Burgers. Vegans and vegetarians aside, everyone loves ‘em. There’s just something about that juicy, greasy, ground-beef wrapped-in-a-bun goodness that gets your mouth watering.
Burgers.
Vegans and vegetarians aside, everyone loves ‘em. There’s just something about that juicy, greasy, ground-beef wrapped-in-a-bun goodness that gets your mouth watering. Be it a plain and simple cheeseburger or a double-pattied-bacon-egg-and-cheddar-with-onion-strings-on-top monster, there’s a creation for just about everybody. And here in The Little City, burger lovers have a pretty spectacular array of them.
The following burgers have been lauded as the City’s best, and in addition, they’ve all got one thing in common: they’re Falls Church through-and-through. Four of the five are City of F.C. exclusives, while the fifth was born-and-bred here before branching out across the globe (not to mention being annointed the City’s best by our readers).
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack
130 N. Washington St., Falls Church | clareanddons.com
Clare & Don’s has a menu full of their 1/2 pound Beachcomber Burgers –seven in all– ranging from the simple Cheeseburger In Paradise to popular choices like the Jackson Burger with a fried egg, Wisconsin cheddar and bacon and the Don’s Don Burger that hooks up creamy shrimp scampi on a blackened patty.
Burger Bio
Patty Size: 8 oz. • Beef Cut: chuck • Lean-to-Fat Ratio: 85/15 • Burger Buns: H&S Bakery • Cheeseburger Price: $8.75 (w/ fries) • Toppings: cheddar, chili, pepper jack, guacamole, bacon, pork, egg, fried onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles • Crowd Favorites: Jackson Burger (cheddar, bacon, egg) Don’s Don Burger (blackened with shrimp scampi), PK Burger (pepper jack, pulled pork, BBQ sauce) • Burger Bonus: Monday- $6 cheeseburgers
Dogwood Tavern
132 W. Broad St., Falls Church | dogwoodtavern.com
You won’t find any pre-fabricated burgers at Dogwood– you’ve got to construct it yourself with their Big Chimeny Build-A-Burger. However, finding a good combo shouldn’t be hard as they’ve got a great assortment of toppings. Not feeling very creative? Try our burger creation (pictured) with shaved ham, cheddar and sauteed mushrooms. It’s a winner.
Burger Bio:
Patty Size: 8 oz. • Beef Cut: Angus Ground Chuck • Lean-to-Fat Ratio: 80/20 • Burger Buns: Gold Crust Bakery • Cheeseburger Price: $9 (w/ fries) • Toppings: cheddar, American, provolone, blue cheese, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, swiss, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, crispy onions, jalepenos, avocado, guacamole, shaved ham • Crowd Favorites: Big Chimney Build-a-Burger • Burger Bonus: After 7 pm Sunday- Half-priced burgers
Elevation Burger
442 S. Washington St., Falls Church | elevationburger.com
The reigning Best of Falls Church Best Burger winner, Elevation shouldn’t need any introduction. Made with organic, grass-fed, free-range beef, their burgers make both your belly and soul happy. The popular choice here is their namesake burger (pictured) with double the meat and cheese. Want more? Go for the Vertigo burger which you can custom build with up to 10 patties.
Burger Bio
Patty Size: 3.2 oz. • Beef Cut: Combo of chuck, sirloin & other specialty cuts • Lean-to-Fat Ratio: 85/15 • Burger Buns: local bakery • Cheeseburger Price: $4.19 • Toppings: ketchup, lettuce, tomato, pickles, caramelized onions, mustard, mayo, raw onions, Elevation Sauce, balsamic mustard, jalapenos, hot pepper relish, Blue cheese dressing • Crowd Favorites: The Elevation Burger (double meat, double cheddar cheese) • Burger Bonus: 100% organic, grass-fed, free-range beef
Ireland’s Four Provinces
105 W. Broad St., Falls Church | 4psva.com
They’ve got a couple burgers on the menu here at Ireland’s Four Provinces, but the 4 P’s Burger is what you really want. Their homemade 1/2-pound ground sirloin patty gets topped with a fried egg (cooked how you please), Dubliner cheddar, Irish bacon and fried onion straws. All of the above comes on a lightly toasted Kaiser roll and makes us glad we aren’t vegetarians.
Burger Bio:
Patty Size: 8 oz. • Beef Cut: sirloin • Lean-to-Fat Ratio: 80/20 • Burger Buns: Ottenberg Bakery • Cheeseburger Price: $8.95 (w/fries & coleslaw) • Toppings: cheddar, provolone, pepper jack, Swiss, bleu cheese crumbles, American bacon, Irish bacon, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions, raw onions, fried onion crisps, avocado, mayo, mustard, Irish mustard, BBQ sauce, fried egg • Crowd Favorites: 4 P’s Burger (fried egg, Dubliner cheddar, fried onion crisps, Irish bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle) • Burger Bonus: Monday night- 1/2-priced burgers
Mad Fox Brewing Company
444 W. Broad St., Falls Church | madfoxbrewing.com
Burgers & beer– is there really any better combo? Go for one of the brewpub’s signature creations like the Mad Fox Burger (above) with oven-roasted tomatoes, carmaelized onions and Shepherd’s Blend cheese or the popular Black & Blue (top right): a cajun-seasoned patty topped with Applewood-smoked bacon, sauteed mushrooms and bleu cheese. If both of those don’t float your boat, there’s 50 (yes, fifty) other toppings to choose from.
Burger Bio:
Patty Size: 8 oz. • Beef Cut: Angus ground sirloin • Lean-to-Fat Ratio: 80/20 • Burger Buns: made in-house • Cheeseburger Price: $10 (w/ fries) • Toppings: buffalo-style chicken, ham, Italian sausage, salami, pepperoni, blended aged Mozzarella, cheddar, feta, Shepherd’s blend cheese, goat cheese, bleu cheese, artichoke hearts, wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, red onions, sliced garlic, fresh jalapeño, fresh roasted garlic, roasted peppers, pineapple, spinach, tomato, sundried tomatoes, zucchini, white anchovy, black mission figs, fresh Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and more • Crowd Favorites: Black & Blue Burger (spice blackened-patty topped with bacon, blue cheese & sauteed mushrooms) • Burger Bonus: All Mad Fox pizza toppings are available for burgers– over 50 in all
Falls Church City Burger Crawl
Feeling hungry yet? Follow in the greasy footsteps of the FCNP’s Jody Fellows on a beefy run to all* the joints where you can sit down and have a burger in The Little City. When he’s not nose-deep in newsprint or inhaling burgers, our managing editor can be found keeping tabs on the Virginia, Maryland and D.C.-burger scene at burgerdays.com.
When he’s not nose-deep in newsprint or inhaling burgers, News-Press Managing Editor Jody Fellows can be found keeping tabs on the Virginia, Maryland and D.C.-burger scene at burgerdays.com.
