Now, before I get into this most recent entry for the burger quest, let me just say I have something in the works for next week. It's not something big and earth shattering (where are you Food Network? Heck, I'd even take a local network at this point!). It's just the next phase of this project, if you will. I've already said I wish to keep blogging about food following the burger quest; therefore, I am going to start next week with another facet/phase/idea what ever you want to call it. But, you have to wait until I get back from Wyoming and Montana to find out what it is (and no, this trip doesn't have anything to do with it... yet).
So, I have been overlooking one of the first mentioned places for this challenge. When Dyer posted about this originally, I believe one oft he very first comments was something to the effect that "Midway Grill is awesome." So, they obviously have to be on the list. And they are actually No. 2 on the list when I drafted it (apparently I suck at following my own orders/lists).
Location - Midway Grill, 2060 Augusta Rd., Warrenville, SC 29851
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So, today for lunch I went to Midway Grill in Warrenville, SC. For those of you not familiar with the Aiken area, we have what is known as the valley and it is comprised of Graniteville, Warrenville, Gloverville, Langley, Clearwater, Mixville (OK, even I have no idea where Google Maps got THAT one), Stiefefltown, and probably another couple burgs that I am not familiar with.
The area gets a bad rap because it hasn't developed like the rest of the areas around (and no, I don't mean Aiken is a booming metropolis, but it just seems like the valley is stuck in time). However, if you're from Aiken (or lived here at any point during your youth), you've been down to the valley a time or two for more than just passing through and you have friends from the valley. Yet, if you're not from the valley, you still refer to it with a sense of disdain and call people there "Valley Rats."
I'm guilty of this, yet I still love it because, like I said before, it's a bit of a blast from the past. It's made up of old mills (many no longer operating) and family-run business. The homes feature a lot of "cookie cutter" features because a lot of them were mill-houses. It's really an interesting place, and just today I was reminded of a huge event for those of us in Aiken, the train derailment of January 2006. It's hard to believe that we're coming up on 10 years since that in about 5 months.
ANYWAYS, I tend to ramble, as you can tell, but this is supposed to be about Midway Grill. Like most of the businesses around the valley area, it's a staple. I actually ate there a few times back in high school when I had a couple summer jobs doing lawn care with Eddington Sprinklers and Cold Creek Nursery (and probably Kimball's knowing that crew). But, I had forgotten all about it until I walked in.
For those of you who love holes in the wall, you have GOT to make it to Midway. It's an interesting place that features a grill-style restaurant with a drive-through, ice cream parlor and some arcade games (not originals, but heck, it's still fun to see places with arcade games). It should probably only hold 20-30 people, but they pack it in. If you're like my friend Cliff, it passes the car test (that means there are more than just a couple cars out front). I went around noon and I was actually worried I wouldn't have a seat inside (this is not a bad thing at all. This is a VERY good problem to have, particularly for a non-chain restaurant).
The first thing you'll notice about the place and people is that there are definitely regulars. The guys and gals behind the bar know a lot of their customers by name - probably even nicknames - and they cut up with them and give each other some grief. I'm not one to poke fun at the people handling my food (I've worked in a kitchen, I've seen the movies) but some of the regulars were dishing it out a bit towards the one guy. Brave souls. Then again, they wouldn't still be around (either Midway or the customers) if anything ever happened more than a chuckle and a slap on the back.
So, because of that, you know it's friendly. It doesn't take long for you to figure out that the patrons and the workers are good people. Even if there was some Carolina Gamecock stuff on the walls. At least they corrected it a bit with some Clemson orange and paws. (funny story, I actually sat right in the area of the Clemson orange and didn't even realize it. You know you're from SC when...)
So, I've given you quite a bit to munch on about just the place itself. How about I show you what I munched on during my lunch break. This was the bacon cheeseburger basket:
So, let's get down to business. The first thing I noticed was it very much resembles the Blue Top burger. Nothing fancy, but good meat, fresh veggies, and probably cooked on a similar grill (one that has never been cleaned and was installed when the building was first erected in the 40's or 50's if not earlier.
However, you can see that the patty is rather... small. It was a fat patty (I feel like that will have some of you chuckling for some reason), but it didn't fill up the bun (again, keep your minds out of the gutter, people). I was a little disappointed in this because the taste was very good. The bacon was a little over-done and the tomato was a bit on the over-ripe side, but the taste all around was good. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, ketchup, mustard, and the patty. Nothing fancy about it.
I hate that it seems like I say this so often, but it was a solid burger, just not a great burger. I left full because there really is a fair amount of food there (plenty of warm, crispy crinkle fries along with a thick patty) but I would have liked it more had the patty filled up the bun AND been thick.
And I hear a few of you saying, "And if they had just toasted the bun!" Maybe that's what I'll name my food show when I get one. "Toasted buns" or "I like my buns toasted."
If I had to rank it, I'd say it's right there with Red Shed (R.I.P.), City B's and Blue Top... but if I had to go off of how full I am right now and add in the atmosphere, I'd say it's probably ahead of those (but not by much... and honestly, I guess Red Shed should be a bit lower, now).
I hope you don't let this "low ranking" talk you out of going here. It's not like I'm giving this place a "C' a "D" or even an "F". Everywhere I have been has been very good, clean, and definitely worth visiting to make your own assumptions. This is purely on what I think is the best burger in Aiken County (sorry Dyer, but your hangover-curing burger at Waffle House will have to wait).
Price: As far as prices go, this was definitely one of the better ones. I paid $7.77 for the bacon cheeseburger basket and all the sweet tea you can guzzle. (Side note, I think this is my favorite thing about the local joints... everywhere has pretty much been under $10 and for what you get, you cannot ask for better. Sure, you could hit up Wendy's, Burger King or McDonald's - I may just hurl thinking of that last one - but it won't be the same, won't be as good, and you won't get the same service).
Ambience: I've already described it at length above. Great, hole-in-the-wall-type place. Clean, lots of customers for the small space, fun environment.
Your current rankings:
1) Magnolia Cafe & Market
2) Betsy's on the Corner
3) Brew Pub
4) Ray's
5) Playoffs
6) Malia's
7) Grumpy's
8) Midway Grill
9) Red Shed
10) City Bs
11) Blue Top
So. Make sure you visit all of these 11... OK, 10. As Stoplight and Red Shed have just proven, these little holes in the wall can't last forever in this day and age. Well, they can, we the customers just have to make sure we eat local. It's not difficult, people. Enjoy what is around you! And be on the look out next week for that new series I'm starting. I think you'll like it (it's about food, how could you NOT like it?!).
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