Best burger and pizza joints near where you live

[sailsman63]

Not sure about burger joints, but if you want good pizza in the Madison, WI area, you want https://www.sugarriverpizza.com/


I've always had from the Verona location. Hot, good crust, many options. I know for a fact that they can do gluten-free and/or lactose free if needed. (Lactose free cheese does limit options somewhat.)

They do get busy, so if you are coming any time near "normal" mealtimes, I recommend ordering takeout ahead.

Paddling opportunities: Madison itself has the Yahara river chain; the city is built around several large lakes that are all interconnected. This is urban paddling, and I haven't really tried it out, but there is a thriving local paddlesport community. (This is the customer base that supports Rutabaga.)

You might also end up in the area if you are traveling between the northwoods or driftless zones and the Chicagoland area.

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Also, @ScottS: I know who's been trolling through old topics....

 

[bonpawtuck]

Binghamton, NY (confluence of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers):

Paul & Sons for pizza. Proximity to them played a non-trivial role in my wife and I's decision to buy a house in our current neighborhood.

Or if you're in need of a steak, The Beef is right across the street from Paul & Sons. I don't think they've done an update in 50 years, and I mean that in the best way possible. Their prime rib with horseradish cream sauce is top notch.

One more honorable mention: Beer Tree Farm backs up to the Chenango River, and I've ended plenty of paddles with a burger and IPA there. There's also a DEC launch just downstream from Beer Tree if you don't want to stage a car in their parking lot.

 

[GeoBoy]

Not by our home but Culver’s in the Midwest has great food and their fresh custard is fantastic.

 

[sailsman63]

Not by our home but Culver’s in the Midwest has great food and their fresh custard is fantastic.

Ummm.... How long has it been since you've actually eaten at a Culver's?

 

[ScottS]

Not sure about burger joints, but if you want good pizza in the Madison, WI area, you want https://www.sugarriverpizza.com/


I've always had from the Verona location. Hot, good crust, many options. I know for a fact that they can do gluten-free and/or lactose free if needed. (Lactose free cheese does limit options somewhat.)

They do get busy, so if you are coming any time near "normal" mealtimes, I recommend ordering takeout ahead.

Paddling opportunities: Madison itself has the Yahara river chain; the city is built around several large lakes that are all interconnected. This is urban paddling, and I haven't really tried it out, but there is a thriving local paddlesport community. (This is the customer base that supports Rutabaga.)

You might also end up in the area if you are traveling between the northwoods or driftless zones and the Chicagoland area.

---

Also, @ScottS: I know who's been trolling through old topics....

I grew up spitting distance from Matt's and the 5-8 Club. Still go to one or the other when I visit, depending on whether I want to eat from a plate or not.

 

[recped]

On my way home from trips in Northeastern Ontario (James Bay, Temagami etc) I usually stop at Burger Word in North Bay for a giant platter of burger and fries, greasy goodness!

 

[Odyssey]

On my way home from trips in Northeastern Ontario (James Bay, Temagami etc) I usually stop at Burger Word in North Bay for a giant platter of burger and fries, greasy goodness!

Try the Crown And Beaver Pub next time you're passing through North Bay. Killer burgers. Great mac n cheese.
Check out the Beaver Dam Nachos (lol).

 

[Odyssey]

If you're paddling Killarney it's worth the trip to town for Herbert Fisheries for their fish and chips, right there on the waterfront.

 

[PortageW/Cerberus]

Well, if padding the lower St Croix, Brick’s Pizza in Hudson, WI is truly excellent.

Never eat burgers out - venison (deer, elk, pronghorn) smashburgers at home.

Oh, and if paddling the Kickapoo in the Driftless, the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, WI has great pizza and an exceptional farm-to-table menu.

 

[jdeerfoot]

In Ignace ON on the TransCanadian Hwy 17 where Hwy 599 goes north there is a great burger stand. I can’t remember the name but it is a mom and pop trailer parked in between two store fronts in a small strip mall right behind the Tesla charging station. They put a deck in front of the trailer with several picnic tables making a pleasant place to dine outside.

They have best poutine I’ve ever had in over 18 years of trips to Canada. When I complimented the guy cooking he told me the gravy iis grandma’s recipe from way back. It was used in her restaurant, her daughter’s restaurant and now in the granddaughter’s burger stand.

The place is a bit hidden but if you see the Tesla chargers you will find it. When we were there last August it was very busy with locals call-in orders. Definitely worth the wait. After two weeks in the bush eating Mountain House it was a real treat. The only disappointment was the LCBO store was already closed when we got there, so no cold beer.

 

[ppine]

Mostly we eat in camp or at home because the food is good.
We have one pizza restaurant called "Chicago Mike's." The people that run it are from Chicago and know what they are doing. YOu can have thin crust or thick bread like dough. They make their own sauce, not too much. Real mozzarella and not too much. Lots of vegetable and a little meat. It can cost close to $50 for two but it is worth it.

In Alaska, sourdough pizza rules.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Bear burgers? Sounds tasty to me.

Mmmmmm....good!

This being an old thread from 2017, I hope COVID didn't kill any of these good eateries.

Here we have Flying Pie Pizzaria. Two locations in Boise. Go there. The Nampa location hoovers.
In Nampa, we have a new winner for Pizza & suds. Longboard Pizza. Best burgers? Holy Cow - a hole in the wall in the old Nampa city center.

Folks doing the Main Payette whitewater day trip won't do better than to stop at the Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant in Horseshoe Bend on the way back to the valley.

Day trippers on the Snake below Swan Falls should stop at Diner Dogs in Melba for excellent burger and fries. No beer.

 

[Gamma1214]

Bear burgers? Sounds tasty to me.

Interesting... I'd always heard the Pennsylvania & West Virginia were the only 2 places on the planet that would eat bear. Glad it's not true... they're pretty tasty.

 

[scoutergriz]

If you're paddling Killarney it's worth the trip to town for Herbert Fisheries for their fish and chips, right there on the waterfront.

I forget the name, but kitty corner to Herbert's is a small hotel with a massive deck out front that makes great homemade burgers and hand cut fries for the "beefeaters" in your group