The Cheeseburger Slugfest
In the left corner, we have a cheeseburger from Hoagies and Wings, weighing in at 1/4 lb of ground beef- fighting out of 332 S. Broadway (you can catch a “bum-fight” right in front for an under-card before the main event).
In the right corner, we have a relatively new offering from Weeneez, known for their gourmet hot dogs, but bringing some serious beef to this contest with what appears to be a 1/4 pound round of good ol’ protein. The Weeneez camp is fighting out of the S.E. corner of 5th and Spring St., a more upscale establishment, complete with an attached art gallery.
Julie, owner of Weenez, is in complete control of her corner workers, as they cook the burger and prepare the bun for action. I hear comments from her like “the ketchup goes on the bottom, then the lettuce, then the mustard and mayo”- don’t quote me on this layering, as I was just staring at the beef sizzling on the grill. She’s doing excellent prep work and making sure her burger is ready to compete with the best.
Over at team “gotwings.com”- Carlo is pumping up his kitchen staff to put together the best cheeseburger that he can imagine. In previous interviews, he explained that everything they do at “Hoagies and Wings” is done with love and takes time… this is a tough camp- tatt’ed up homeboys with bulging muscles, but love for their art of cooking bad-ass food.
At the first round bell, weeneez comes out slugging with a fluffy potato-roll bun, and it looks like a piece of art, complete with the gallery backdrop. Gotwings.com counters with a steaming burger with sauteed onions protecting the patty. The cheese on weeneez is the real-deal, confirmed by moi as I watched the shreaded swiss cheese applied to the bun. Gotwings.com did not have a choice of cheese, but it’s hard to complain about AMERICAN cheese.
But then it happens- gotwings.com brings out the secret weapon- crispy shoestring french fries! Weeneez is taking a beating and cannot respond to this ownage. But fries can only do so much damage, as many folks are not fazed by the sweet greasy smell of potatoes boiling in oil. Weenez fights back with a beer (bottle) taken from the attached Lime Cafe.
After the first round, I have judged it an even round- each cheeseburger (and venue) is unique and due to their diverse styles, there really is no fight. The fight is over and declared a draw.
THE NEXT CONTENDER: The Redwood Bar & Grill has to fight to retain it’s title as “Best Burger Downtown”. This title is with the “LA Downtown News” organization, but Redwood has yet to meke much headway with any bloggers, although some folks see the potential in this neighborhood grill. Stay tuned… may the best cheeseburger win!
UPDATE: Blogger Ed Fuentes from blogdowntown.com has arranged a Laker’s Game 3 party at Redwood tonite, June 10th at 6pm. What a perfect time to try their burger!
Weenez takes the cake in my book. I like the potato salad and potato chips to go along with my swiss cheese burger.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:42 pmNo arguement here Alexis- Weeneez cheeseburger is great! Julie and her employees are nice, and the atmosphere is very cool.
I’m so happy that you, Joe, and Meeko finally got me to try it.
But Hoagies & Wings is fun if only for pure entertainment value. I still haven’t tried any of their chicken that they won awards for, so I’ll be going there again soon…
June 10th, 2008 at 7:23 amThose of you that are so inclined- watch the Laker’s game 3 tonite - 6pm at The Redwood Bar - and try their cheeseburger which won the “Best Burger” award last year from Downtown LA News.
http://blogdowntown.com/2008/06/3370-with-lakers-down-02-its-time-to-rally
June 10th, 2008 at 7:48 amyay! I’m glad you like the Weeneez cheeseburger. It’s been on the menu for some time now it’s just that their website hasn’t been updated in some time. ;P
mmmmm Weeneez cheeseburger..
June 10th, 2008 at 9:14 amI have to sit this competition out. I just don’t understand cheeseburgers. The cheese makes the burgers harder to eat and it’s all fat. Weeneez does have a good hamburger, though, and don’t forget that you can take Isis in there. Julie loves dogs.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:29 pmAh, dog friendly gets big bonus points- I’ll have to try bringing “White Dog” as she is behaving a little better (while I am limping on sore feet…).
Frankly, I don’t ever get a burger w/o BACON on it- and neither Weeneez or Hoagies offers that. So in the long run, they both lose in my book (but still are very tasty, just not “numero uno”).
I went to Redwood tonite w/ intention of trying the burger, but it was too crowded to enjoy- Pamela (Meeko) was there, as was Ed Fuentes, and they both had burgers, so i need to hear their opinions…
(we missed you Joe)
June 10th, 2008 at 9:26 pmhey there you! you were supposed to take a photo of the hamburger.. NOT me! LOL that’s ok though.. I’ll edit it down a little more.. (although not a bad photo, so thank you!)
Well as for Redwood it was ok but I like Julie’s better. I mean for 13 bucks the Redwood isn’t anything to write home about. I was hungry man. I ate it.
Oh and I also took a long walk before and after the meal too.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:21 amHe he! I’m sorry, but the pic with you and the burger was much better than just the burger… sue me!
I was impressed w/ Redwood- the 2 other times I was there it was dead, but last night was fun (and Lakers won!) It was very cool sitting at your table, with Ed, Eric Richardson, Dakota, Monk, and Ken Chiu. Thanks for having me join you folks- downtown bloggers are great!
June 11th, 2008 at 6:51 amRedwood aka: “Pirate Bar” is the best local bar to hang out and get a cheap”er” drink. Can’t say I’ve tried their burger but the pot pie and the fries are good.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pmHey Urban Bruin- I’ve seen you around- thank’s for stopping by and letting me know about Redwood. As I mentioned, I’ve been there twice before when I was only one there, but Laker’s game was pretty crazy. I like the menu and atmosphere and will be back- it’s 1 1/2 blocks from my place and I don’t need a suit to get in
But cheaper drinks? What are you drinking? I tried a Margarita for $9.50, and it wasn’t anything special.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pmThe burgers at Redwood are really lacking. They appear like they would be good, but they really fall short.
I had the burger at Weenies on Monday,,,it was so good, I have gone back Tuesday and Today [Thursday]. It’s ground sirloin at the best deal!
Julie is awesome, as well as her crew. Keep it up Weenies!!!!!!
June 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pmthey have pot pie at the redwood?
June 20th, 2008 at 4:02 pmBilogna- I have to agree that Weeneez is best burger I’ve had downtown so far, with Hoagies and Wings a close 2nd. Both lack bacon option though, and Weeneez has no fries- if I’m going to be bad, I want to be VERY bad :-).
I still want to re-try Weiland Brewery’s burger, as it’s much cheaper than Redwood, and about the same, as I remember, w/ good fries.
Urban Bruin- are you by chance British? Just askin’ as ordering a pot pie at a bar seems kind of British. Someone at Redwood the other night swore by the Fish & Chips, which I like, but a burger always wins in my hierarchy of bar foods.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:55 pmHey all!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of your wonderful comments.
I just want to say that Weeneez does have bacon. I just forgot to put it on the hamburger menu. But that has changed. I offer Applewood Bacon. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. .75 cents per order
June 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pmJust ask for it. We put the bacon on the L.A. Hottie which has our chili, applewood bacon and cheddar cheese and jalapenos. You can also get a scoop of my chili, which took me 3 years to develop, for .75 cents per scoop. Yeah nooone NOOONE has my chili. Bacon Chili, Any kind of Cheese. Yep do it all and do it big! I love making hamburgers!
Hi Julie- thanks for stopping by and giving me the good news- mmm- BACON! The chili sounds good, I’ll try a bowl next time w/ a burger. Keep up the great work w/ Weeneez and the Julie Rico Gallery.
Eric
June 21st, 2008 at 7:00 am