One of those days again, when eight hours at work feel like 327 hours, and of course it doesn’t help that the milieu in the Bluff City has been fraught with gloom, so we trek over to The Belmont, about eight minutes from the house, for a burger. And we get a perfect parking place! Right by the back door! Good omen! The interior of the place is so gaudily lit up with Christmas lights, I mean a million tiny lights, at least, that it’s like sitting inside a Christmas tree, say the one at Rockefeller Center. We don’t even need menus. LL orders a burger, medium rare, with cheddar cheese and fries. I order a burger, medium rare, with Swiss cheese and bacon; LL does a double-take and gasps, and the waiter says, “What’s wrong? Did you mean to order bacon on your burger?” And LL says, “No, I just can believe that he ordered bacon.” And I got onion rings.
I’ve always loved the burgers at The Belmont. I love the quality of the meat and the almost rectangular soft, but slightly chewy French roll the burger comes on. I love it that this kitchen has never been afraid to cook a burger exactly to medium rare because that’s what the customer wants. This is one juicy, meaty, flavorful burger, and the Swiss cheese and bacon, oh, and the little paper container of cole slaw which is never quite enough but adds some zip and crunch — well, I’m sorry, but I’m about to go out on a limb here and say that this is, OK, not THE best but certainly among the top three or four burgers in town. It’s individually styled but not eccentric; it creates its own tradition of greatness without losing sight of the honorable American heritage of burgers.
The Belmont was packed last night: couples young and middle-aged and elderly; families with children; groups of friends; a few solitary diners eating at the bar. A gentle hubbub of conversation over the eclectic range of music. A sense of complete, comfortable unchangingness in the heart of Old East Memphis. Isn’t that the definition of a favorite place?
Eating adventures
Responses to “Burger @ Belmont”
December 7th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Did they go smoke-free? I’ve been wondering about that since smoke was one of the main reasons I rarely went. I love their sandwiches and twice-baked potatoes.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Their burgers are marvelous, but no love for the cheese sticks? They’re not mozzarella, but Monterey Jack, which means they’re not stringy and oh, they are good..
December 7th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
It is amazing how consistent the kitchen is with the food. I have eaten there since it moved from across the street and have NEVER had a bad bite, ever! They have done soup particularly well over the years also. Fredric, do you remember the Blue Pelican on Highland with those incredible sirloin burgers?
December 7th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Their burgers a wonderful, but I go there when I have a craving for fried shrimp. It’s the best in town (tied with Pete & Sam’s).
December 7th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Fredric,
First let me apologize as I read this blog daily but never post. However, now you have hit upon something I am familiar. As I sit here polishing off another medium rare (perfectly cooked) burger from the Belomont I must agree that it is one of the best. If there are 3 or 4 better in the city I am curious who is better. Is it Encore with the bacon infused in the meat or Interim? Your list would be interesting. By the way, may I suggest throwing the slaw on top of the burger the next time you are at the Belmont. I recently learned this trick and it is great!!
December 8th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Yes, Ginger, they are smoke-free, now I finally know what it looks like inside, and I’ve been going in there for years…
December 8th, 2007 at 3:55 am
I love the burgers…………but I also love that they serve 3 oz shots of Markers Mark every time I order one. Now, that’s value.
December 8th, 2007 at 10:15 am
The burger at Mister B’s reminds me a lot of the Belmont Burger. This will raise some eyebrows, but I actually like the one at Mister B’s better.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I’m closer to the G’town Belmont - is it as good as the East Memphis location?
December 8th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
After reading the blog and driving by Huey’s East (to see a line out the door waiting for lunch), I decided to both save time and listen to the blog and try Belmont again.
I found a seat quickly, and there was no wait time. As with Memphis Bars with good Pub Grub (Belmont, Hueys, Murphy’s, Watson’s Newby’s, P&H), it has that unique pub atmospheric adventure that Memphians need and want to get a local burger. It has been well over ten years since my last visit to Belmont. My wife had the catfish/fries and I had the burger/onion rings. The food was good. The fries ample. The burger and catfish were large portions.
Wasn’t the Belmont (or was it the earlier Half shell in the same location) owned by the first owner (prior to Thomas Boggs present ) of Huey’s. I think it was the Half Shell. The owner sold Huey’s and opened up Half Shell in the very spot the Belmont Grill now stands.
My wife thought the burger I got reminded her of the Cockeyed Camel. We frequented the Cockeyed Camel in our pre-marriage “courtin” days 25 years ago. We trekked to Cockeyed Camel then located in both Memphis and Nashville.
The Christmas lights really changed the decor for the better to a more festive look. In the Earlier years the Belmont’s decor looked like a dark horse stable. I remember past years thinking hey this is the darkest place I have been since the 60’s era (I cant see my hand in front of me) Pancho’s when it was (remember that place Fredric?) on now called Elvis Presley blvd across from the Calvary/Forest hill cemeteries.
A warning to people going to Belmont, parking is tough at Poplar and Mendenhall. Once you get in and park, it even more difficult to get out of the parking lot.
Ok my wife, the true critic in the family, wants to go back to Belmoont in the near future and get the hamburger.
As far as burgers, I guess I am still stuck on Huey’s. I love their Veggie Burger. Its hard to find a place that cooks a good veggie burger. I wish another place in Memphis had a good veggie pr garden burger. Seeing the overflow crowd there at a Saturday lunch makes me believe it is the number one burger place in Memphis.
Dyers is my traditional pick as a number two based on the memory of the Poplar/Cleveland location of old.
Belmont is a close number 3 based on my wife’s strong vote.
After a Belmont lunch, I am thinking of past burger places. What ever happen to Poor Red’s that was located where Getwell dead ends into Park? Their gimmic was a Hamburger using a English muffin as a bun.
December 8th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Funny you should mention the Half Shell… since I’m an extreme night owl, it’s one of my regular hangouts. I should go list it under the vote post as “Best place to eat after midnight if you live in the Hickory Hill area and don’t want to get shot in the parking lot.”
The food ranges from better than average to really quite delicious, and I like the painting of the mule.
However, their service is so bad that it’s almost comical. We’re talking order an appetizer, because if you don’t you could starve to death before the food arrives. And since you’re the only one there ordering food, and you can see the cook and he’s not doing a darn thing, there’s really no excuse for it. They honestly seem to believe that if they ignore you long enough, you might just go away. I tip well, so if I get the same waiter I’ve gotten previously, I get good service, but they seem to have a nearly infinite supply of new waiters. I can only assume the tips are bad so they have trouble keeping people.
December 9th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I’ve ordered name drinks at Huey’s and Belmont. Hueys does a great job keeping up with the latest small batch Whiskeys and Bourbon’s. To my surprise Huey had Pritchard’s Sweet Lucy Tennessee Whiskey and Pappy Van Winkle Kentucky Bourbon (107 proof!) on hand to mix with water or coke. That Van Winkle 107 (they have other proofs) has a real smooth taste, but a kick to it.
I have to admit a 3 ounce shot of Maker’s mark is impressive. Have you tried the MM 101.5 proof? Its hard to get because its exported overseas only. So when you take that Euro trip, look for it!
December 10th, 2007 at 11:40 am
As a night owl as well, I have found myself in search of the perfect late night pub grub. I would have to say that if you want the best burger in town, you need to venture over to Alex’s Tavern. The neighborhood is a bit sketchy, but it’s worth it. And, you don’t have to just get it late night, as it is just as good during a sober afternoon as it is after the aforementioned maker’s mark. I like Hueys Burgers, but I tend to get one of ther gimmick burgers when I go there. The regular Huey Burger doesn’t do it for me. I have heard great things about the Encore Burger. I need to check this one out for sure.
As for the Belmont, it is a classic. I have never had a bad burger from that kitchen. I agree that it is one of the best in town without a doubt.
December 10th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I’ve always thought the burger at the Belmont was the best burger in town. Huey’s is overated and not even as good as BYB in my opinion.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
The best burger in town at 3am was Two Way Inn on Cooper. They just melted in your mouth! Too bad it closed because I haven’t found a decent replacement….
December 10th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
The best burger to me is Earnestine & Hazel’s. I haven’t figured out what they do to them, but they are the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth at 2 AM.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Hmm Todd,
I have a snappy comeback but I don’t dare.
E&H does a really fine and greasy hole-in-the-wall burger.
December 11th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
The best burgers start obviously with the best meat, so head to Charlie’s on Summer when you want to prepare your own best burger cuz they supply quite a number of the local joints with their burger meat, including all Huey’s locations.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Belmont blows away Huey’s…There is no comparison…Nuff Said.
Best Burger in Town.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Belmont and Huey’s are great. Any burger lover should also take a trip to Phillip’s Grocery in Holly Springs, MS. They’re delicious and some time ago USA Today had them listed as one of the best burgers in the nation. It’s located in the old train depot part of town.
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