Burger Dilemma

Today we will be reviewing four burger establishments: Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Burgers on the Edge, The Counter, and W&M BBQ Burgers.

I've decided that I will give a brief description of each then summarize it all into a nice little review. To end it off I'll be doing the usual 5 point review for each establishment. Let the best burger win!


Teddy's Bigger Burgers

Located in the crowded, tourist packed Koko Marina Shopping Center, Teddy's Bigger Burgers is a hot spot with locals heading to and from Sandy's and tourists traversing Hama'uma Bay and the cliffs of Hawai'i Kai's Makapu'u Lighthouse. Teddy's prides itself on it's signature beef patties that are always cooked to order medium-rare and their variety of classic milkshakes. At Teddy's there are a few things to think about when ordering a burger: what size do you want (5 oz, 7 oz, or 9 oz), what do you want on it (Teddy's offers a variety of toppings of a price) and should I get a shake (yes. definitely.)? Your best bet is to go with a combo if you are indecisive however I usually end up buying a 7 oz spud burger and a shake.


Burgers on the Edge

Located in the bustling Safeway compound along Kapahulu Avenue stands Burgers on the Edge. The masterminds behind Burgers on the Edge have taken the fast food slogan of "Have it your way" and have uped the ante. At Burgers on the Edge you can not only get different burger sizes but different burger qualities (yes, Kobe beef patties sold here!). Not only can you order your burger with lettuce, onions, and tomatoes but with mushrooms, bell peppers, an endless assortment of cheeses, oh and did I mention fois gras?! So what does frois gras on a kobe beef taste like? Well I couldn't tell you because I didn't get mine with frois gras ( :D ). I did however get my burger customized to my liking and yes, I was suckered into the kobe beef patty. How does this succulent $18 burger compare to the rest? You'll just have to keep reading!

P.S. Truffle Fries Rule!


The Counter

Kahala Mall's newest addition is cooking up a storm. The Counter has many elements similar to Burgers on the Edge such as customized burgers and a wide array of toppings with hundreds of burger combinations possible. So what makes The Counter different from Burgers on the Edge? Well first off the burgers are cheaper and there is a lot more to choose from and...oh yeah! They also cook their burgers medium-rare like Teddy's unlike a certain $18 burger -- oops. Sorry to drop a bombshell but aren't you glad you kept reading? That's right, Burgers on the Edge turned my precious Kobe burger into sawdust. On the other hand did I mention The Counter also serves classic shakes and the ever popular sweet potato fries? What more could you want? I know.. how about a teri-burger?


W&M BBQ Burgers

Situated along busy Waialae Avenue stands W&M BBQ Burgers. W&M BBQ Burgers can sometimes be hard to spot as the only indication is a small wooden sign that is hard to see when you are speeding along. To make things easier, you can find W&M BBQ Burgers across from Catch of the Day and the right of City Mill. However that doesn't help the parking situation at all. There are, about 10 parking spots total at W&M and they fill up the minute the place opens at 10 AM. Now you wont be getting any ultra-mega-deluxe-your-way-or-the-highway-burger here. Your choices are mayo, ketchup, tomato, onion, lettuce, cheese or no cheese. The Royal Burger is the deluxe version of this delicious burger, however, I suggest going with a cheese burger with mayo. That's it. In fact, order two you'll thank me. Don't let the prices sway your opinion though, for $3.50 a pop these are definitely worth it. By the way, they're closed on Monday's so don't bother checking!


The Lowdown

My favorite pick (as you can probably tell) is W&M BBQ Burgers. The taste is just out-of-this-world amazing although the sizes, and prices could use some work. Although Teddy's makes an, amazing, shake, The Counter serves better tasting burgers as well as decent shakes (however Teddy's is still cheaper!). As for Burgers on the Edge, well...fois gras burger. You want unique go to Burgers on the Edge (especially for the truffle fries).


Ratings

Teddy's Bigger Burgers
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 2
Food Quality: 2.5
Monetary Value: 3.25
Quality vs Quantity: Quantity
Overall: 2.5


Burgers on the Edge
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 3.5
Food Quality: 2*
Monetary Value: 1.75
Quality vs Quantity: Tie
Overall: 2.4

*Kobe Burger Cooked Well Done


The Counter
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 3
Food Quality: 3
Monetary Value: 3.25
Quality vs Quantity: Quality
Overall: 3.0


W&M BBQ Burgers
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 2
Food Quality: 2.5
Monetary Value: 4.5
Quality vs Quantity: -TASTE-
Overall: 3

W&M BBQ Burger

I just remembered that I saved a draft for a review of W&M BBQ Burger. So here's a special in depth review!

W&M BBQ Burger

Along Waialae Avenue sits a classic East O'ahu burger institution. W&M BBQ Burger. Located across from Fresh Catch, W&M BBQ Burger can be easily missed (the only indication visible from the road being a small wooden sign). I suggest you get your burgers early because parking is very limited (only about ten parking spaces) and the lot fills up fast.

So how does a burger joint with such a small parking lot that doesn't even open on Monday's and Tuesday's make rent? Simple. Make the best teri-burger on the island. Although it looks like something you'd get from a fast food restaurant these burgers aren't your average burger. The Royal Burger is W&M's version of a deluxe. They start with a premade hamburger patty dipped in their special teriyaki sauce (more on that later) then thrown on the fire. The patty is dipped a couple more times in the sauce before having the cheese added and then being placed on a bun and topped with lettuce, onion and tomato's with your choice of condiments. The Royal Burger is quite expensive at $3.60 each but is worth every penny. Well, I lied. I opt for a different approach. I start with their standard cheese burger and ask for no lettuce and add mayo. I find that the taste of the burger really shines without the extras.

Now earlier I mentioned W&M BBQ Burger's special teriyaki sauce. This sauce is what makes these burgers so delicious. Without the sauce, W&M would just be like any other burger joint. The sauce is key. They dunk everything in it -- burgers, cheese, teri-steak burgers even hotdogs! The sauce is what makes this institution so phenomenal.

So the next time you're up and around Waialae Ave keep an eye out for W&M BBQ Burger (just make sure it isn't a Monday or Tuesday!)

W&M BBQ Burger
Rating System: 1-2.5-5 (poor-average-excellent)

Service: 2
Food Quality: 2.5
Monetary Value: 4.5
Quality vs Quantity: -TASTE-
Overall: 3

Wed-Fri: 10AM-4:30PM
Sat-Sun: 9AM-4:30PM
Mon-Tue: Closed

3104 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
(Phone Orders:) 808-734-3350