Fred's Burger

-Got beef?
The Burgers of Wisconsin

I recently took a ride to meet a friend and try a self proclaimed "best burger in the world" from Fred's bar in Burlington, Wisconsin. Its about a 75 minute drive from Chicago and not to far from Wilmot ski mountain. Its also known as "Chocolate City" because it is the home to a Nestle factory. Well its not just the home to chocolate treats but also one of the best burgers in the world and the childhood home of NFL superstar Tony Romo as well as River Valley ranch Mushroom Farm and their amazing five cheese garlic spread. Not to jump off topic but that five cheese spread is the best condiment from the state of Wisconsin. So theres alot going on in this little town that resembles most of America and the burger is the star of the show, the Dallas Cowboy's QB and boyfriend of Jessica Simpson isn't even a close second and he'd be the first to tell you that.


Fred's burger wins best of Wisconsin and that is an honor!

Fred's is your typical Wisconsin bar with some not so average food. Its a very locals like bar and a relaxing place to stop in for a beer and a bite to eat. The walls are decked out in Packers memorabilia along with tons of Tony Romo pictures as well as stories about the burger from a few different print publications.


Black Wednesday in Burlington

When my friend and I entered the bar, the bartender was quick to greet us and make sure we knew the deal since she most likely assumed we weren't from there with my Bears hat on. You seat yourself and write out your order on a pad at each table and hand it to the bartender who then brings it into the kitchen. When I peeked in the back of the kitchen I saw boxes and boxes of fresh Idaho potato's stacked up to the walls. A good sign, no?


Spotted Cow on tap...an even better sign.


Fred's homemade chips with Cajun seasoning


Fred's homemade curly fries


Fred's homemade chili...a hearty Midwestern blend.

But the star of the show here is the burger. Its a fresh ground (daily) 1/2 lb patty sprinkled with a little spice secret and then griddled until cooked perfect. They top it with a fresh homemade bun from a bakery down the street that is buttered and crisped on the griddle. They offer a wide range of cheeses but I had to go with good old American and grilled onions with pickles. This is after all Wisconsin, also available is a double, yes a double with bacon if you want...next time.


If you could scratch and sniff this photo, you would be in heaven like I was when it arrived. I knew it was going to be the real deal just by the smell and love put into it.

Its so hard to declare one burger the "best ever" because there are so many variations and so many good ones across the country. How good was it? maybe and most likely the best I ever ate. It was my favorite large sized burger cooked on a griddle that I can remember, the best bar burger I can remember, the juiciest burger I can remember and the best burger in all of Wisconsin that I can remember and I lived and drove around the state for 4 years in college eating stuff like burgers and brats.


Notice the juice at the bottom of the bun

I got a chance to meet Fred who was arriving as we were finishing up and he was as nice as could be as were all his employees and all the regulars at the bar when we were there. They treated us well despite our Bears loyalty and it made the experience all the better. Its easy to see why Tony Romo is one of the nicest and most down to earth athletes out there. There was a framed newspaper clipping from the local paper the day Tony Romo signed his hefty contract to become one of the NFL's highest paid players.


Tony Romo is the real deal

The best thing about this place is its closeness in proximity to so many other good eats in Wisconsin. Which is just full of them. Burlington is about a 20 minute ride from Kenosha and halfway between Kenosha and Lake Geneva. The town of Kenosha is filled with good eats. Go over to LTHForum and search "Kenosha" if you don't believe me. Now when I want to I just get in the ride and drive, I can stock up on RVR five cheese garlic spread, Spotted Cow, groceries from Woodman's like micro brewed mustards and kringle's and Italian meats and cheese's from Tenuta's and grab a beer and burger from Fred's. Thats an area rich, rich, rich in food.

This is a big week in the NFL coming up for da bears and a few other contenders/pretenders and in the game of the week it will be Tony Romo and the Cowboy's vs. The Steelers. I never thought I would be a fan of the 'boy's and I still am not fond of T.O but Tony Romo has proven his worth to T.O, the team and his doubters since he came back from his injury. Can he do it again this weekend?


You know me and Tony are good

Fred's
596 N Pine St.
Burlington / WI 53105
Phone:(262) 763 8370
Website

RVR Mushroom Farm
39900 60th St.
Burlington, WI 53105
262 539 3555
Website