Ray's Hell Burger

So...I think I've discussed the pure joy that comes from eating at Ray's Hell Burger, right?
Turns out Obama and Joe Biden went to check it out! They probably read about it on my blog.... :)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/05/us/politics/AP-US-Obama-Burgers.html?_r=1

Burger night at Shooter McGee's

Tonight I needed chicken wings, so I went to Shooter McGee's on Duke St in Alexandria near the Landmark Mall. Unfortunately, it was also half price burger night...so I needed both!

They had a list of about 10 half-pound burgers with various combination of toppings - most of them including both cheese AND bacon. I got a blue cheese and bacon burger, without the bacon, cooked medium. My friend got a burger with jack cheese, sauteed mushrooms and bacon cooked medium rare. Both of our burgers came cooked as requested :) They were served with fries, cole slaw or baked beans (gross!). I got the coleslaw, but I wish I got the fries - they looked delicious!

To get the special, you need to order a drink. Burgers were regularly listed for $9.50, so this was a great deal. The waiter was excellent - my Sprite was refilled as soon as it was empty :) I've gone a few times, mostly for wing night, and have never left disappointed. Check it out!

Ray's Hell Burger

Tried for round 2 at Ray's the Steaks tonight, but the wait was almost 2 hours! So, we headed down the strip mall to Ray's Hell Burger. Wow!

We walked in and didn't really know what was going on, but a man who seemed like he could have been the owner told us how it worked: order at the counter, then take a number and grab a table and a server will bring you your food :) Burgers came a few different ways - plain, rolled in peppercorns, cajun-seasoned. And they had lots of toppings - very wide variety of cheeses, gauc, veggies. There was a list of about 10 suggested combinations, but I just opted for my own: a plain grilled burger with blue cheese, roasted garlic and sherried, sauteed mushrooms. It also came with lettuce and tomato.

There was also a list of sides: corn on the cob, coleslaw, mac and cheese, chips.....that's all I can remember. I got mac and cheese :D We also got a pitcher of rootbeer.

I hate it when a menu brags that their burgers are loaded with TEN OUNCES OF BEEF WAHAHAHAHA MEAT MEAT ALMOST AN ENTIRE COW MEAT MEAT MOO!!!!!!!!!1 But that's all Ray's had, so that's what I got. Our food came in about 5-10 minutes, I think. It was much faster than expected. And it was spectacular!! The burger was huge, dripping delicious juices and perfectly seasoned. It had an amazing flavor and I managed to eat it without hesitation until I was nine ounces in. But I finished it ALL :D I like a lot of bread (and hence hate 10 OUNCES OF BEEF), but I think the bun was strong enough to stand up to all the meat and juices dropping out of it. It was a great experience. I loved the mac and cheese! Reminded me mac and cheese I ate in Pennsylvania as a kid. I've been trying to recreate it ever since, but mine always sucks. I sampled a friend's coleslaw. I thought it was unremarkable.

There's hot chocolate for free on your way out, but it was empty, so we went to ACKC in Del Ray for some hot chocolate. Was tonight a little over the top? Probably :D

Ok, Ray's Hellburger - it's really good! Go there! There was no one waiting to sit when we got there around 6:30, but filled up pretty quickly after that. It's cheap too. I forget how cheap, but even the topped burgers run about $8, which especially considering the quality is a really good deal! Sides were less than $2. :D 1713 Wilson Blvd, Arlington