Sobleman's vs. AJ Bombers

[Moonboots]

Who goes to Sobleman's when there are 3 different Kopp's locations you could go to???

Wow. And that's not even a knock on Kopp's. Just wow.

[reinko]

Who goes to Sobleman's when there are 3 different Kopp's locations you could go to???

Why bother going to Kopp's when there are dozen's of McDonalds, Wendys, and BK's around???

[Ahoya06]

Both places cook good burgers, and I do enjoy AJ Bombers, but nothing I've had there can hold a candle to the Sobelman burger, which is the best burger I've ever had, hands down.

Where Dave got screwed was in the fact that the contest was this custom "Milwaukee Burger" (one kind of cheese, different bacon, etc.). Since AJ Bombers makes all sorts of custom burgers, this was not too different from their everyday fare. If Dave were allowed to serve up a mouth-watering Sobelman burger, in all it's three-cheese & Jalepeno glory it would have been a unanimous decision the other way.

[Skatastrophy]

I thought I heard the guys from Durango took over the kitchen at Red Rock. If it's close to the same menu I might have to check that out.

You heard right   Killer food!

[jfmu]

bombers burgers are awful. i dont see how they could have won this challenge.

[wadesworld]

Here's my list:
1) Solly's (on Port Washington Rd. just south of Hampton...anybody ever had it?  They put like a stick of butter on your burger and their malts are RIDICULOUS).
2) Sobleman's (only VERY SLIGHTLY behind Solly's.  Their cheese is to their burger what Solly's butter is to its burgers.)
3) Five Guys
4) Elsa's
5) Kopps
6) Culvers

Honestly I'd rather have my own home cooked burger than an AJ Bombers burger.  I went once and I enjoyed eating peanuts while waiting for my burger, but that's about all I enjoyed about the experience.  The rest was awful in my opinion.  I agree exactly with what Skatastrophy said, other than I think the meat is terrible rather than average.

AJ Bombers is pretty bad.  I just don't see the plus side.

The beef is mediocre and their buns are terrible.

There's a reason that they have a huge selection of burger toppings:  you need some serious flavor to cover up the inadequacies of the meat and bread. 

Those little deep fried cheesy things with the chipotle ranch are out of this world, though

Drinking there is out of the question.  With a place like Red Rock saloon just up the street that has *way* better food and is more down to earth there's no reason to go to AJ Bombers... unless you want a peanut butter sandwich with some cheap beef thrown into it so that they can call it a burger. 

[MUfan12]

Let it be known, that Mr. Ari Gold is running around Madison tonight wearing red and white, declaring allegiance to the Badgers.

I suggest a lifetime ban.

[bma725]

I'm sure it makes me some sort of heretic, but I don't like Sobleman's or AJ Bombers....or pretty much any burger of that style.

Glad I got that off my chest. 

[g0lden3agle]

I'm sure it makes me some sort of heretic, but I don't like Sobleman's or AJ Bombers....or pretty much any burger of that style.

Glad I got that off my chest. 

What style burger do you appreciate?

[bma725]

What style burger do you appreciate?

I don't know exactly how to describe it.  Perhaps the easiest way to think of it is the opposite of a typical pub burger.  No toppings other than cheese and maybe ketchup, a thinner bun that's been steamed and not toasted, and a pattie that's very thin, but with a much larger circumfrance than your typical burger.  Think of it like a slider on steroids in terms of size, or a similar in terms of looks to a burger from Marquette Gyro's but with higher quality products.

It's a style that used be pretty common in Milwaukee at the old custard/ice cream shops that were all over the city, but their aren't many places around that make it anymore.

[Hards Alumni]

I don't know exactly how to describe it.  Perhaps the easiest way to think of it is the opposite of a typical pub burger.  No toppings other than cheese and maybe ketchup, a thinner bun that's been steamed and not toasted, and a pattie that's very thin, but with a much larger circumfrance than your typical burger.  Think of it like a slider on steroids in terms of size, or a similar in terms of looks to a burger from Marquette Gyro's but with higher quality products.

It's a style that used be pretty common in Milwaukee at the old custard/ice cream shops that were all over the city, but their aren't many places around that make it anymore.

Culvers.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Who goes to Sobleman's when there are 3 different Kopp's locations you could go to???

I've always wished Kopps had a better bun for their burgers

[bma725]

Culvers.

Not exactly.  Culver's is closer than a typical pub burger, but the pattie isn't the right size or thickness. 

Admittedly I'm not sure if any place around here still makes them like that.  I used to get them at the now defunct River Brook in Shorewood, which had been a Pig and Whistle before that.  Maybe Leon's or Gille's but I haven't been to those places in a long time.

[🏀]

Not exactly.  Culver's is closer than a typical pub burger, but the pattie isn't the right size or thickness. 

Admittedly I'm not sure if any place around here still makes them like that.  I used to get them at the now defunct River Brook in Shorewood, which had been a Pig and Whistle before that.  Maybe Leon's or Gille's but I haven't been to those places in a long time.

George Webb, with better quality?

I know not coming from Wisconsin, it was weird as hell seeing burgers served without any toppings/condiments.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Not exactly.  Culver's is closer than a typical pub burger, but the pattie isn't the right size or thickness. 

Admittedly I'm not sure if any place around here still makes them like that.  I used to get them at the now defunct River Brook in Shorewood, which had been a Pig and Whistle before that.  Maybe Leon's or Gille's but I haven't been to those places in a long time.

Bella's made a nice burger like that... but they are now closed due to some financial troubles.

[bma725]

George Webb, with better quality?

I know not coming from Wisconsin, it was weird as hell seeing burgers served without any toppings/condiments.

Webb's isn't the right size either.  The thickness might be close, but the burger itself is still a standard size.  The ones I'm thinking of were much wider. 

[wadesworld]

Webb's isn't the right size either.  The thickness might be close, but the burger itself is still a standard size.  The ones I'm thinking of were much wider. 

Murf's in Elm Grove

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Webb's isn't the right size either.  The thickness might be close, but the burger itself is still a standard size.  The ones I'm thinking of were much wider. 

A triple at Culver's is not three stacked patties but three patties packed into one wide/large patty.....somewhat close to what you are describing, I think.

[Golden Avalanche]

Bella's made a nice burger like that... but they are now closed due to some financial troubles.

All of them?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

All of them?

Yep.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/103678904.html

They sold the one on Brady a while ago, and now the remaining 2 are going under unless there is some sort of dramatic change.

[TomW1365]

Here's my list:
1) Solly's (on Port Washington Rd. just south of Hampton...anybody ever had it?  They put like a stick of butter on your burger and their malts are RIDICULOUS).
2) Sobleman's (only VERY SLIGHTLY behind Solly's.  Their cheese is to their burger what Solly's butter is to its burgers.)
3) Five Guys
4) Elsa's
5) Kopps
6) Culvers

Honestly I'd rather have my own home cooked burger than an AJ Bombers burger.  I went once and I enjoyed eating peanuts while waiting for my burger, but that's about all I enjoyed about the experience.  The rest was awful in my opinion.  I agree exactly with what Skatastrophy said, other than I think the meat is terrible rather than average.

Thanks for jogging my memory... I couldn't think of the name of your #1 place.  When I saw food wars was going to be in Milwaukee for a burger war, I thought Solly's was going to be one of the locations... that thing is a heart attack on a platter.  It's one of the best burgers I've ever had though.  Looking forward to getting back to Milwaukee to try Sobelmans and AJ's.  I don't understand why there's so much hostility towards AJ Bombers though.  Seems to me like the guy revived a location that has had about 10 different bars fail in the past 15 years.

[TomW1365]

By the way... Food Wars made it seem like Milwaukee is a mecca (no pun intended) for Cheeseburgers.  I never thought Milwaukee had a worth while signature food.  I guess I'd consider a brat more of a Wisconsin tradition... but it's hard to beat a Johnsonville that can be bought at most grocery stores around the country.
I can understand why some good cheese can compliment a burger, but I think it comes down to how juicy and flavorful the meat is and how it compliments the bun.   I love Wisconsin and Milwaukee, but found the food to be pretty sub-par... it's good to hear that you guys have started specializing in the cheesburgers! 
I'm sure this will get some Wisconsinites barking...

[MUWarrior4Life]

Here's my list:
1) Solly's (on Port Washington Rd. just south of Hampton...anybody ever had it?  They put like a stick of butter on your burger and their malts are RIDICULOUS).
2) Sobleman's (only VERY SLIGHTLY behind Solly's.  Their cheese is to their burger what Solly's butter is to its burgers.)
3) Five Guys
4) Elsa's
5) Kopps
6) Culvers

Honestly I'd rather have my own home cooked burger than an AJ Bombers burger.  I went once and I enjoyed eating peanuts while waiting for my burger, but that's about all I enjoyed about the experience.  The rest was awful in my opinion.  I agree exactly with what Skatastrophy said, other than I think the meat is terrible rather than average.

I agree wholeheartedly, SOLLY'S RULES!!!!

[Hards Alumni]

By the way... Food Wars made it seem like Milwaukee is a mecca (no pun intended) for Cheeseburgers.  I never thought Milwaukee had a worth while signature food.  I guess I'd consider a brat more of a Wisconsin tradition... but it's hard to beat a Johnsonville that can be bought at most grocery stores around the country.
I can understand why some good cheese can compliment a burger, but I think it comes down to how juicy and flavorful the meat is and how it compliments the bun.   I love Wisconsin and Milwaukee, but found the food to be pretty sub-par... it's good to hear that you guys have started specializing in the cheesburgers! 
I'm sure this will get some Wisconsinites barking...

Personally, I think you are off your nut.

[Golden Avalanche]

Yep.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/103678904.html

They sold the one on Brady a while ago, and now the remaining 2 are going under unless there is some sort of dramatic change.

Too bad. That was one of my stops when I'd come back in for a game. Can't believe they were open for 10 years either. It didn't seem that long. Oh well.