Sliders Burger - San Jose, CA

Sliders Burger in San Jose, CA hides in a strip mall. I drove right by the first time. But was glad I turned around and headed back. Started about 4 years ago, the place takes its burgers seriously, grinding their own chuck in the store and grilling them up on a very cool rotary grill over coals.

Given a choice between a six-ounce and an eight-ounce burger, I chose the half-pound. The Bacon Cheeseburger combo with fries and a drink costs $7.50. Add onion rings into the mix for an extra buck.

Sliders features a clean dining room with wood tables and a tiled floor. CNN blared from a flat screen mounted on the wall in the back of the restaurant. Everyone in the crowded place watched the updates on swine flu. Stainless steel and black-and-white tiles on the walls give the place a slight retro feel.

The burger comes with only the patty, American cheese and bacon sitting on a nicely toasted sesame bun. Someone else got the grilled onions and mushrooms. I will try that next time. The well-equipped condiment bar features lettuce, tomato, onion, and several sauces. I added some lettuce and thousand-island dressing to my burger.

The burger sported a juicy and flavorful patty, very nice with a charcoal-tinged flavor. The bun sprang fresh and tasty, the bacon crunching along.

The thickly cut fries radiated their heat but disappointed when compared to the burger. Though hot and crunchy, the unremarkable onion rings sat blandly on the tongue.

Putting as much energy into the side dishes as the burger would make Sliders a standout burger joint in San Jose. But the burger alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Burger 4.5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 2.5 spatulas
Onion Rings 2.5 spatulas

Sliders Burger
1645 W. San Carlos St.
San Jose, CA 95128
408-298-4340

Peggy Sue's Restaurant - San Jose, CA

Peggy Sue’s Restaurant in San Jose is a 50’s diner-style restaurant in downtown San Jose. I had a break from watching my daughter’s volleyball tournament at the nearby convention center. So I walked over in the rain and entered a packed restaurant. A line of volleyball players, fifteen-deep waited at the order counter.

Ten minutes later I placed my order for a Lucy Burger ($7.45), I upped it from 1/3-pound to 1/2-pound. The Lucy comes with bacon and American cheese. I also ordered fries ($1.85), onion rings ($2.15) and chocolate, peanut butter shake ($5.00).

I took my seat at one of the few unoccupied laminate tables sitting on the clean black and white tile floor. Posters, photos and articles from the 50’s adorned the walls. My number was called and I retrieved my food.

The shake was thick and creamy, and nicely presented with whip cream topped with sprinkles and a cherry. There was way too much peanut butter, in the mix, overwhelming the chocolate.

The burger looked good. The bun looked right out of the bakery, but it was not toasted. Although the patty was cooked medium, the meat was not juicy. The bacon was not that crisp and the burger wasn’t that hot. Overall, it was pretty average.

The fries were medium cut but, equally unremarkable. The onion rings were medium thick and battered, but not crisp.

As I walked out I noticed a sign on the front that said “Best Burger Silicon Valley 2004, Wave Magazine Readers Choice.” Either that means Silicon Valley readers didn’t try many burgers or Peggy Sue’s has lost some quality since 2004.

Burger 2.5 spatulas out of 5
French Fries 2.5 spatulas
Onion Rings 2 spatulas
Milk Shake 3 spatulas

Peggy Sue’s Restaurant
29 N. San Pedro
San Jose, CA 95110
408-298-6750
www.peggysues.com

Mojo Burger - Campbell, CA

Mojo Burger in San Jose has finally brought a good burger to the South Bay masses. I have been searching for a good burger in San Jose, in addition to the Counter. I finally stumbled into Mojo in the San Jose Pruneyard one Saturday. (Note: This location is now closed, but there are three others.) My daughter, who has her learner’s permit (for driving, not burgers) needed some practice, so she drove me down.

Mojo is in the old Johnny Rocket’s space at the Pruneyard. Not much has been done to the place other than take out the jukeboxes at each table and put up some signs and a menu board. You order at the counter and take a seat.

One of the signs read Meyer Natural Angus Beef. So I looked forward to trying it out. The Meyer website says that the beef is fed a combination of grains and grass. So it may not be all grass fed.

I ordered the Mojo w/ Cheese ($4.79), Fries ($1.79), Onion Rings ($3.89) and a regular chocolate shake ($1.99). You can also get a combo and save money.

Our number was called and we got our food. Sara thought the fries were pretty good. They are medium cut with skins and were very hot. The onion rings were also very hot. They were big, battered and crunchy. The milk shake was creamy and very cold. Excellent.

But, what about the burger? It is always a good sign when the bun is white, enriched bread and toasted. The American chese was nicely melted on the 1/3 pound patty. The pickle chips were crisp and the lettuce and tomato fresh. I had asked for grilled onions, but they weren’t. The patty it self had a very nice flavor and was pink as it should be. A very good burger.

As I was leaving, someone behind the counter asked how I liked my burger. Turns out it was Peter Favre, the owner of Mojo Burger. I told Peter I really liked the burger and I was happy to find a good burger in San Jose. Peter says they are really trying to create a family atmosphere and indeed, they have lot’s of kids items on the menu like grilled cheese, chili dogs and of course great cheeseburgers.

I will be back to Mojo. They are really onto something.

Burger 4.5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 4 spatulas
Onion Rings 4 spatulas
Shake 4 spatulas

Mojo Burger
The former Pruneyard location was reviewed here, but there are three others.
www.mojoburger.com

Also in San Jose at Willow Glenn and Snell Avenue.

The Counter - San Jose

The Counter in Santana Row in San Jose is the second location for the gourmet burger chain in the San Francisco Bay Area. Like its sister restaurant it has a menu where you build your burger from choices. The menu is the same. I am happy to report, so is the quality.

The restaurant itself is much bigger than the Palo Alto Counter. It has the same terra cotta counter, metal chairs and outdoor seating. I sat at the counter and had good service from a young man with extensive and impressive tattoos on his arms. I asked how long they took to do and he answered 16 hours per arm. I ordered my favorite 1/3 pound burger with gruyere cheese, bacon and horseradish mayo. I thought I ordered it on a white bun, but I got a whole wheat. Also a tomato slice, lettuce and some carrot shavings I didn't recall getting at the Counter in Palo Alto. It was still very good and kid of a nice twist.

The fries and onion strings were delectable as well. Prices seem to have gone up a little from my original review of the Palo Alto Counter. About $18.50 for burger, fries, o-rings and a coke. Up from $16 a few months ago in Palo Alto.

All in all I think it still deserves the same ratings for the items as in Palo Alto.

Burger 5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 4
Onion Rings 4.5

The Counter
Santana Row
3055 Olin Avenue Suite 1035
San Jose CA 95128
408 423 9200
408 423 9299 FAX
http://www.thecounterburger.com/santanarow/

Bill's Cafe - San Jose, CA

Bill's Cafe is a charming local place in Willow Glen in San Jose. It has the feel of a long time neighborhood fixture with neighbors chatting and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. I walked in at lunch time and felt instantly at home. There were lots of burger choices on the menu, but I felt compelled to try the 3/4-pound Willow Glen Burger, with bacon, cheddar and avocado on a french roll.($9.50)

When I realized I had ordered a burger on a french roll, I tried to recall my order, but it was too late. They are fast at Bill's. The burger arrived minutes later. It is a monster burger served open-faced, with crispy bacon on top of a cheddar covered slab of fresh beef. The avocado was perfectly firm but not to much so. I found the burger good, but a little dry. Combining that with the dryness of a french roll, didn't work. Next time I will get a regular hamburger.

The fries, however, we fantastic. Maybe the best I have had. They were fresh cut and hot. Medium thick without skins, they were tasty and irresistible. The fries were worth the trip to Bill's alone.

The waiter noticed me taking notes and photos while I was ordering. I think that might explain why I was brought a complimentary dessert of bread pudding. A nice touch, I gratefully accepted.

Burger 3 spatulas (out of 5)
Fries 5 spatulas

Bill's Cafe
1115 Willow Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 294-1125
www.billscafe.com

Malibu Grill - San Jose, CA

Malibu Grill in San Jose came recommended by a waiter at another location where I had tried a burger. His wife had done an extensive survey of South Bay burgers and found it to be the best burger. In my search to date, that isn't saying much. I have yet to try a truly fantastic burger south of Palo Alto. So I was very excited to make the trek south and try out the burger.

Tucked into the corner of a small strip center on Camden Avenue, Malibu Grill is very unassuming, almost hidden. Walking in though, it is a lively large place - clean and busting with plasma screens beaming sports to all corners of the bar. On a weekday, the hard-core sports fanatics weren't in attendance. Instead, there were several families and some construction workers, happily munching away.

I stepped to the counter and ordered a Sirloin Burger with Blue Cheese ($8.95). It came with fries and a pickle. I ordered a half-order of onion rings ($4.95 for a full order). The person taking the order said "15 to 20 minutes". I was kind of surprised looking around since they weren't that busy.

I sat down at one of the clean and well-kept tables and awaited my feast. In less than ten minutes I had my food. "Under promise, over deliver." a business mentor often said.

The burger came topped with copious amounts of luscious looking grilled onions and blue cheese. I forgot to ask, but it had to be a half-pound at least. The first bite was anticlimactic. The burger was a little overcooked and not juicy at all. I have always thought that chuck is better than sirloin for burgers as the extra fat adds to the juiciness and flavor. I give the burger a 2.5 spatulas out of 5.

The fries we medium thick, with just the right amount of salt and pepper. They were piping hot and quite good. 3.5. The onion rings were medium sized onion slices battered. They were a little soggy and tepid. 2 spatulas.

Still looking for my holy grail of a great burger in the South Bay, I appeal to other burger buddies for suggestions.

Burger 2.5 spatulas out of 5
Fries 2 spatulas
Onion Rings 3.5 spatulas

Malibu Grill
5735 Camden Ave.
San Jose, CA 95124
408-448-7300
http://www.malibugrill.com/

Tied House - Mountain View, CA

Tied House in Mountain View turned out to be a nice surprise. I typed “best burger Mountain View” into google on my iPhone. Clarke’s came up about 10 times, In-N-Out twice, my blog once and then “Tied House”. I have always said the food at brew-pubs is an after thought. Large portions do not necessarily make a good meal. This one seems to care a little more about the food. Although I have eaten at Tied House many times, I never tried the burger. I should have.

The menu sports a Wild Game Burger that rotates between buffalo, venison, elk and ostrich. That day was buffalo. I have had buffalo before and don’t prefer it to straight beef. My server, Patrick, recommended the Roasted Garlic Burger, I added bleu cheese ($9.50). The burgers are made of 1/2 pound of ground chuck. There is a garlic aioli and red onion crisps. The burger was a little over-cooked but with a tasty charcoally crust. I gave it a 3.5 spatulas out of 5.

The $9.50 included half and half of onion rings and fries. The o-rings were medium-thick and battered. 3 spatulas. The fries were medium-thick, coated and cold. 2 spatulas.

The Tied House is a lively place in an old warehouse type building. There are flat screens playing sports and the service was excellent. If you are looking for a good art-house brew and a burger, this could be your place.

Burger 3.5
Onion Rings 3
French Fries 2

Tied House
954 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-965-2719
http://www.tiedhouse.com/

Another location in San Jose.