As my friend group's designated "Burger Connoisseur", this selection feels fair. Cellar is a good burger, made even better by their curly fries they sell. PK's burger is underrated because everyone always gets wings or pizza. Idk if one can count Burger's 37 since they're on campus and not a Blacksburg establishment? But they're really good, unfortunately their fries are god awful. Macado's has gone downhill since my VT days. I've forgotten about Lefty's...it's been a while since I've been there so I should change that next time I'm in town. Five Guy's used to be in Blacksburg but they closed/moved. All other sit down restaurant burgers in Blacksburg are mid, fine, but mid.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Macado's is capable of making a good burger, but they're inconsistent and their fries in particular are just awful now. This is how it is down the hill here in Rumandcoke anyway, I haven't been to the one in Blacksburg in at least 5 years probably.
The place I miss in Blacksburg is Highway 55, that was the best burger in town circa late 2010s but they were a Covid casualty I think. Apparently they still have locations all over NC.
Agree with everyone saying they don't necessarily think "burger" when they think of the Cellar.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I've had bad to inconsistent experiences at the Blacksburg Macado's since 2011. I remember it being better when I was a kid. The one in Christiansburg is constantly better, granted I have a different beef with them strong arming a small local restaurant out of the way that I used to really like.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I have not been to either of the NRV locations in ages but both Downtown ROA and Tanglewood locations were huge letdowns as compared to previous memories last time I visited.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
The one in Harrisonburg was always pretty good. I haven't been in a couple years, though. Hopefully it hasn't gone downhill. They just opened a new one in Bridgewater. I'm pretty excited to try it out one of these days.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Please report on the Bridgewater location. It's a block from my in-laws and when we were there a few weeks ago it wasn't open yet. Will be moving to Bridgewater in a year or so, maybe I'll run into you.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
The Cellar is my favorite bar in town, going back to my college days, but I don't think I've ever tried their burger. The barbecue chicken pizza is very good. Gun to my head though, I'm not sure what my answer would be for best burger in town. HoHouse has an ok burger. Sharkey's is fine. There just isn't a blowout good burger spot in town. I'd include the former Mike's in the good but not great category though. By the time I was in town (2009-2013 for school, through to 2016 for work) it just wasn't that great. Not sure it would crack my 2012 list either.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
The Cellar is one of my favorite spots in town and I visit on almost every trip to the 'burg, but usually get the pizza.
I tried a burger there for the first time this past fall and was pretty disappointed. Maybe it was an off day, but decided then that I wouldn't order again.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I was wearing a Mikes shirt in costco today and another hokie flagged me down.
Thinking about burgers is depressing as I just found out a few days ago I have celiac disease and my body will destroy itself if I keep eating things like burgers with buns (and I always said the bun makes the burger).
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Eh, everybody has different tastes. I will hold up those Macado's burgers against everybody else at this point. Especially as they are the Tuesday special.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Yeah, when I was a kid it was considered a garbage cut and my Mom and Grandmas used them for broth and soups.
I used to buy them because it was all I could afford, dried beans, rice, tomatoes, chicken wings and eggs.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Can't say I ever had a burger at the cellar. Mostly just went there and got pizza. Sharkeys burgers were fine to pair with the long islands during happy hour that we were really there for. Mikes (RIP) was always where we'd go for burgers. I miss that place..
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I didn't know they had burgers, always got pizza or hoagies or pasta. I just looked online and their website is password protected which is odd, but yelp had pictures of menues with 1 burger one the menu, 1/2 pound on brioche with lettuce tomato and onion with choice of cheese. It's kind of buried on the menu and not something I would have gotten from them just because they had so many really good options. It could be a great burger but at 1/2 lbs its way to big for me.
Blacksburg was kind of odd when I was there as most restaurants didnt compete, burgers was Mike's, pizza at PKs, Greek at the cellar, veggie at gillies, sharky's had wings night, alligator at boudreauxs. HoHouse for pool (or sharkeys), darts at champs or rivermill. Tots to twst your liver. I guess Mexican had the biggest competition. Im sure there is more than I was am remembering but I just dont remember argue which place is better, they all had their purposes
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Speaking of Jack Brown's I did some internet searching and have legitimate #sauces for this one.
If anyone actually wants to replicate this:
1. I'd recommend scaling it back for home use.
2. Mae Ploy is Mae Ploy Sweet chili sauce, and the specific mustard used is Gulden's spicy brown mustard.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Independent confirmation from knowledgeable source that this is accurate. The mustard is definitely Guldens spicy brown and use white onion, not yellow or sweet onion. It makes a difference in the balance and aroma.
Scaled it down to 1 Qt. and built it.
Can confirm that it us accurate. 1 piece of advice, Very finely mince or use a plane on the onion. It improves with a couple hours sitting completed.
The Mae Ploy is a sweet chilli sauce. It is available at Kroger. My source tells me it was their "secret ingredient:.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Awesome, thanks for the addition info, especially on the onion. Yellow is my usual go to, but I'll try white onion first now. I may try to use the cheese shredder attachment on my food processor for the onions. It definitely works for onion in slaw and saves some time.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Yeah, I used yellow the first time and my wife noted the lack of "something" the first time, right off the bat. The swap to white onion clinched the deal. In my opinion it was the sweetness in the yellow onion and the lack of the snappiness of the white onion and the sweetness masked a little of the heat from the raw garlic.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
It's a marinade sauce. (Definitely just a sauce) Specifically Jack Brown's sauce. It tasted good while I was drinking. Assuming the copious amount of Duke's contained in a batch, I'd wager it's probably pretty good when you're sober too!
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Also Old 33 in Elkton has a decent selection of burgers but the real reason to go there is for their regular fries dipped in house sauce; it's a must have!
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I lived full time in the area while going to Tech, and came back and lived in the area for another 26 yrs. Mike's was ok for calzones, and their burgers were good, but the main attraction of them was their size. Way big burger and buns. I soured on Mike's in the long run, though, because they always closed down during the summer when we locals owned the town again for a few short months and it seemed like a slap in the face so many of us let ourselves get out of the habit when they were open.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Somewhat related, I was in Carolina Beach this past week and stopped into a pizza place with the family to try and grab something quick to eat. Looked around and saw a lot of VT stuff on the walls and I asked the cashier if they were Hokies. A guy in the back spoke up and stated his cousin operated out of Blacksburg. Long story short - it was Benny's and the pizza was good. Huge slices, but good. It was neat to see pictures of the Hokie Bird and VT stuff scattered about the place unexpectedly. I gave them a GO HOKIES on the way out.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Comments
As my friend group's designated "Burger Connoisseur", this selection feels fair. Cellar is a good burger, made even better by their curly fries they sell. PK's burger is underrated because everyone always gets wings or pizza. Idk if one can count Burger's 37 since they're on campus and not a Blacksburg establishment? But they're really good, unfortunately their fries are god awful. Macado's has gone downhill since my VT days. I've forgotten about Lefty's...it's been a while since I've been there so I should change that next time I'm in town. Five Guy's used to be in Blacksburg but they closed/moved. All other sit down restaurant burgers in Blacksburg are mid, fine, but mid.
I still think the Macado's in blacksburg still makes a good burger
Macado's is capable of making a good burger, but they're inconsistent and their fries in particular are just awful now. This is how it is down the hill here in Rumandcoke anyway, I haven't been to the one in Blacksburg in at least 5 years probably.
The place I miss in Blacksburg is Highway 55, that was the best burger in town circa late 2010s but they were a Covid casualty I think. Apparently they still have locations all over NC.
Agree with everyone saying they don't necessarily think "burger" when they think of the Cellar.
I've had bad to inconsistent experiences at the Blacksburg Macado's since 2011. I remember it being better when I was a kid. The one in Christiansburg is constantly better, granted I have a different beef with them strong arming a small local restaurant out of the way that I used to really like.
This. And it's been better for a long time
I have not been to either of the NRV locations in ages but both Downtown ROA and Tanglewood locations were huge letdowns as compared to previous memories last time I visited.
The one in Harrisonburg was always pretty good. I haven't been in a couple years, though. Hopefully it hasn't gone downhill. They just opened a new one in Bridgewater. I'm pretty excited to try it out one of these days.
Please report on the Bridgewater location. It's a block from my in-laws and when we were there a few weeks ago it wasn't open yet. Will be moving to Bridgewater in a year or so, maybe I'll run into you.
Nice! I love Bridgewater. It's one of my favorite little towns.
"Bridgewater?" said I.
"Camelot," said he.
The Cellar is my favorite bar in town, going back to my college days, but I don't think I've ever tried their burger. The barbecue chicken pizza is very good. Gun to my head though, I'm not sure what my answer would be for best burger in town. HoHouse has an ok burger. Sharkey's is fine. There just isn't a blowout good burger spot in town. I'd include the former Mike's in the good but not great category though. By the time I was in town (2009-2013 for school, through to 2016 for work) it just wasn't that great. Not sure it would crack my 2012 list either.
The cellar has the best toilet in town too!
The Cellar is one of my favorite spots in town and I visit on almost every trip to the 'burg, but usually get the pizza.
I tried a burger there for the first time this past fall and was pretty disappointed. Maybe it was an off day, but decided then that I wouldn't order again.
This list is wrong, Mugshot has thr best burger in Starksville.
I was wearing a Mikes shirt in costco today and another hokie flagged me down.
Thinking about burgers is depressing as I just found out a few days ago I have celiac disease and my body will destroy itself if I keep eating things like burgers with buns (and I always said the bun makes the burger).
It's not in blacksburg or even montgomery county but Angelles in Salem and exit 150 have one of the best burgers in the entire valley.
Exit 137.
Eh, everybody has different tastes. I will hold up those Macado's burgers against everybody else at this point. Especially as they are the Tuesday special.
Do they still have half priced Hindy night?
They do indeed, Monday nights.
We used to go on Monday nights for 1/2 price Hindy's and $.25 wing night, and then head over to the Cellar for open mic blues jam.
.25 wings, man those were the days. i remember the .10 wings at Mindi's back in the day in Luray.
No joke. Awhile back I saw a special on wings for $1 a piece. I about shit a brick.
Yeah, when I was a kid it was considered a garbage cut and my Mom and Grandmas used them for broth and soups.
I used to buy them because it was all I could afford, dried beans, rice, tomatoes, chicken wings and eggs.
Can't say I ever had a burger at the cellar. Mostly just went there and got pizza. Sharkeys burgers were fine to pair with the long islands during happy hour that we were really there for. Mikes (RIP) was always where we'd go for burgers. I miss that place..
I didn't know they had burgers, always got pizza or hoagies or pasta. I just looked online and their website is password protected which is odd, but yelp had pictures of menues with 1 burger one the menu, 1/2 pound on brioche with lettuce tomato and onion with choice of cheese. It's kind of buried on the menu and not something I would have gotten from them just because they had so many really good options. It could be a great burger but at 1/2 lbs its way to big for me.
Blacksburg was kind of odd when I was there as most restaurants didnt compete, burgers was Mike's, pizza at PKs, Greek at the cellar, veggie at gillies, sharky's had wings night, alligator at boudreauxs. HoHouse for pool (or sharkeys), darts at champs or rivermill. Tots to twst your liver. I guess Mexican had the biggest competition. Im sure there is more than I was am remembering but I just dont remember argue which place is better, they all had their purposes
El Rods North vs El Rods South
yes but only one of those was el rods when I was there, the other was some other name, and there was the tequila bar.
There is no competition their. El Rod's South beats El Rod's north hands down and it isn't close.
Best burgers around the area for me are at Jack Brown's. Killer little dive, great beer and burgers!
Yes, its Roanoke.!
There's a Jack Browns in harrisonburg too, some of my fave burgers...
Harrisonburg is the original Jack Brown!
They're good, but small enough to question if they're worth having. Which is why I only get them late night after drinking.
Full size price for a half size burger. Not my cup of tea.
Speaking of Jack Brown's I did some internet searching and have legitimate #sauces for this one.
If anyone actually wants to replicate this:
1. I'd recommend scaling it back for home use.
2. Mae Ploy is Mae Ploy Sweet chili sauce, and the specific mustard used is Gulden's spicy brown mustard.
I will replicate this for 4 July weekend. I will report back.
Independent confirmation from knowledgeable source that this is accurate. The mustard is definitely Guldens spicy brown and use white onion, not yellow or sweet onion. It makes a difference in the balance and aroma.
Scaled it down to 1 Qt. and built it.
Can confirm that it us accurate. 1 piece of advice, Very finely mince or use a plane on the onion. It improves with a couple hours sitting completed.
The Mae Ploy is a sweet chilli sauce. It is available at Kroger. My source tells me it was their "secret ingredient:.
Noted! Thanks for the details!
Awesome, thanks for the addition info, especially on the onion. Yellow is my usual go to, but I'll try white onion first now. I may try to use the cheese shredder attachment on my food processor for the onions. It definitely works for onion in slaw and saves some time.
Yeah, I used yellow the first time and my wife noted the lack of "something" the first time, right off the bat. The swap to white onion clinched the deal. In my opinion it was the sweetness in the yellow onion and the lack of the snappiness of the white onion and the sweetness masked a little of the heat from the raw garlic.
Why scale it down, lol? Doesn't everyone have room in their fridge for 4 gallons of Duke's Mayo!
I'm pretty sure Shane does!
Is this supposed to be a burger sauce? a marinade? both?
It's a
marinadesauce. (Definitely just a sauce) Specifically Jack Brown's sauce. It tasted good while I was drinking. Assuming the copious amount of Duke's contained in a batch, I'd wager it's probably pretty good when you're sober too!Good on burgers and fries.
Also Old 33 in Elkton has a decent selection of burgers but the real reason to go there is for their regular fries dipped in house sauce; it's a must have!
And the Jack Brown Sweet Potato Fries. Awesome on them!
Just commenting to say I take exception to calling a chain restaurant a dive.
That being said I have been once (can't remember if it was Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, or Harrisonburg) and I do recall enjoying the burger.
I've been to many Jack Brown's and they are, by design, clean dive bars.
Thank You!!!
That's great that these folks think the Cellar has the best burger, but it will never beat Mike's
It will now, since Mike's is closed. /shrug
Even harder to beat a memory. Mike's forever!
I lived full time in the area while going to Tech, and came back and lived in the area for another 26 yrs. Mike's was ok for calzones, and their burgers were good, but the main attraction of them was their size. Way big burger and buns. I soured on Mike's in the long run, though, because they always closed down during the summer when we locals owned the town again for a few short months and it seemed like a slap in the face so many of us let ourselves get out of the habit when they were open.
The Cellar is for a Hot Italian or a Mad Greek and several luck of the draw's. Never had a burger there
Somewhat related, I was in Carolina Beach this past week and stopped into a pizza place with the family to try and grab something quick to eat. Looked around and saw a lot of VT stuff on the walls and I asked the cashier if they were Hokies. A guy in the back spoke up and stated his cousin operated out of Blacksburg. Long story short - it was Benny's and the pizza was good. Huge slices, but good. It was neat to see pictures of the Hokie Bird and VT stuff scattered about the place unexpectedly. I gave them a GO HOKIES on the way out.
It is crazy how much Benny's has expanded. They're in SC, NC, PA, OH, MI, FL, ....and Wyoming. of all places
You love to see success for small businesses. This is great. Started in Blacksburg (I think)!
Yupp! Benny Marzano's was location 1 opened in 2011.