# The best cheeseburgers in the known universe... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961 "2000-10-15T03:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/1 "2000-10-15T03:46:03Z")
… are served at the snack bar inside the Horseshoe Club in downtown Las Vegas, NV. The also make the known universes best margaritas- handmade, blended if you ask nicely, not served frozen out of a machine. Anybody wanna argue with me? ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/2 "2000-10-15T04:06:07Z")
I don’t want to argue but I would like to point out something nifty. Around here, if you ask people where to find the best cheeseburger on the planet, they will tell you it’s a place in town called the Horseshoe Lounge. Maybe this is a phenomenon worth looking into? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/3 "2000-10-15T04:13:14Z")
hmmm… Was the former owner of this Horseshoe Lounge by any chance murdered a couple of years ago by his live-in ex-stripper girlfriend and her lover? It’s a very interesting coincidence. I think it bears investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Sweet\_Sue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Sweet\_Sue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sweet_Sue)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/4 "2000-10-15T04:13:58Z")
\*\*sub         [/sub]O         º       sub[/sub]         +         A         " \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/5 "2000-10-15T05:03:49Z")
Roscoe’s on Fort Blvd. in El Paso. The third generation of Roscoe is serving up the lard to a standing room only crowd (lots of Fort Bliss) every weekday around noon. Don’t order to go. The grease eats the paper bag before you get it back. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/6 "2000-10-15T05:09:14Z")
Mad Dod and Beans (Austin) closed years ago… ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/7 "2000-10-15T06:33:14Z")
Mine! Past that I have to agree with Sweet Sue. In and Out Burgers really does a good job. Nation Burgers does a good job. Anyone from the SF Bay area remember **Hippo Burgers**? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sweet Sue \* > \*\*\*\*sub >         [/sub]O >         º >       sub[/sub] >         + >         A >         " \*\* \*\* ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/8 "2000-10-15T07:00:04Z")
At one time, **Zono’s** in La Habra (Southern California) made the absolute best burgers. Close second was a place I think called **Fat Boy’s** in Pasadena. They also made THE BEST ONION RINGS, bar none. I know Zono’s is no longer in existence - don’t know about Fat Boy’s. ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/9 "2000-10-15T08:26:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Thea Logica \* > \*\*hmmm… > > Was the former owner of this Horseshoe Lounge by any chance murdered a couple of years ago by his live-in ex-stripper girlfriend and her lover? > > It’s a very interesting coincidence. I think it bears investigation. \*\* I’m not sure but I will look into it. However, the owner of a small chain of local Greek restaurants _was_ murdered by his crazy ex-stripper girlfriend a couple of years ago. Hmmm… ---
**Author:** ![honkytonkwillie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@honkytonkwillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/honkytonkwillie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/10 "2000-10-15T08:49:37Z")
In and Out. When did they change their bumper stickers? Sometime between 1986 and 2000. I liked the gag where you cut out the “B” and “R” to make it say “In and out urge”. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/11 "2000-10-15T18:55:57Z")
honkytonkwillie, you should find your answer here: [http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/sleuth/sleuth2.htm](http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/sleuth/sleuth2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![PuRpLe\_PrIdE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c77e96/32.png) [@PuRpLe\_PrIdE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PuRpLe_PrIdE)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/12 "2000-10-15T19:40:00Z")
## Quote: ## Originally posted by Thea Logica: … are served at the snack bar inside the Horseshoe Club in downtown Las Vegas, NV. The also make the known universes best margaritas- handmade, blended if you ask nicely, not served frozen out of a machine. I can not argue with you because I have ate there and they are the best cheeseburgers I have ever tasted! GO US!!! _-_-_-_-_-_–_-_-\*- GO MINNESOTA VIKINGS! ---
**Author:** ![Skummet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Skummet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skummet)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/13 "2000-10-15T19:53:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by evilbeth \* > \*\*I don’t want to argue but I would like to point out something nifty. Around here, if you ask people where to find the best cheeseburger on the planet, they will tell you it’s a place in town called the Horseshoe Lounge. Maybe this is a phenomenon worth looking into? \*\* I luuuurve cheeseburgers!!! can we go there? can we? can we? can we? or what did you have in mind? Sorry i havent been able to get back to you on mail btw… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2000, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/14 "2000-10-15T22:28:50Z")
In ‘n’ Out burgers have gotten several mentions now, and I have a hard time with the idea that a fast food chain could make a better burger than the guys at the 'Shoe. Y’all sure you don’t just like the name? ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/15 "2000-10-16T00:45:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _er, make that…_ > \*\*Mad _DOG_ and Beans (Austin) closed years ago… \*\* ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/16 "2000-10-16T04:01:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skümmet \* > \*\*I luuuurve cheeseburgers!!! can we go there? can we? can we? can we? or what did you have in mind? Sorry i havent been able to get back to you on mail btw… > \*\* Yep, we will definitely go there! Now, I have never had them myself but everyone swears they are the best burgers in town (and elsewhere!) ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/17 "2000-10-16T04:29:45Z")
_Swenson’s_ in Akron, Ohio. They also have the last remaining carhops in town. ---
**Author:** ![Strider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Strider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strider)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/18 "2000-10-16T05:57:08Z")
Val’s in Hayward. The menu boards up on the walls advertise a burger at $.75, thats how long the place has been there. Clark’s. There are a couple of them in the Bay Area and they are all AWESOME. (Val’s is still my first choice) Re: In & Out. That stuff makes me puke. I can not stand a burger from them. Yuck!! -N ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/19 "2000-10-16T07:42:12Z")
thea/agi\*: No, you are completely correct. In&Out, while the best \ cheeseburgers, are not as good as non-chains. However, there are a lot of them, and compared to McDonalds…no, you can’t compare McDonalds to In&Out, In&Out is that much better. Clean, fast, freindly, cheap. So, I am willing to accept that Horseshoes is better (but maybe not as good as Kirks), In&Out will surely get a lot more votes, as a lot more have been there. Here in San Jose, we have Kirks. Clarks is almost as good. Johnny Rockets are slightly better than In&Out, but several times more expensive. Down in LA, there is the Original Tommys. Yumm, but heartburn on a bun. I worked there as Security for a while- all I could eat- free. \*change your name? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2000, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961/20 "2000-10-16T11:40:19Z")
The very best burger ever made was from a little place called Joy’s that was outside of Barstow, CA in the early-to-mid 70s. This was a very small building with a counter. The front door had a wood-framed screen door on it. You remember the kind. A squeeky spring kept it closed; and it closed with a sound that cannot be produced by the aluminum-framed doors available today. The burgers were fried. “Joy” would toss a patty on the cooking surface and liberally sprinkle it from an aluminum salt-cellar. I don’t know what was in it; but whatever it was made this the best burger I’ve ever eaten in my 30-some years on this planet. Sadly, Joy had an infirm mother and she closed the diner to take care of her. Too bad. She also made a killer mac’n’cheese salad. Never found anything else like it. The SECOND-best burger was at the Kittyhawk Cafe at the Santa Monica (CA) Airport. Huge patties of ground chuck with just the right amount of grease. Actually, everything they served there was kinda greasy. The breakfasts were great. The burgers were second only to the long-gone Joy’s. Unfortunately, they sold out and the new place is the Spitfire Grill. (The writer of the movie of the same name has/had his office above the diner. When he needed a name, that’s where he got it.) The Spitfire Grill has okay food; but they must clean their grill or something because the burgers aren’t nearly as good as Kittyhawk’s. My (now ex-)girlfirend and I flew in to the California City airport once. The burgers there tasted like a picnic. Pretty good, but not “the best”. That place burned down and I haven’t been up again to try the new place. By the way, pilots are always looking for “$50 hamburgers” (so called because by the time you figure in the rental of the plane, that’s how much they cost). I actually had a “$250 lemonade” once. But I was in a helicopter. _L_ God, I wish I could duplicate Joy’s recipe! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-cheeseburgers-in-the-known-universe/36961.md?page=2)