Bill’s Bar and Burger
Just like everyone in the neighborhood, we had all dined at Hog Pit BBQ at one point. Total grungy joint. A new sheriff is in town under the name Bills Bar and Burger. Had to taste the burger and see what Hanson did.
Love it on every level. The room is stripped down to the bare bones and just cleaned up. The long wrap around bar with the old beer tap makes me feel like I am old NYC. Watching the dark ale pour into an ice cold beer glass makes me thirsty just looking at it. Old brick lines the walls and sills filled with groupings of ketchup, french's and guildens mustard. Red and white checkered table cloth over small round high tables that seat 2 to 3 people. What is great about that is that as the bar fills up, the room is easy to navigate and everyone can see the bar tender at work. So smart.
The menu is simple. Burgers, dogs, fries, onions rings, shakes and a few extras. The classic cheese burger is top. They smash their burgers on the grill so they are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Most important, just the right size. Not too big and not too small. The onion rings look great but passed on those for fear I'd eat an entire basket. The fries are good, again not too thick and not too thin. I prefer mine a little thinner but no need to nit-pic. The shake, woah, rich creamy and decadent.
Bills, although no reservations and probably impossible to get into except at lunch around 1230 during the week (when I went), is worth it. A classic American lunch. Yum yum.