I've been going to Ray's for 3 years now, and when Michael first mentioned he was opening a burger joint in the same area (around the corner from my house), I could hardly believe my good fortune.
I've gone 3 times in the last 48 hours now, and all my good intentions about getting fit this summer may go out the window unless I start training for the MCM.
My first burger was taken grilled (recommended), sauteed mushrooms, charred jalapenos, and gruyere. The combination of flavor profiles was phenomenal, with the jalapenos adding just the right touch of heat. But all of that is based around working with the best tasting meat I've ever had in a burger, bar none. I've been in search of the perfect burger for a long time, sampling burgers all around the country, some traditional, some foo-foo notreallyaburgers (foie gras on a burger?!), and I'll say without any reservation that Michael has created the best tasting burgers I've ever had.
The noon crowd on Saturday was a bit of a mad-house, but it was nice to see the staff reacting well, and the patrons patiently waiting...you could almost cut the tension in the air with a knife as people eagerly anticipated the arrival of their heaven in a bun. The look of delight in everyone's eyes as they took their first bite just made the wait for your own that much more intense.
When it arrived, the burger was cooked perfectly, really highlighting all the best qualities of the meat. Just cutting it in half and looking at it, I could feel my mouth watering. I first pulled off a small piece of the burger to sample the meat by itself...the first bite absolutely melted in my mouth with the flavors. The rest of the burger's accompaniments really complimented the meat, never overshadowing the bright flavors of the meat itself.
Lunch on Sunday was with another group of friends, and we arrived around 1:20 trying to come after the rush of the previous day...the place was full, instead of packed, and the line moved quickly. I had sauteed onions, roasted garlic, and cave aged amish cheddar this time around (same burger prep), and it's amazing how different the burger tasted while still having that amazing base flavor throughout. The cave-aged amish cheddar was unbelievable.
Dinner on Sunday, and I finally got to bring my wife (she'd been working all weekend)...arrived at 9 or so, and was hoping I could sneak in without Michael realizing what an addict I was. When we arrived, I thought I was all clear, as I didn't see him in the back....until 10 minutes later he walked in. Busted! I had this one with no cheese, sauteed peppers, onions and the hellsauce. The hellsauce is a really nice concoction adding a little kick and some more creaminess to the mouth feel. My wife had sauteed mushrooms, and the gouda, and the gouda was phenomenal as well.
Needless to say, I'm completely hooked. My most sincere thanks to Michael and his staff for creating such wonderful establishments, and treating their patrons to such fantastic food. It's so refreshing to see a restauranteur set the bar so high for food quality, while also keeping prices completely reasonable. A real rarity in this era of restaurants (and I feel especially in this area), Michael consistently delivers the goods.
