The Wild, Wild West Culinary Experience

So, last week I promised you a bit of a treat. Funny thing is, I now have 2 treats to share with you.

I'll go ahead and reveal the originally intended treat, but the full reveal will have to wait until Friday: I plan on talking about barbecue (BBQ) next. I'll go ahead and tease it and say I had the best barbecue I've ever had a few weeks ago and I was reminded that SC is the mecca of barbecue. Sure, other states try their hand at their own versions, but SC will always and forever be where it is at for barbecue.

But, you'll have to wait a few more days before I get into that. For now, this post is going to tie in to what I am already writing about: burgers.

And you'll have to excuse me, this is going to be the longest post to date.

As you know, I've been on a quest to find the best burger in Aiken County. Burgers from places that aren't chains and that people swear by. I've had very good burgers during the past few months. But I am here to tell you, that there are others out there.

Better burgers do exist.

They are out there.

*insert gasps and dundunduuuuun music*

So, for those of you who don't know, I lived in Billings, Montana for a year (more like 11 months, but let's not get caught up on the specifics of THAT). I only lasted that short amount of time because I don't do cold. I was born and reared in Aiken, SC where we get snow once every 3-5 years and our idea of cold is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a warm tropical breeze out in the northwest.

In Billings, I experienced snow (true, powder snow, not that heavy sleet we get here) from mid-October all the way until May. And it has snowed on July 4 before, I was told (that's not natural unless you live in the arctic). I also experienced bone-chilling cold all the way down to (brace yourself for this) -15 degrees. I just got a chill thinking about that and remembering my nose hairs freezing and nostrils sticking together.

So, it is not surprising that this guy decided to hightail it back to the warm southeast at his first opportunity (although I do regret making such a quick exit, but that's another story for another time). But, during my time in Montana I did discover something that contributed to me wanting to return at least for a visit: more great food.

The other was a group of people (yes, Alex, you're at the top of that list) who I really am happy I met and have continued to stay in contact with. But people move and scatter, so I have a feeling I will be working on visiting some new areas as they continue down their various paths. Boomer, you and Dan better find me some good eats out there in Cali!

Anyways, back to the food as part of the reason why I wanted to return. You see, I found several places that I loved to "haunt" or frequent while I was in Billings and more started popping up as I was leaving or after I left. So, when I had the chance to go back with the girlfriend this past weekend, I made sure that we had time to eat out in Billings (and of course in Jackson/Jackson Hole, Wyoming). And you better believe we ate local.

Yes, we indulged in the finer places and I just wanted to share with you some places that you HAVE to try should you ever make it out west. The places I will be describing are:

Uber Brew - Billings, MT
Pearl Street Bagels - Jackson/Jackson Hole, WY
Snake River Brewing - Jackson/Jackson Hole, WY (WEBSITE, must be 21 to access)
Hooligans / Montana Brewing Company - Billings, MT

They are in this order because that is about the order Laura and I ate at them while out there, but we frequented Pearl Street twice for breakfast because they were that good. But, I'll get to that in just a moment.

UBER BREW

So, Laura and I flew into Billings, MT on Friday, August 7 and met some of my former coworkers for lunch at Uber Brew. It's a micro brew that, I believe, just opened up before I left Billings back in 2012. I loved their beer (I love beer, period) and their German fare was excellent, from what I remember. But, because I'm on this burger quest, I decided to go with a burger to see how things compare out there.

And it did not disappoint for being the first burger for me in Montana in nearly 3 years.

You are welcome. This is the Whiskey Burger with bacon and a side of New England clam chowdah. You all know the drill, if you've been reading my blog, I like to change up my sides to set things apart and Laura was a little mad at me because she didn't get to try the clam chowder. That's how quickly I downed it (believe it or not, I only started eating clam chowder when I was out there because the Rock Pile - another local favorite at the time - offered it with lunch).

Anyways, the Whiskey Burger has an awesome whiskey barbecue sauce (it's in that little shot tin) that you pour onto the burger after it is presented to you.

Mm mm slap yo' momma.

Seriously, best burger I have had in a while. And I wore some of it out to proudly show. It's a messy experience because of that sauce, but it is SO worth it. The patty was thick (cooked to order, juicy and nice spices) and filled the bun, the bun was lightly toasted, the cheddar cheese was plentiful and nicely melted all over, the veggies were local and fresh... and the bacon was thick. They don't play out west with their meats. When you ask for a burger, you get a man's burger. When you ask for bacon, you don't get turkey bacon or thin-sliced. You get man's bacon.

And the sauce was sweet, tangy and had that kick of whiskey that puts hair on your chest. If you don't use the entire little tin, it better be because you're dipping your fries in it.

Flat out, this burger isn't for the faint of heart and it sets the tone pretty well or what you can find out there.

Also, it is worth noting that they have a very, VERY good selection of their own brews. I enjoyed their Alpha Force IPA (7.71% ABV) while Laura and Alex enjoyed the White Noise Hefeweizen (5.7% ABV). I had a taste of the second and I really liked it as well, but it was national IPA appreciation day, so I went IPA. For a complete list (and pictures) of their brews, go HERE.


Now then, for the "odd man out" of this post:

PEARL STREET BAGELS

We stayed in Jackson/Jackson Hole, WY two nights. Now, I do that to the name because Jackson and Jackson Hole are one-in-the-same but Laura explained that Jackson Hole is the more touristy part, I think. Anyways, Laura loves coffee, loves bagels, and, like me, loves trying new places. So, we tried Pearl Street Bagels on Saturday morning... and had to go back on Sunday. It was that good.

Saturday's breakfast didn't really warrant a picture because we both just had a bagel each with a different type of cream cheese on it (but let me tell you, their bagels are excellent, large, soft on the inside with a crispy exterior and loaded with whatever cream cheese you choose... and they have a lot of good flavors to choose from). But Sunday's breakfast for me...

Yes, you are welcome again (and yes, I was parked when I took this picture). That is one of their breakfast sandwiches. The sausage, egg and cheese on their everything bagel.

Go ahead, wipe the drool off. I'll wait.

It is a full on taste explosion in your mouth. The sausage isn't store bought (it did't seem to be, at least), there was so much yummy cheddar I was on cloud 9, and the egg was perfectly cooked. I do not recommend you eat this on the go like Laura and I did... because you may just wreck from closing your eyes due to the amount of goodness playing on your tongue. That and you'll need one hand to eat and the second hand to pinch yourself and/or bat away your companion's attempts at grabbing it for more.

You know how they say, "Good to the last drop"? Well, this was good to the last bite. And that is a bite you don't want to come. I just cannot describe adequately how this sandwich tasted, but it was good. It had slightly spicy sausage, egg, and all that cheese.

I'm drooling just remembering it, now.


SNAKE RIVER BREWING

Laura made a comment that her vacations lately have turned into brewery tours. But that isn't a bad thing. Micro breweries have some of the best beers around and, usually, some great food to match.

So, Saturday we had to continue that trend by eating dinner at a local brewery: Snake River Brewing (and FYI, they have won a LOT of awards).

Now, what is one of the better things to do while at a brewery? Why, tasting different beers, of course! And how do you keep yourself from getting absolutely shnockered while doing so? Why, by eating their food!

The first picture shows you their Old Greg IPA (6.8% ABV) on the left and their Hoback Hefeweizen (5% ABV) on the right. Now, I had to get the Old Greg because I have always laughed my butt off at that YouTube video (go ahead, give it a watch) and apparently Laura loves Hefeweizens. Nothing wrong with that at all.

In the second picture, before we get to that beautiful pile of food, is the award-winning Snake River Pale Ale (5.2% ABV) (again, I know I mentioned this before, but if you haven't downloaded it, yet, get the Untappd App and track/rate the beers you try. It's a lot of fun and you can even add friends and track what they are drinking as well).

But this is more about the food... and that, ladies and gents, carnivores and omnivores, is a bison burger. The BBQ Bison Burger, to be exact. And it is topped with Gouda cheese, thick-cut bacon, chipotle barbecue sauce and what ever veggies you want to put on it including jalapeños.

Om. Nom. Nom.

I am convinced that bison burgers are a step above regular burgers. I don't know why. I can't put a value on it, but they are just better tasting and more lean, it seems. And this one, it was no different. The meat was excellent and juicy, the gouda cheese was a nice change of pace, and the bacon was thick. The sauce was sweet and tangy and the only critique I would have about this burger was that there weren't enough jalapeños. Yes, I said it, not enough and they were the pickled kind. I think if you were to do what Whiskey Bar in Augusta does and use fresh, sliced jalapeños, and more of them, it would take this burger to a-whole-'nother level.

And that level would be Cloud 10.

Also, I loved these sweet potato fries. It seems like people out there away from SC have really embraced that and have perfected the sweet potato fry. Don't get me wrong, there are good ones around here, as well. They have just perfected it west of the Mississippi.


HOOLIGAN'S / MONTANA BREWING COMPANY

Have I mentioned I love Brew Pubs? I know I have.

Anyways, when I lived in Billings, I was introduced to Hooligan's (a part of the Montana Brewing Company which is also located next door) early on and I made it a part of every week to go there.

Big game on TV, I was at Hooligan's.

Daytona 500, I was at Hooligan's.

Celebrating a successful athletic year with the department, we went to Hooligan's.

And here is part of the reason why:

Slap yo' momma AND yo' grandmomma (sorry Gram, you know I'd never slap you).

That is the Cowboy Burger with waffle fries (and yes, I ate several fries and assembled the burger before the picture so that is why there is a gaping space there). I promise, there is a big ol' burger patty under that block of melted cheddar cheese. It's there, I promise.

This is one of the burgers by which I measure all burgers. I love melted cheese, and they heap it on there. It flows out and gets on the fries and you just have to pick at it and eat it separately before you attack that burger. And you won't be mad about it, either.

Also on that toasted bun are onion fries, thick bacon (notice the trend, here, people?), fresh veggies, and sweet barbecue sauce. It's another messy, man's burger. The burger patty is really big, juicy and well-cooked, too.

And behind that slice of heaven is a cup of ranch. I had forgotten how much they love their ranch on fries out there. So, I had to indulge in their practices. "When in Rome," after all.

With my dinner, I first tried an Angy Hank's (other micro brew) Fighting Red. Then I tried a Montana Brewing ale. Funny thing about Angry Hank's, they A) have amazing beers that are very high in alcohol content. Some, so high, that when you go to Angry Hank's to drink, they give you a wrist band and allow you just 3 beers (unless you get a growler or two and plan on going home). And B) they do something that I wish more places do and they send out their brews to other places so you can enjoy them at other local restaurants.

Montana Brewing also does that, but they own both the Brew Pub next door and Hooligan's.



So, there you have it. My food/culinary experiences while out in Montana and Wyoming. If they were to be rated, I'm sorry Magnolia's, but all three burgers would be atop my list. They really are just that good and diverse. The wild, wild west knows how to make burgers. And bacon. And beer.

If you ever get the chance to go out to Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, do it. And stop in either Billings, Red Lodge (another great location of amazing beers), and/or Jackson for some awesome food and brews. And let me know what you think.