When I first developed the idea for “food roulette,” filling my mouth with the INW’s best oversized burgers was at the top of my list. But when I started planning, I quickly realized there is not a single food with more complexity and variety. How does one square off a pork/beef blend on a toasted brioche bun with garlic aioli against a double bacon, double cheese grease trap? The “best burger” really all depends on your mood. Leave it to our July food issue to give me the opportunity to highlight the best of both worlds in our first “Double Barrel Food Roulette.”

SITDOWN:

WINNER: Prohibition Gastropub—

Voot Burger  

1914 N. Monroe St.

You won’t have to search far down Prohibition’s menu to reach burger nirvana. I was lucky enough to get in on their James Beard Foundation Blended Burger Project. Coffee infused beef, fresh ground with shiitake, oyster, and cremini mushrooms. Add some diced tomato, feta cheese and a rich fontina cream sauce under a pretzel bun and everything else in town tastes like McDonald’s.

The Onion—Dijon Pot Roast Burger

302 W. Riverside Ave.

Whatever is happening in my mouth, I like it. Either someone got their recipes confused in the kitchen or The Onion has hired burger Einstein. I would have never thought about topping a 1/4 pound patty with shredded pot roast, crispy onion straws, house made brown gravy and Dijon horseradish, but it works on all levels.

24 Taps Burgers & Brews—

Roadhouse Burger  

825 W. Riverside Ave.

If having 24 taps wasn’t enough. This burger bar is packing smoked pork, applewood bacon and sautéed jalapeños between their buns. If you manage to climb this magnificent mountain of a sandwich, stick around for the game or see who’s king of the bar on their custom made shuffleboard.

Wisconsinburger—Awe Geez Burger

916 S. Hatch Rd.

It’s really hard to beat any place that grinds their beef on-site every morning. Even if they are hidden away in a lower South Hill residential neighborhood.  Known for burgers and their fried WI cheese curds, you might as well dump them atop one of these juicy giants and have it all in one delicious bite.

Boomers Classic Rock Bar & Grill—Classic Boomer with Sunnyside Egg

18219 E. Appleway Ave.

If you ask around, Boomers probably isn’t even on most foodies’ radars. This tiny, fairly unknown pub in Greenacres has an entire burger menu that is worth a few separate trips. Offering some unique burger creations and the classics, it doesn’t get much better than a perfectly cooked egg dripping down your fingers.

TO – GO:

WINNER: D Lish’s Hamburgers—

Dave’s Q

1625 N. Division St.

If you haven’t made your way to the Lish’s family burger joint, you are doing yourself a disservice. Stop what you are doing immediately and order this mouth watering double cheeseburger with bacon, crispy onion straws, pickles, tomato and their homemade BBQ sauce. You need this in your life.

Ron’s Drive-In—Big R

12502 E. Sprague Ave.

If you like classic cars and a classic burger, this might the spot for your next lunch date. You may want to carpool though: Ron’s parking lot is often full of vintage Novas and Mustangs that always create an amazing atmosphere to scarf down some serious eats covered in R sauce.

Wolffy’s Hamburgers—Mushroom & Swiss

1229 N. Hamilton St.

If you’re looking for a hunka hunka burning burger, this 50s diner will have you all shook up over a double patty heavy on melty swiss cheese covered in freshly grilled mushroom and onion. Make sure to pick up one of their iconic chocolate malts, just don’t let it melt all over your blue suede shoes.

Zip’s Drive In—Big Buster

725 E. Francis Ave.

A Spokane burger icon since the 50s, this classic drive-in hasn’t lost its zip. If you’ve been looking for a late night fix of bacon, ham, cheese and pickles just look for the red signs sprinkled across the INW. Just don’t forget the sauce,Zip’s easily boasts the best tartar sauce in the region.

Thrifty Scotsman—Double Cheese

12024 E. Sprague Ave.

My grandfather owned an appliance store next door to Thrifty growing up, so I’ve been lucky enough to eat just about everything on their menu. The classic double cheese or the superham/bacon is about as good as it gets. Pair that with more fries than you can possibly stuff in your mouth and you have something special.