By Mike Thayer
A lot of burger joints in the Wichita Metro claim to have the best burger around, but who really does? For all the nuances involved in the crafting of not just a good, but a great burger, the bite that really matters is all about the beef!
After sampling the burgers from more than 60 burger joints, here's my TOP 10:
By Mike Thayer
A lot of burger joints in the Wichita Metro claim to have the best burger around, but who really does? For all the nuances involved in the crafting of not just a good, but a great burger, the bite that really matters is all about the beef!
Traveling around the Wichita Metro, I've sampled the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It didn't really matter who, I ate burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling had to be taken in order to measure the best. I was on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough).
During the course of this Challenge, I evaluated Bacon Cheeseburgers. The way I see it, if a burger joint can't put together a classic bacon cheeseburger and do it well, then there's no reason to sample any other burger options. So there were no hot links & onion strings, no habenero & mango, no avocado or fried egg, etc., versions of burgers sampled.
As a former Certified Competition BBQ Judge, I took that scoring system and tweaked it to judging burgers. Being evaluated on a point system scorecard were a plethora of categories that included but was not limited to the appearance, meat, bun, meat to bun ratio, the cheese, how the burger was dressed (that means the assortment of veggies, sauce and/or condiments for those of you who live in Haysville), price and of course, the TASTE. With each category being evaluated on a scale of 1-9, the best possible score was a 63. In the event of a tie score, the tiebreaker was the cost. The burger with the better dollar value was ranked higher on the chart.
I'll be posting all the numbers for each and every burger sampled in a detailed final report, but here's how the Top 10 plated up, starting with Number 10:
Number 10 - Bricktown Brewery: Costing me $15.05 with tax for the burger and fries, the Bricktown Brewery Bacon Cheddar Burger scored a 58 out of 63 possible points, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The burger was so nicely balanced and while that generous portion of 'Burger Sauce' made for a messy burger eat, it did kick things up a notch. Anytime you have burger juices and sauce running down your hand, a.k.a. FLAVOR, it's a good thing. Of note: Best Sweet Potato Fries of the Challenge.
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Number 9 - Timbuktu Bar & Grill: Costing me $13.50 before tax for the burger and fries, the Timbuktu Bar & Grill Timbuktu Original Burger with a bacon add scored 58 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The perfect execution of this flat top burger is what makes it. Reasonably priced, it's definitely worthy of a repeat buy. Of Note: Best Curly Fries of the Challenge.
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Number 8 - Harry's Uptown Bar & Grill: The entire basket was as I like to say, Another Dose of YUM! Costing me just $12.87 for the burger and rings basket, Harry's Uptown Bar & Grill and their 'Bacon & Cheese' Burger scored 58 points out of a possible 63, a score earning a 5 star Bachelor on the Cheap rating. And did you see that price? We're talking a 1/2 pound burger! Not only is it a fantastic burger, what Harry's cranks out in fine fashion is Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly too. Of note: Best Onion Rings of the Challenge.
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Number 7 - Burger Central: Costing me $8.59 for the burger, side and a drink, the Burger Central Bacon Cheeseburger scored 58 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The burger was flavorful, juicy, stacked well and very balanced. Burger Central crafts a top notch classic bacon cheeseburger and it's Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly at only $8.59 for the basket. This is a repeat buy, a burger I would order again, and again, and again. Burger Central mistakenly gave me fries instead of tots. They immediately caught the error and served me up some tots, which were the Best Tater Tots of the Challenge.
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Number 6 - Deano's Grill & Tapworks: Costing me about $14 for the burger and fries, the Deano's Grill & Tapworks Classic Cheeseburger with a bacon add on scored 59 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's most definitely a repeat buy and deserves to be on your burger to try list if you haven't done so already.
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Number 5 - Slider Shak: Costing me $13.27 with tax for the sliders, onion rings and a drink, the Slider Shak Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders scored 59 points out of a possible 63, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This is NOT your typical slider, both the patty and the slider overall is slightly larger than your average slider but that's not what makes it so much better. It's a top notch slider because of the outstanding execution in preparation and it's done with quality ingredients. Both the Slider Shak Bacon Cheeseburger sliders and onion rings are definitely repeat buys!
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Number 4 - Angry Elephant: Costing me a lunch special price of $9.99 for the burger and $1.50 for the fries for a total of $11.49 before tax, the Angry Elephant Angry Angus Burger scored 59 out of a possible 63 points and earned 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The Angry Elephant cranks out an excellent upscale burger for a very reasonable price and it's most definitely worthy of a repeat buy. Talking a little trash on their online menu, they back it up. Of Note: Best Presentation AND Best Bacon of the Challenge.
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Number 3 - Buster's Burger Joint: Costing me $11 plus hitting the tip jar, the Buster's Burger Joint Double Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored a 59 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Buster's is VERY Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly, the value is tremendous and if Buster's isn't already on your burger to try list, it should be! Of Note: Best Burger Value of the Challenge.
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Number 2 - Fizz Burgers & Bottles: Costing me $19.88 for the burger and side, the Fizz Burgers & Bottles Bacon Cheeseburger scored 60 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This was the most expensive burger of the Challenge, but also tied for the highest scoring, one of the tastiest. An upscale burger weighing a 1/2 pound, utilizing the freshest ingredients and pairing it all with a one-of-a-kind sauce makes for an excellent burger experience, one very worthy of a repeat buy. The 1/4 pound version is available for $12. And here's another tell on how good this place is, by the time I left at around 11:45am, the place was nearly full with customers.
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Number 1 - Bill's Charcoal Grill: Costing me $15.85 for the burger, fries and a drink, the Bill's Charcoal Grill Double Cheeseburger with bacon scored 60 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This is a repeat buy, again, and again, and again... The best burger beef of the Challenge. Of Note: Runner Up for Best Regular French Fries.
Item of note, 9 establishments in the Top 10 are local.
These were all 5 star burgers. Here are the other burgers who scored well enough to earn a 5 star rating (tallying 56 points or more), but fell outside the Top 10, a Bachelor on the Cheap 5 star Honorable Mention if you will and all worthy of repeat buys:
Green Mill Restaurant (58), Whiskey Dick's (57), Southeast Carryout (57), Sport Burger (57), Broadway Burgers & BBQ (57), Madrock's Sports Bar (57), Mulligan's Pub (57), The Hill Bar & Grill (57), TJ's Burger House (57), Big Larry's Burgers (56), Ty's Diner (56), Bubba's33 (56), Little Buster's (56), Fatburger (56), Jumbo's Beef & Brews (56), Five Guys (56)
The remaining burgers sampled during the course of this challenge scored lower, earning 4 stars (tallying 49-55 points) or 3 stars (42 to 48 points). Those detailed scores will be posted in the final report. I'm pleased to report that nobody presented a truly awful burger (although Applebee's was close) receiving a 2 or OMG a 1 star rating. But I will say that a 3 star rating is not really worthy of a repeat buy given all the goodness out there in the Wichita Metro, 4 stars and up. And another Kudos to the local establishments, which overall, consistently outperformed regional restaurants and national chains.
Related: Ranking the Fast Food and Fast Casual Burgers, they are listed here from worst to best of
Related: The Top Ten Best Bar & Grill Burgers in the Wichita Metro
Related: Takeaways from the Best in the Wichita Metro Burger Challenge 2022 and the Best Burger Deals
Shout out to Vicki S., who helped me put the Burger Challenge List of Burger Joints together. She's a fellow foodie in hiding.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
Traveling around the Wichita Metro, I've sampled the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It didn't really matter who, I ate burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling had to be taken in order to measure the best. I was on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough).
Ranking the Fast Food and Fast Casual burgers
Why did I bother with national chain fast food and fast casual joints? C'mon, admit it, you're just as curious to see how they stack up against the locals and grill/pubs etc., as I was! And in conducting such a comprehensive review, the information also serves as a baseline. It's food information, a demonstration in how other places might be so much tastier and really not that much more expensive. It's good to know burger info!
The Best in the Wichita Metro Burger Challenge 2022 demonstrated how much better many of the local places truly are. National chain fast food isn't necessarily the cheapest or quickest option. There are some national chain burger options out there giving you decent burger bang for the buck, but if you really want a truly Burgerlicious experience, buy local. I've grouped fast food and fast casual together because there's really not a heck of a lot of difference in the amount of time that goes by before receiving your order. Whether you're sitting in your vehicle at a fast food drive thru or sitting inside a fast casual restaurant waiting for your burger, the time to order in most instances is about the same.
Scoring: Being evaluated on a point system scorecard were a plethora of categories that included but was not limited to the appearance, meat, bun, meat to bun ratio, the cheese, how the burger was dressed (that means the assortment of veggies, sauce and/or condiments for those of you who live in Haysville), price and of course, the TASTE. With each category being evaluated on a scale of 1-9, the best possible score was a 63. In the event of a tie score, the tiebreaker was the cost. The burger with the better dollar value was ranked higher on the chart. Burgers tallying 56 points or more are Bachelor on the Cheap 5 star burgers. Burgers tallying between 49-55 points earned 4 stars, while burgers tallying between 42-48 points earned 3 stars. I'm pleased to report that nobody presented a truly awful burger (although Applebee's was close) receiving a 2 or OMG a 1 star rating. But I will say that a 3 star rating is not really worthy of a repeat buy given all the goodness out there in the Wichita Metro, 4 stars and up.
Here's how the fast food and fast casual burgers ranked from worst to best of listed by star rating and score. Click the link in the respective blurbs for the full review:
Costing me $10.95 for the combo meal, the Dog N Shake Double Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored just 44 out of 63 possible points, earning it 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. I was hoping for better from a local establishment, but in an honest assessment there was nothing special about this burger and sadly, it's not a repeat buy. Of Note: Worst visual and nearly the most bland burger of the Challenge. Time to order: < 5 minutes.
Costing me $11.27 for the combo meal, the Spangles Gourmet Supreme with a bacon add scored 47 out of a possible 63 points earning it 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. I actually prefer the Gourmet Supreme over the Big Mac, but not over the Quarter Pounder. Like McDonald's, Spangles is not worthy of a repeat buy, not even among other fast food restaurants. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $10.95 the Hardee's Bacon & Cheese Angus Burger scored 48 out of a possible 63 points, earning it just 3 stars. What Hardee's serves is a Whopper wannabe and that's not saying much. If this was a BK Whopper w/cheese & bacon vs. Hardee's Bacon & Cheese Angus Burger battle, BK wins. But there are better burgers out there to be had, even in fast food no less. Time to order: < 5 minutes.
Costing me $10.62 for the Value Meal, the McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe and a bacon add scored 48 out of a possible 63 points earning it 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. I've never really been a huge fan of McDonald's, but now that I've become a Burger Snob in conducting this Challenge, Micky D's is REALLY not a repeat buy. Time to order: < 5 minutes.
Costing me $9.28 with tax, the Calvin's Hamburger Haven 'Bacon' Double Cheeseburger scored 48 points out of a possible 63 earning it 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The overall poor execution in putting the burger together was a missed burgerlicious opportunity. Calvin's is very reasonably priced but the 3 star burger I was served is not a repeat buy. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me only $7, this was one of the better bangs for the burger buck of the Challenge. T
he Berneal's Carryout Cheeseburgers with bacon scored 49 out of 63 possible points, earning 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. If you have a slider craving they'll satisfy it and for the money, they're worthy of a repeat buy. Time to order: 15 minutes.
Costing me $13.42 for the combo meal, the Burger King Whopper with cheese and bacon scored 50 out of a possible 63 points earning it 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. But look at that price! That's on the high end of fast food prices, an example of why folks should consider a local fast food, fast casual or bar/grill to have a much better burger for about the same price! A Whopper is a repeat buy but ONLY if you're on time constraints and BK is your closest option, or maybe a Plan B alternative when on the road traveling and you don't want to take the time for a sit down restaurant. Let's face it, BK is an "Eh" burger experience. It's far from the best, but also not the worst option out there. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $9.12 for the combo meal which included less-than-stellar fries and a shake, the Dairy Queen Bacon Two Cheese Deluxe 1/3 lb.* double Signature StackburgerTM scored 50 points out of a possible 63, earning it 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Take off just two more points and it would be a 3 star burger. It's Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly, but it's not the best burger choice out there, not even if just considering fast food options. Time to order: < 5 minutes.
Costing me $11.05 for the combo meal, the Bionic Burger Bacon Cheddar Burger scored 51 points out of a possible 63, earning 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Bionic makes a solid burger and it's Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly. It's a satisfying eat and worthy of a repeat buy. Time to order: < 5 minutes.
Costing me a bit over $8, the Braum's Bacon Cheeseburger scored 51 out of a possible 63 points, earning it 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Overall a good burger, but there were a few fundamental misses preventing it from being a better burger such as a better sear, melted cheese and a little more care in timely assembly. For the price, it's a repeat buy, the fries, not so much... Time to order: 10 minutes.
C
osting me $12.35 for the burger, fries and shake, the Wendy's Big Bacon Classic Double scored 53 points out of a possible 63, also earning 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Under seasoned beef and over dressing the burger with condiment overkill made for a bit of a disappointing burger experience. Here's a case of a burger with a lot of potential, that under performed. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $10.74 for the combo meal, the A&W Bacon Double Cheeseburger scored 53 out of a possible 63 points, earning 4 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly it's a good but not great burger, but yes, worthy of a repeat buy. The veggies are fresh, but there's a bit of lettuce overkill and even though you get two beef patties, they're thin. The bun is huge, resulting in a meat to bun ratio that's a bit heavy on the bread. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $12.67 for the burger, fries and shake, the Freddy's Bacon & Cheese Double scored 54 points out of a possible 63, earning it 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The beef truly was the star of this burger show. The method used to apply the bacon and the rather ordinary bun prevented this burger from scoring higher, but it's still a fast food worthy repeat buy. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $11.06 for the combo meal, Sonic's "SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger" scored 54 out of a possible 63 points, earning 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Reasonably priced, timely and tasty, this burger in my humble opinion outperforms the national chain fast food competition and is worthy of a fast food repeat buy. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $16.87 to include tax for a 1/2 pound burger, "Little Fry" and a drink, the Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger scored a total of 56 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It may be on the higher end of pricing for a premium Fast Casual burger, but it's most definitely a repeat buy. I dined at more than a couple places during the course of this Challenge and got 'nickle and dimed' for additional toppings, driving the price of the burger up past the Five Guy price. Time to order: 10 minutes
Costing me $16.07 for the half pound burger, fries and a drink, overall this was a great burger experience and I'm giving Fatburger & Buffalo's Express 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The burger alone makes Fatburger a habitual repeat buy. The price isn't exactly Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly, but we are talking a half pound of beef and this is no ordinary run-of-the-mill burger! It's loaded with flavor! Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $13.08 for the burger, fries and a drink, the Ty's Diner Bacon Cheeseburger scored 56 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Just a few missteps on the execution of this burger prevented it from scoring even higher. Both the seasoning and crust on the patty were stellar. Reasonably priced, Ty's makes a fine burger worthy of a repeat buy, but I think I'll try a different side next time I visit.
Costing me $12.46 for the double burger, fries and a drink, the Big Larry's Burgers Bacon Cheddar Double Burger scored 56 out of a possible 63 points, earning it 5 stars. It's Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly and it would have scored even higher with the simple addition of another slice of tomato, another ring or two of onion and bacon in every bite. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $17.74 for the burger, tots and a drink, TJ's Burger House Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Overall, it's a tasty burger, but falls into the lower tier of the 5 star rated group in terms of both points scored and the cost. There are better burgers out there for a lower price. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $10.19 for a very enjoyable lunch, the Broadway Burger & BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It was quite tasty and I wish I would have gotten a double, it's most definitely a repeat buy. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $10.63 for the combo meal, the Sport Burger #5, a Double Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This is one of the more reasonably priced burger joints in town, providing you a 1/2 pound of beef vs. the single patty (1/4lb.) a lot of competitors serve for about the same price. Time to order, up to 30 minutes, yes, they're that good and the line can be long.
Costing me $10.42 for the burger, fries and a drink, the SE Carryout Double Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored a 57 out of a possible 63 points, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Very reasonably priced, this is a tasty burger overall and is most definitely worthy of a repeat buy. Time to order: 5 minutes.
Costing me $8.59 for the burger, side and a drink, the Burger Central Bacon Cheeseburger scored 58 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The burger was flavorful, juicy, stacked well and very balanced. Burger Central crafts a top notch classic bacon cheeseburger and it's Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly at only $8.59 for the basket. This is a repeat buy, a burger I would order again, and again, and again. Time to order: 10 minutes.
Costing me $13.27 with tax for the sliders, onion rings and a drink, the Slider Shak Bacon Cheeseburger sliders scored 59 points out of a possible 63, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This is NOT your typical slider, both the patty and the slider overall is slightly larger than your average slider but that's not what makes it so much better. It's a top notch slider because of the outstanding execution in preparation and it's done with quality ingredients. Both the Slider Shak Bacon Cheeseburger sliders and onion rings are definitely repeat buys! Unfortunately, Slider Shak made the decision to close its doors on 09/13, which is a shame, Craig put out a great product. Here's the snippet from the Slider Shak Facebook page: As of today I have decided to close Slider Shak. The lack of sales is the reason. I chose it’s South Seneca location and that was my fault. Slider Shak’s concept, food and labor cost is pretty much spot on. I’m sure Slider Shak will do well in another location and I will continue to evaluate other location options as they become available. Thank you for your support. Stay Safe and Happy Eating.
Costing me $11 plus hitting the tip jar, the Buster's Burger Joint Double Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored a 59 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Buster's is VERY Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly, the value is tremendous and if Buster's isn't already on your burger to try list, it should be! Time to order: 15 minutes.
Costing me $15.85 for the burger, fries and a drink, the Bill's Charcoal Grill Double Cheeseburger with bacon scored 60 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. This is a repeat buy, again, and again, and again... Bill's isn't only the best tasting fast food/fast casual burger of the Challenge, they won the whole thing, beating out diners, dives, bars & grills! It's the best tasting burger in the Wichita Metro! Time to order: 10 minutes.
Expand your burger horizon
If time is on your side, why shell out $13+ at Burger King when you can go to Buster's Burger Joint and get a WAY better burger and a superior side for $2 less? Buy local. If you're in a bit of a hurry, or only have a half hour for lunch, why spend $12+ at Wendy's when you can enjoy a better burger and side from Southeast Carry Out or Burger Central? You'll spend less money and the time to order is about the same. Buy local.
Related: The Best in Wichita Metro Burger Challenge 2022: The Top 10 Best Burgers
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
My favorite place to enjoy a great burger is at my place, a bacon cheddar burger grilled to perfection on my Weber kettle. Life is good with a burger in one hand, an adult beverage in the other and a game on TV.
My second favorite place to enjoy a great burger is at a bar & grill, a seat at the bar, prime view of several big screens, cold beer, friendly staff and a great burger... It's part of the burger experience, embracing all that atmosphere.
I recently conducted a Best in the Wichita Metro Burger Challenge, traveling around and sampling the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It didn't really matter who, I ate burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling had to be taken in order to measure the best. I was on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough).
Here's my list of the Top 10 Bars & Grills in the Wichita Metro to get a great burger and a cold beer. All the bar & grill burgers listed here are Bachelor on the Cheap 5 star rated and 8 out of the 10 are local.
Number 10 - Little Buster's Bar & Grill: Located at 457 N Baltimore Ave, Derby, KS 67037, here's a snippet from their website: Little Busters is a Derby tradition. With the best burgers in town, 18 TVs, and all the games on. Happy Hour 3-6 Everyday. It's the place to be with friends. Costing me $13.98 for the burger and waffle fries, the Little Buster's Original Buster Burger with bacon scored 56 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Reasonably priced, this was a very satisfying burger dinner and I would order it again in a heartbeat.
Number 9 - Bubba's 33: Located at 412 S Towne East Mall Dr, Wichita, KS 67207, Bubba's33 is a fun place to dine with friends, enjoy some interesting cocktails and grab a burger while watching a game. Costing me a bit under $14 for the burger and onion rings, the Bubba's33 Bacon Burger scored 56 out of a possible 63 points, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's a very good burger and worthy of a repeat buy, but Bubba's is kind of skimpy on the sides.
Number 8 - The Hill Bar & Grill: Located at 4800 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67208, the service at The Hill Bar & Grill is friendly, attentive and done with a smile. Hello Monday Night Football and Hill Burger Mondays! The Hill Bar & Grill Classic All American Burger with a bacon add scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The flavor The Hill delivers makes it more than worthy of a repeat buy. Take advantage of $5 Burger night on Mondays!
Number 7 - Mulligan's Pub: Located at 8343 E 32nd St N, Wichita, KS 67226, Mulligan's has a half priced drink special on Thursdays. Costing me $12.84 after tax for the burger and side, The Mulligan's Build Your Own Burger Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Reasonably priced, this is a build your own burger that I would order again, especially on half price drink Thursdays!
Number 6 - Madrock's Sports Bar & Grill: Located at 1821 E Madison Ave #100, Derby, KS 67037, the service at Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill was friendly and attentive, despite how busy the place got. By 5:30pm, there was a line at the door and a wait time for a table. Reasonably priced drinks, great food, TVs everywhere... What's not to like? It's no wonder Madrocks is so popular. Costing me $11.82 with tax for the burger and side, the Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. I am a fan of charbroiled burgers, which sadly isn't as popular of a cooking method in restaurants as it once was, so it was nice to be able to enjoy it at Madrocks. Very reasonably priced, this is definitely a burger worthy of a repeat buy.
Number 5 - Whiskey Dick's: Located at 801 S Seneca St, Wichita, KS 67213, Whiskey Dick's has a 1/2 price burger special on Wednesdays. Costing me $6.98 before tax for the burger and side, the Whiskey Dick's Classic Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Whiskey Dick's Classic Cheeseburger is most definitely worthy of a repeat buy, anytime, not just on 1/2 price Wednesdays.
Number 4 - Brickhouse Brewery: Located at 2035 Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206, the Bricktown Brewery kitchen cranks out some very tasty food. Costing me $15.05 with tax for the burger and fries, the Bricktown Brewery Bacon Cheddar Burger scored a 58 out of 63 possible points, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The burger was so nicely balanced and while that generous portion of 'Burger Sauce' made for a messy burger eat, it did kick things up a notch. Anytime you have burger juices and sauce running down your hand, a.k.a. FLAVOR, it's a good thing.
Number 3 - Timbuktu Bar & Grill: Located at 1251 N Andover Rd, Andover, KS 67002 the beer is cold and the burgers are great at Timbuktu Bar & Grill. Costing me $13.50 before tax for the burger and fries, the Timbuktu Bar & Grill Timbuktu Original Burger with a bacon add scored 58 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The perfect execution of this flat top burger is what makes it. Reasonably priced, it's definitely worthy of a repeat buy.
Number 2 - Harry's Uptown: Located at 3023 E Douglas in Wichita, the Harry's Uptown burgers are STELLAR, the beer is cold and the service was great. The entire burger basket was as I like to say, Another Dose of YUM! Costing me just $12.87 for the burger and rings basket, Harry's Uptown Bar & Grill and their 'Bacon & Cheese' Burger scored 58 points out of a possible 63, the highest score so far in this challenge and that score earns a 5 star Bachelor on the Cheap rating. And did you see that price? We're talking a 1/2 pound burger! Not only is it a fantastic burger, what Harry's cranks out in fine fashion is Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly too.
Number 1 - Deano's Grill & Tapworks: Located at 9747 E 21st St N Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67206, Deano's Grill & Tapworks is a thumbs up place all the way around. The service is top notch, the drinks are smooth, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere super friendly. What a great place to just hang out and catch a game and/or catch up with friends. Costing me about $14 for the burger and fries, the Deano's Grill & Tapworks Classic Cheeseburger with a bacon add on scored 59 points out of a possible 63, earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. It's most definitely a repeat buy and deserves to be on your burger to try list if you haven't done so already.
Enjoying a burger at a bar & grill is tough to beat.
Related: The Best in Wichita Metro Burger Challenge 2022: The Top 10 Best Burgers
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
Takeaways from the Best in the Wichita Metro Burger Challenge 2022:
For just a buck or two more and a couple extra minutes, you can have a much better burger experience than fast food!
Here are the best burger money values in the Wichita Metro:
The best bang for the burger buck:
Costing me $11 plus hitting the tip jar, the Buster's Burger Joint Double Cheeseburger with a bacon add scored a 59 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Buster's is VERY Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly, the value is tremendous and if Buster's isn't already on your burger to try list, it should be! It's Another Dose of YUM!
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
I've eaten A LOT of burgers over the last couple months and A LOT of sides to go with them! Regular french fries, sweet potato fries, waffle fries, curly fries, tater tots, onion rings, fried mushrooms and mac 'n' cheese.
Here's a look on what I think are the best sides around, starting with French Fries, the most popular side choice:
Best Regular French Fry - Jumbo's Beef & Brew: From the review written on 08/31. Side Note: The french fries were awesome! I loved the texture on the exterior which provided a nice light crunch and the interior was fluffy spud goodness. Seasoned well, these were some of the best regular cut fries I've enjoyed so far in this challenge.
French Fry Runner Up - Bill's Charcoal Grill: From the review written on 08/04. Side Note: The fries were excellent as well, perhaps the best regular french fries I've had so far in this challenge. Fresh from the fryer they were perfectly seasoned, having a great exterior texture delivering a nice crispness and the interior was fluffy spudtastic. These fries were so good, ketchup was not required.
French Fry Honorable Mention - Southeast Carryout: From the review written on 08/24. Side Note: The fries were top notch, some of the best regular cut fries I've had so far in this challenge! They were made to order, fresh from the fryer, perfectly fried and perfectly seasoned. I measure a fry by how good it is without a condiment. SE Carryout fries do not require ketchup or anything else to dip them in they're that good. Excellent fry = lightly crispy exterior, fluffy potato interior, followed by the pleasantly salted finish... I'll let you know who I think makes the best regular fries in town, at the conclusion of this challenge.
Other French Fry Notables: Sport Burger, BJ's Brewhouse, Big Larry's Burgers, A&W, The Anchor
Best Tater Tots - Burger Central: From the review written 08/07. Side Note: I love a good french fry, but I'm a tater tot guy (see what I did there? Poet and didn't know it, give me a dime for my rhyme...). When tots are on the menu, I'll take those over fries. I thankfully got to sample both at Burger Central and they're both excellent. The fries are hand cut, they were perfectly fried providing that slightly crispy exterior and fluffy potato interior. I did have to add a touch of salt. I like tots and the greater crunch factor they provide along with the soft spud interior, it's kind of like KFC Extra Crispy Chicken - potato version. Burger Central fried the tots up perfectly, delivered them to my table seconds after coming out of the fryer.
Tater Tot Runner Up - Buster's Burger Joint: From the review written on 08/09. Side Note: The tater tots were good, fried nicely and seasoned well, yes, something to snack on during the drive home. No ketchup required.
Tater Tot Honorable Mention - Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill: From the review written on 09/23. Side Note: The Tater Tots were good, delivered hot and seasoned well. They passed the test of stand alone delicious without the need to dip in ketchup, but I did anyway.
Best Sweet Potato Fries - Bricktown Brewery: From the review written on 08/16. Side Note: These were the best sweet potato fries I've had so far in this challenge. They were perfectly fried and perfectly seasoned. Sweet potato fries can be harder to get crisp on that outside edge than regular fries, but Bricktown Brewery knows what they're doing. Repeat buy worthy for sure!
Sweet Potato Fry Runner Up - Dempsey's Burger Pub: From the review written on 08/19. Side Note: Killer Sweet Potato Fries! These fries rival the fries I had at Bricktown Brewery on Monday, the best sweet potato fries I've had so far in this challenge. Perfectly fried and perfectly seasoned, these fries hit the characteristics you're looking for in a good fry, the slightly crispy exterior and the light and fluffy potato interior. Dempsey's also kicks things up a notch by providing a variety of their house dipping sauces with the fries. Nice touch, most places just give you one dipping option.
Sweet Potato Fry Honorable Mention - Green Mill Restaurant: From the review written on 09/09. Side Note: The sweet potato fries rocked! Sweet potato fries can be difficult to get that good, light exterior crunch on, but Green Mill nailed it. These ranked in my top three for sweet potato fries, I'll divulge the final results at the conclusion of this challenge.
Best Onion Rings - Harry's Uptown Bar & Grill: From the review written on 08/01. Side Note: The onion rings were top notch! Fried to perfection and seasoned well, I got a beautiful crunch from the golden, brown and delicious exterior followed by the sweetness of the onion on the inside. YUM!
Onion Rings Runner Up - Emerson Biggins Old Town: From the review written on 08/23. Side Note: The onion rings were delicious! Fried to perfection, I got a really nice crunch bite on the outside and tender sweet onion on the inside. That hand battered preparation makes it and the rings were huge! I'll let you know if they're the best in town at the conclusion of this Challenge.
Onion Rings Honorable Mention - Slider Shak: From the review written on 08/28. Side Note: Slider Shak onion rings are also, "Another Dose of YUM!" Perfectly fried and perfectly seasoned, these rings are stellar and don't need a condiment to thoroughly enjoy. But if you do dip, OH MY! I tried them with both the scratch made Ranch and Shakcrak, both were tasting sensations. Sadly, Slider Shak closed its doors on 09/13.
Best Mac 'n' Cheese - Whiskey Dick's: From the review written on 09/21. Side Note: As I stated earlier, Whiskey Dick's makes a stellar mac and cheese. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the coverage of cheese sauce was excellent and robust with flavor. Topping things off were those bacon bits... a nice touch and a perfect flavor pairing with the creamy cheese, a delightful crispy texture contrast to the soft pasta. Everything is better with bacon!
Best Curly Fries - Timbuktu Bar & Grill: From the review written on 09/23. Side Note: The Curly fries were excellent. Fried perfectly and seasoned well, I put some ketchup on the plate out of habit, but they didn't really need it. I also sampled them with the jalapeno relish, which was really good, both on the fries and the last few bites of burger. It was a delightfully good relish.
Curly Fries Runner Up - Hardee's: From the review written on 08/14. Side Note: The Crispy Curls fries were pretty tasty. They had that light crispy exterior and the seasoning Hardee's puts on these is spot on.
Must Try - Sidewinder Potatoes from The Hill Bar & Grill: From the review written on 08/26. Side Note: The Sidewinder Potatoes were stellar. The beer batter prep provides for a flavorful light crunch on the outside and these things were SUPER fluffy on the inside. Seasoned perfectly, I was very pleased with this side upgrade, despite not receiving the aioli that's supposed to come with it.
Notable - Waffle Fries from Little Buster's Bar & Grill: From the review written on 09/23. Side Note: The waffle fries were quite tasty. flawlessly fried and seasoned well, these fries met the standard of stand alone delicious, no ketchup or other dipping required.
Notable - Yukon Chips from Red Robin: From the review written on 08/20. Side Note: The Yukon Chips (freshly fried potato chips) were excellent. Four words: Warm, seasoned well, crispy. The chips kind of out shined the burger.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
Regular readers know that I've been traveling around the Wichita Metro, sampling the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It doesn't really matter who, I've sampled burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling has to be taken in order to measure the best. I'm on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough). For the burger criteria, click here.
For a Friday night burger dinner, I headed over to Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill in Derby. Madrocks is an awesome sports bar, the bar itself is huge and there are TVs on every wall, every angle is covered, so it doesn't matter where you sit, you'll be able to view whatever sport show, game, event being shown.
Getting there about 5pm, the place was already hopping but there was no wait, I was seated immediately. I ordered a cocktail to get things started and checked out the menu. Madrocks serves up 1/2 pound burgers, proudly made with local meats from Yoder Meats. They also claim to make the best burgers in Derby. A fried pickle appetizer was ordered, along with yes, you guessed it, a Bacon Cheeseburger. For my side I went with Tater Tots. They top their Bacon Cheeseburgers with cheddar, all their burgers come with lettuce, tomato and onion.
Despite being busy (a steady stream of people were coming in), it didn't take long for the fried pickle appetizer to arrive and they were pretty tasty. Nice and crispy, they were accompanied with a side of Ranch dressing to dip into which was nice, but not necessary.
After polishing off most of the pickles, the burger arrived. A nice presentation, it was served lid off, with the melted cheddar, bacon and some char marks in full view. I quickly assembled the burger and took that first bite... NICE! I immediately got the charbroiled notes and the patty was perfectly cooked with a thin line of pink running through it. Juicy but slightly under seasoned, the 1/2 pound of beef was complimented by the robust cheddar and the hardwood smoked bacon. Adding some freshness to balance things out was the leaf of lettuce, juicy ripe tomato and sharp red onion. Wrapping it all up was a 'pillowy' soft, golden brown toasted bun.
Side Note: The Tater Tots were good, delivered hot and seasoned well. They passed the test of stand alone delicious without the need to dip in ketchup, but I did anyway.
Costing me $11.82 with tax for the burger and side, the Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill Bacon Cheeseburger scored 57 points out of a possible 63, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. I am a fan of charbroiled burgers, which sadly isn't as popular of a cooking method in restaurants as it once was, so it was nice to be able to enjoy it at Madrocks. Very reasonably priced, this is definitely a burger worthy of a repeat buy.
Located at 1821 E Madison Ave #100, Derby, KS 67037, the service at Madrocks Sports Bar & Grill was friendly and attentive, despite how busy the place got. By 5:30pm, there was a line at the door and a wait time for a table. Reasonably priced drinks, great food, TVs everywhere... What's not to like? It's no wonder Madrocks is so popular.
By Mike Thayer
Regular readers know that I've been traveling around the Wichita Metro, sampling the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It doesn't really matter who, I've sampled burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling has to be taken in order to measure the best. I'm on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough). For the burger criteria, click here.
Nearing completion of this Burger Challenge and having traveled north, south, east and west in the Wichita Metro, today's Burger Challenge lunch took me to Andover and the Timbuktu Bar & Grill. Established in 1982 and a cash only establishment, Timbuktu is the first and oldest Bar & Grill in Andover and claims to have the "Best Flippin' Burgers!"
I entered the bar at about 11:15am for my first meal of the day. Finding a seat at the bar I was greeted warmly by Diane who was wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt (more on this later). Taking my drink order, she poured me a tall frosty mug of Miller Lite and after setting it down in front of me took my burger order, the Timbuktu Original which features a 1/2 pound of fresh beef from Yoder Meats. The default side is chips, but I opted for the curly fries.
Enjoying my frosty mug of beer and watching football highlights on ESPN, I was soon entertained by the regulars who started popping in for lunch. They each took turns giving Diane crap about the Dallas Cowboy shirt. It was quite humorous at times, the barbs were laugh out loud funny, but Diane was a good sport about it, taking it all in stride. This passed the time nicely, as it took a good while for my burger to be prepared, but that's OK, because it was well worth the wait.
Presented with pickle slices on the side along with a container of jalapeno relish for a little extra kick if desired, I took a few pics and that first bite. The Timbuktu Original is 'Texas' or 'Southern' style of burger and Timbuktu does it right! The patty had an excellent flat top crust, the beef was juicy and seasoned really well. The grilled onion was spot on and generous in portion, the bacon - despite the "X" method of application - was crispy and had great flavor. There was a nice melt on the cheese and the pickles being served on the side allowed me to liberally apply them for maximum pickle tart coverage. The bun lacked a good toast, but what put this burger in my "It's another dose of YUM" category was the crust on that beef, creating another layer of flavor.
Side Note: The Curly fries were excellent. Fried perfectly and seasoned well, I put some ketchup on the plate out of habit, but they didn't really need it. I also sampled them with the jalapeno relish, which was really good, both on the fries and the last few bites of burger. It was a delightfully good relish.
Costing me $13.50 before tax for the burger and fries, the Timbuktu Bar & Grill Timbuktu Original Burger with a bacon add scored 58 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The perfect execution of this flat top burger is what makes it. Reasonably priced, it's definitely worthy of a repeat buy.
Located at 1251 N Andover Rd, Andover, KS 67002 the beer is cold and the burgers are great at Timbuktu Bar & Grill. The service is also top notch, Diane was friendly, attentive and entertaining. I'm not sure she'll ever wear the Dallas Cowboys shirt to work again though.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Related: Other burger joints reviewed so far
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
Regular readers know that I've been traveling around the Wichita Metro, sampling the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It doesn't really matter who, I've sampled burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling has to be taken in order to measure the best. I'm on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough). For the burger criteria, click here.
Nearing completion of this Burger Challenge and having traveled north, south, east and west in the Wichita Metro, today's Burger Challenge lunch took me to Derby and Little Buster's Bar & Grill.
Here's a snippet from their website: Little Busters is a Derby tradition. With the best burgers in town, 18 TVs, and all the games on. Happy Hour 3-6 Everyday. It's the place to be with friends.
How is that NOT a place to try? C'mon, burgers and beer? Any place that says they have the best burgers in town is a must try right?
I walked in for an early dinner burger at about 3:45pm. The bar was already pretty loaded up with patrons, so I found a seat at a nearby table. Ryan, my server, introduced himself and provided me a menu. I ordered a Miller Lite to start things off and perused the menu. It's a great looking menu that goes well above and beyond typical bar food, to include such appetizers like Buster's Bangarang Shrimp, Pub Pickles, Fried Green Beans and something I'm definitely trying next time I'm in, Fried Ravs!
In making my burger order, I went with the Buster's Original Buster Burger, a double with bacon and for my side I did the waffle fries, which isn't a typical offering on most bar & grill menus. It didn't take long for my burger to arrive. A classic 'Texas' or 'Southern' style burger, the patties are 1/3 pound each, both covered with superbly melted American cheese. The beef was perfectly cooked, tender, super juicy and seasoned well. The bun had a nice toast, the sauteed onions packed some great flavor but I didn't get enough of them. The dressing of mustard combined with the pickles provided those great tart notes balancing out the beef and bacon. The bacon, applied using the dreaded 'X' method, was nice and crisp.
Side Note: The waffle fries were quite tasty. flawlessly fried and seasoned well, these fries met the standard of stand alone delicious, no ketchup or other dipping required.
Costing me $13.98 for the burger and waffle fries, the Little Buster's Original Buster Burger with bacon scored 56 out of a possible 63 points earning it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Reasonably priced, this was a very satisfying burger dinner and I would order it again in a heartbeat.
Located at 457 N Baltimore Ave, Derby, KS 67037 the service at Little Buster's Bar & Grill was excellent. Ryan was friendly, conversational, informative and didn't miss a beat from the time he set the menu down in front of me to when I let him know I was ready to settle up. Stellar service.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Related: Other burger joints reviewed so far
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike
By Mike Thayer
Regular readers know that I've been traveling around the Wichita Metro, sampling the burger offerings from just about any joint that has burgers on the menu. It doesn't really matter who, I've sampled burgers from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of burgers in the metro, a broad sampling has to be taken in order to measure the best. I'm on a mission in the name of "burger science" (cough). For the burger criteria, click here.
Nearing completion of this Burger Challenge and having traveled north, south, east and west in the Wichita Metro, today's Burger Challenge lunch took me to Local Flavor Grill and Tapworks on East Central. Opening last summer in a space previously occupied by Gallery 54 Antiques, Owner Jeremy Snyder came to local burger fame as the Owner of Broadway Burgers & BBQ. He's taken his new operation upscale with a menu that features not only burgers and BBQ, but local beer, sandwiches, salads, tacos, fish & chips, a smoked salmon dip appetizer and much more.
I walked in a bit after 11 am and was nicely greeted by Vicki who was busy doing some prep work. It's open seating at Local Flavor so I grabbed a table near the bar and as it turns out, a table in Vicki's section. She took my drink order, a water, as I looked over the menu and waited for my lunch date to arrive. The Local Flavor menu has a lot of great sounding options, but yes, I already knew what I was going to order and in this case I ordered what Local Flavor calls, "The Local," a classic cheeseburger. Served with cheddar cheese, I requested lettuce, tomato, raw onion, pickle and a bacon add. If you're familiar with the Broadway Burgers & BBQ way of doing things, you have to request toppings, it's not an 'automatically comes with' thing, so naturally, it's the same set up at Local Flavor. For my side, I went with the fries. My lunch date, also named Vicki, ordered the Bacon Bleu burger with a side of fries.
It didn't take long for our burgers to arrive and they were steaming hot! With the history of Broadway Burgers in mind, I was looking forward to an upscale burger bite, but in taking that first one, the takeaway was how under seasoned the beef was. It was a generous amount of beef, had a decent crust and was juicy, but it was rather bland tasting. So was Vicki's Bleu burger which was also under seasoned and could have used a bit more Bleu. We both reached for the salt and pepper. The bacon was crispy and had good flavor, but was applied using the "X" method so I didn't get bacon in every bite. The veggies were for the most part on point, the cheese had a great melt elevating the cheddar flavor to robust and there was a nice toast on the bun.
Side Note: The natural cut fries were kind of a downer. Way under seasoned, they were also a bit wimpy, lacking a good exterior crispiness and the potato inside was a bit soggy rather than fluffy. Both Vicki S. and I had to salt our fries and dunk in ketchup, I even added some mayo to the mix. The fries either didn't get the benefit of a second fry, or the oil temp wasn't hot enough.
Costing me $13.98 for the burger and fries, the Local Flavor Grill and Tapworks "The Local" cheeseburger with a bacon add scored 55 out of a possible 63 points earning it 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. The lack of seasoning kind of handcuffed this particular Burger Challenge lunch. It's a reasonably priced bar & grill burger w/fries, an overall good burger, but not great. Of note, Local Flavor takes $2 off all burgers on Wednesdays.
Located at 5400 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67208, the service at Local Flavor was excellent. Vicki provided great service, she was friendly and attentive. Vicki S. and I both stated we'd come back again, looking forward to trying another menu option, probably those tacos!
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Related: Other burger joints reviewed so far
Enjoy this post?
If you appreciate the article you just read and want to support more great content on BachelorontheCheap.com, you can help keep this site going with a one-time or a monthly donation. Thank you so much for your support! ~ Mike