Saturday, June 20, 2009

Nobby's - Chico, CA

Nobby’s in Chico, CA impresses with a great burger in a clean unassuming setting. I found Nobby’s on a recent business trip to Chico. Before I went, I verified with a local that if there is one burger to have in Chico, it is Nobby’s. He did not mislead me.

Nobby’s sits on a corner next to a strip center with a poker club. The cinderblock building is clean, clean and clean. Green paint and corrugated steel give it a more modern industrial look. The friendly lady at the counter took my order and recommended “the best tea in town”. Only one refill, but the cup was huge. I also ordered the Nobby burger ($4.25) with cheese ($.95) and bacon ($1.35), fries ($1.75) and onion rings ($2.45).

I took my seat at a green laminate table on a black plastic chair. It was still before noon on a Friday, but the people were starting to stream in. There are about 8 tables inside and more in front outside. The fries and rings came first. Fries were cut medium with the skins on. They were hot and a little too brown and nothing special. The onion rings were battered and thin, featuring more batter than onion for my taste.

The feature though was the burger. A 1/3-pound, fresh ground patty was buried beneath an impressive shelf of cheese which was allowed to run outside the burger and get crisp on the griddle, giving it a chip-like texture on the edges. The white bun was spongy and lightly toasted. Tons of veggies accompanied the burger, tomato, lettuce, pickle chips and red onion. There was mayo as well. The whole concoction was excellent. The burger by itself was flavorful griddled instead of charcoal.

As I finished up, I heard the lady at the counter say 30 minutes, to a call in order. Nobby’s was cranking up for the local burger lovers.

Burger 5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 2.5 spatulas
Onion Rings 3 spatulas

Nobby’s
1444 Park Ave.
Chico, CA 95928
530-342-2285

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

They copied Squeeze Inn In sacramento.

Scott R. Kline said...

Then I will have to try Squeeze Inn!

Anonymous said...

jk in Anchorage Ak,

I've had Nobby burgers, best in Chico. Lookin at the picture of the Burger made my Mouth water!!! I miss them, nothing like Nobbys here in Anchorage.

carrie said...

nice. i will have one next time i go to chico!

Anonymous said...

The Squeeze Inn and Nobby's are so similar because the Squeeze Inn was started by two brothers and then one left to create Nobby's.

Dan said...

Nobby's!!! I love it. :-) Haven't been there in about 4 years since I graduated and left Chico! Way jealous right now...

Anonymous said...

Nobby's is by far the BEST burger I've ever had!!

Anonymous said...

I have eaten a lot of burgers in several states, and Nobby's is my favorite, hands down. It's the only thing I miss about living in Chico.

Anonymous said...

Yes! Nobby's is awesome and so is the squeeze inn, in sacramento. The person who commented was correct that it was the same family that started both places, thats why they have that special cheese! Also I've seen that there is a squeeze inn in Napa as well.

Anonymous said...

I am going to Chico tomorrow and I have been thinking about Nobby's non-stop. Truly one of the best burgers I have ever had. I LOVE this place!