Mogie’s Pub

A burger is a blank canvas. The medium can be shaped and shifted into a small, thin, 69 cent McD’s snack or a grass-fed, organic, fancy entrée. So being the best burger joint in town has nothing to do with how much it costs or whether there’s a sous chef – every burger has its own personality. These three shops had your favorite burgers in our 2013 Best Of The Chippewa Valley Reader’s Poll.

COURT’N HOUSE

The burgers at Court’n House Bar are the quintessential Wisconsin burger. They’re thin, buttery, greasy and salty. There’s nothing fancy about them – most only come with a handful of ingredients – but they don’t need much to make them good. Add in the atmosphere of the dark, wood-paneled bar and a pint of Spotted Cow and you’ve got a Midwestern experience in a nutshell.

Burger to get: Mel Burger: Mushroom, Olives, American & Swiss Cheese, Bacon

MILWAUKEE BURGER COMPANY

The burgers at Milwaukee Burger are on the other end of the spectrum from Court’n House. The burgers are plump and juicy, but the real treat is what’s on top: basically anything you ask for. Their burgers are eclectic creations that throw in everything from eggs to cheese curds, building Dogwood-esque sandwiches you can barely wrap your mouth around. You can try out their finely crafted recipes, or suggest your own on their Facebook page, where they take a fan suggested creation and make it a menu item for the month.

Burger to get: Hangover Burger: Cheesy Hashbrowns, Fried Egg, American Cheese

MOGIE’S PUB

If you like Court’n House for their simple creations and Milwaukee Burger for getting crazy, Mogie’s is the perfect middle. The bar and grill serves up perfectly cooked, thick burgers with fresh, crispy toppings – giving you that perfect crunch a burger should have. You can go simple with just their Pub Burger or go a little crazy if you’d like. And of course, there’s plenty of beer to wash it down with.

Burger to get: Cowboy Burger: BBQ Sauce, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese

Amber Inn

WE ASKED OUR READERS

... on Facebook what your favorite burger in the Chippewa Valley was, and you let us know ...

Black and Blugold Burger at the Eau Claire Ale House ...yum! Mounds of blue cheese crumbles on a toasted pretzel bun. Ok, now my mouth is watering! –Marcy

Black and Blue Burger at the Amber Inn. You should probably get a bloody mary while you’re there. –Eliot

Court N’ House Bacon Cheeseburger. Sometimes I get a double, take half the meat home and make a 2nd burger it’s sooo good. Nothing beats quality ingredients prepared by one of the grill wizards at ‘The House. –Kevin

Amber Inn’s Swiss & Mushroom on whole wheat with wedge fries and BBQ sauce on the side. –Tami

Dooley’s. All American. Hands down the best. –Christopher

2/3 lb Cheeseburger from the Menomonie Street Dairy Queen with tomato, bacon, lettuce and pickles. –Jesse

Wagner’s Lanes’ Nutty Jalapeño Burger. Weird, but it works really well. –Clint

Cowtown Burger at the Livery ...medium rare! –Kathy