac n Cheese was good but the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy were killer, best thing we had. The Ribs were another story, I found them to be inedible. Marcela didn’t like them either.

Peoples BarBQue Chicken & Ribs

The weirdest thing was when the plate was placed in front of her I thought the Ribs with the BBQ Sauce all over them reminded of something but I just couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Just as I was writing this it came to me. If you ever watched the show Get A Life you’ll know what I’m talking about. Take a look at the picture and tell me that it doesn’t remind you of when Gus (Chris’ landlord) makes ribs out of the alien Spewey. And if you haven’t watched Get A Life before, then get to it, you’re out of the loop.

Peoples Bar-B-Que
360 NW 8th Street, Miami, FL
305-373-8080
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-12AM, Sat 11:30AM-1AM, Sun 1PM-9PM

People's Bar-B-Que on Urbanspoon

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Arnold’s Royal Castle In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (16)
Monday, January 26th, 2009

Wow, this place is open 24 hours. Royal Castle was part of mighty chain of sliders that existed in the Southern United States but originated in Ohio. This location happened to be one of the original locations (opened in 1956) .

The last 2 Royal Castles left in Miami are owned by 2 different people. There is Brimberry’s Royal Castle and this one is owned by Wayne Arnold. Carlos Miller’s article on Royal Castle can give you a better overview of their history (link is below). This location re-opened in early 2009 after a fire 3 years ago that caused it to shut down. Everything is shiny & new at this location (well, the griddle seems to have a lot of flavor going on already).

Flavorful Griddle

I ordered their chili, which I was severely disappointed over. I was expecting it to be homemade for some reason, it was served near room temperature and I’m positive that it was Hormel’s.

The fries were ok but seemed to be slightly undercooked. I ordered them with cheese which means I get some nacho cheese over them.

The burgers were great. I liked them a whole lot more than most sliders I’ve had. I ordered them with Cheese and they had Ketchup, Mustard, Diced Onions and a Pickle. They are available to purchase individually or in a 6 pack (take a wild guess what I went for). Just an F.Y.I. , I watched them bring fresh batches of patties to cook from the back and they don’t seem to be frozen.

6 Burgers

Dissected Burger

The funny thing is they serve their own brand of cola called Castle Cola. I, also being a Cola Connoisseur can tell you that  it reminds me of Supermarket brand cola. Arnold’s Royal Castle also serves Birch Beer for you Root Beer fanatics. Something else you may want to keep in mind, because the cooking space is so small that it’s very easy for them to get overwhelmed with orders. You may want to stay away from coming here during peak hours like noon.

Burger Beast review: Brimberry’s Royal Castle

Carlos Miller’s article: The Royal Castle Hamburger Chain Meetup

Arnold’s Royal Castle
12498 NW 7th Avenue  Miami, Fl 33168
305-681-5346

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S and Pizza In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (2)
Sunday, December 28th, 2008

I won’t even dignify this Burger with a review:

Where's the beef?

S & M Pizza is now Closed

S & M Pizza
5679 W Flagler St Miami, Fl 33126
305-263-2799

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IHOP In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (1)
Monday, December 8th, 2008

Since I was a little beast I would eat at IHOP while on holiday with my family. My earliest recollection of a family vacation involves eating at an IHOP. I would have a Patty Melt for breakfast because I thought eating eggs would give me a stomach ache. My burgers for breakfast trend started back then in Kissimmee, Florida and still continues to this day when I go to Cracker Barrel.

There was also a five year period where I would take my grandfather to IHOP on Thursday mornings so he could have the International Omelette (an Omelette with at least how I remember it, salsa all over it). I don’t even think it’s on the menu any longer. I would have the Country Omelette (with Ham, Cheese, Onions, Hash Browns and a scoop of Sour Cream).

"The Sampler"

At some point during the 5 year stretch, I got tired of the Country Omelette and switched over to the Monster Cheeseburger (2 burger patties with slices of American and Provolone cheeses on a Romano Parmesan bun).

I was at IHOP a few late nights ago with a crew that included my wife Marcela  and some friends. As usual or for the first time (I couldn’t help but throw in a Birdcage reference) I got the Monster Cheeseburger.

Monster Burger w/Fries

Something that never really disappoints me but I don’t expect too much at places like IHOP and Denny’s when it comes to burgers . IHOP can be really hit and miss, and depending on who you go with and at what time decides how good of an experience you’re going to have (and how many cups of coffee).

Cup of Joe at IHOP

I’ve always felt that if you went to an IHOP after dinner time, you would be asking to run across people not fit to be seen in general human population. This is mainly referring to the staff, they’re like characters from a David Lynch film (excluding Special Agent Dale Cooper who everyone loves). I mean, where do these people hide during the day? And when you recall the night’s events they seem to take place in slow motion or black & white. Which might not make too bad of photo book, or an Anton Corbijn video.

International House Of Pancakes aka IHOP
285 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami, Fl 33126
305-643-1210

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Miami Subs In Miami, Florida

By Burger Beast · Comments (1)
Sunday, November 30th, 2008

I’ve been eating at Miami Subs for over 15 years. I remember mayo from a Miami Subs Burger back then falling on my favorite PJ Harvey shirt. I was never able to get out that damn stain. Nathan’s purchased the chain in 1999, and added Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Kenny Roger’s and Arthur Treacher’s to the stores which of course really expanded their menu. The Philly Cheesesteak is probably still my favorite item on the menu, but I also like to get the Nathan’s Double Cheeseburger from time to time.

The Double Chee all wrapped up

Hello Mr. Double Cheeseburger

It’s an above average fast food burger very reminiscent of Char-Hut‘s but I can’t seem to resist all that meat (you should have seen that comment coming). The burger is a little on the dry side so if you’re expecting your burger cooked to Medium, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. Miami Subs is known for their spicy fries which some people swear by, but not me. I prefer the Nathan’s fries with a little nacho cheese.

Nathan's Mustard Packets

Nathan Dog & Nathan Fries

Since I’m ordering Nathan’s fries I might as well get a hot dog also, it never hurt anybody.

Miami Subs
1099 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami, FL
305-642-5306

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