The Burger

Sasquatch @ Li'l Woody's 

"Just a Burger? Just a burger. Robin, it’s so much more than “just a burger”. I mean…that first bite—oh what heaven that first bite is! The bun like a sesame freckled breast of an angel resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below—flavors mingling in a seductive pas-de-deux And then…a pickle…the most playful little pickle! Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and a…a patty of ground beef so exquisite; swirling in your mouth breaking apart and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savor so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin: this is God…speaking to us in food."




Marshall Erickson has probably the best monologue about a hamburger ever written and I share his enthusiasm for the uniquely American past time.  I have a been burger hunter for a while now, searching for the best combination of paddy, bun, and condiments.  The burgers can be separated into two categories: Traditional and Gourmet.  
While I stand by the Office Burger at Father's Office in Los Angeles as being the greatest gourmet burger ever (melted gruyere and blue cheese a top perfectly season beef adorned with fresh arugula and caramelized onions in between a freshly baked french roll), The top of the traditional is hard to decide.  I love the freshness of In-n-Out, the late night goodness that is Dick's up here in Seattle.  I even enjoy Sonic's take on the traditional burger but I have found a new contender in the form of a small joint almost hidden between a Barber Shop and a nightclub.  Li'l Woody's serves an amazing hand crafted burger that looks as good as it tastes.  The fresh and local ingredients blend together amazingly to create a complex yet balanced taste that can rival any established burger stand.  What really makes it is the bacon, cooked just right provides an extra kick of sweet and salty and brings the masterpiece that is the Big Woody to be called me favorite burger in Seattle.  To top it all off, it's the only place  know of that stay open until 3AM allowing that craving for a post drinking burger to be fulfilled.  You can wash it all down with a hand mixed milkshake with your choice of Molly Moon's ice cream!  Don't forget to try the "crack" (hand-cut fries and a side of milk shake for dipping) with your burger!