Still Champion.

As previously posted, my big 3 burgers are at Blueberry Hill, O'Connell's Pub, and the first place title holder right now is Concord Grill. Went tonight to Concord. It's Super Late, so I'm going to try to finish this up before I lean on the *pass out* button. Let me put it this way: It is a Wednesday night - in South County - and the place was packed.

Now, being an avid "Sit at the bar" person, this wasn't really a problem. I'm just saying - they're that awesome. (OH! I'm supposed to make a post about sitting at the bar versus a table. Tomorrow! Bwahaha.)

I have better pictures! Concord has decent lighting...but alas. I was too distracted by the food to take many. So, I'll post what I have!

First, an ode to the menu.  There are 40 - count em - FORTY - burgers on that menu. Each is an inspired piece of genius. It is my personal goal to eat every single one of those 40, and challenge them to keep coming up with stuff to impress me. You can't see it from here, probably...but I think I've eaten about 1/4 of those burgers.

Now, last time I went in, I'd had the #24 burger, and I am a repeat garlic-burger fan. I have continually stated that these two burgers are the best burgers in town. So, here is my review, so that I can finally explain WHAT is so great about this place - because if you didn't know it was there...now you have no excuse not to.

Tonight, I ordered something made MY way. I couldn't decide which to review, so I made my own concoction. I started by ordering a garlic burger (garlic butter and provel) and added port wine cheese and bacon (the #24) and threw on some onion straws, because it made sense in my head at the time.

This is what I got:

How the Burger Stands Alone: 

First, I need a better picture. 

Ok. So it was a stroke of brilliance that she sealed the ingredients under the provel. It sort of sealed in the juices, and the flavors, and allowed the burger to really become a myriad of taste. (First, I should say, when I experienced the regular hamburger here almost 13 years ago, it was great. I've been experimenting with their toppings for years, but I can always depend on a plain-jane day for their burgers to be juicy and done the way I like them).

The burger was seared just right, where you get that perfect combination of meat and juice taste (and yeah, you don't lose the meat taste) with just a little bite of charred flavor at the edges. The cheese was put on either on the grill or so shortly after that it was dripping. The bacon was crispy. The onion straws were delicious. I'm not actually sure how they fit it all on the burger and it came out so...put together. I could actually still eat it with my hands.

Even the bun was good. Not as crispy as I like, but it didn't stand in the way of the masterpiece beneath it.

This burger is my Xanadu.

And it gets the highest score I've ever given a burger (and still it would be impressive if I ever do). It rests solidly at a 9.5.  Boy, it is going to suck when I start reviewing restaurants (I've got a few in mind) that get like 3s and 4s on their burgers.

How the Sides Stack Up:  I need to branch away from the fries. Not because they suck. Quite the opposite. But as many burgers as I've tried, I've only ever tried their fries as a side (ok, maybe a salad a long time ago). Because their fries are the right kind of crispy. Now, you'll have to ask the cooks exactly what they put on them - maybe just salt and pepper. But the pepper adds a nice bite to their fries - and it HAS to be more than that, because they're addictive. Like, give you a heart-attack addictive. The fries are (despite whatever that place that says they have the "best fries in town" that they cut straight from their WEEKS old bags of potatoes) the best in town, and as far as I'm concerned, the best in the state (or at least between here, KC and Springfield).

So, the fries, on account of their own merit, earned the restaurant my first (and only, as far as my eye can see) 10. I promise that next time I go, I'll try a new side.

How the Service Stacks: Good. In a couple hundred visits, I've only had exceptionally bad service twice. I've had great service a few times, too. Mostly, the waitresses are extremely competent, pretty fast, and sweet. They don't rush you, they don't make you feel unwelcome if they're busy. If they're having a slow night, they're good people who will take the time to talk and joke with you.

The bar for this has been set by a kid at (ugh) Macaroni Grill (ugh, nassty chain, we hatess it, yess, precious). But he was the best waiter I ever had, and earned a 10...

Tonight, the lovely lady at the bar took great care of me. She never let my tea run dry ( and omg, such good sweet tea! Sue me. I get my southern love from my mama ). She was having an !insane! night, and still managed to take my order quickly, and managed to have a smile on the whole time, despite my crazy ordering. You can tell everyone there really loves their restaurant and takes pride in it. I am going to give a 9 to the service.

Atmospheric Conditions: Concord is a little building off of Lindbergh and Tesson Ferry (back on Concord Village Avenue, across from Mr. B's pools).  The building isn't amazing - but it is homey. It is well loved, and taken care of. They make an effort in their limited space to allow for an intimate dining experience. What I'm saying, hopefully well, is that - the space has it's limitations, but they do their best with it.

Cool stuff: If you are looking for a place to watch a sports game - this is it. Huge screens that are only turned up when appropriate.

If you're looking for a great place to chill outside and eat and drink in the warmer months - this is also it. Their patio area is awesome, and like it was made for summertime in St. Louis. The service doesn't go downhill while you're outside, either.


The local fauna are a hodgepodge. The place is sort of 'redneck sports bar.' You get a lot of rednecks, but you get a lot of south-county family folk, too. It's acceptable for kids, and acceptable for families. Even parties, but it would be good to give them notice that you're coming; otherwise, expect a wait.

Giving the atmosphere an 8. If you are looking for fancy - this ain't it, sweetheart - but if you are looking for homey, comfortable and friendly - this place scores it, big time.

Overall Awesome-Meter: Ok. Let's average these puppies out. 9.5, 10, 9, 8. It gets an average of 9.1. They also have earned points for: their sweet tea, and I'm giving them points for the love they have for their own place (yeah, it makes a difference). I'm also giving them extra for their patio area, which is my favorite place to spend a beer-and-burger Friday in the summer time. I'm awarding Concord Grill a 9.4 overall.

I'll say this. It's the only place where this Redneck Hippie feels really at home outside of her own kitchen.

Nomnomnom.